Page 70 of Dangerous Contract: Part 1

Their gazes were locked in a silent battle. More than likely, she was thinking of all the ways she would kill him if she had the chance. While he was thinking of all the ways he’d please and protect her if she gave him the chance.

Damn, he wanted to kiss her, to fuck her, to be her fucking everything. He wanted to consume her thoughts the way she consumed his. It was as if she could read his thoughts through his expression. Her reaction to what she saw in his eyes was visceral.

Her eyes widened. Her lips parted slightly. Her nose flared. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips, causing his cock to jerk. His Rosa lowered her gaze to his chest, no longer able to look him in the eyes as she cleared her throat.

“Let’s get down to business,” she told him, voice low, barely above a whisper. “What’s this new deal you have for me? I promised to keep an open mind, and I will.”

Though he hated that she was treating this like a business deal, he couldn’t blame her. That was exactly what he’d presented it to her as. He wished he would’ve waited before springing all of this on her. He was now willing to admit that this was a lot to drop on someone all at once.

If he could rewind time, he would go back and take his time wooing her and making her love him before he told her shecouldn’t leave him. But he couldn’t rewind time. He could only move forward.Theycould only move forward.

“Before I present the new deal to you, I have a question,” he told her.

“Let’s hear it.”

“Do you think I’m a horrible person?”

Her gaze returned to his. “Is that a real question?”

He nodded.

“It can’t be.”

“It is,” Orazio assured her. “Answer it. Do you think I’m a horrible person?”

“Hell yes, I think you’re horrible. I don’t think. I know. You kidnapped me, Orazio. You won’t let me leave. Do you want me to call you a saint? A hero?”

Gritting his teeth, he told himself not to be angry. He’d asked the question. He couldn’t be mad about the answer. He stared at the far wall, trying to calm himself down before he talked to her again. She surprised him when she gripped his chin and made him face her.

“Would you rather I had lied?” she asked, face inches from his.

He’d heard her question, but all he could think about was the fact that she’d touched him. And not in a violent way. In a gentle way. She was still touching him. If he spoke, she’d probably remove her hand from his face.

“Did you hear me?” she asked. “Would you rather I had lied to you?”

Wasn’t that how most couples managed to stay together for years? They lied to each other and avoided deep conversations to keep the marriage together.

“Answer me, Orazio.”

“Yes,” he told her. “I would rather have you lie to me.”

She chuckled. “Okay. I’ll lie to you then. No, Orazio Cattaneo. You’re not a horrible person. You’re my knight in shining armor. I was sitting at home, hoping some rich man would kidnap me and lock me in his hotel room so I could have all my bills paid and be showered with gifts.” She batted her eyelashes. “There. Is that better?”

“It is. But next time, say it with more sincerity.”

Before she could let out a smart retort, he turned and pushed her onto the bed. He placed his hands near her sides, caging her in as he peered down at her.

“Say it again,” he demanded. “This time, with sincerity.”

He watched her chest rise and fall. He felt her breath against his chin. He saw her eyeing his lips. She swallowed. He lowered himself onto her until his chest was pressed against hers. He could feel her heart racing.

Or was that his heart? Maybe both of their hearts were racing. When it came to the physical aspect, they were definitely the perfect fit. It was up to him to convince her that they fit together in other ways. But having her partially beneath him like this muddled his brain.

Unable to help himself, he leaned closer, lowering his mouth to her forehead. He kissed her there. A gentle kiss. Why? He didn’t even fucking know. It was what his body wanted. It was what he felt she needed.

“Orazio,” his Rosa whispered.

He pulled back to stare down at her. “Yes?”

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