Page 65 of Bad Little Bride

That’s where I was told he was when my father took me back to Greyson Manor before Enzo was made to think I had changed my mind on our arrangement.

I figured he was fine with my breaking our contract, that he decided it was for the best and didn’t care whether I came back or not. I approached him for this deal, after all, not the other way around.

But if he didn’t care, he wouldn’t have had something especially made for me…would he?

Of course, it could simply have been his way of pacifying me on his return. It’s what most men in our world do, shower theirwives with lavish gifts and extravagant trips as a way to keep them in line…or their mouths shut.

I swallow, my hands falling to my sides as I try to step away, but his palms close around my waist, holding me where I am. Right between his strong thighs.

“Look at me.”

I force myself to obey.

His mouth opens, but closes as he reaches into his pocket, pulling his phone out. A curse leaves him and he sighs, pushing to his feet as he shoves it back in his slacks. My eyes follow his until I’m looking up at him, one hand still holding on to my hip.

His free hand comes up, running under my lower lip before he gathers my long hair from my back and lays it across my shoulder, his fingers gliding through its length on their descent.

“Do me a favor?” he whispers.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak with him this close. All I see is him and all I can think is how good his warm grip feels on my body.

“Sleep in the bed tonight.” He might have asked for a favor, but we both know it’s not a question. He’ll see to it that I’m not outside all night, and it’s not worth the risk of him dead-bolting the doors closed once more.

Wait. I frown, looking out at the sky. “What time is it?” I ask, realizing it’s still dark out and he’s freshly showered and shaved. “And why are you in a new suit?

“It’s two in the morning and I have business to tend to.”

“At two in the morning?”

“Didn’t you know?” He tips his head all cocky-like. “Devils work in the dark.”

A light laugh leaves me, and Enzo smiles, an actual, slip-of-the-teeth kind of smile. It’s so unexpected, so…I don’t know, but it sends a flutter through my stomach. The man looks really good when he smiles.

It almost makes him appear a little more human and less like a dark god.

He squeezes my hips before releasing me and makes his way to the door.

“Hey, Enzo,” I call out before I can stop myself, hating how my heart is pounding wildly with his exit.

He pauses just outside the room, looking at me over his shoulder.

“Don’t die.”

His eyes bore into mine and he gives a single nod before walking away.

Nerves flitter through me as he leaves, making my stomach bubble and my skin tingle, and it’s not until I close the balcony doors, climbing under my covers that I realize what the feeling is.

It’s a buzz I’m not sure I know.

A nervous energy I’m unaccustomed to.

A tingling beneath my ribs and an airy sensation swimming in my stomach.

Silly me, I’m so helpless as it’s also…hope.

Maybe I can keep my husband after all.

“I thought he’d never leave.”

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