I put my hands in my pocket, watching her as she twirls the two rings now on her finger—one opal jewel and one rose gold band.
I stare down at my own silver ring that feels cold and foreign on my hand.
“I can’t not kiss you forever, though. I wish I could let you decidewhenyou kiss me.”
“If,” she says, smirking.
“When orifyou kiss me. But I can’t, not without risking everything.”
She nods, as if she already knew this, but doesn’t say more on the topic. “What vows did you make to my father? To his men?”
I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter.”
She sighs. “I thought for a moment we were going to be a team now. That not kissing me meant we were going to make decisions together, but I see that’s not true.”
I rub the back of my neck. “I want that, but there are some things that are better if you don’t know.”
She stares at me long and hard, as if trying to decide if my words are true. Then she walks over to me, taking her sweet time, swaying her hips as she walks and drawing my eyes to every glorious curve on her body.
She’s absolutely stunning. I’ve always known she is beautiful, but before today, I always thought of her as a childish girl, not an attractive woman. There is no denying what she is today, though. In another other circumstance, I would be hitting on her with the intention of taking her to my bed tonight.
She’ll be in my bed, but too bad sleep will be all that’s going to happen. No matter how much charm I lay on her tonight, she won’t touch me or let me touch her once the bedroom doors close.
“We should set some boundaries and expectations for the reception—” I start, but stop rambling as she continues walking toward me.
My mouth falls open as I stare at her glide across the floor to me. It was magical watching her walk down the aisle. Her gaze didn’t meet mine until the last second, which meant I had ample time to look at her without her realizing just how drawn I am to her.
But right now, with her eyes locked on mine, there is no hiding my feelings. I’m usually the best at keeping my emotions under control, but right now, they’re screaming all over my face.
She stops suddenly, looking up at me with her big brown eyes as if waiting for something.
“You’re so beautiful, Rialta. Sometimes I wish we had met differently, and maybe then I’d have a real chance with you. Maybe then we wouldn’t drive each other crazy. I would have said you are the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen, and I had to have you,” I say sadly because it’s true.
I’m not trying to flatter her; I’m just being honest. But the circumstances are what they are, and neither of us will ever give the other a real chance. My heart is locked away in steel, and hers belongs to another man.
Rialta grabs the back of my neck and looks me dead in the eye. “This isn’t me losing our bet—this is me taking control and not giving those bastards anything.”
Her lips crash down on mine. For a kiss that isn’t really meant to be a kiss, Rialta kisses me hard. Any kiss after this will feel benign and gentle in comparison. This kiss is meant to punish us as much as it is about taking control.Damn, do I find that sexy.
I grab her neck back, holding her tightly to my lips so she can feel all of me. She’ll never be surprised again when it comes to kissing me.
Our tongues meld and mix together in a bitter battle. Quickly I feel the reaction I want from her—sweet surrender.
With this kiss, she’s accepted her fate, accepted our marriage.
I don’t know if she’s ready to give Kit up yet.
I don’t know if she’s ready to take on any of the responsibilities that are expected of her as my wife and mafia queen.
But this is definitely a start.
She pulls away, leaving us both gasping and wanting more.
“You’re attracted to me? I always thought you hated me,” she says quietly, feeling the energy of our kiss.
“I’m attracted to you. And I hate you.”
She laughs at that. “Ditto.”