Page 39 of The Billionaire's Vow

“Do you want Percy?” he hissed.

I glared over at him. “You know I don’t.”

“Did he touch you?”

“Come on, Rocco, be serious. He didn’t,” I snapped and squeezed my eyes shut fearing he’d see I wasn’t completely honest.He kissed me, but it’ll only make him more upset.“You know I don’t want him.”

“No, I don’t,” he said coarsely. “You’re going to have to do better than that.”

“I was…I was…afraid. I’m sorry, Rocco,” I whispered.

“I know you are, but for what, Adelina? What makes you sorry?” His tone had softened, and he leaned closer, making my heartbeat faster. He pushed me, trying to make me admit how I felt about him.

“I-I gave you an out,” I whispered.

“So you think that makes it right?” he said and snorted. “Damn it, you’re cold.”

My skin flushed, and I pressed my hand as anguish rose, making me struggle to control my emotions, rushing my pulse and aching my chest. After everything we shared and had been through, I couldn’t believe Rocco thought me cold when I gave him more of myself than I ever did anyone. But with Gunnar there and no privacy, I could only bring myself to ask. “You find me cold. After we’ve been…together?”

His jaw ticked. “We fuck, Adelina, and that’s not what I’m angry about.”

My brows knitted, and my chest hurt. “Then what is it?” I licked my lips and bit the bottom, my legs jittered on the seat.

“I want more than your affection, Bella. I need to hear how you feel.” He hit the center of his chest. “I care for you, but Idon’t know if you’ll ever feel the same about me.” His voice lost steam, and he sighed long.

I tensed, blinking rapidly.

“We go in circles, and I wonder if I’ll ever reach you.” He sounded defeated, and more fear rose. Would he give up on me?But on the other hand, is Rocco being fully honest with me?

“If you feel that way, why marry me?” I said, my voice nasal.

“I don’t go back on my word, Adelina.”

I shook my head, and my eyes stung. His answer held no sentiment. “You only married me because you still need me. It’s not because….”You care. “If you had walked away, you could’ve had what you wanted.”

“But not you?” he said sharply. “Did you even consider I would choose you? Damn it. I feel like I’m up against a wall here. You have me so angry and so eager to fuck you; that’s the only time I can reach you to feel you want me. Because I’ve grown to care about you, Adelina. Can’t you feel it? Can’t you feel me?” His voice broke with raw emotion, and his head fell back. He tunneled his hands through his thick hair, closing his eyes in frustration. When they opened again, there was pain deeper still, pools of uncertainty, something I’d never thought I’d get from him. Had I become a vulnerability?

I hurt Rocco deeply, but to give a piece of my heart to him wasn’t something I could so easily do. However, it was now or never. I was in danger of losing him. He found out what happened and came, even with all he had on his plate. Knowing how much his family meant to him, he dropped everything, including the funeral, to bring a judge to Westchester so that he could marry me. He deserved more, but he asked for so much, demanding my trust, my surrender, and all of my heart.

I swallowed against the lump in my throat. My mind swirling with warnings of danger if I gave in, my heart hammering in fearthat he’d let me go. But instead of shutting him out, I started speaking.

“When…I thought I’d never see you again; it felt like something ripped inside me. Mr. Belfiore told me that you’d accepted his demands to break off the contract, that you didn’t want me, and I felt so broken in that moment. Just a pawn in everyone else’s game. I’ve learned to be cautious with my heart, Rocco. I’ve never allowed myself to truly want something because it’s always taken away from me when I do. Please believe me when I say that my actions weren’t just for me; I believed you wanted something else, and it was because I care about you, Rocco, so much that it’s overwhelming…these feelings. You are the first person in a tiny circle I let in, but please know that even when I can’t say it, I care…Rocco, baby. I want you,” I sobbed, burying my face in my trembling hands. I feel like I just gave him all the power, and could only hope he’d forgive me for what I could control.

Will he leave me an emotional mess? Will he stay angry?

But then I felt his hands running up my spine. “Mia bella,” he whispered.

The sound of the car door opening and closing let me know Gunnar had finally climbed out.

Rocco unfastened his seatbelt. His hand reached under my chin and lifted. My head raised, and he placed his fingers on my throat, his branding on my skin. It was possessive but brought on a comforting familiarity.

“There you are,” he whispered. I could feel his breath soft and fast on my lips as he drew closer to me. My chest heaved, and I flicked my gaze to his mouth, so full, so sensual.

“You came for me.”

“I did, Bella. You’ll learn you’re mine,” he said confidently, then brought his lips to my mouth and slid his tongue over the seam. I shivered and pressed back for more. He let out a groan,gripping the back of my head and pressing his lips harder. My lips parted, and he pushed his tongue in, sliding it against mine. The smooth caresses of his hot tongue heated me, and I moaned into his mouth. We parted to breathe, and our breaths were heavy, but we were just as eager for more; our mouths collided again, our tongues stroking. His kiss was a sin; it took my breath and strength. Once he started, it wasn’t enough.

“Mmm,” I moaned.Don’t you know, Rocco? You’re all I want…I want you.

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