Page 64 of Dangerous Contract: Part 1

“You look drunk.”

“And you look beautiful.”

“Do you have anything more unique than that in your bag of compliments?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve called me beautiful over a dozen times. Is that your default compliment?”

Default compliment?He knew what those words meant, but his mind wasn’t able to process them at the moment.

“Listen, Orazio,” she started.

He shook his head. Damn it, why hadn’t he learned his lesson. That spinning sensation crept over him again. He was pretty sure he’d swayed. Proof of that came with Monique’s next words.

“Be careful, or you’re going to fall.”

She didn’t want him to fall. Orazio smiled.

“You’re worried about me,” he slurred, searching for the wall so he could prop himself up against it before he hit the floor.

“I couldn’t care less about you,” was her smartass reply.

Cas’s words drifted through his mind. She was just saying that because she didn’t feel respected.

“I respect you,” Raz said, staring into her eyes.

“I’m over here.”

He blinked a few times. Shit, he was staring at the painting on his wall. He slowly turned toward the sound of her voice, careful not to move too fast.

“I knew that,” he told her.

She laughed. “I doubt it.”

“I like that.”

“What?” There was that frown again. “You like my doubt?”

He shook his head slowly. “Your smile. That one was real just now. I like that. I like it when you smile at me.”

For a second, something flickered in her gaze. Or was that his eyes playing tricks on him again? He blinked. Too late. The look was gone. However, he’d seen that look in her eyes last night. Ithad disappeared when the sun rose, and the truth was revealed. He wanted more of those looks.

He wanted her less guarded around him, less tense. But he was also the reason those looks had run away. And he was the reason she was standing away from him, arms now folded over her chest, as she glared at him.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

There it was again. That look. Maybe if he told her more about what he was feeling, she’d understand him better.

“I wanted you so badly,” Raz continued. “That I was willing to do whatever it took to get you.”

“What?” she asked, brows drawing together in confusion.

“I said I wanted you so badly that I was willing to do whatever it took to get you.”

He swayed again. Rosa shook her head.

“You didn’t hear me again?” he asked. “I’m not whispering.”Am I?

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