Page 48 of The Cute Psycho

"Exactly," I reply, pushing the teddy bear into the back seat of the car.

"Idiot," she mutters under her breath, and I turn to her, confused. "She doesn't want the bear, you idiot," she continues, "she wants what the bear represents."

"What do you mean?" Now it's my turn to frown.

"She's never lived outside that convent, right? So she's never had a normal life. She wants to experience the outside world," Vanya says, and with a huffed breath, she gets in the passenger seat of the car.

As I ponder her words, it slowly dawns on me that she might be right. She was fascinated by everything, including that weird furniture.

Maybe Vanya's on to something.

I make quick time back to Marcello's house, all the while ruminating on the issue Vanya had raised and how to best proceed in this case.

Then, like the night before, I just sneak into her room and wait for her to come back. After that, I'll have to convince her that I can give her the world if she gives me back my peace.

I don't have to wait long, as the door to the room opens, Assisi strutting inside and placing her bags on the floor. I don't give her an opportunity to scream, or bolt, or both. Grabbing her by the waist, I put my hand over her mouth, whispering in her ear.

"Shhh, we wouldn't want your brother to find me here."

11

VLAD

Marcello would probably shoot first and ask questions later. He certainly would not appreciate my being in the same room as his sister, alone. His concern isn't wholly unwarranted, since Iama ticking bomb. And while I normally would not endanger an innocent, I find that this time I cannot stay away.

She struggles in my arms, her body tantalizingly close to mine as she tries to find an opening to kick me.

"Stop moving," I whisper, tightening my hold on her waist. My palm moves over her stomach, and I can't stop the vision of her naked body from entering my mind.

Fuck! I need to stay focused.

"If you promise not to scream, I'll let you go," I say, immediately chastising myself for taking the risk.

Her head slowly bobs up and down in a nod, and I release her.

She doesn't waste any time in putting distance between us, going as far as the other end of the room.

"What in God's name are you doing in my room?" she asks, her eyes shooting daggers at me.

"Aghh," I groan out loud, putting a hand up, "don't bringhimup! We're not on good terms."

She raises an eyebrow at me.

"You do realize you're talking to a novitiate."

"Former. It seems to me you've shed your habit. Was it too constricting?" I wiggle my eyebrows at her suggestively.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she says, her eyes flashing as she takes a step back.

"Do I scare you?" I ask her bluntly, moving closer to her, caging her in. My eyes roam over her chest—her generous chest, since I would have to be blind not to notice those magnificent mounds hidden by her odiously conservative dress. I note the quickening of her pulse. "I do, don't I?"

I wouldn't fault her for being scared of me. She's not the first and certainly not the last. Although it will make our conversation harder.

"Of course not! But you're in my room, uninvited. It's not proper."

"Don't tell me you fear for your virtue," I drawl, using one finger to caress her cheek.

Her eyes widen, but she doesn't put distance between us. If anything, she raises her gaze to meet mine, challenging me directly.

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