CHAPTER 62 - RED
CHAPTER
Red
“ S HIT!” I MUTTER. Shit, shit and fucking shit! Turning my back, I rake my fingers through my hair and pace the room.
I force my breathing to steady, unable to look at the most gorgeous sight I’ve ever seen without continuing what I was doing. How can I look at the woman I want more than life itself lying on my bed with her legs open, dripping wet for me, without losing my mind?
I’m now even less sure whether I’ll ever be in a place where I can control the all-encompassing urge to possess her; to bury myself deep within her and never leave.
Arianna tasted every bit like I imagined. But better. The softness of her velvet skin against my face was more than I’d dreamed.
Stop it! Just fucking stop it!
Taking a deep breath, I turn around, dreading the epitome of all temptation to further fuel my raw lust. I’m not sure how I’ll cope.
It’s worse than I thought.
A needle passes through a part of my heart as Arianna averts her eyes and attempts to cover herself up, wearing an unmistakable look of hurt. I clear my throat. “Look, I...”
“You don’t need to explain.” Slipping her own mask back into place, Arianna gets off the bed and tugs her dress on, doing a sterling job of pretending not to be self-conscious.
I step forward, reaching for the zip I almost tore off in my haste to possess her. “Here, let me help you with...”
“I can manage!” Jutting out her chin, she moves out of my reach. “You were right to stop. We’re drunk and allowed ourselves to get carried away.”
I give an abrupt nod. “It’s something we’d both come to regret.” Except I’d love to make her fall apart at the seams.
I’d regret nothing , apart from everything. Once we step over that line, there is no turning back, and I cannot become distracted. Arianna distracts me - more than anyone ever has, and that’s dangerous. For me, for her - for everyone .
I button up my shirt. Being distracted brings weakness, and that’s not something I can consider.
“We both know this is a business arrangement which I agreed to for my family’s sake,” Arianna continues. “So, like you said before, let’s keep it that way.”
“Agreed.” My voice sounds bright, but inside I want to kill someone. I want to dish out torture for allowing me to make decisions based on Lorna’s betrayal; because of the life I live; because of having to deal with ancient feuds; because of the whole fucking lot!
Arianna has reminded me, like a smack to the face, that we’re on opposite sides. Her sole reason for being here and marrying me is to protect her own. She’s attracted to me, but she doesn’t want me desperately.
Whereas, I want Arianna Galvatore more than I want blood running through my veins.
I smile coldly. “Don’t forget that you’re still my wife.
We must continue to play the charade of our relationship in public, just nowhere else.
” I snatch my suit jacket from the floor, shake out the creases and shrug it on.
“I’ll be in my office and will remain there tonight.
I should have followed up with Del long before now. ”
Nodding politely, I turn on my heels and stride from the room. I have to before she says something or gives me a look to convince me she feels anything more for me than an enemy who’s temporarily agreed to spare a father that doesn’t deserve it.