Page 70 of De Luca: The Saint

Kat turns to me in the back of the car, and I grin, “You live with me now. We’ll move your things tomorrow.”

Her eyes widen as she shakes her head, “No.”

“Katherina,” I warn.

“No,” she shakes her head, “You can’t punish me for this.”

I hold my hands up, “I wasn’t planning on it. Why are you saying no? You don’t want us to be together full-time? I’m confused, Kat.”

She lets out a long sigh, “Of course I do. Damian, in the bedroom is one thing, but I won’t have you making demands like this and simply give in to them,” she crosses her arms over her chest defiantly, “You can ask nicely, or you can live alone.”

I work hard to stop myself from grinning. Kat’s little scowl is fucking adorable, and I enjoy it far more than I should, “I’m not a nice guy, Kitty Kat.”

She disagrees, “Maybe not to everybody else but you always have been to me. I won’t tolerate less than I know you’re capable of.”

Witnessing Katherina stand up for herself makes my chest swell with pride. This is exactly what I want from her. Why the hell would she think I’d punish her for it?

I stare at her silently, trying to figure out what to say to get what I desperately want.

“Kitty Kat, I love you more than I knew was even possible. Going to sleep with you every night, and waking up beside you every morning is what I want. My life is better with you in it. Please, this is me begging, please move in with me.”

Her lips curve into a sweet smile, “See. Was that so hard, Mobster?”

I smirk at her, “Forced niceness. If I had to be that nice to get you to move in with me, what will I have to do to get you to marry me?”

She freezes, her lips part in a gasp. I press my hand to her neck, and as I suspected, her heart is pounding wildly.

“Breathe Kitty Kat.”

Kat blinks a few times and darts her tongue out, moistening her lips, “I. I just. I didn’t expect you to say that.”

Chuckling, I say, “I’m one hundred percent fucking gone over you, Kitty Kat. Is it really that surprising that I’d want to make it permanent?”

She lowers her gaze, averting mine, “You’re not exactly husband material.”

Chapter Forty-Seven

Kat

Instantly, I regret what I said when I see the flash of hurt cross his face. His eyes leave mine and focus on the outside world going by the window.

“Damian, I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head, “Don’t be. I will never hold you accountable for expressing your true feelings.”

We pull up to his building, and he quietly gets out and holds his hand out for me. Taking the elevator, I’m met with more silence. He’s not being rude, just quiet and I don’t like it.

As we step into his apartment, I try to formulate the words to make him understand but he pastes a fake smile on his face, “Make yourself at home, Kat. I have a few calls to make. I’ll be with you shortly.”

I open my mouth to speak, but within seconds, he’s gone.

It was clear that I hurt him by what I said. I didn’t mean to, but I did. I know I have some making up to do. I didn’t expect him to get upset otherwise, I wouldn’t have said it, but I know if he said that to me, I’d be heartbroken.

DAMIAN

Her words bounce around my brain endlessly, ‘you’re not exactly husband material.’

Am I not? I’m faithful. I have never even looked at a woman with interest since Kat. After she left me, I practically became a goddamn monk. For two long fucking years, I beat off in my hand while I thought of her, only her. Since the day I met her, I’ve been devoted to her even when I didn’t have to be. I take care of her every need with fucking pleasure. Is that not husband material? If I hadn’t been planning out the perfect way to propose to her, it probably wouldn’t bother me the way it does. I guess there’s no point because clearly, she’d say no. This is not how I saw this night going.

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