Conner’s arm shot forward in front of the bathroom door, a steel bar preventing my escape.
This was precisely what I’d feared. I knew he’d never let the opportunity pass without exerting his dominance to make me squirm.
I’d never felt the kind of heat he roused inside me. It licked beneath my skin until a river of tingles erupted in my veins. I’d had crushes before, but this was different. Visceral. Indominable. No matter how much I wanted to remain unaffected, it was impossible. My body responded to him as though it were already his to command.
Your body and mind aren’t the same. You have to remember your goal, Em.
I lifted my chin defiantly, my nostrils flaring with the intoxicating scent of him.
His cool stare held me captive, eyes inches from mine. “Is your father going to be a problem?”
My lips parted in surprise.
I’d expected innuendo and manipulation. Such a direct line of questioning hit at the very heart of my worries and unsteadied me.
I shook my head and tried to dart beneath his arm. Conner wedged his body in front of the door, blocking my path completely and bringing us chest to chest. I sucked in a shock of air, then narrowed my eyes defensively.
He wasn’t remotely unsettled by my display of irritation. If anything, his intensity only darkened further in the dimly lit basement hallway—a villainous storm threatening to crumble me to my foundations.
“Protective is one thing. I get the sense this is more, and I think I ought to know if it’s going to be a problem.” His eyes narrowed a fraction, the difference between tension and savage ferocity in one tiny twitch of a muscle. “He ever hurt you?” The words were deadly calm.
Oh God. Why was he doing this?
He needed to stop asking questions, and I needed to stop thinking his questions meant he cared. This was all probably about control and power, not me. I had to shut it down. Now. The best way to accomplish that was not to look like a scared little girl.
Taking a small step back, I opened my clutch and pulled out a pen, then took his hand in mine, palm up. It’s so much wider than I expected. Rough and solid muscle. Hands that knew hard work, like squeezing the life out of an enemy.
I mentally scolded myself to focus and wrote two letters across the full surface of his palm.
NO.
Releasing him, I peered up in challenge. Conner stepped forward, placing his leg between my thighs and swiveling us until my back was against the wall next to the door. I didn’t squirm or respond, knowing I couldn’t show doubt or weakness if I was going to shut down his questions.
“Not so fragile as they implied, are you?” he purred above me.
I took his tie in my hand, pulling him slowly lower until our noses almost touched, and shook my head slowly side to side. His hands came to rest on either side of my head as he brought his cheek to mine, his hint of stubble creating a delicious friction against my skin.
“Good, because I’m not remotely gentle.” The words were a black promise, raw and demanding and utterly intoxicating.
Steps sounded on the stairs above us, shocking me back to myself.
I stiffened, eyes widening. Conner didn’t budge. I pressed my palms against his marble chest, my frantic eyes cutting toward the feet about to enter our line of sight. Looking back at him, I slammed my hands against his chest, hating the villainous grin that spread across his face.
Finally, with only seconds to spare, he pulled back and allowed me to flee into the bathroom. Heaving deep breaths, I walked to the sinks and leaned against the old vanity counter.
Holy shit, that was close.
Had my father or Umberto seen Conner so close to me, I wasn’t sure what would have happened. Dad knew I was marrying the man, but he thought it was a burden. Would he reconsider if he had any idea of the chemistry that sparked between Conner and me? If Umberto had gone after Conner to defend my honor, would the Irish back out of the deal?
Without Conner, I would return to being a prisoner in my father’s house. I couldn’t let that happen. He would kill me if he had no use for me or decided I posed too much risk. I had to ensure nothing derailed the engagement.
A heavy sigh tugged at my shoulders just as the bathroom door flew open. I whipped around, fully expecting to find Conner filling the doorway, but it was Pippa’s gleaming face that greeted me.
I rushed over and wrapped my arms around her gratefully.
“It’s harder to get to you than it is the president, you know that?”
A silent chuckle bubbled up from my chest.
Pip pulled back and studied me. “What the hell is going on, Em? Why are you under lock and key, and how did you end up engaged? I mean, don’t get me wrong, he’s a serious hottie, but damn! This came out of nowhere.” Her eyes bulged. “You aren’t pregnant, are you?” she hissed.
I shook my head adamantly, a smile tugging at my lips. I’d given her a few tidbits over text, but without being able to explain in person, I’d kept things vague.
I pulled my notepad out of my purse.
Dad volunteered me when the alliance was suggested. I guess Conner liked the idea of a silent wife.
If Pip’s eyes had narrowed any further, she wouldn’t have been able to see at all. “Excuse me?”
Again, I had to fight back a giggle. I shouldn’t have goaded her like that.
He’s actually not so bad. And as you mentioned, he’s easy on the eyes. That was the understatement of the century.
“Looks aren’t everything.” Pip glowered. “I don’t know, Em. I have a bad feeling something’s not right. The way those guys almost threw down over you, and your dad hiding you away. Something has felt … off.” She lifted a brow and smirked. “Blink once if you need help.” She leaned in and laughed.
I forced a shaky smile, fighting back the sudden sting of tears and looking back down to my notepad so she didn’t notice.
Everything’s fine, promise, but maybe you can look into him. Let me know what I’m getting into.
With a deep breath, I met her gaze again, finding I wasn’t the only one swept up in emotion. Pip’s warm honey gaze was glassy.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married, and Aunt Nora won’t be here for it.” She gently grazed my necklace, then wrapped me in a quick embrace. “Okay, we better hurry and get back out there before they send a search party.”
I nodded and grinned, thanking God I still had Pip. My world was about to change, but knowing I had her would keep my head afloat.
