Page 38 of The Billionaire's Vow

I tightened my jaw. “So you told Rocco not to marry me.”

He blew out. “Not exactly that. However, I did warn him about binding himself to a woman that may end up hating him.”

Igrimaced at Gunnar. “What do you mean? I don’t hate Rocco.”

The door opened, and his expression blanked. He leaned back in his seat as Rocco climbed inside. He didn’t say a word as he put on his seatbelt, but my attention remained concentrated, staring at the way his chest expanded as he breathed. I grew warm, thinking about the feel of his muscles underneath, the heat of his skin under my hands.

Rocco didn’t say a word, but adjusted his long legs to fit comfortably across from him. He was a large man, but his confidence was greater. I wasn’t small, but he made me feel delicate next to him. I inhaled, and his spicy scent filled me, tantalizing my senses as much as seeing him in the flesh. Everything about him aroused a sexual energy within me that heated my blood with lust. I let out a shaky breath.

The car started to move, but we all remained silent. There was too much to talk about, and we weren’t alone.

“Uhm…hello, Rocco,” I finally whispered.

Rocco didn’t respond. He pushed back his hair, his jaw tensing in a way I’d only seen when he was upset or when he fucked me. His eyes finally met mine and bore in, and they were filled with pain. I knew I was part of what caused that, and it hit me square in the chest. I winced, and turned my head, shrinking in my seat.

Gunnar let out a cough, and I glanced at him. He appeared absorbed in his iPad, but there was a ghost of a smile on his lips. He was right. From what I knew about Rocco, he wasn’t a man who held back his anger. We were inside a bomb, and Rocco was about to go off.

I shifted nervously on the seat.

“Fuck. Tell me why, Adelina. Why did you do it?” he asked, his voice sharp with accusation.

I fidgeted with my hands. “I don’t…I don’t know what you mean.”

“You told me to leave you with Percy Sterling. You hung up on me, and didn’t answer when I called back. Then out of the blue, Constance calls to tell me you’re in a new arranged marriage.” His disappointment emphasized every word, and the skin on my face burned in shame.

“I didn’t know she called and honestly what kind of control over my life do you think I have? You knew my family would never agree to months or were you too busycozyingto Marjorie Storm? You never mentioned that.”

I crossed my arms.

“Marjorie again?” he said irritably and huffed. “She doesn’t call; she shows up with the press. It meant nothing to me, and I handled it. But you’re not innocent here. You talked to me on the phone before last night, and didn’t tell me what was going on—”

“I gave you an out—”

“Fuck that. You gave up and gave in easy,” he spat in disgust. “You threw me away—”

I snorted. “I didn’t throw you away, I had no choice. You have no idea how hard life can be when you were born with everything—”

“What’s hard?” he hissed. “I’myour fiancé, but asking for help was too hard? Or was showing me you wanted me too much to ask?”

I lowered my head and flicked my gaze at Gunnar. “We’re not alone and don’t have time for this argument.”

The car slowed. My head turned to the window. We were at Luca’s house.

“We’re taking the helicopter,” Rocco confirmed when I looked at him questioningly. “And we’re not done talking. Tell me what Percy offered you?” He demanded in an abrupt tone.

I hunched my shoulders and swallowed. “Percy offered an endowment for Jacob’s care.”

“I already had that in your original contract,” Rocco said, his tone curt.

My jaw dropped. My grandparents hadn’t mentioned it to me. They hid things until they found them helpful to get their way. “I-I didn’t know.”

“When in the weeks we spent together in and out of bed have I ever given you the impression I’d not take care of you, your brother, or anyone else you care about?”

I cringed. Taking care of me sounded so old-fashioned, and downright possessive. But he was right. It was just what I detested about Percy. He had all the money. However, I couldn’t afford to pay for Jacob’s care, and in a way, I resented that Rocco could so easily. “I don’t want to beg you.”

“You haven’t begged yet, but you will,” he said, his tone deepened as he flexed his dominance.

I shifted my legs to hide the deep clench in my sex; his words aroused me. I glimpsed Gunnar, who hadn’t left us in the car.What was he waiting for?

---