Page 71 of The Temptation
Although I want to have sex with her so fucking bad. I crave this woman more than my next breath. I inwardly cringe at that thought. Now I’m starting to sound like those fuckers in her books.
“Ugh,” she groans, tilting her head back in frustration. “I had a feeling you’d say that. This is where the compromising comes into play.”
“I’m listening,” I say.
“We start slow. Make a list of the things we can do and take it from there.”
I rest my elbows on the table and steeple my fingers. I know I’m going to regret this, but I still find myself asking, “What kind of things would be on this list?”
“Things we both agree to.”
“Give me an example.”
A smile curves her lips as she sits up straighter in her seat. “If sex is off the table for now, can we at least get each other off?”
“No!” I grumble.
“Shower together?”
“Not happening. Lucia.”
The smile on her pretty face diminishes a little more with every rejection.
“Can I at least watch you shower then? I’d sit on the side of the tub and just observe, I promise.” She crosses herforefinger over her heart, and I have to roll my lips to stifle my laugh. I swear to God, this woman is too much.
“Definitely not.”
“Ugh, you’re no fun,” she mumbles. “Can I at least sleep beside my husband then?”
Her husband.
I like the sound of that way more than I should.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Last time you were in my bed, you took advantage of me while I was sleeping.”
She rolls her eyes. “We’ve been over this. I never would’ve done that if you’d been clearer about your free pass. I wasn’t aware it was a one-time offer.”
“Well, it was.”
“I know that now, so I’d just sleep beside you. I can’t promise I won’t snuggle you, though.”
I’m probably going to regret saying this, but if I want this marriage to go ahead, I’m going to need to give her something. “Maybe.”
Her eyes light up with excitement as a playful glint dances in them.
“Okay. See? That wasn’t so hard. We can work on the rest of the list after breakfast,” she says, releasing my hand and reaching for her fork like she didn’t just casually agree to turn both our lives upside down.
“I said maybe.”
“You don’t have to commit to every night, I’ll settle for now and then to start until you warm to the idea … or not.”
I sigh in defeat. “Fine.”
“Eep,” she squeals, clapping her hands together. “And yes, by the way.”
“Yes?” I echo, completely thrown.
“Yes, I’d love to be your wife.” She gives me a smile that is full of mischief and, surprisingly, warmth. “Lucia De Luca has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
