Page 29 of Illicit Temptation

“He thinks you all melt into the background, and I won’t notice a difference,” she says, not looking up from her phone screen.

In any other circumstance, that would be true. The perfect bodyguard isn’t seen or heard by the client at all. Just by those on the outside. In the event of some attack, it’s not lost on me that the first to go in any assassination attempt is the bodyguard.

Right now, no one wants to hurt my sweet Irish Rose. No one wants me dead either. And even when I’m part of the new power mob structure in Lower Manhattan with Griffin, I’ll make sure my wife is safe. Just as Lachlan does. That incident at his wife’s college six months ago is bulletproof evidence that the strongest and most brutal protector can and will screw up.

Clearing my throat, I say, “No contact with Archer?”

“No,” she answers sharply not even looking at me. “He’s back with his wife. Officially.” There’s no hurt in her voice like she’s written him off.

“Good,” I say, hoping he stays the hell away from her.

“That sounds gracious of you, seeing you nearly killed him.”

“He’s irrelevant, princess.” Now I have to consider how to kill the Las Vegas don.

She’s not marrying him. I doubt our little wedding will stop it. Nico Scava will pay the right person to wipe that marriage off the books, erase it from existence. I need her father’s blessing and to marry her properly. I could go to Waterford alone, take a few days off, but I need witnesses. Her brothers, who will be on the Dunbar trip, will need to hear it from his mouth. Hear her father give his permission. And that she’s mine.

“It’s for the best that my brothers didn’t find outabout...the fight with Archer,” she says, sounding nervous. “Right?”

Attempting to throw her off, I say, “You’reall that matters to me. Not him. Which brings a concern to mind.”

“Just one concern?” she asks, teasing me.

“Be careful flirting with me, princess. I see no professional boundaries here I can’t cross. You’remy wife,and when I want to fuck you, I will.”

Her jaw drops. “You’re so sure of that?”

I huff a laugh. “I concede, I won’t be all over you in public. I won’t give anyone the idea that I’m distracted. But in private I’m—”

“Can we get that divorce?” She cuts me off.

“Oh, lass. I’m going to love coming home at night to warm showers or soaking in a bathtub with my wife riding my cock. Come on, give in to all those lingering stares at me, I’m yours. And I’m not going anywhere.” I test whether or not she knows about her brothers’ plan. “It’s not like you’ve got someone else to marry, yeah?”

She scoffs. “No. We made a silly mistake. No offense to your ego, but I don’t like this hanging over me. I plan elaborate weddings for Pete’s sake. How would it look if it got out that I got drunk and...”

“Yeah?” I peer at her. “Had the best sex of your life with your lawfully-wedded husband?”

“You think you were the best sex of my life?” she sasses me.

“You came enough times. Is that usual for you?” I growl.

“No comment.”

Which usually means... No.

I consider if I should just ask her to marry me properly, only that would require me to admit I love her. Something she’ll never believe, and think it’s an ego thing. In a few months, Griffin will have secured his throne. That gives me time to woo Shea properly. Make her fall in love withme andwantto stay married to me in time to get her father’s permission.

If I have to use my cock to pacify her and show her the kind of carnal promises I offer, even better. I have to tone shit down and play it cool. All while wearing her down.

“Let me put it another way. Do you plan on fucking anyone else?” I ask to at least make it clear how I feel about someone touching her.

“No.” She coughs to clear her throat. “You?”

“Fucking you? Yes, please.”

“You’re exhausting.”

“I sure did exhaust you.”

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