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“Because … I wouldn’t have won.”

Unbothered, Lucca wrapped his arm around his fiancée’s shoulders as they headed for the door, and all of them watched him walk away.

That was the difference that separated leaders from soldiers. Leaders knew when to surrender in order to succeed, and it was a wisdom nearly every man in the room needed to learn.

Lucca was cold, calculating, and cunning, and while Dominic would have won a match in brawn, Maria knew … Lucca would beat him any day in a game of chess.

“Adalyn …” Finally, it was Angel who noticed. “Why are you covered in glitter?”

Forty-Nine

All You’ll Ever Care To Know

“Anything else you’re hiding from me that I’ll find extremely fucking hot?” Maria asked as soon as they were alone.

Dominic put his tatted hands on her waist as he pulled her to him. “Oh, you’ll find that out tomorrow night, princess.”

“You could show me now.” She darted her tongue out to lick his lips. “I promise you, after that, I’ll still marry you.”

“I know you will.” He laughed, knowing her too well. “But no.”

Catching sight of his dimples, Maria moved her tongue to the precious dent. “You sure about that?”

“No,” he gritted out, loving that action from her, but he still held strong. “That’s why I need to go.”

Maria pulled her head back. “You’re not going to stay with me tonight?”

“I can’t, Maria. I’m sorry.” Internally, Dominic wanted to cry just as much as her, yet he stood strongly behind his moral code. “One more night, princess, is all I’m asking. Then I swear to you we won’t have to sleep apart again.”

Wanting nothing more than to con him into getting into her bed, Maria knew she could easily get him to break since the wedding was only one day away. And even though she didn’t care about her virginity, she respected the fact that he did.

Staring into his hazel eyes, she wanted another oath. “Promise?”

“I promise, princess.” He made the easiest promise he would ever make as he sealed it with a kiss. “Now you really have to let me go.”

“Fine,” she grumbled, taking her lips off his. He seemed to be in a hurry to go somewhere … “Did you like your bachelor party present?” Maria asked with a smile, trying to stall, as he walked them to her door.

“No, but Matthias appreciated it for the little bit they were here.”

“You sent them away?” she asked, confused.

“Yes,” Dom said before correcting, “Well, technically, Lucca did.”

“Why?” Maria couldn’t believe it. “Did you even get a turn?”

Dominic stopped at her door, looking at her like she was crazy. “So, they weren’t a joke? You seriously wanted strippers here?”

“Yes, it was a bachelor party.” She spelled it out for him like Lake had earlier in the night. “The outfits might have been the joke, but I wanted you to have fun.”

“Woman, I will never fucking understand you.” Dom shook his head like he had a headache for a second.

“I watched a hockey game; fair is fair.”

“Maria, you watched fully clothed men fight where you can’t see any faces. That’s why you like it. And trust me; while a part of me is grateful you can’t stand a man to touch you or for you to really to gaze upon any man, I don’t exactly take pleasure in women touching me for money.”

Oh … Maria felt like a fucking idiot. “I’m sorry. I should have thought about—”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize,” he assured her sweetly. “You were trying to do something nice, and I appreciate the thought, and Matthias really fucking appreciated it.” Dominic laughed. “I haven’t seen him that happy all year. Plus, the cowgirl outfits were a nice touch.”

Maria smiled. “I thought you would like that.”

“I did, but let me make one thing clear, princess.” Dominic craned her neck with a finger. “The only girl I ever want to touch or look at in something dressed like that is you.”

Her eyes rolled to the back of her head at his words and when he put his mouth on her neck.

“Wait …” Dominic removed his lips from her neck, seeing her skin sparkle up close. “Why are you glittery?”

Maria quickly opened her door and started shoving him out like she had after Angel asked that question to Adalyn.

He was no longer as eager to leave. “Are you sure you all didn’t go to a strip clu—”

“I’ll see you at the altar.” Maria gave him one last kiss that stole his thoughts and breath away in an instant. Pleased with herself, she shut the door. “Goodnight.”

Dominic left smiling, wishing he had gotten the chance to tell her he loved her one last time before they were married. But as he walked down the hall, his thoughts went to his upcoming meeting. He just hoped he came out of it alive ….