Page 43 of Reckless Promises

“Then why are you telling me?”

“Because as my wife you deserve to know the truth, whether you like it or not. In the same way I plan to learn everything there is to know about you. There will be no secrets between us.”

I dip my chin, breaking eye contact and shaking my head. “Cannon fodder for you to use later, I’m sure.”

Cillian places his finger under my chin to tip my face up to his. Once more offering a gentle hint of a man who has a reputation for spilling blood.

“I’m telling you because I am not going to lie to you. Whatever you think you know, there’s still more you’re going to learn.” He brushes his thumb over my chin but doesn’t break eye contact. “And you aren’t going to like all of it.”

“You want my forgiveness for your past, Cillian?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “I want you to understand what I really am.”

“A killer?”

“Loyal.”

The word drops like a hammer in a silent room. And we stand unblinking while my heart races.

“In business or relationships?”

“To you.” His gunmetal eyes stare me down. “I made a vow to you, Odette. Honesty, loyalty, till death. And I don’t intend to break it.”

“You don’t even like me.”

“I don’t like what you represent or the reason we got into this situation. But I’m not my father. You’re my wife, and regardless of the circumstances, I will respect you enough to be loyal to you.”

“Why?” It’s probably the wrong question, but the only one I need an answer to in this moment. “You told me the first night you’d never touch me. What are you being loyal to?”

Cillian shakes his head but doesn’t step back. “There are many kinds of monsters in this world. And even if I’m one of them, there are lines I won’t cross. I’d never touch you when you don’t want me to.”

“Doyouwant to?”

Cillian’s cold expression cracks, and I think I might have actually caught him off guard.

“It doesn’t matter what I want. This is business.” He takes a step back, leaving me with the void of his body heat and a shiver running through me.

“That’s not an answer.” I step toward him again, unable to help myself.

I hate this man.

He’s pigheaded and intolerable.

But the spot where his finger grazed my skin is on fire, and like he’s the flame keeping me warm, I can’t help that I’m drawn toward him.

Reaching for my waist, I pull the single band holding my robe closed and untie it, slowly letting the fabric part. Underneath, my nightgown is so short and sheer, it might as well be lingerie. Black lace dipslow between my breasts, and even if they aren’t impressive, I’m revealing enough skin that it doesn’t matter.

“If I said I wanted you to, would you touch me, Cillian?” Somehow my hate has boiled into something else. Molten-hot lava coursing through me, and I can’t ignore it as I step closer.

His gaze moves down my body, pausing on my chest, before he shoots his stare once more to mine.

“I know all about your reputation.” I bite my lower lip, facing off with him. “You say you’re loyal, but where is the limit? Because you don’t sound like the kind of man who plans on spending his life celibate.”

Cillian leans in, dipping his mouth down by my ear, his breath tickling my neck. “I think you should be sure of what you want before propositioning your husband, Clover. Just because I’m a patient man, doesn’t mean I won’t lose control when given permission.”

A shiver runs through me, and I wonder what it means for Cillian to lose control. He strikes me as a man who plans everything meticulously. And as he pulls back and watches my cheeks—likely seeing the blood rushing to them—I’m desperate to find out.

He reaches down, and grabs the sides of my robe, once more pulling it closed, and I’m on the verge of bursting as he secures the tie and cuts the tension between us.

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