Page 187 of Wicked Proposal
58
YULIAN
I should feel like the happiest man in the world.
I’m in my jacuzzi with Mia, under the stars, on the balcony of my penthouse. I can hear the noises from the rooftop party, but no one can see us here.
“Should we be going back?” she asks, nestled into my arms. “To the party?”
“No.”
She lets out a little laugh at my tone. “Can’t say I’ve ever met anyone who wants to work less than you.”
“Only when you’re around.”
“That might prove difficult, considering the terms of our contract.”
Right.
That.
“You shouldn’t worry about that anymore,” I rasp, guilt catching in my throat. “I’ll liquidate you first thing in the morning. You won’t have to?—”
“No,” she says, touching my arm. “No more money.”
I frown. “You’ve earned it.”
“And now, I’m telling you I don’t want it.” She forces confidence into her voice. “I think this hasn’t been about work in a long time,” she says, gesturing between us. “Don’t you?”
“You still?—”
“I don’t want to cheapen it,” she whispers. “What we have. To me, it’s worth more than any number.”
Her blue eyes gaze back into mine, trembling and uncertain. Like she’s scared that I’m going to change my mind, pull back on my promise, even now.
Like Brad did.
Fury coils in my gut, but I force myself to push past it. Right now, it isn’t my fury Mia needs.
“We can table this discussion for another time,” I tell her. “For now…” I reach for the tray behind me and pick up a chocolate-covered strawberry. “Open wide.”
She blushes at my choice of words, but obeys. I push the fruit into her waiting mouth. My cock twitches with interest at the sight, despite all the work I’ve put it through tonight.
But I’m no longer surprised. When it comes to Mia, I’m insatiable.
And I should be happy.
She said yes. She’s marrying me. She’smine.
But all I can feel is guilt. Because I know, if she ever found out the real reason I proposed to her tonight, she’d never forgive me for it.
Nor what I’ve done.
Used her. Lied to her. Put her in danger.
Marrying her feels like the least I can do.
And fuck me, Idolove her. Enough to forsake all my plans, all my bloodlust. So why can’t that be enough?
