Page 98 of The Devil Can Be Kind

"What would you like?”

Hell had officially frozen over and turned into a cotton candy flavored snow cone.

When he picked up a plate and a spatula my mouth fell ungracefully agape.

Was he going to…serve me?

I didn’t think Marco was the type of man that servedanybody.

His attempt to be gentlemanly released a swarm of butterflies in my stomach and my heart stuttered momentarily.

“Marco…you’re fucking freaking me out. Are you having some kind of stroke?” My words came out a little harsher than I intended them.

His jaw twitched. “I was getting you dessert,” He said, instantly angered, tossing the spatula back on the table before turning to lean against it. “But now that you’re being difficult,youcan serveme.”

I gave him a look that saidyou’ve got to be joking,but he only held the plate in my general direction. He then nodded very obviously between it and the platter of desserts.

This man!

I wanted to laugh at his audaciousness, but after a few seconds of silent stand-off, I relented.

Heaving out a sigh, I got to my feet.If he wants me to humor him, fine, I’ll humor him.

I took the plate from his outstretched hand but leaned in close to look up at him through my lashes.

“What would you like, Marco?” I asked, making myself sound intentionally breathless.

“Tiramisu.” He answered like the oversized stroppy teenager he was.

I bit back a laugh and fought against the smile threatening to pull at my lips.

Moving to the table I bent over, unnecessarily arching my back and ass high in the air to retrieve a portion of the decadent smelling dessert. I could feel my dress rise, giving him a flash of my lacey black panties and I smirked in satisfaction.

He stirred beside me, and I knew his restraint would be wavering by this point. After another second, I straightened and turned on my heel to lay the plate back down on the table by his seat. I then served myself some cannelloni and sat back down.

Marco stayed standing another few seconds and then, with a small laugh of disbelief, he meandered back to his seat.

“You’re a pain in the ass you know.” He muttered.

“You’re not exactly sunshine and butterflies either.”

But you goddamn love it, don’t you Ada?

He smirked, looking every bit as charming as the devil himself.

After a few moments, comfortable silence lapsed between us and something I had been meaning to ask for some time came to mind. It probably wasn’t the best time to bring up the topic, but I needed to know for my own sanity the answer.

“So, what happens now?” I asked, looking anywhere but at the eyes I knew were scrutinizing my face.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean when we get back to Chicago.” I picked up my glass, refusing to meet his gaze. “You can’t really intend for me to live in your house forever, Marco. What’s the plan?”

“Is there something wrong with my house?” His voice sounded irritated. I dared to glance up and wished I hadn’t.

Yup, definitely irritated.

“Of course not. I just… I can’t be yourwardfor the rest of my life. I might not be a part of my own family anymore because of all this.” I waved my hand vaguely in the air before looking down at my lap. “But that’s not your fault and it certainly isn’t your responsibility to take care of me. You’ve set me up with thisamazing job, bought me a car. Maybe in the next few months we should look at finding someone to marry me off to.” I looked over at him, but he was already looking into the distance. His jaw clenched.

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