Page 63 of Raphael (Belles & Mobsters 5)

And I’d make my father pay for what he did to Anya. Both my parents. Because in my eyes, our mother was just as guilty. She let Father hurt Anya. And now, they were coming after both of us.

“Okay,” I finally said, the words heavy on my tongue. “But I have stipulations.”

The urge to flee was so strong, I dug my nails into my palms to remain grounded and glued to my spot. And all the while Raphael sat like a king on his throne. Of course, this was his throne, his home, his empire.

“Let’s hear them, Reina.” He sounded almost amused and it had me seething. Not that I’d let it show. Although I wished I could readhisexpression. It would make this so much easier, but Raphael’s poker face was too fucking good.

The devil with blue eyes that set my insides on fire. Wasn’t there a saying not to trust a Colombian with blue eyes? Or was it a man with blue eyes? Fuck if I knew, it was all damn stupid.

I took a deep breath. “Okay, first. This will be a marriage in name only.”

Two heartbeats. “Agreed.”

Hmmm. I couldn’t distinguish if that feeling in my stomach was disappointment or relief.Definitely relief.

“We decide together when it’s the best time to tell Gabriel about his-” My words failed me for a moment. It was something I dreaded from the moment Gabriel started talking. To have to explain to him how he came to be. He hasn’t started asking about his father. He thought he was my biological son. I knew everything would eventually come out.

Raphael didn’t bother waiting for me to come up with the right words. “Agreed.”

Okay, so far so good. Maybe the day was looking up.

“We’ll be discreet about seeing other people,” I continued.

“No.”

“But-”

“That’s a hard no,” he gritted, his voice full of determination and his eyes burning with something that had my thighs clenching.

“Don’t you want to hear my reasoning,” I protested weakly.

“You. Will. Not. See. Other. Men.” His voice was soft and vehement, underlined with something I couldn’t quite pinpoint.

My mouth opened and closed like a fish, gulping for air. After the first two agreements, I expected this one to be the easy one.

“So how… when…” I couldn’t form the question.

“Let me make this clear to you, Sailor.” He leveled me with a look that sent shivers down my spine. “I see you with another man, I’ll kill him. It won’t be a quick death either. I’ll slice his hands for touching you and his dick for getting hard for you because the cabrón will never even have a chance to touch you with it.”

I took a deep inhale and then blew the air out in a measured exhale. Something about this man unsettled me. It must be his savage words or maybe the way he watched me. Like he would devour me if I let him.

I swallowed hard. “So celibacy for as long as we’re married? But don’t you have… ummm… needs?” When he didn’t respond, I continued, “It’s hypocritical for you to have other women and not grant me the same with other men.”

The corner of his beautiful lips lifted and my heart pattered to an awkward beat. Like the fluttering of wings against the glass jar.

“It doesn’t have to be a relationship with celibacy,” he drawled in a lazy tone that made my pussy throb. “No other women for me and no other men for you. When you feel the need for sex, you come to me.”

I watched him confused. Did he expect me to saylikewise? He stood up and instantly I jumped up, worried he’d test the theory now. He took a step toward me and I took one back. Another step forward, and the chair hit the back of my knees. His height made me feel small, his six foot three or four frame towering over me.

“Seriously?” I breathed appalled. And so damn turned on, I thought I’d melt.

“Yes, seriously.” His hand reached out and tucked the piece of hair behind my ear. “After all, we’ll be married so what’s to hold us back.” He was right. Why hold back? I immediately mentally slapped myself. I needed to get a grip.

“Well, for starters this is an arrangement,” I spurted out. “A fake marriage. There is no such thing as fake sex.”

Fuck, was it hot in here or what? I pressed my cool palm on my burning cheek and Raphael smiled so devastatingly beautiful, I was ready to test out the fake sex.

“This is a bad idea,” I muttered more to myself than him.

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