Page 146 of Kissing the Villain

After Blaire talked about the Founders’ Ball for twenty minutes, she begrudgingly introduced me to the Belles. I shook at least two dozen hands, attempting to memorize their names and faces. We drank champagne and exchanged formalities about my family and Luca.

Several flutes of champagne later, the alcohol had gone to my head. I needed a minute alone to gather my thoughts. I leaned into Kali’s shoulder and whispered that I would be right back. Then I rushed out of the ballroom, desperate for a break. As I crept down the hallway, I rounded the corner. And before I slipped into the bathroom, someone clutched my shoulder from behind and shoved me into a dark room.

53

LUCA

Alex panted against my hand.She desperately tried to escape my grip as I pushed her into a dark coat closet and locked the door. I felt my way into the room, my cock digging into her ass. She struggled to break free from my grasp, and I held her tighter. I pressed my lips to her ear, reveling in her fear.

“When I text, you answer. This is not the time for games, baby girl.”

She sighed as I lowered my hand from her mouth. “Luca, how could you do that to me?”

“It’s just me. But it could have been one of my enemies.”

“I hate you,” she whined.

“No, you don’t.”

She only hated herfeelingsfor me.

“Turn on the light, Luca!” Alex spun around and pounded her fists against my chest. “You know I hate the dark and small spaces.”

I shook my head. “Was I not clear?”

She inched backward until her ass hit the wall. “Clear about what? You think you own me, but you don’t.”

I could have reached for the switch on the wall, but I loved how she clung to me, her fear getting the best of her. She neverliked enclosed spaces. And even though she’d told me she wasn’t afraid of heights, I knew the truth.

A lot of things terrified her, most of all me.

“I don’t want to own you.” I slid my hand to the side of her face, stroking her soft skin with my fingers. She leaned into my touch as I knew she would. “I want to protect you.”

“Tell me what’s going on. Where have you been this week?”

Alex raked her nails down my arms so painfully slow my cock sprung to life. With that, I fisted her hair between my fingers and pulled her mouth to mine. I pried her lips apart with my tongue as if my life depended on her next breath.

I could not lose her.

She was a part of me.

The light to my dark.

I would risk my life for hers. I would do anything to keep her out of harm’s way.

She stole her lips from mine. “Tell me the truth, Luca.”

I rested my forehead against hers and clutched the side of her face. “I won’t let them touch you, baby. You’re my queen. And if you’d stop playing games, I want to make you my wife.”

“If I’m so important, why don’t you treat me like I matter?”

“I’m not a good man.” I massaged her jaw with the pad of my thumb. “But with you, I try.”

“That’s debatable.”

“I didn’t come here to fight. You’re in danger.”

Alex gripped my tie in her hand. “I shouldn’t have to suffer for your crimes.”

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