Page 82 of Tainted Ties

My wife.I’d nerve get used to that.

“Signora,” he greeted me shyly.

I smiled. “Piacere, Charlie.”

“Bring out Knight and Winter,” Roman instructed, nodding his head toward Charlie.

Then he grabbed my hand, walking us toward the side. “Sit.” He pointed at the haystack.

I sat, confused as to what he was doing, but then he got on his knees, grabbed my ankle, and slipped off my sneaker.

“And they say chivalry is dead.”

Roman took off my other shoe. “Yes, getting on my knees for you is quite chivalrous of me,” he drawled, voice dripping in sin.

I was burning up and it had nothing to do with the summer heat.

He slipped on one boot before zipping it up.

“So, Knight and Winter? Are those names meaningless like your tattoos?”

He slipped on the last boot, zipping it up before gazing up at me. “No.”

I stared at the intensity of his midnight eyes, completely enthralled before something moved from the corner of my eyes, catching my attention.

“Wow.” I stood, moving toward the enchanting white horse.

“Winter is her name,” Charlie informed me, handing me the strap before disappearing inside the stables again.

“Aren’t you precious,” I crooned, caressing the long strands of mesmerizing white hair.

Charlie reappeared, holding onto a stunning black horse that neighed loudly.

Suddenly, the names made sense now.

“I’ve saddled them up already, as you can see,” he laughed, handing Roman a helmet.

I scoffed, frowning at Roman. “You were serious?”

He walked toward me, setting the helmet atop my head, fastening, and clasping it at the bottom. “Deadly.”

“Okay, you wear one too then.” I crossed my arms at his blank stare. “I’m serious. If you make me a widow at this age, I’ll find you in the afterlife and wreak havoc on you.”

Roman’s laugh was throaty, a sound I wanted to hear repeatedly. “Oh, I hope so.” Without breaking eye contact, he called out for Charlie. “Bring an extra helmet. The bane of my existence demands I wear one.”

“The words that come out of your mouth,” I gasped sarcastically, feathering the back of my hand against my brow. “I’m swooning.”

“Bane of your existence she may be, but she’s rather lovely if you ask me,” Charlie interjected, handing Roman the helmet.

I smirked at Roman’s murderous glare toward Charlie, who hurried away from his scrutiny.

“At leasthethinks I’m lovely,” I muttered, turning back to Winter, who leaned into my touch.

Warm hands grabbed my waist, the touch searing through my clothes. “Ithink a lot of things about you,” Roman whispered in my ear, biting the lobe. My eyes fluttered shut as I leaned into his chest. “Right now, I’m thinking…” His hand moved south, where he cupped me through my jeans. “How I can dissuade you from this date so you can ride me instead.”

I bit back a moan, wanting to grind my pulsing clit against his hand.

Without warning, he lifted me, forcing me to swing my leg until I sat securely on the saddle. “On second thought, I love the way your eyes light up too much in this moment.”

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