Page 128 of LA King

“Bacon cheeseburger and fries.” She lets out a moan that short-circuits my brain. “I’m sorry if you were hoping for something a little fancier. But Magda insisted that I choose my favorite, and this is it.”

Is it, though? Alana places her napkin on her lap and picks up the giant greasy burger with both hands. I watch her take a huge bite, transfixed.

A smile tugs at my lips as an expression of pure satisfaction spreads over her pretty face while she chews that first mouthful, and those little fucking noises she’s making go straight to my cock. This really is her favorite food.

Suddenly, she stops chewing and swallows hard. Fuck, I’m staring. But I can’t help it. Her beauty is undeniable, but I have never seen her look sexier than she does right now. She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and mumbles, “Sorry.”

“What for?” I pick up my own burger. “There’s no other way to eat.” I wink at her and take a bite. She rewards me with a wide smile before she continues eating.

After we’ve eaten our burgers and finished our decanted soda, Magda brings me a glass of Scotch and clears the dishes. I sip my drink, my eyes not leaving Alana. This is why I don’t spend too much time around her—I’m constantly reminded of how much she fascinates me. I could stare at her all evening and not get bored. She stares into space, and I wonder what’s on her mind, but I won’t ask. I have no desire for her to learn how much she has captivated me.

After a few moments of silence, she turns to me. “Why did you ask Magda to cook my favorite meal?”

I consider my answer carefully. “You are my wife. Maybe I thought it was time to learn something about you.”

“Okay” is all she says, eyeing me suspiciously.

Two can play at that game. “How was Hugo today?”

That fucking smile lights up her face again, and it has jealousy burning through my veins. “He was great. Thank you for allowing me to choose my own bodyguard. I appreciate it.”

“Why did you choose him?” I ask, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible while I sip my Scotch. When I sent him to her, I almost had myself convinced that I wouldn’t give a fuck who she chose. But I do. I really fucking do.

She chews her lip and answers thoughtfully. “He was the best candidate.”

“The fact that he was the youngest and best looking didn’t factor into your decision at all then?” I growl.

She flashes me a wicked grin. “You think Hugo is good looking?”

I am not in the mood to play. Not about this. She needs to remember that even if our marriage isn’t real, she is still fucking mine. “Answer the question, Alana.”

She rolls her eyes, and I’m a heartbeat away from bending her over the dining table and spanking her ass right here. But there’s only one way that would end, and I don’t want to fuck her. Not yet.

Except I do. I desperately want to fuck her, and that’s the problem. I can’t go there with her yet. I can’t afford to let her in.

So I take a calming breath and let the eye roll go. For now.

“I chose him because he was the only one who actually spoke to me,” she says.

“You’re telling me the others were mute?”

Another eye roll. My resistance is being stretched to its breaking point. “No. But they may as well have been. They all gave me one-word answers and had absolutely no personality. Hugo answered my questions and we actually talked. He could have been eighty years old and looked like Freddy Krueger, and I still would have given him the job. Are you satisfied?”

Not even a little. She’s getting far too feisty for her own good. “He’s not there to talk to you.”

“Why not?” she asks, her chin tilted in defiance.

“Because he’s there to protect you. Talking to you is distracting. Jesus, Alana, you’re a fucking distraction.” I immediately wish I could take back those last few words.

Her anger gives way to confusion. “You think I’m a distraction?”

I close my eyes and take a breath. “I simply meant that if you talk to him while he’s working, he cannot focus on his job.”

She leans forward, her eyes narrowed. “But I barely ever talk to you.”

“We’re not talking about me.”

“But we are. You just said I was a distraction. So how do I distract you, Alejandro?” My name rolls off her tongue like it belongs there. Does she have any fucking idea how much restraint it takes for me to not climb over this table and fuck her right here? It’s going to happen. We both know that, so why don’t I get it over with? Fuck her out of my system. I have no goddamn idea what stops me. “You don’t.”