Page 61 of Ruthless Oath

“No.” She held up her hand. “I’m so full.”

“Cheesecake?”

“Not now.” She shook her head. “I’ll explode.”

“You can afford to eat a little more.”

“I ate almost everything on my plate.”

“That was impressive.”

I liked that she didn’t pretend she wasn’t hungry or that she couldn’t eat the pasta because there were too many carbs in it like some other women I had gone on dates with. She surprised me.

I leaned back in my chair. Should I finish the bottle of vodka in front of me? It would help me sleep.

“Is it my fault?” Her voice took my attention away from the drink.

“Is what your fault?”

“Whatever is going on in your head?” She reached across the table and clasped her fingers in mine. “Is it because of me?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I just assumed—”

“Because you always have to be at the center of everything?”

“Is our truce over?”

“No.” I squeezed her hand. “Not yet.”

“I can see you have something serious on your mind. You don’t want to talk about it, but maybe if you told me, you’d feel better.”

“I don’t think so.”

“I’m here if you change your mind.” She shrugged. “It’s not like I’m going anywhere.”

“It isn’t entirely your fault.”

If I had been stronger, I would have turned her away. If I had done that, none of this would be happening now. I’d be home where I belonged, dealing with family business.

“Come here.” I let go of her hand and pushed my chair away from the table. “Sit with me.”

She tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled. When she walked to me, I pulled her into my lap, giving in to the urge to be close to her.

“I’ll figure this out.” I took her face between my hands and kissed her lips. “I promise.”

Taking my time to kiss her, I indulged in her mouth, but how much longer could I keep her with me? How much longer could I hide from the rest of the world?

She ran her hands across my shoulders. “You’re so tense. What can I do to make it better?”

“Are you sure you want to offer?” I brushed my lips along her mouth. “Because you might not like it.”

Fourteen

Lissia

What’s not to like?Unless Marchello is into dark, kinky stuff…

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