Page 19 of Resisting Royal

I heard a clink behind me as he pulled his body away from mine. He held up a toothbrush he got from behind my back and shook it in the air before reaching to my other side to grab the toothpaste. That son of a bitch. He knew he was leading me on, making me think he was going to kiss me; the whole time he was just reaching for his damn toothbrush.

I made a growling sound in my throat before hopping off the counter and grabbing a fluffy white towel. “I’m going to shower,” I announced, not like he cared, but fuck, I couldn’t let the last thing I said to him be laced with arousal. The fucker chuckled around a mouth full of foam and a toothbrush. “And you’re brushing your teeth wrong.”

Ha. Take that. Bianca 1. Royal 0.

**

When I came out of the shower, he was already gone from the bedroom. I breathed a thankful breath, then wore my towel all the way to the giant walk-in closet. The closet was something straight out of a dream, and I’d admit, when I first saw it, I squealed a bit. Then guilt washed over me because I wasn’t supposed to enjoy this. Not when I would rather be at my own, slightly outdated, in need of repair, house. My fingers ran over the solid wood built-in drawers, savoring the smooth finish as I walked past in search of my bags.

“You can take your clothing out of your bag, Amore mio.” I jumped at his voice, nearly dropping my towel in the process.

I turned, glaring at him. “I thought you left.”

He made a dramatic show of checking his wristwatch. “Well, my wife said she had to be to work by seven, so I’m waiting.”

I clung the towel tighter, feeling slightly exposed and at a disadvantage next to him in a full suit. “I can drive myself.”

“Normally, I would say go for it. But as I was leaving the house this morning, I noticed my wife was driving on dangerously threadbare tires. My guys are on it, but the car won’t be returned to you for a few hours.” He sipped his coffee, looking smugly over his cup.

“I appreciate you fixing my tires, but you should have asked first.” Who was I kidding? I wouldn’t change those things until they finally blew.

He rolled his eyes. “Bianca, may I replace the tires on your car so you won’t die in a tragic collision on the freeway when your tire blows on the way to work? I would like to save a few extra dollars and only buy tires instead of the whole funeral package.”

I blinked a few times, never really having put much thought into it. “You would pay for my funeral?”

“You’re my wife.” He said it like the words made simple logic easy to interpret.

“But you don’t know me.”

He sipped his coffee again, making it apparent that conversations in his closet with half-naked women were a common occurrence. “I will.”

“What does that even mean?” I casually reached into my bag, searching for something to put on, not wanting him to know that he was five feet away and affecting me.

“Give it a week, maybe two. But I will know you, Bianca. Everything about you. Everything.”

I had to fight not to snort at that. He would only know what I let him be privy to, nothing less, nothing more. “I doubt that.”

“Give me until lunch, and I’ll tell you the information you would no doubt be shocked by.” He sounded so sure of himself, I couldn’t help but bait him.

“Is this a bet?” I took a step closer.

He took a step forward, matching my own. “Think carefully, Amore. Do you want this to be a bet?”

I doubted he would get anything on me that didn’t fall under the typical background check. “I think I do.”

“Think, Mrs. Russo? Are you positive?” His eyes glistened with excitement like he actually thought he would prove me wrong.

“Oh, Mr. Russo, I’m positive you won’t find anything on me that’s not common knowledge.” I held out my hand, ready to shake. He closed the distance, and right before his hand touched mine, I said, “Oh, and it’s Ms. Moretti. If I win, you will never call me Mrs. Russo again. Deal?”

He laughed. “But, it does have a sexy ring to it.”

“I would prefer you would not associate anything about me with anything of a sexual nature.” Even as the words came out, I knew that was a lie. I strangely wanted this man to desire me as much as I equally wished he wouldn’t.

His eyes traveled over my body as I still hugged the towel. “It’s a little too late for that. If I win, you will accompany me to a business meeting this weekend.”

His eyes locked on to mine, his hand hung in the air, waiting for me to accept it. I grabbed his hand, shaking it rougher than necessary. “Fine. You have yourself a deal, Russo.”

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