Page 236 of Enemies

My chest tightens as I look at him.

“I haven’t forgotten our date tonight. In fact, I’ve got a private location at one of my favorite restaurants.”

“Private because you want to eat me rather than the food?” I taunt lightly.

“Private because I want the world to fuck off while I focus everything I am on you.”

He fastens the cuff around my wrist, but I can’t look away from his face.

The ball of emotion in my throat threatens to overtake me.

“So, I’m going to have to babysit the manager tonight,” Leni calls, rejoining us from the other room and pocketing her phone.

Ash returns from the kitchen, his coffee half-consumed, as if he’s decided it’s safe.

“Sebastian’s probably right. Mischa will retaliate,” Harrison says at last.

“And we don’t know how,” Ash presses.

The cuff glints against the black of my tattoo, its cool weight grounding me as I rise from my chair. “We can get through it together.”

I say it firmly enough even I believe it.

18

RAE

That afternoon, I’m busy with work, but I take some time to go shopping.

When I show up for dinner, I’m feeling more relaxed despite the awful news this morning and the tense conversation at the villa after.

The restaurant is exclusive, and when I check in at the front, they immediately show me past the other patrons, up the stairs, and out to a lone table on the roof.

My breath catches. The scene is beautiful and romantic. Tiny fairy lights drape around the single slim railing that would keep patrons from falling off, if there was anyone up here but me.

Any man can be the grand-gesture type, but this is a precise gesture. A place that sets the stage for a meaningful conversation, not one so grand as to stifle it.

“Would señorita like a drink?”

“Thank you.” I opt for a glass of wine to take the edge off.

I’m waiting a while, self-conscious in the silver dress I bought today that dips low in the back and ends partway down my thighs. Ash promised it was a ten when I sent him a picture, but now I smooth a hand down my straightened hair and hope Harrison likes what he sees.

I’m starting to get nervous when a throat clearing behind me makes me turn.

Harrison’s there, tall and imposing in a dark suit, his shirt open at the collar.

His nostrils flare as he takes in my appearance, his gaze dragging down to my wedge sandals and back up over every curve to linger on my face. “You’re stunning.”

I blow out a breath. “And if you were any other guy, I’d say you took your time getting ready. But this is faster than pulling on a T-shirt.”

He walks to me, tipping my chin up and brushing a soft kiss over my lips that leaves me tingling. “I thought about the T-shirt. I’m saving it for our anniversary.”

My heart skips. “Our what?”

“Mhmm. Last year, you tried to paint a picture of what our future could be. I walked away.” His expression clouds. “This time, I will make it up to you.”

“With incentives?” I tease, off balance.

---