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Then, as though determined to make his point in a lighter tone, he added, “You stole my first kiss, and you're going to be the first woman I sleep with. So how can you be so casual about my body, Ms. Herrera?”

Allison let out a disbelieving laugh, her eyebrows lifting as she stared at him.

Silas didn’t so much as smile. He continued staring at her with such earnestness that her amusement gradually faded.

He meant every word.

After a moment, she studied his face, searching for something she wasn’t sure she would find. Then she drew a quiet breath and asked, “Do you really love me? Do you really want to marry me?”

“Yes.” He answered immediately, without even a moment’s hesitation.

Her thoughts drifted to Justin’s message.

‘Allison, how far do you think you can run from me? You know I know exactly where you are, and I can get to you whenever I want.’

Allison stiffened as the memory struck her. A shudder ran through her, and for a moment, she could almost feel the same cold dread that had settled over her when she first read those words.

‘Justin is dangerous. He’s already tracked me down and knows I’m back in Manhattan. Shane’s life is in danger, too. I can’t risk it. Silas has the power to protect us.’

Her gaze returned to Silas, and as she looked at him, her decision took shape. Before she could second-guess herself, the words slipped from her lips.

“All right. Let’s get married today.”

Chapter 7 My Wife

Silas went completely still. Disbelief swept across his face, and his entire body seemed to lock up as he struggled to process what she had just said.

“Today?” he repeated, staring at her as though he feared he had misunderstood. “You’re not going to change your mind?”

“I won’t.” She took a soft breath, then offered him a small smile. “And since we’re getting married, you should meet Shane before we go through with it.”

Silas’s eyes searched her face. Happiness flickered in his gaze, but disbelief still lingered, and when he spoke, he struggled to keep his emotions in check.

“Allison, I don’t want a marriage in name only. I want a real marriage.”

She let out an exasperated breath. Then she slid her hand up his chest and around the back of his neck, drawing him closer until he had no choice but to lower his head toward hers.

“I don’t want a marriage in name only, either,” she whispered.

The next moment, she pulled him down and pressed her lips to his.

The kiss was brief, soft, and gentle, but it left Silas utterly motionless. His body remained rigid, as if his mind had stopped working altogether.

Allison had kissed him.

She had actually taken the initiative and kissed him.

The moment she drew back, however, he seemed to snap out of his shock. His arms tightened around her, pulling her against him before he captured her lips again.

This time, there was nothing tentative about his response. He kissed her deeply, moving his mouth over hers as though he couldn’t bear to waste a single second. Their lips met and parted, their breaths mingling as he drew her closer, tasting her with a hunger that left her thoughts scattered and her knees weak. His intensity swept through her, making it difficult to remember anything beyond the warmth of his mouth and the way he held her as though he never wanted to let her go.

When she could no longer catch her breath, Allison pressed both hands firmly against his chest and forced him to break the kiss.

Silas clearly had no intention of letting her go. His lips followed hers, chasing one last kiss with the desperation of a thirsty man reaching for a final drop of water.

She placed her hand over his mouth, struggling to draw enough air into her lungs.

“Stop,” she managed to mutter.