Page 12 of Ruthless Vows

Or Kent, that is.

“How about relationships? Dating anyone?” I ask casually.

She arches an eyebrow as her lips pull up into a smile. “Why? If I am, what would change?”

“Well, for starters, I’d seriously reconsider inviting you up to my room,” I say bluntly.

She laughs. It’s an incredibly high-pitched, raspy sound that does something abnormal to my heart rate, the steady beat turning erratic.

“Wait, so you’ll just reconsider it? Not reject me outright?”

“If you’re here with me despite being with another man, then you don’t belong with that other man,” I tell her easily.

“Anyone ever tell you have seriously skewed morals?” she questions.

“A couple of times,” I confirm. What she doesn’t know is that I have little to no morals at all.

“I like a self-assured man who knows exactly what he wants,” she says with a smile.

“Good. Because I want you,krasavitsa.”

I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this attracted to a woman.

Her eyes soften. “I want you, too.”

That’s all I need to hear. I gesture for the bartender to come over so I can pay for the drinks. Then I signal at Ruslan, who’s standing close to the entrance, that we’re about to move. When I offer her my hand, she slips hers into mine without hesitation.Her hands are dainty, delicate, and a perfect fit as I lead her out of the bar and toward the hotel’s elevator.

Ruslan gets in with us as we go up to my suite. When we arrive, I open the door for Lucia to enter and ask for a few minutes to talk with my bodyguard. Once she’s safely inside, I turn to Ruslan, who looks like he has a lot to say.

“This is a dangerous situation, boss.”

“Is it?” I ask dryly.

“She’s a Maranzano. With Ramirez in charge of Italian factions, that name is a lot more dangerous than it used to be. They’re our allies now, but our deal with them is still pretty delicate. We can’t risk pissing them off and starting a war.”

“Trust me, I’m well aware of the risks. I’m just choosing to disregard them.”

“Boss…”

“It’s alright. She has no idea who I really am. And I have no plans to inform her.”

“I’ve never known you to play with fire,” Ruslan states.

Which is absolutely true. You play with fire, you end up getting burnt. It’s as simple as that. But Lucia makes me want to toe the edge of that possibility. Her effect on me is maddening, and the thought of her sexy curves and beautiful smile makes everything else seem inconsequential. At least for today.

Ruslan looks like he’s about to say something more but one look from me silences him.

“I’m not asking for your permission, Ruslan. Just keep an eye on things. Understand?”

He nods before inclining his head respectfully. I pat his shoulder as I walk past him and open the room door. The sight that meets me upon entry has me completely forgetting any and all uncertainty with regard to fucking her.

She’s lying in the middle of the bed and has taken off her jacket and her dress, leaving her in only a lacy black bra andpanties. My cock hardens at the sight of her smooth, tanned skin. There’s a small smile dancing on her lips as she takes in my expression.

“You were taking so long I thought I’d get the party started,” she says in a husky tone.

Fuck me.

It takes a couple of seconds for me to find my words. When I do my tone is low and gravelly.

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