Page 41 of Stolen Bride for the Don

“How was the conversation with your family?” Hudson asks as he picks up his desert spoon. Not, did you call your family? Of course, he knows I did.

“Don’t tell me you don’t know the specifics, Hudson. Save us both time and admit to it now,” I bite out, reminded of my earlier anger. Logging into my iCloud without permission. I have no doubt he snooped through my messages. Not that I have anything to hide, but still.

He lets out an exasperated sigh and mutters, “If you’re asking if I bugged your phone, the answer is no.”

“Well, can you blame me for being suspicious?” I give him a pointed glance. He did admit to bugging my previous cell. His phone chimes with a text, and he glances at it.

“My man is here. It’s showtime, pet.”

I give him a questioning glance, but perhaps for the first time since he kidnapped me, he isn’t staring. He snaps his fingers at someone behind me, and Donna rushes over to clear our table. Behind her, Trina pushes a cart of champagne on ice with one hand while carrying a large bouquet of pink roses with baby’s breath in the other.

Oh, he’s going to propose now. I knew this was coming, of course; but for some inane reason, my heart jumps to my throat as he takes out a ring box from inside his suit jacket. “Your man?” I manage to ask.

“He’s going to take photos of us, which I plan to leak to the press. So, look adequately adoring and surprised,” he explains getting to his feet. He drags his chair next to mine. I gulp as my heart starts pounding and my palms become sweaty. Trina hands the large bouquet to me and scurries off. I gulp, trying to hydrate my suddenly bone dry throat.

“Andrea Millicent Beaufort, will you marry me?” He opens the lid of the box, and I gasp at the monstrous diamond. I don’t even have to fake my surprise. The ring is a glittering masterpiece, and I can’t seem to look away. The center diamond is so large that the brilliance nearly blinds me when it catches rays of light from the chandelier.

“How many carats is it?” I choke out as he takes the ring out of the box.

“Five,” he answers, picking up my left hand. There’s a possessive glint in his eye that sends a shiver down my spine as he slides the ring onto my finger. It fits perfectly. My lips part as I examine my hand and test out the new weight that it holds. There will certainly be no missing this ring; if he was looking to make a statement and lay claim to me, mission accomplished.

“Don’t you think it might be too much?” I ask, even as I tighten my fist around the ring possessively. It’s mine now.

“It isn’t nearly enough,” he answers huskily and I glance at him. “I want every man within a five mile radius of you to know you’re taken. You’re mine now.”

The dark lust in his eyes arrests me and I stare at him speechlessly. He doesn’t really mean it. This is just pretend…right?

He leans toward me and trails his warm, firm lips down my cheek; fuck if I don’t turn my head to snag his lips with mine. My eyes slide shut, my senses heightened as his irresistible scent washes over me. My thoughts scatter, and I try to gather my wits. This is fake. It’s all fake. Don’t fall into it.

His lips graze mine with exquisite tenderness that borders on reverence., I realize that he’s trying to seduce me. And fuck, it’s so delicious. Tingles roll down my spine, and I forget where we are, who he is. I forget everything as my lips part for him.

Our tongues touch and butterflies erupt in my stomach. My breath hitches, and he groans, lifting his hands up to cradle my face as he twines his tongue with mine. I shudder, my own hands running up his strong arms to brace myself on his wide shoulders.

His body tenses, but he continues his slow seduction. I want more. My fingers dig into his shoulders. He tenses more, seeming to lose his control as he yanks me out of my seat and onto his lap. I gasp into our kiss when my core runs against him, proof of his own arousal.

He growls, clenching my ass in his wide palms, grinding me against his lap. I moan breathlessly, my head swimming as I feel myself ready for him. Closer. I tighten my grip on his shoulders as I try to make even more contact with him–to press our bodies so close together so there’s no telling where he ends and I begin. More. I roll my hips over his lap and my eyes roll to the back of my head when he sucks my tongue.

“Mr. Moratti?” a tentative voice shatters the spell, and reality rushes back in. I’m on my captor’s lap, grinding against him as we kiss in a public restaurant. I try to break the kiss. Hudson tightens his grip and for a moment, I think he won’t stop; then he lets me go. I scramble off his lap, drawing down my dress that had inched up.

“What is it?” His eyes blaze bloody murder as he growls at Trina who flinches away.

“I-I’m sorry to interrupt, but you have a call.” Her hand trembles as she extends a phone to Hudson. He snatches it from her, and she rushes off like the hounds of hell are after her.

“What?” he snaps into the phone. He listens to the person on the other end for a minute and goes stiff as his gaze snaps up to mine. “We’re on our way.”

“Who was that?” I ask. His gaze drops to my lips and then he glances away with a scowl.

“Your brothers are at our house. We need to go.”

My eyes go wide, and I jump to my feet. My brothers, as in plural. Ezra, that fucking idiot.

CHAPTER 26

HUDSON

Andrea holds herself stiff the whole ride home; as soon as the limo comes to a stop in front of the house, she moves to get out. “Andrea, wait.”

She gives me an impatient glance, and I sigh, knowing what I’m about to say will undo any progress I had made tonight. I drop my gaze to her ring finger, then back at her. “We’re in love. You need to make your brothers believe it. For their sakes.”

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