Page 44 of Trapped

I shrugged. “Yeah. It’s nice.”

His hand tightened around my waist, pulling me closer.

My pulse quickened. Teasing was fun, but it was harder to hide the truth when he looked at me like this.

“You act like I’m some kind of trophy.”

“You are.” His hand loosened, his thumb tracing a slow circle on my back. “And I like the way you challenge me.”

My heart stuttered. “Challenge you?”

“You don’t give me what I want. You make me work for it.”

I swallowed hard. “What can I say? I’m not an easy prize.”

“Yeah, I figured that out quick.”

“You’re reading too much into this. You give me what I need, and I give you what you want. That’s all it is.”

Santino’s grip tightened just enough for me to feel the heat of his frustration, but his voice was smooth as ever. “Look, I know you’re with me for the money. It doesn’t bother me. I’m not delusional about what this is, but I need more.”

My throat tightened. God, I wanted to say yes. That I felt everything he did, but I couldn’t. I’d been here before, trusting a man, thinking he’d be different. It always ended the same: disappointment.

“Santino, I’ve never been with anyone like I’ve been with you.” My voice wavered, but I kept going. “This is closer than I’ve ever been to a relationship, and I admire you. The way you takecontrol and protect me. I’ve never had anyone like that in my life.”

His eyes flickered with something—hope?

A waiter approached us with a tray of drinks.

I took a glass of bubbling golden liquid. “Thank you.”

The waiter smiled. “Of course. Hit me up if there’s anything else I can do for you.”

Santino glared at him until he’d strolled away. “Everyone’s a bit too friendly tonight.”

I leaned into him. “Don’t be jealous.”

“How can I be when you’re wearing all my gifts?”

His hand sailed up to trace the necklace he’d given me on our third meeting. His lips brushed the juncture of my neck and shoulder, heat stirring in my uneasy heart. Each caress dragged me into a sea of feelings I wasn’t ready to drown in. My eyes fluttered as another kiss touched my cheek. Warmth melted over my body as he held me. His hold tightened as we stood amidst the soft clinks of glasses and the low hum of conversation.

“You’re distracted. Something you’re not telling me?”

I forced a smile. “Just enjoying the evening.”

“Delilah, I know when you’re off. Talk to me.”

“There’s nothing to say.”

He sighed. “Why are you hiding from me?”

“I’m not your possession, Santino. I don’t owe you every piece of my mind.”

He hooked a finger around the platinum chain on my neck. “Says the woman wearing everything I bought her.”

“Gifts won’t buy me. Only my obedience.”

“They should at least earn me honesty.”

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