Aurielo leans in. His breath lingers a little too long.
The heat between us sizzles, and I wrap my arms across my chest, hoping that he overlooks my sharp intake of breath or the fact that his proximity affects me.
I don’t want it to affect me.
I don’t want to feel anything for the cold-hearted murderer.
“In case you’ve forgotten, I saved your life,” Aurielo says.
He doesn’t have to remind me. The damned ring on my finger is enough of a reminder.
“You mean forcing me to marry you?” The nerve of him to act like he’s so high and mighty when otherwise he’d have killed me.
“I’m regretting that decision every second,” he mutters under his breath.
“You and me both.”
Francesco pulls up to the apartment complex and shuts off the engine. He opens the car door for me as he stands on the curb.
I stall for a second but finally relent, stepping out.
Aurielo climbs across the backseat, following me to the door.
Is it too much to ask for some privacy? With the two of them, someone is always shadowing me.
Francesco waits by the vehicle while we climb up the stairwell eight flights.
I’m not light in my footsteps, doing all that I can to get my frustration and anger out on the stairs.
“Stomp a little harder,” Aurielo comments.
I’m surprised he notices.
Then again, everyone living in the building on the floors we pass probably heard me.
Finally reaching the eighth floor, I approach the door and hesitate. “Are you sure you want a kid at the palace?” I ask. “I mean, won’t your boss get annoyed having a little boy running around like a wild beast?”
“First off, the house isn’t a palace. It’s a fucking compound,” he says with a grunt. “Second, you’ll be expected to control your child. He’s not a free-range animal.”
I’m about ready to slap him. “Is that a joke?”
Aurielo cracks a wry grin. “Quit stalling, Micetta.”
What the hell does Micetta even mean? Is it his pet name for me or an insult that he likes to throw at me with every opportunity that presents itself?
“I don’t have my house key. I wasn’t planning on visiting home.”
I give a firm knock.
“What do you want?” Ivy’s voice resonates through the door. She probably glanced through the peephole and saw the asshole beside me.
“Let us in,” I say.
“Is that you talking or the guy who likes to feel women up?” Ivy quips.
Aurielo shrugs. “I was checking her for a weapon.”
I roll my eyes and knock again. Like that will make a difference. “Come on. I don’t have my key, and we’re going to bring Ash home with us.”