Page 41 of Accidentally Kidnapping the Mafia Boss
“More like self-appointed as your invisible personal cheerleader and protection detail.”
He was there, watching over me, and now he’s making a joke? God, I love this man.
“You bastard,” I say, in awe.
“Sorry.” But he doesn’t look sorry, and he doesn’t let me go.
“I thought I was goingmad.” All those times I thought I was seeing him? The moments my skin prickled as though I was being observed, but when I turned no one was there?
“I know, I’m sorry.”
It’s only when he leans his cheek into my hand that I realise I’ve dug my nails into his skin, and he’s accepting it, like I’m a kitten using her claws unknowingly.
“I needed to see you, and know more about you,” he continues, then presses his lips to my palm, kissing me softly, in a balance to the harshness of my hold on him.
“You’re not as invisible as you think.” I sound annoyed. I guess I am. I knew there was something weird going on. “At what, six foot?—”
“Five, yeah. I stand out. I couldn’t stay away, Millie.”
“Not subtle.” I try to smile. “Do you always get caught?”
“Stalking?”
“Yeah, by the other women you follow.” The words are like chewing glass.
“Never,” he replies quickly. “You’re the only one who has ever seen me.”
Well, that’s something, I tell myself as my heart crumples a bit. This is fine. Right?
“Because I don’t do it,” he continues. “I’ve never stalked anyone before.”
“Oh,” I breathe. My heart puffs back up to full size, then expands further at the inference I’m special. “I thought maybe lots of women?—”
“You’re not one of many, pet,” he cuts me off, and hauls me closer to him, like he’s attempting to melt our clothes off with the pressure. “Or the latest. You’re the last, and the first. The only woman I’ll have in bed for the rest of my life, and the first I’ve needed to be with like this.”
Happiness radiates out of my chest.
“No wonder you weren’t very good,” I joke.
“I did most of it by having CCTV hacked.” He shrugs.
“Most of it wasn’t in person?” I splutter. “And I still saw you!”
He has the grace to look sheepish. “I can’t hide from you.”
“The playboy kingpin stalked a girl rather than just picking from one of his admirers?” I murmur.
“I told you the truth days ago. I haven’t even kissed anyone for years, Millie. It’s all an act.”
I ease my fingertips and slide my hand to the back of his bowed head, and his short hair is like velvet.
Part of me is still scared. I don’t trust that I’m lovable. After all, my family has never really cared about me.
But I trust him.
And suddenly it’s so clear, and all my fears seem ridiculous. He followed me, he allowed me to kidnap him, he’s cooked me three hot meals a day since we’ve been here. He watched me, yes.
Heseesme.
