Page 33 of Diavolo

Alessandro eyed her with caution written all over his face. "Buongiorno...Dr. Romero."

"Are we still on at 9 am today?"

He nodded. "I am sorry for missing our appointment yesterday."

"No worries. Would you like me to set up the physical in the living room?"

He didn't seem to hear her question. Instead, Alessandro moved toward her, placing a hand on her hip to draw her closer. He gazed down at her with a hopeful expression. "Are you no longer upset with me?"

"I was never upset."

Alessandro snorted, "Bullshit."

She sighed, "Fine. You got me. Maybe I was a little mad at you. But I'm more unhappy with myself."

For losing her head over him.

He demanded,"Perché?"

It sounded so much likepor qué.Why?

"I'd rather not say."

"But I wish to know."

She shook her head, insisting, "Sometimes, the less you know, the better."

"You are a very private woman," he observed.

"And you're a man with many secrets," Elyse returned on the same beat.

He chuckled. "What a pair we make. The skeletons between us could fill a cemetery."

Elyse used one hand to caress the side of his face. Alessandro's expression softened. She stood on her toes and pressed a soft, lingering kiss on his cheek. He hummed appreciatively.

"Maybe I'll share a few of my skeletons," Elyse murmured while pulling away, "if you share a few of yours."

Alessandro's fingers dug possessively into her hips. "Not today. But someday. For now, it is best if you do not know everything about me."

"Then what are you willing to tell me?"

"Know that I want you in my life. And in my bed."

Elyse reached down to fondle him through his joggers. "I want you, too, but..."

Alessandro drew in a sharp breath. He grew hard—instantly.

His eyes were dark with need. "But?"

Elyse smirked and pulled her hand away. "You failed to fuck my brains out the last two times, so don't be surprised if I start looking elsewhere for someone who can."

His reply came swiftly, carrying a frighteningly possessive edge, "If I ever catch you with another man,angelo, then, rest assured, thatbrutto figlio di puttana bastardois as good as dead."

Chills ran through her. Elyse didn't need to understand his Italian to know that he meant business. Alessandro had kept his tone light and playful, as though he was joking, but Elyse couldn't help noticing the hard, humorless glint in his eyes. She kept forgetting who hereallywas—criminal, killer, a bastard with very gray morals.

Warily, she wondered about his body count. Did that number fall somewhere in the single digits? Double digits? Hundreds? Had Alessandro taken more lives than she saved in her career? Elyse set her jaw. Something within pushed her to challenge his threat. "Unwilling to share your toys?"

Alessandro glared as he corrected her, "Unwilling to share my woman."

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