Page 46 of Ruthless King

I don’t have to ask what “put people in their place” means. I have a pretty good idea. The image of my father with a bullet to his brain flashes through my mind. Nico is capable of murder—he practically told me that himself on our date. So, why am I trying so hard to see the good in him?

This would all be so much easier if I didn’t have a heart.

“That does sound tiring. My days are spent here, so I can’t really compare.”

He smiles warmly. “There’s no need to compare. I wanted you for my wife. I don’t expect you to be doing my job.”

And there he goes again—being sweet. It makes me want to charge across this table and kiss him.

My body wants Nico. There’s no denying it.

“Can we spend some time together tonight?” I ask.

“Time as in …?”

“As in … we could watch a movie together. That’s a classic date night.”

“How many date nights have you had before?” he asks, taking a sip of his wine.

“Not many,” I admit, blushing. “But I know enough to know that dinner and a movie is a classic date night. Since we’re having dinner …”

“Might as well watch a movie.” He pauses, then nods. “All right. I could use a break from work anyway.”

My heart flutters when Nico and I sit down on the couch and put on a movie. He changed into a casual shirt and comfortable slacks. I like this simple look on him. It makes him more approachable. For the first time, Nico and I feel like a normal couple as we watchTitanic.

“I can’t believe you’ve never seen this,” I say.

“I’ve never had the time. And besides, I know how it ends. The boat sinks.” He places his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in closer to him.

“But there’s so much more that happens than just the boat sinking.”

“What’s it about, then?”

“It’s a love story.”

Nico chuckles. “I’ve never been big on watching romance.”

“Then you don’t know what you’re missing.”

He glances down at me with a smile. “You’re right. I don’t.”

We gaze into each other’s eyes for a moment, and the next thing I know, we’re kissing. The movie is barely a few minutes in, and we’re already making out like teenagers.

Nico deepens the kiss as he lays me onto my back. I don’t stop it. I should, but I don’t.

But when his hand slips down to my leg and tucks it around his hip, I know we’re going too far.

I pull away, gently pushing him off me.

“Too much?” he asks.

“Yeah.” We both sit in silence, the sound suffocating. “I’m sorry.”

He roughly shakes his head. “You have nothing to apologize for.” Despite his words, I see a flash of irritation in his eyes. So, maybe Nico isn’t as patient as I thought.

“I’m just …”

“You don’t have to explain yourself, Aurora. I want you when you’re ready and willing. Not before.”

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