“Good in theory, but I’m not Alexander’s right-hand man and the Prince family isn’t Cosa Nostra.”
“You’re Jaxon’s Underboss. Plus, we do have an alliance with the original Five Families. I’m certain they would approve. Think of it this way. There would be no need to worry about one of our enemies appearing out of the darkness, kidnapping and keeping me like Rapunzel until the right Prince came along to provide them with additional wealth and power from an unholy union. No pun intended.”
His laugh was dark and toxic, but I could tell he was thinking about what I’d just said. “Perhaps you’re right. But it’s your brothers who have the say. And we’re not living in a fairytale.”
“Yes, we actually are. This isn’t real life, Donatello. Normal families don’t run away to try and stay alive.”
“Which you instigated, I’ll remind you.”
“Bastard. I’m serious. Typical families aren’t worried about whether an arranged marriage will claw them into bloody quicksand.”
“So poetic, my sweet Ambrosia. Perhaps you’re right, but your family only wants the best for you.”
“I know what’s best for me. Let me handle my family.” Were we really doing this or merely playing another game? “We could even get married here. Just the two of us.”
He dropped his gaze as he rubbed his thumb back and forth across my jaw. “This isn’t Vegas, baby. It takes six months if all the paperwork is in order. Including a passport for tourists.”
“But you are a powerful man. You could make all rules disappear. So you’ve told me.”
“Some, but not all.”
“I have faith in you. I always have.” Even though I could clearly see how much the man cared about me, apprehension and even a hint of fear gripped my aching heart.
This was most certainly nothing but another little game we’d gotten so good at playing.
It was my fault. I’d started the acts of flirtation years before.
Was I daring him as much as laying my cards out on the table? Did it really matter? We both knew we were playing with fire, but I wasn’t certain any consequences could alter the way we felt about each other.
I’d thought about being his wife more than once. What was wrong with indulging in the fantasy, slashing right through the ridiculous thought that our relationship was forbidden?
Not a damn thing.
With a heavy exhale, he rolled his knuckle down my arm, his gaze following the trail. “There’s no turning back. You would be mine. No one else would ever be allowed to touch you.”
“Who said I’d want to turn back?”
Once again, our eyes locked in passion and need. This time, there was no question about what we were doing.
The tone was perfect.
The scene established.
The danger real.
And the hunger impossible to deny.
For about a million reasons, I didn’t expect his next move.
He picked me up as if I weighed nothing and stepped into the tub.
“What are you doing?” I kicked out my feet.
“I would say cooling you down, but I doubt there’s anything capable of doing that. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with heating you up even more, baby.” Crouching so he was sitting on the side of the tub, he placed me into the bubbly water, which I immediately splashed in his face. “Be careful, little girl.”
“Being careful is highly overrated.” When I rolled my hands along the insides of his legs, he spread them wide open for me.
“Is that what you think?”
