Page 223 of Merciless Desires

Like hell I couldn’t.

“It’s already done,” I reminded her, and took the opportunity to check out her deliciously curved body in the blood red dress I had bought for her.

It was the same color as the wine I had opened to announce our engagement. I had a few more bottles of the 2005 Contrada. Maybe I would only open them for us for special occasions…like our wedding.

“All that is left is a quick engagement followed by an extravagant wedding you will plan, a few heirs, and a lifetime of security.”

“Like I would dare sleep with you.”

I leaned in. “Oh…you will, amorina, and you will like it. I’ll make sure of it.”

Marcella’s cheeks warmed, and I chose to believe it was at the thought of the kind of pleasure I could give her. Good.

“What about happiness?” Her question was clipped and delivered through gritted teeth.

That made me frown. My mamma wasn’t happy with my papà, which was now why he was on his…seventh wife? I would not be like him. How could I find a woman that would be better than Marcella?

“You don’t have to like me,” I said slowly, unwilling to admit the truth of our predicament. “But you will have to marry me. This transactional marriage benefits both parties. Your papà needed assistance…”

I paused. Was she aware of their situation?

“And I offered my help.”

“Assistance with what?” she asked.

But I didn’t reply. I was too busy staring at the flecks of gold in her brown eyes.

“You can’t make me marry you.”

“I can.”

“You can’t keep me here.”

“I can.”

“I won’t go through with all of this.”

“You will.”

Marcella blew out a steady breath. “I’ll never love you, Matteo.”

It was the first time she had said my name. Each syllable rolled off her tongue; my name fit perfectly in her pouty little mouth. I wondered what else I could fit in that little mouth…

“I won’t ask that of you, but this wedding is happening, whether you wish it to or not,” I said with a sigh, realizing this was going to be far more difficult than I had hoped it would.

Marcella was going to fight me on every aspect of this marriage. As much as I wanted to rip that satin dress from her until it was shredded ribbons, it seemed like the only time I would be inside her would be to get her pregnant.

Her chest was heaving up and down with each heavy breath. I greedily watched the movement for longer than I should have and forced my gaze higher until it met hers.

“Now…why don’t you have a look at your bedroom?”

“I’m not sleeping in the same bed as you,” she replied quickly.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her defiance. “Which is why you will have your own room. Have a look, and let me know if it is to your liking.”

“I’m not going to look at any room because I’m not staying here.”

With an annoyed growl, I bent and scooped her up with ease, tossing her over my shoulder.

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