Page 57 of Wicked Fortune

But he didn’t.

He couldn’t.

“Oh, hell,” she said, leaning back. “I’ve totally scared you away.”

“No.” His heart felt about to burst. “Hell, no.”

He could see the relief flow through her.

“Another reason to like older men,” she said. “You don’t play games.”

“Sweetheart, I play all kinds of games. Don’t ever make the mistake of looking at me and thinking that I have it all figured out.”

She studied his face, those clever eyes narrowing. “Why?”

He frowned. “Why what?”

“Why are you screwing with me?” She made finger quotes as she said, “You play games? You don’t have it figured out?” She indicated her body with a wave. I’m sitting here naked, desperate to have you inside me again, and you’re saying words designed to push me away.”

“No,” he lied, even as he realized that was exactly what he was doing.

“Do you want me to go?” He heard the catch in her voice, and the sound both humbled him and tormented him.

He stayed silent.

“Dammit, Matthew.” She slid toward the edge of the bed. He reached out and snatched her arm just above the elbow.

She froze, her eyes meeting his. “Let go of me.”

He did, releasing his hold as he said, very simply, “Stay.”

For a moment, she only looked at him, and he could read nothing on her face. “Why should I?”

“You shouldn’t,” he said. “If you were smart, you’d go.” He reached for her hand, relieved when she didn’t yank it back. “I want you, Aria. Make no mistake. I think you may be the most amazing woman I’ve ever met, much less touched. You’re already under my skin. Here,” he said, pressing his hand to his heart. “And here,” he continued, touching his head.

“I want you, and I’m used to getting what I want. But, sweetheart, I’m not a good man. I’ve done things I regret. Lots of things. Bad things. If you were smart, you’d walk away right now.”

Her expression was flat, unreadable as she said, “Maybe I’m not that smart. I mean, hell, I can’t even keep a job for more than a few months.”

“I’m serious. You know what the press says. That I’m ruthless. That I’ll do whatever it takes. That my business is all I care about.”

She met his eyes, and it felt like she was looking straight down into the dark depths of his soul.

“Is that true? Is it all that you care about?”

He looked away. He wanted to say yes. Wanted to push her away once and for all. Wanted to finally do the right thing and get her out of the circle of his life.

Instead, he looked back at her, awed by her beauty and humbled by her desire. “No,” he said. “That’s not all.”

For a moment, their eyes held. Then she nodded slowly. “Thank you for the warning, but I think I’ll stay. Just promise you won’t lie to me. I—I don’t trust easily. I’m not sure I trust at all. Except maybe Bree.”

He hesitated, then nodded. “I promise,” he said, hoping the word wouldn’t be a lie by tomorrow. Knowing it already was just because of the secrets he was keeping.

The sunshine of her smile erased all his doubts. “In that case,” she said as she moved to straddle him, “I’m staying.” She grinned. “So tell me, old man. Have you got enough in you for one more round?”

He felt his cock go hard as a wave of pure joy crashed through him. “Yeah,” he said. “I think I can totter my way through just fine.”

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