Page 148 of Juliet & Her Romeos

“Then no more messing with shit, right?” Vito’s eyes become hard in a way that I haven’t seen before.

He may not be as powerful as Ambrose, but it’d be a mistake to assume that this man isn’t dangerous.

Swan nods, quickly. “Got it.”

“But if you want to buy something, then simply ask me,” Vito continues. “Ambrose does love cuff links. You don’t need to get him anything, but if you want to, then we can choose him something together, okay?”

Swan tilts up his chin. “I’m not leeching off your money.”

Vito huffs a laugh. “Hell, you sound just like me. I’m independent too. Look, we’re all bonded to a billionaire. Ambrose’s money is yours too now.”

Swan and I exchange a glance.

It hasn’t sunk in for either of us. It’s going to take time.

Vito strolls across the kitchen toward us. He runs his hand awkwardly through his hair.

“Look, I get it.” He glances between Swan and me. “I was raised surrounded by wealth but not having any of it spent on me. When I first took my sister and ran, we lived on the streets. Then Dad extorted protection money from my business for years. He left us in poverty. Often, we were hungry, despite being surrounded by food. It’s been tough. This…” He gestures around the gleaming kitchen. “…isn’t me. But it’s our world now. And we can adjust together. How about you see it as money earned from your hard work in the academy? Plus, gifts don’t need to be expensive. They can be…”

When he breaks off, I grab his hand and yank him closer.

“What’s wrong, Viper?” I ask.

“Ambrose gave you a bonding gift. But I’m your Alpha. I should give you one too but I don’t have a priceless shoe. Now, I’m worried because like I said, I’m not wealthy and I didn’t want to use Ambrose’s money to buy it. I don’t have anything from my family to give you, since Mom’s possessions were burned by Dad.”

I tighten my hold on his hand. “I’ll treasure anything you give us. Is it a kiss?”

I look at Vito with a hopeful expression.

Vito ducks to kiss me.

Swan slips the fox slipper off his elegant foot and weaves it around snake-like. “I’m not Cinderella. Ambrose’s slipper wouldn’t fit me anyway.”

Vito lets go of my hand, before catching Swan’s ankle. Then he hisses in a frighteningly good snake impression, tickling his tongue along the arch of Swan’s foot.

Swan gasps, before he bursts out laughing in shock, falling backward over the counter. “N-n-naughty little s-s-snake. S-s-stop tickling me.”

Vito looks up at Swan through his long, raven hair, before he lowers his mouth to Swan’s foot again like he’s about to sink his fangs into it.

Instead, he kisses it in apology.

My breath catches.

Instantly, I become wet.

Fuck, that’s hot.

Swan’s pupils dilate. “Do that again.”

“Is that an order?” Vito murmurs against the sensitive skin of Swan’s sole.

Swan shivers. “A kinky suggestion.”

“In that case…” Vito gives Swan a long, heated look, before he kisses his foot again.

An Alpha kissing a Beta’s foot…?

Vito is more of a rule breaker than Swan is.

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