Page 93 of Trapped

“It’s not far off the mark.”

“It is when you’re signing leases, contracting painters, hiring designers, and buying inventory for your fucking store. That’s different from using my cash to go on a shopping spree.”

“I know.”

He sighed heavily, hands stuffed in his pockets. “So you’re setting up a fallback plan? Like you’re getting ready to bail?”

I shifted on my feet. “No, I just…it was easier that way. If you thought I was after your money, you wouldn’t ask questions.”

“Why did you keep this a secret?”

“I didn’t have a choice. I had to protect myself.”

His eyes searched mine. “From me?”

“Yes. Dimitri told me he’d help with the store, and then he screwed me over. I couldn’t let that happen again.”

“I’m not the same as that piece of shit.”

I chewed my lip, pained by his stony expression. “I was scared of losing what little freedom I had.”

“Delilah, I’ve given you everything you asked for.” He circled the counter, his voice darkening. “You know why I do that, don’t you?”

I sucked in a tight breath, shaking my head.

His fingers glided under my chin, forcing me to meet his intense stare. “Because ofyou. Because you got me hooked. Every time you walked away with my money, all I could think about getting you back in my bed. But I want more. I want kids. I want to put a lock on that pretty pussy.”

My cheeks flamed. “So romantic.”

A wry smile tipped his mouth. “You don’t want romance.”

“Yes, I do. I want more than an arrangement where it’s all about what you give me, and I take. I want a real relationship.”

He blinked, his fingers stilling under my chin. “What does that even mean to you?”

“It means you don’t just throw cash at me whenever you think I need something.”

“Youinsistedon the cash.”

“And now I’m telling you it’s not enough. I don’t want to be part of your empire. I want a real relationship. I want to laugh with you, talk about stupid things that aren’t life and death. I want to be more than a woman you bought.”

He stared at me, his jaw tight. Slowly, the tension in his face eased and his lips quirked into a half-smile. “You mean that?”

“Yes.”

He stepped closer. Butterflies soared in my chest as Santino cradled my face in his hands before he lifted me onto the counter. He kissed me firmly, making my heart pound, and I kissed him back.

When our lips parted, I leaned back slightly. “I should have told you about the store. I’m sorry for keeping it a secret.”

“I get it. You’ve been trying to protect yourself.”

A knot in my chest loosened. “So you’re not mad?”

“No, baby. I understand why you did it.” He paused, his hand still resting on my face. “You’ve been burned before. But listen, I’m not another guy you need to protect yourself from.”

“I’m starting to realize that.”

He stroked my hair. “I just want to keep you.”

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