Page 50 of Kissing the Villain

“Red or white?”

I shrugged. “Whatever.”

“For a woman to please a man, she must know what she wants,” he snapped. “Don’t act stupid, Drea. You know what you want.”

Every bone in my body was on fire from the swirl of emotions ripping through me. I hated Luca, but my body didn’t get the memo. Blowing out a deep breath, I calmed my nerves and gave him an answer.

“I never had a problem pleasing you.”

He glowered at me.

“We’re finally getting married. A proper toast is in order, don’t you think?”

He leaned back against the bar, cradling the glass in his hand. His expression darkened like a storm cloud blocking out the sun.

“I haven’t decided,” he said, his face devoid of emotion. “You haven’t earned your keep yet.”

“And how do I do that?”

He raised his hand and beckoned me with his index finger. “Come put that mouth to good use.”

“Nah, I’m good over here.”

Luca topped off his glass and dropped into an oversized leather chair by the window. He rested his glass on the arm, holding my gaze, and silence washed over us. Minutes passed as if they were hours.

His cell phone dinged with a message, and he removed it from his suit pocket. A rare smile pulled at his mouth. I wondered who could produce a grin from the prince of darkness.

He flung out his hand, his attention on the screen. “You can go now. Close the door behind you.”

Tears stung my eyes, but I forced them down and lifted my mask from the table. I would never let him know he’d gotten under my skin.

Grabbing the doorknob, I shot a nasty look at Luca. “Thanks for the drink, asshole.”

22

ALEX

As I enteredthe great hall, a tall blond approached me. His thick chest and muscular arms bulged beneath his black suit. Shane “Sonny” Cormac IV was Marcello’s best friend and the oldest son of a shipping tycoon. And he wasn’t afraid to tell you about his family’s billions.

“I know your secret.” Sonny bent down to my height, a smirk tugging at his mouth. “Secrets are commodities in Devil’s Creek. You’d be smart to collect as many as you can.”

“You don’t know me,” I challenged.

“Oh, but I do.” He clicked his tongue. “You’re here for revenge.”

I avoided his gaze, afraid he would read the lie on my face. “I’m here to marry Luca, nothing more.”

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Little Wellington.”

“We don’t know each other well enough to have nicknames.”

“That’s because Luca always kept you to himself. But we could get to know each other.” He waggled his eyebrows, shoving a hand through his hair. “I own the biggest yacht in the marina. Take a ride with me next weekend.”

I laughed. “Does that pickup line work on girls?”

He lifted his black and silver mask and winked. “Wait until you see my yacht.”

“Is that a metaphor for what’s in your pants?”

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