Page 104 of The Devil's Deal

He’s been with me night and day, skipping work and whatever else he has to do. He’s made sure I eat, sleep, and have whatever I need. This man, my father’s biggest enemy, has taken care of me more than my own flesh and blood.

Luckily, my ankle no longer hurts and my lip is nicely healed.

I’m curled around the softness of Brian’s comforter with his strong body holding me firmly within his grasp.

It sounds insane even to me, but slowly, when I wasn’t looking, I’ve started to care for the man I’m supposed to fear. There’s nothing frightening about him anymore. He’s just a man with a painful past who swore to protect me, even when that must’ve been difficult for him to do.

I feel the way he cares for me. Wants me. And I want him too.

I’d like to see where this could go. And when his fight with my father is all over, I plan to tell him how I feel and hope he feels it too.

The wounds of our past gave way to scars we can build a new life on, but only if we let it.

I cling to the hard muscle of his forearm, remembering what happened with Cain.

The way he glared at me as he cut into my dress…it was like a man who enjoyed rape and slaughter. I don’t think I’ve ever been that afraid of dying. Not even when Brian first took me.

“Do you want to go to the pool?” Brian asks, grazing his fingers up and down my bare stomach, his lips on my neck, peppering me with soft kisses.

“Probably not.” My tone is raspy, intoxicated by his touch. “The last time I was there, someone got all grabby and ruined all the fun.”

I pull my lips into a smile as I slowly turn to face him.

His brow shoots up as his lips slant up at the corner. “That’s because you were showing off something that belonged to me.”

“Really?” I drape a leg over his hip. “You think my body belongs to you?”

His eyes turn hooded. “Doesn’t it?”

“Not even a little.”

He chuckles for a mere second before he flips over me, his muscular body pushing into the softness of mine. His hand cruises down my torso, dropping to my hip.

“I know you don’t like to admit defeat, but, baby…” His fingers slip under my shorts. “Your body’s mine now.”

“I know when I’ve lost,” I murmur with a moan as two fingers rub over my achy clit.

It’s been a week since he so much as touched me this way, and fuck, I’ve missed him.

His eyes gaze into mine so tenderly, my heart clenches.

“Sometimes we gain even when we’ve lost.” His voice is raw and unbridled.

“And what have I gained?” I ask with a sigh.

His fingers stilling on my core makes me delirious. “Not you, Chiara. I’m the one who gained something, baby, and I’mnevergonna let her go.”

And this time, when his lips fall to mine, for once in my life, I feel free, even when the cage is still all around me.

* * *

I sit across from him, staring at his perfectly carved jaw as he picks up a fork, popping a piece of steak into his mouth. After he fucked me with more than just his fingers, he had lunch brought up for us.

Sonia was more than happy to see us together. There’s been a knowing smile on her face every time she brings us food.

“Brian,” I call out as he continues to eat.

He peers up at me with a beaming smile. “Yes, baby?”

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