Page 14 of Influence

“Name it,” he urged, his voice low but unwavering. “And I’ll ensure you get it.”

“No one restricts my training.”

He raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Your training? You mean your martial arts? I thought that was just a rumor.”

I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze with conviction. “It is a fact, not a rumor. I won’t give it up.”

My passion for the sport blazed within me, fierce and unyielding. I wouldn’t let anyone extinguish it.

“You’ll have no issues from my side, I assure you,” he began, looking at me as if he could see into my soul. “I was impressed by your skills during our first encounter. I'd heard that Vik ensured you three could fend for yourselves, but seeing you in action…” He paused, shaking his head. “Wow. You and Avra moved like a coordinated team of assassins.”

I laughed and shook my head. “No, we simply trained incredibly hard. Vik wouldn’t have allowed us to be any other way.”

I briefly thought of Cali, aware she had fought tooth and nail with those same skills. But the odds were against her from the moment of her kidnapping—one small woman facing a group of men.

“It was truly incredible. I wanted to share that with you,” he responded.

“Thank you.” I felt my cheeks flush once more. “I could say the same about you.”

He looked at me, allowing silence to surround us. The powerful connection crackled between us, expressing everything we felt without saying anything.

“Since we’re being so open, Laya, I’d like to take this opportunity to clarify something important with you. I hope you don’t mind my being frank?”

“Of course not. Please do,” I responded, waiting breathlessly.

His eyes transfixed me, as if he had me in a firm hold. He made me feel like I was on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating his next word, his next graceful gesture, and the subsequent spark of desire in his gaze. I could still feel his knee pressed against mine under the table.

“I understand that you proposed this marriage as a business arrangement.” The dark look in his eyes, sharp and piercing, reflected a tempest of emotions beneath the surface.

“To unite the strength of our family names,” he went on, his gaze unwavering and almost intimidating. “I need you to understand that I fully intend to honor this marriage. I never do anything halfway. You will discover this about me soon. When I commit, I follow through. This will be a genuine marriage for me. I will be entirely devoted to you and expect the same from you. In every way.”

He glanced behind me, and I knew he was looking at his bed, envisioning the same thoughts I had earlier.

“Does that include love?” I asked, barely above a whisper.

His eyes widened, flashing across his features. Instantly, I regretted the question and wished to heaven I could take it back.

“That remains to be seen.”

I nodded. Deep down, his response sliced through me like a knife, making me realize I wanted what Avra and Eli had. But it wasn’t something I could expect or hope for.

“However,” he continued, “we will share a bed. I want you to be prepared for that. Otherwise, this won’t work.”

I peered up at him, my heart pounding out of control. I understood what he was saying, what he expected.

And I was anything but prepared for this, not in any genuine way.

I could project a powerful, fearsome demeanor, stand tall, and elevate my chin, speaking words tinged with insincere confidence. However, that was a well-practiced act, a fragile guise concealing the turmoil inside.

No amount of time spent on online research could prepare me for the overwhelming and immediate assault on my senses that I was feeling at this moment.

My mind whirled in confusion while my body burned with a jumbled mix of desire and apprehension.

I had no idea what to do next. This was all new to me.

He expected me to be prepared? Prepared, like how?

Panic rose. Maybe this was when I should confess I’d never even kissed a man.

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