Page 45 of Savage Vow (Mafia Marriages 3)

That isn’t going to solve the problem of us sharing a bed. “Just keep to your side,” I mutter. The room is still sickly hot, and I’m confident my cheeks are burning. I push the covers down, needing a bit more air.

“Okay, not a cuddler. I’ll remember that,” Aurielo quips.

If this situation weren’t quite so awful, I’d find him a bit endearing. But liking him means giving in, and I refuse to grow attached to him or anyone else under this roof other than my son.

My silence must be enough to make him realize I’m tired and ready for bed.

“Goodnight, Micetta,” he whispers into the darkness.

I don’t answer him. This isn’t how I imagined I’d be spending my wedding night, married to a man by force to save my life, separated by a pillow, and neither of us wanting to share the same bed.

Well, I don’t want to share the bed. I assume he doesn’t either, but he hasn’t said either way.

I can’t imagine his feelings for me are anything more than out of pity. That is why he saved my life. Isn’t it?

* * *

I awaken early the next morning and climb out of bed in the darkness.

The room is unfamiliar, but the slight glow from the sunrise peeks in through the edge of the curtains. It offers enough light for me to stumble through the bedroom and retrieve my clothes from the previous day.

Everything of mine is in Ashton’s room.

I sneak into the bathroom, change, and run my fingers through my messy tresses before hitting the bathroom light and quietly tiptoeing to the door.

“Where are you going?” Aurielo’s voice resonates from the bed.

“Ash will be up soon. I don’t want him to wake up alone, in an unfamiliar place.”

He sighs and rolls onto his back. “Let me make the two of you breakfast this morning.”

I catch a glance at him. His hair is disheveled, and the pillow that was nestled between us isn’t hiding the man I slept beside.

Aurielo isn’t wearing a shirt, and his chest, even in the darkened bedroom, is incredible.

Pressing my lips between my teeth, I try not to stare at him half-naked on the bed.

“You don’t have to put yourself out. I’m sure you have work to do.” While I appreciate the effort that he’s attempting to put in, it isn’t necessary.

“I wasn’t asking, Micetta. I want to meet your son. Our son,” he says.

My stomach flops.

“Our son?” I croak.

He can’t know that Ashton is his child.

I never put his name on the birth certificate.

Only Ivy and Jocelyn know who the father is, and they aren’t going to say anything.

“Well, we’re married. Which makes him my son.”

While I appreciate his concern, Ashton is my child. I’ve raised him, and for Aurielo to think he can take charge, he’s in for a headache.

“Legally, that isn’t true.” I fold my arms across my chest. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but Ashton is my son.”

“And you’re my wife,” Aurielo says matter of fact. He throws the covers off and stands, clad only in his boxers.

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