Page 34 of Diavolo

"I thought I was your physician?"

"You will become everything to me."

She scoffed.

"Are you still upset?"

"What do you think?"

He grinned. "No need to be a sore loser, Dr. Romero. Our game has only begun. Once you surrender, I will fuck you senseless. Ten times a day. And ten more at night. If you wish."

She detached herself from his hold. "I'm not planning to lose."

His grin tilted into a smirk. "This is what I find attractive about you. Your refusal to accept defeat. You are a woman who knows her worth."

Her expression hardened. "Don't pretend like you know me."

Alessandro stepped toward her. Elyse stepped back. He was stalking her in the way a wolf might regard a fat, cornered sheep. Undeterred, he continued, "I know a diamond in the rough when I see one. As I have told you before, you possess all the qualities I am looking for in a partner."

He wanted her to be his partner? Elyse reminded him, "You said you're not looking for a fuck buddy."

"You are correct. I do not want a fuck buddy—"

Her nerves calmed slightly. "Good."

He smiled. "Because I am looking for a wife."

Wait.

Wife?

Elyse's gaze shot up to search Alessandro's face. The man had to be fucking with her. Her green eyes locked onto his brown-and-blue-gray gaze, searching for hints of mischief, but the fucker looked dead serious. At this, her expression tightened with disbelief. "You must be joking."

"I assure you that I am not," he stated calmly.

Her pulse quickened. "Have you found someone you wish to marry?

His gaze stayed on her. "Of course."

"Who?"

Brown and blue-gray eyes didn't stray, piercing her with unwavering intent. "Who do you think?"

Her face grew hot.Flustered. She used sarcasm to soothe her nerves, mumbling, "I don't fucking know. Whoever it is, I wish you two all the best."

"Angelo…"

"What!"

"The one I want is—you."

She balked. "Is this your idea of a proposal? Because it feels pretty fucked up."

"This is hardly a proper proposal," he answered, "When I ask you to marry me, Dr. Romero, trust me,you will know."

Her blood pressure rose. Alessandro had the balls to saywhenand notif. His self-assurance made Elyse want to kick him even while confusion wracked her brain. Moments ago, Elyse thought she'd figured out the best path forward for the next two years. Then, the bastard decided to sucker-punch her with this unwanted plot twist. Wasmarriagethe other reason Alessandro had been hinting at all along?

Elyse tried to wrap her head around this insane development. "No need to get down on one knee. I'm not going to marry you."

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