Page 53 of Precious Hazard

I shake my head.Christ. “That won’t all fit in Sienna’s old room.”

“Hmm, that’s too bad. I suppose, then, I’ll need the biggest room you have.”

“That would be the primary bedroom. And as it happens, that belongs to me.” I lean down to whisper in her ear. “Are you offering to share the bedroom with me?”

“God forbid. Any other room that’s large enough to fit all my stuff, and is also as far as possible from your lair, will do. Please and thank you.”

A smirk tugs at my lips. Not like I ever intended to allow her the use of Sienna’s room. “As you wish.”

Tara’s eyes turn into slits as she stares at me with suspicion. But then, she raises her chin and heads to the front door.

Nope, that’s not happening. Catching up, I quickly scoop her into my arms.

“Hey!”

“Appearances,gattina. It’s tradition for the groom to carry his bride over the threshold.”

“No one from your precious Family is around, so there’s no need for this pretense. Put me down.”

“My housekeeper is here, and she loves to gossip. Bailing on our wedding reception is as far as I’m willing to bend traditions for you. And I’ve only done it because you had a panic attack and nearly passed out at the altar.”

“I did not have a panic attack! And I don’t faint. You must have confused me with one of your delicate Italian girls.”

“I’d never make a mistake like that. You’re about as different as could be from an Italian woman.” I let her feet touch the ground and nod at my wide-eyed housekeeper, who’s watching us from the foot of the stairs. “Greta will show you the way. Your things will be brought up shortly.”

“Great.” Tara tries to shake my hand off her hip. “Do you mind?”

“I think you forgot something.” I pull her closer. “Plenty of witnesses with all the moving guys around and Greta here. I’m sure they expect the newlyweds to engage in romantic displays of affection. A kiss would assure them that everything is as it should be.”

“I can’t stand you. The three previous incidents of kissing you in front of our families for the sake of appearances were dreadful enough. I have no interest in repeating the experience. Like, ever. So what would make you think I’d kiss you for the sake of your hired staff?”

“My feelings for you are not that different, Tara. Having my mouth on yours is like letting myself be burned alive. But personal sacrifices must be made for the greater good.” I haul her flush with my chest. “Make sure it looks genuine.”

Tara’s lips break into a sugary smile. She takes my face between her palms and lightly brushes my lips with hers. “Certainly. Let me show you how much I love being your wife,darling.”

Absolute bliss. That’s what it feels like to have her mouth on mine again. Her scent… her softness… the sweet, sweet— PAIN!

“Oops.” The little hellcat smiles innocently as she licks a drop of my blood off her bottom lip. “Apologies, darling. Got a bit carried away. But you insisted I show you the depth of my feelings.”

My nostrils flare. Fury explodes inside my chest, but it has nothing to do with her stunt. I’m furious with myself, with my body’s and my mind’s reactions. Because each time we kiss, I feel like I’m plugged directly into a raw power source that makes my heart race and every neuron I have catch fire. Every one of my senses heightens the moment we touch. She does that to me. Only her. Wakes me up from whatever zombieland I’ve been trapped in. I never even realized I was drowning in that hell. And now, I’m pissed beyond measure that she’s the one who has this effect on me.

“Greta is waiting,” I grind out through my teeth. “You should go. Start unpacking.”

She marches past me without another word, her head high, and climbs the stairs to the upper level. Poor, confused Greta trots in Tara’s wake.

As soon as Tara disappears from sight, I audibly exhale, allowing myself to relax finally. Releasing the tension in my muscles doesn’t help relieve the pressure in my cock, though. I’ve been as hard as rock for over an hour. Since the moment my mouth connected with hers. I’m glad that, for once, she actually listened. If she hadn’t and stayed, my hands and my mouth would have been all over her body, and then I’d have thrown her down and fucked her through the floor right here.

“The truffle bruschetta is amazing. You’re really missing out,” Sienna mumbles into the phone, her mouth obviously full of the delectable appetizer. “And the wine! Sweet and crisp all at once, and it hits the taste buds just right. Works great with the pork ribs, too.”

“Glad you’re enjoying yourself.” I let myself fall face-first onto the big four-poster bed.

“I sure am. The two of you caused quite a stir, disappearing like that. But I guess it’s not that surprising, after that kiss and all. It’s all anyone’s been talking about. I heard someone mention that you must have been in a hurry to… consummate the marriage.” She giggles.

“Yeah, sure. Has Drago said anything?”

“Nope. Nothing at all.”

I furrow my brow. That doesn’t sound like my brother. Even if he bought the farce of me marrying DeVille for love, I expected him to do…something.

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