Page 13 of The Devil's Pawn

His tongue takes a leisurely swipe of his lower lip as his gaze subtly glides down my body, but I notice it, and I like it.

“Look, before we do this, you need to know some things about me,” I say, realizing he has to know the truth about the type of family I come from and what they’ll do if and when they find out about us.

He angles his body toward me even more, one thigh raised on the sofa.

“Now I’m intrigued. Tell me everything.” The smirk on his face makes my stomach flop and tighten. “But I promise nothing will scare me away.”

A tiny, severed laugh breaks from my lips. He has no idea if that’s true. Not until he understands what he’s getting into. I’m so desperate for this to work. It’s my only way out. But once he learns the truth, he might not want to marry me.

Pulling in a long breath and closing my eyes for a mere second to gather the nerves, I tell him everything, from who my father and uncles are, to the kind of life I’ve led, to being forced to marry Carlito. I give him every dirty detail.

He’s contemplative for a moment while my heart does somersaults as I wait for him to say something, anything. I anxiously run my finger over the handle of the mug.

“That’s all?” He chuckles deeply, his eyes gleaming with humor. “I thought you were going to tell me you were a part-time serial killer or something. Not that it’d be a deal breaker either.”

“You really don’t care that I’m the daughter of a mobster? It doesn’t worry you?”

“Not at all. You don’t have to doubt my ability to keep you safe, Raquel. I can do that one-handed. And, as you can see…” He waves a hand toward the men he employs. “I have plenty of help too.”

I exhale a sigh of relief.

He scoots closer, his hand settling on my knee. “You don’t have to worry anymore. I’ll protect you.”

A tentative smile appears on my face. I want to trust him, but I’m worried I can’t. I know nothing about him. Not even his last name. Does he really stand a chance against my family and Carlito?

I guess we’ll find out soon.

“So, how is this arrangement between us going to work?” I ask, needing to start the process so he can’t change his mind.

“Well…” He moves his hand away, picking up his mug again. “My lawyers have already drafted a contract, which we’ll both sign. They’ll just add your name to it today. I’ll also need you to sign the papers so we can get the marriage certificate. Then, once the three months are complete, you’ll get your money and all the documentation, as promised.”

“And what about the other stuff?” My cheeks are burning, but I need to know if he expects anything sexual from our marriage.

He smirks, knowingly. “You mean will I fuck you?”

“Mm-hmm. I know I came home with you and all, but that was before all this.” I wave a hand in the air.

“Don’t worry, baby. I won’t touch you.” His tone lowers. Deep. Masculine.

My body shivers with awareness, the prickling over my skin spreading past my arms.

“Not unless you want me to. And youmightwant me to.” A devilish smirk crosses his face.

“I won’t,” I quickly say.

I’m no longer sure if that’s true. My heart is racing to the speed of roaring flames. I was so ready to have a one-night stand, but now we can’t. Not when I’ll be seeing him for three months.

His hand extends, and I’m caught in his gaze, like a moth dizzy from the moonlight. My pulse picks up speed and my stomach writhes with nerves as his knuckle strokes down my cheek.

“You sure about that?” he asks.

My breathing stills, imprisoned from his unrelenting gaze. His raspy tone slides between my thighs, making me crave whatever is happening between us.

I can’t let it go there. Not now. Not when I’m not here to stay. I don’t want to form a connection with him only to leave it behind. I have to keep him at arm’s length while I’m here. I have to fight this intense attraction to my soon-to-be husband.

God help me.

“I’m sure,” I assert with all the confidence I can muster.

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