Page 56 of Poisoned Roses

I am in love. I doubt he even knows the meaning of the word, but to me it’s a fact because he fills me entirely. I am blinded by him, see nothing but him and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

He holds my hand tightly as we sweep through the gates of his family home. My breath stills as the sense of occasion holds me in its grasp.

Titus is silent, brooding even, and I wonder what is on his mind. He has been locked in dark thoughts for several days and I only get his attention when we are alone and naked at night. Then I get the whole of him. I enjoy his undivided attention and those are the hours that mean the most in my day.

I still haven’t returned to the Bolshoi and I’m not sure if I ever will. It is such a huge part of me I never imagined it would be so easy to cut it off, but it was. I no longer possess the desire to dance because it’s a different dance I enjoy now. This is my life now and this will be my home and I gaze in awe at the vision that rises from the landscape as we approach.

“Wow!” I voice my thoughts and Titus squeezes my hand.

“You will love it here, Tia. This is yours now.”

“Mine?”

I’m astonished and he nods, his words etched in authority as he growls, “I am the head of the Romanov family and this is my control center. My apartment is the place I escape to when I need my space. This is where I live.”

“And your family?” I’m intrigued by them and he nods.

“Mama lives here and always will unless she demands otherwise. My brothers use it as a Russian base but like to travel. We own many businesses throughout the world and they are responsible for overseeing that. I remain here. At the helm of our ship like every captain.”

“You don’t travel?” I’m a little disappointed by that and he shakes his head.

“Not often. However, I am aware of your desire for that, so I will factor in many vacations to our homes throughout the world to continue your education.”

A warm sensation grips me far harder than his hand in mine as he whispers, “I want your life to be a happy one, Tia. That is as important to me as business, and I never anticipated saying that.”

I turn and stare lovingly into his eyes, and I don’t care if he knows it. Leaning closer, I rest my lips against his and whisper softly, “I love you, Titus, and you are not required to do anything about that. I want you to realize how much you mean to me before we take one step into your home.”

He says nothing but the darkness in his eyes deepens and if anything, his features harden, but I don’t care if he is displeased by my words. I am hiding nothing from him. He has the whole of me and my thoughts are an important part of the package.

“Love.” He brushes his fingers over my lips and stares deeply into my eyes. “You speak of love, Tia, as if you understand what that word means.”

“Do you?” I ask, pressing my face against his rough tattooed hand, and he shakes his head slowly.

“I have never considered it before.”

A stab of disappointment hits me in the heart, but I push the pain away. He may not understand what love is, but I believe I do and I whisper, “Then it’s a good job I possess enough for both of us.”

He caresses my cheek with his thumb and whispers, “My father loved another woman even before he married my mother. He sacrificed that love for duty – for business, if you like. It destroyed him and it destroyed mama and subsequently his love destroyed us all. Love is a destructive force that changes destiny and has no place in business.”

“Your business, Titus. Not mine.”

My eyes hold him captive as I sense the confusion deepening between us. I face it head on and say with determination.

“It’s okay if you don’t love me. I don’t expect that. I’m aware this is a business arrangement for you and just so you understand, my only business is to make you happy. So allow me the indulgence of declaring my love for you, along with my promise to be a good wife. This is all I can offer you, while youhave so much to provide in return. This is what I bring to our marriage, and it belongs solely to you.”

I don’t wait for a response. I don’t really need one, and I lean closer and kiss him with a force that takes him by surprise. I rake my fingers through his hair and catch him off guard and, as the car comes to a gentle stop, I pull back and flash him an impish grin.

“I can’t wait to experience your world, Titus, because if it’s half as magnificent as you are, I will be happy to make it my home.”

CHAPTER 31

TITUS

Inever imagined bringing a woman home as my bride to be. I certainly never imagined bringing a woman like Tia home and experience the emotions that are surging through my mind and body right now.

It was a surprise attack that left me reeling and as the car door opens, it takes a moment to shake what happened awayand set my mind back to the business of introducing her to my family.

It’s a necessary evil because she will be a Romanov and must understand what that involves. The trouble is, I want her for myself. To share her with anyone else, even family, causes my possessive streak to threaten to unravel me.

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