Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“I just can’t. Mom, I need to be left alone.”
“Okay. Just think about what I said. You do find him handsome, don’t you?”
“Of course—everyone does.”
“That’s the problem, isn’t it?”
“What, Mom?”
“You don’t feel like you can compete with other women?”
“No. I’m not sexy. I’ve been the tough one.”
“Sweetheart, you wear tight clothes to exact your strikes, and you have a killer body. You are more than sexy, and I have no doubt that Matteo not only notices, but he also appreciates it very much. Now, if you’d like, we can pick a perfect dress for tonight’s party and prove it.”
“I don’t have a great dress for tonight.” I had planned on wearing a sexy pantsuit, but I want to look drop-dead gorgeous, and suddenly the thought of Matteo sliding his hands under my dress has merit. It’s silly, considering he’s only marrying me to save face, but in that brief moment, I felt the chemistry. The deep, animalistic kiss, the way he sucked off his fingers and threatened to mark me as his.
“Well, then, we’ll go shopping.”
“Okay. Give me twenty minutes to shower and change.”
“I’ll be waiting downstairs.” My mother pats my thigh and leaves my room.
It gives me a moment to compose myself and consider her words. Still, it’s not enough to make me change my plans. Tonight, there will be at least five other men here, looking to gain me as an asset to their families. Unlike Matteo, I don’t have feelings for them, so their bargaining chips will be easier to deal with. They want a wife, but they know who I am and what I bring to the table.
Frankly, until my change of heart, I never considered marrying for anything other than power. If Matteo has claimed me as his, how will tonight go?
I keep my suitcase from being seen and then I head into the bathroom for a quick shower. Once I wash Matteo’s scent off my body, I dress in a pair of tight shorts and a tank top with a light sweater. The weather is a strange mix, hot yet breezy. Once I put on my sneakers and tie my dark curls up in a ponytail, I meet my mother in the foyer.
“Mrs. Conti,” I gasp, seeing her standing at the door with my mother.
“I thought it was best that May goes with us.” What are they cooking up between them? Sometimes I wonder if I get some of my antics from my mother.
“And since when has it been Mrs. Conti?” she says, frowning at me.
“Since your son just changed the rules of engagement,” I bite off. My eyes shoot to the side, glaring at my future husband who has decided to pop up beside his mother, looking innocent when we all know that he’s the devil reincarnate.
“Interesting choice of words, my little Viper.” My heart doubles it’s pace when he calls me that with such a growly tone. Giving me a once-over, Matteo’s voice deepens. “You changed.” His eyes narrow, and he approaches me too damn boldly for his own good. He knows I’m always armed. If our mothers weren’t here, I’d show him his viper.
Matteo lowers his head, his scent filling my nostrils, and I don’t miss my scent all over him still. There’s something dirty and needy running through me, knowing he didn’t bother to clean up afterward. “I might have to spank you again for washing me off.”
“Matteo,” I hiss, looking past him toward our mothers wondering if they heard him, but they seem to have left the room. In fact, it looks like they left the house.
“Eyes over here, Viper,” he commands, gripping my chin and turning my head to face him. “They gave us a moment.”
“We don’t need a moment,” I tell him. Everything we have to say can be said in front of others, where I feel a lot less vulnerable, less horny. No, that’s a lie. We could be in a crowd of a thousand people and if he’s near me, I’m a messy puddle.
He straightens his spine and glares at me. “Must you be a pain in the ass?” I’m getting on his nerves and I’m enjoying it a little too much.
“Says the man who enjoyed spanking mine.” His lips twist into an upward smirk, making him even more devilishly handsome.
“Yes, and so did you. It must be why you decided it was smart to wash off my scent and then plan to head outside where there are other men aching to touch you.” There’s something in his tone that tells me he’s seriously angry. Even with the hint of a smile, the tension is evident in his body. “Do you want men eye fucking what’s mine, knowing that I’m capable of putting a bullet in them if they lay a hand on you?”
I’m reminded of this morning and the damage done by sneaking over to the property. “No, I get it. You’re the head of the mafia and you have a point to prove, but so do I. I can’t try on dresses all dirty. They will go back on the rack to someone else.” It’s something that popped in my head, but now that it’s there the thought of his seed on another woman doesn’t sit well with me at all, and I’m more agitated than before.