Page 130 of The One
I’m so goddamn naïve!
He pulls me against his hard body, his lips right next to my ear.
“Mari, please. Stop struggling so I can put you down safely. If you keep going this way, we’ll both fall down the stairs.”
My mouth opens and shuts as I try to form words.
He might have a point. I stop kicking, and he sets me down on the landing, releasing his hold on me.
Spinning around, I lift my hand and slap him across the face.
“I’m not one of your whores,” I repeat through the tears and the anger that’s filling my body.
Perhaps later it will sink in that I hit the second most powerful man inla famiglia,and remorse will replace the anger.
Right now, though? I don’t care.
Mateo’s hand goes to his face, covering his cheek. He’s as surprised by my move as I am.
For a second, I’m frozen in place.
Mortification is really setting in now, and I turn to get the hell out of here.
But no such luck, of course.
Mateo’s large hands grab my waist and spin me to face him once more.
“I wasn’t going to have sex with you,” he declares.
What?
“You weren’t?” I ask, the disbelief in my voice unmistakable. “But you were going to take me to your bedroom. Don’t deny it.”
“Yes, I was going to take you to my bedroom. To sleep.”
“To sleep?” I repeat, not able to hide the sarcasm in my voice. “After everything we’ve done tonight, you were going to take me toyourbedroom to sleep?”
“Yes,” he insists. “And perhaps cuddle a little. Mari, I know what’s expected of you!” His eyes are laser focused on mine as if willing me to believe him. “And while it’s outdated and hypocritical, I’m thrilled that no other man has ever touched you.”
My head is spinning. He knows I need to keep my virginity, and he’s thrilled?
I don’t follow.
What the hell is going on?
Chapter Fifty
Mariella
“Why?” is all I manage to ask. Why would he be thrilled I’m untouched?
“Because it means you’ll completely belong to me when I make you mine. On our wedding night.”
Our wedding night?
My eyes go wide.
I blink once, twice.
