“Not yet. But soon.”
I sighed and sat down on the edge of the massive tub. “You’re that kind of man? Once I’m your wife, I’m your property?”
“No, and I suspect you wouldn’t be okay with that.”
“Not many women would.” I made a gun with my fingers and pointed at him. “Tell me why you think you can keep me home.”
I pretended to shoot him and he grinned.
“Because I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Bad reason. Try again.”
“That’s it, that’s my only reason.”
I dropped my hand and glared. “You’re kidding me, right? I’ve been going on raids since I left my family. I’m used to this.”
“You’re not a soldier. You’re definitely not a fighter. If you’ve been anywhere near combat, your people fucked up. You’re staying behind.”
I stood, getting pissed. “Redmond.”
“Erin. I like the way you say my name.” His smile was cocky and attractive, and again I marveled at how quiet and calm my brain was, and again I hated him for him.
But an idea hit me.
“If I stay behind, you do too.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“That’s right. If you make me stay out of the action, then I’m making you. Try explaining that to your men.”
He considered me, frowning. I turned my back on him, hands trembling, and took off my shirt.
He cleared his throat and I grinned to myself. I reached around and unhooked my bra, letting it slide off. I covered my breasts with my arms and looked over my shoulder.
“You can go now. I have to shower.”
His mouth was open. He stared at my back, my hair, and the profile of my breasts with an incredible hunger in his eyes. I liked that look and enjoyed the intensity of his need. It made me feel beautiful in a way I’d never felt before.
As an Oligarch’s daughter, I was kept away from men. I would be used as a political tool at some point and married off to an eligible business partner. I rarely thought about sex and banished it entirely from my mind growing up.
I’d never slept with a man before. I kissed a few—house servants, mostly, which never felt good, since no matter how willing they acted, I was never sure if they were returning my stupid, teenage affections because they were afraid of me or if they were genuinely interested.
But otherwise, I knew nothing about sex, love, or romance.
And I didn’t give a damn. At least I didn’t think I did, right up until the moment I kissed Redmond, and all those strange, conflicting, messed-up emotions flooded through my body.
I liked the way he looked at me. I loved that I could use my body as a weapon to distract him. And I wanted him to feast on me.
“I think I’d rather stay.”
“Get out, Redmond. You don’t get a sneak preview. When I’m your wife—” I stopped myself, unable to finish that sentence.
When I was his wife, what? I’d fuck him? Suck his cock? Let him wrap his arms around me while I ride him and scream his name into his ear? Let him fill me with his cum and get me pregnant?
Yes, to all of that.
God, what was wrong with me?
“When you’re my wife, I’ll take what I want,” he said, and his voice was deep and dusky with desire. “First, I’ll earn it.”
“Damn right you will. You’re staying behind tomorrow.”
“And so are you.” His eyes grazed over my skin again. “Enjoy your shower.” He turned and left.
I waited a beat before shutting the door and locking it.
Chapter 10
Erin
I rolled down the window of the Range Rover and stared across the street. The night air was crisp and humid. Traffic was dead in this part of town.
“I wish you wouldn’t do that.” Redmond sounded tense. He shifted in the seat next to mine and leaned into my lap. “It’s dangerous out there.”
I pushed him away. “Get out of here.”
“I’m only enjoying the view.” He grinned at me.
“I thought you said it was dangerous?”
“I like to take risks.” He sighed and leaned back. The driver grimaced and kept his hands on the wheel. He was a young man, likely too inexperienced to go on the hit, but skilled enough to watch after the big boss and his new—girlfriend, fiancée? I wasn’t sure what to call myself.
“Take risks over there then.” I stared at the pizza place half a block away.
The street was quiet. It was a small residential neighborhood deep in Cosima’s territory. I doubted anyone living here had any clue that their precious Luigi’s Deep Dish 2 was actually a front for a powerful mob-related organization.
“Where do you think one is?”
“Excuse me?”
“One.” Redmond nodded at the pizza place. “That’s two. Where’s one?”
I rolled my eyes. “Who cares? Why are you even thinking about that right now?”
“I’m a curious guy, what can I—”