Page 67 of Deception & Desire

It’s both the most glorious experience and the most brutal. To have her so close, yet so unfairly far.

Rationally, I know it’s the guilt that makes her stay. I know it’s her sense of duty and obligation.

But in the fragile truce between us, it’s so, so easy to imagine it could be something more.

She tells me her father confessed to threatening her himself. I hadn’t thought Marco would have it in him, but the act had clearly left a painful smear on their relationship.

I don’t pry. I don’t ask any more than she’s willing to share. But there’s this traitorous thought that screamswhat are you waiting for?

She lies in my bed every night. I feel her warmth buried in my side. I feel her heartbeat. She’s alive and well and her heart is beating and beating. She’s safe. It’s enough to drive me mad with longing. My self-control champs at the bit as I reign it into submission.

The following week, Teo visits with an update. Of course, that update is that thereisno update. Only that the Cartel has made a retreat and that our marriage is now common knowledge.

“You’re both likely at the top of their hit list,” Teo explains as he leaves. “I suggest you lie low for a while.”

I wave him off. It’s not as if I can do much else. The wound is healing well, but Mia has been treating me like I’ve been made of glass, refusing to let me do much more than walk down the corridor and back.

That night, when she frets at my side, I relay the news.

“Good.” She bobs her head. “You shouldn’t be doing anything but resting anyway.”

I roll my eyes at her. “I’m perfectly fine. I’ve been cleared for physical activity.”

“Lightphysical activity,” Mia counters.

And God, she looks incredible when she pouts like that, with her arms crossed under her breasts and that adorable wrinkle between her eyebrows as she frowns. It’s enough to drive a man mad.

“Then it’s a good thing that there are many ways to performlightphysical activity.”

The words escape before I have much time to register what I’ve said. The flirtatious undertones linger between us as if waiting to drop like a lead balloon.

Mia blinks a couple of times, her mouth dropping into that perfect “O” shape that is far too kissable for its own good. She drops down, perching on the edge of the bed next to me.

“You shouldn’t say things like that to me,” she replies quietly.

I laugh to try to break the tension. “You’re my wife.”

“Leon.” It’s a warning.

I sigh. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

Her green eyes flash to mine in annoyance. “It’s not that.”

“Then what are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the fact that if I have to sleep by your side for another night without sucking your cock, I might actually go insane,” she half-yells. “And I can’t do that because you’re still hurt, and I?—”

I’ve already bridged the gap between us. Already reached for her neck to pull her in.

I’m a man entirely possessed as I press her mouth to mine.

And dear fucking God.

I’ve missed this. I miss it even in those brief moments when my lips aren’t pressed to hers in order to take a breath. I wish I could cut out my own lungs and just kiss her forever.

She tastes divine as I lick into her mouth. She opens up for me gorgeously as I explore every inch of it. Our tongues are battling for dominance as she makes a sound so delicious I want to taste every decibel.

Her hands find themselves in my hair, tugging me ever closer. Not close enough. Never close enough. But the feeling of her body pressed into mine makes me feel complete for the first time in weeks.

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