Chapter 19 #2
“If you’re cold, I can start a fire.” His words seemed heartfelt, but I didn’t trust his generosity.
Unlike the men I’d met in cartels, he was suave, so much so I knew it was used as a weapon.
My guess was that his fake sophistication was a hit with the ladies.
I’d envisioned him with dozens of them, including right now.
Why did I care if he’d slept with every woman in Barcelona?
Well, maybe not every woman. I bit back a nervous laugh and glanced at the fireplace.
The massive arched opening gave way to the chimney following all the way to the vaulted ceiling.
“Are you also a big mountain man too? Do you wield chainsaws and mauls with ease?”
He didn’t seem to take kindly to my morbid sense of humor.
“I’m fine,” I said. “Just exhausted.”
“I can imagine.” Every time he provided me with a longing look, a feeling of being on fire replaced the chill. His footsteps echoed as he brought two similar-looking glasses, keeping a decent distance as he handed one to me. “We should put ice on your face.”
I touched my cheek and winced. “I think a few black and blue marks are the least of my worries.”
As before, I carefully avoided our fingers touching. Tonight, I didn’t need any additional complications including desire getting in the way. This was a business transaction and nothing more.
He lifted his glass without saying anything, the silent toast proving more daunting than if he’d plied me with promises and lies.
I took a swallow, instantly grateful for the slight burn.
“You did very well protecting yourself and your family, Genevieve.”
“That doesn’t feel like a compliment coming from you, but here’s the raw deal. I killed a man. And whether I should tell you this or not, I’ve never been forced to do that before in my life. I don’t like the feeling.”
“I assure you after you’ve killed a few more, you’ll feel nothing.”
“Just like you.”
“Just like me.”
I shook my head, half laughing. “I feel so sorry for you, Jago. You have no care about anyone else but yourself and certainly no guilt at ending a life.”
“Do you honestly believe the men I’ve killed deserved to live?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“No, you wouldn’t because you’ve been protected as you should have been.” He swirled his drink and I was drawn to the action, maybe needing something simple to ground me at that point.
Another sigh escaped me. “I appreciate you coming to help me. I believe I needed to say that.”
He laughed. “Was it so difficult?”
“Yes, it was.”
“Hopefully, you know now that I’ve done so that I’m not your enemy any longer.”
“But you once were. That’s something I can’t forget.”
“Duly noted and wise.”
“Does that mean you plan on killing me in the night?”
He decided to take a step closer. I was instantly intoxicated by his aftershave, but it wasn’t the same one as imbedded in the butter-soft leather of his expensive Cadillac SUV.
“Only if I awaken to find you holding that saber of a knife over my head.” He grinned and when his features softened, I felt myself melting.
“You never know what I’ll do.”
“Good to know.” He glanced at his watch. “I realize you have approximately six hours before you’re required to provide me with an answer, but given everything we’ve both been through, I think it prudent that we discuss your decision.”
“Once I’ve made a decision, there is no discussion.”
“As with everything, there will be terms. If you say no, I’ll ensure your house is secure and send you home tomorrow with a silent prayer that you’ll make it through another night.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Does it appear I am?”
My tongue suddenly stuck to the roof of my mouth, preventing me from saying anything. It wasn’t often I was rendered tongue-tied and I hated it.
And the man.
I closed my eyes, thinking it would be easier to say the words. “Fine. I will marry you, but under the condition I won’t be forced to birth your spawn.”
He choked before bursting into laughter. “My spawn. Well, since you put it that way, I think it’s best we do agree on that. I’m curious as to why you hate the thought so much. I doubt it’s all about me.”
“A good eighty percent. I also don’t believe that forcing children to live in this environment is the right thing to do.
Did you see Bella’s face? She’s petrified.
She can’t remember her mother because this horrible life claimed her as a weakness.
She just lost her father and now her sister who only recently came back into her life after several years was almost killed.
She’s fragile. She’s not capable of handling this. ”
The statement hung in the air and I honestly wasn’t certain if he had any ounce of decency in him.
“I beg to differ. She is as strong as you are, my beautiful fiancée.”
I cringed hearing the term. “Please don’t call me that.”
“Well, that is what you are. I understand we’re both exhausted, but tomorrow we’ll need to make plans for our upcoming wedding.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m not ready for that.”
He closed the distance and another wave of heated suffocation was driven into me.
It almost hurt looking at his breathtakingly gorgeous face.
He was truly a perfect specimen and the dichotomy of his prowess and brutality was stimulating yet constantly threatening.
“Since we were both attacked tonight, we don’t have the luxury of wasting any time.
We need to send a message.” He gently brushed his knuckles across my cheek as an exclamation point on his statement.
“You were also attacked?”
“How sweet. I heard the concern in your voice. Yes, one of my warehouses, only the men involved were Turks, not the Moroccans who invaded your home.”
“You know they were Moroccans?”
“Yes. Two of them had Arabic symbols.”
I stared down at his hands and couldn’t help shivering. Eight fingers were tatted as I’d assumed. I still wasn’t ready to comprehend what the letters spelled. Maybe it was nothing more than gibberish. “Then we’ll discuss the final terms tomorrow. Now, where can I sleep?”
He lowered his head, his dark eyes more luminescent than I’d seen before.
With his breathing labored, the heat coming from his exhalation sent vibrations straight to my core.
He lifted his arm, curling his fingers and the thought of him touching me was both enticing and terrifying.
The last thing I wanted was to fall under his spell.
He slowly lowered his arm. “I took the liberty of selecting a bedroom for you and had your things brought to the room. Incidentally, your brother and sister are on the second floor. Your room is up the stairs on the third floor, first door on the left. If you don’t find that one suitable then I’m certain of the other ten or so bedrooms, you’ll find one more to your liking. ”
“You don’t know how many bedrooms you have in your own home?”
The way his upper lip curled was maddening. He had a way of looking sexy without trying. “Let’s just say I’ve spent two nights in the castle and three days dealing with contractors and an interior designer. They were all strenuous ordeals.”
At least his answer allowed me to laugh. “That’s what happens when you’re a mile-high millionaire.”
He furrowed his brows and looked at me skeptically. “You have me at a loss.”
“Your head in the clouds.”
“Ah. Perhaps you’re right.”
His lips were dangerously close. Too close. Before I did something I’d regret, I backed away, cautiously watching him before turning around and heading for the large doorway. I stopped just inside, debating my question, but truly wanted to know. “Just so I’m aware. Where is your bedroom?”
“On the third floor as well, but I assure you I won’t be bothering you. I rarely sleep and when I do, it’s usually sitting up.”
I glanced over my shoulder. Damn. Even with blood on the collar of his shirt, he was sexy as hell. “What a pity.”
“Which part, Genevieve? That I rarely sleep or that I won’t break into your room?” A muscle pulled at his stubble-covered jaw. At that moment he exuded the power and aura of a calculated predator.
I didn’t answer him before walking out, but as I headed for the stairs, I realized it was a little of both.