Page 18 of The Marriage Contract

“Bad things,” he grunts. “What I have to, but I didn’t come here to discuss this. We have a charity gala this evening. Get yourself ready.”

“What do I need to do?”

“Nothing. Someone will handle your outfit, makeup, and hair, but you should prepare mentally. Some of these people are even more judgmental than my parents.”

I force a smile onto my face. “Is that even possible?”

He grabs my shoulders. Not hard, but with enough intensity to send more confusing sensations through my body. “Careful. Even if they live with sticks up their asses, they’re still my parents. I wouldn’t make comments about your parents.”

“My parents died in a fire,” I whisper.

“Good. You’re sticking to your role.”

“No.” Why am I even telling him this? “That wasn’t part of my role. It was the truth. I just incorporated it. My parents and my little brother died when I was a kid. That’s why Aunt Rosa took me in. That’s why I can’t lose her.”

His touch tightens on me. My skin blazes under his palms. “It’s true?” When I nod, he leans even closer. His warm breath tickles over my skin. “Shit. I’m sorry, Elena.”

“It was almost ten years ago.”

“That doesn’t mean the pain stops.”

“I’ll give you that.”

As he leans even closer, tingles dance all over me, making me ache.

“At the party,” he says huskily, “we might have to kiss. We should try that now, so it’s not the first time.”

I swallow. Is he messing with me?

“Can I say no?” I ask.

“You canalwayssay no,” he snaps. “Nobody’s going to force you to do anything you don’t want to.”

I stand up straighter. How he looks at me, with what seems like genuine attraction, makes me feel oddly powerful. “Then yes, let’s practice.”

When he presses his lips against mine, I repeat the mantra over and over.Business, business …Then he makes a groaning noise of pure hunger and wraps his arms around me. He pulls me close, and then I feel his manhood pushing against me through his workout shorts. He can’t fakethat, surely. Even if he could, why would he?

I let out a stifled moan as he opens his mouth, his tongue finding mine in a flurry of pure, natural desire. I try to do some internal self-talk to chill myself out, but I can’t think about anything other than the kiss. It’s all I can focus on as he grinds against me.

He growls and grips my hips like he’s been waiting his whole life for this. Is he an even better actor than I am? Lifting me up, he puts me on the table. What am I doing? I wrap my legs around him. He pushes his manhood against my sex. Thank God I’m wearing jeans, but I can still feel him, his huge solidness grinding against me as he shifts back and forth.

There’s another growl from him, another moan from me. He breaks the kiss off but keeps his face close to mine, our noses tickling each other.

“We can’t do this at the party, Mafia man,” I say.

Hesmiles. Not a lip twitch. Not a distant and calculating smirk. An actual full-fledged smile. “You might have a point there.” He lets out a shuddering breath. “In your expert opinion, can an actor ever rehearse too much?”

“No,” I say, knowing what he’s getting at.

He crashes his lips against mine again. This time, I drag my hands up his arms, savoring the feel of his hard muscles. His arms bulge as much as his manhood like his body is telling me how badly hetrulywants me.

I’m not sure how far this would go. My body is steaming up like I’m inside a sauna. My heart is beating so forcefully that it might burst, and I can’t think—not about anything other than us, this closeness, this heat. It’s so new to me. It’s so hot. I almost scream just to let out some of the tension.

Then Clara walks into the room. She turns immediately, but it shatters the moment.

“Excuse me,” she says. “I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize, Clara,” I say, as Dario moves away and I hop down from the table. I’m breathless, my head spinning. I have to be careful. This can never workfor real. Aunt Rosa wouldn’t let it. His parents wouldn’t allow it. He’s too violent. He’s a criminal. I need to remember why I’m here.

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