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“Alonzo Kendrick,” his twin says before I can ask for his name. He accepts my proffered hand with a sideways glance at Adonis before brushing his lips over my knuckles. “A pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Delilah.”

I barely get to enjoy his dramatic show of chivalry before Adonis growls.

“Keep your fucking mouth to yourself.”

Chapter 35

On His Knees

DELILAH

We made it as far as the back of Adonis’ Maybach before I fell asleep. I vaguely remember Victor driving us back down the long drive, away from the manor as my eyes drooped and my head found Adonis’ shoulder. His scent is the last thing I can recall and the first thing to hit my nose when I wake up the next morning.

Sleep still thick in my eyes, I open them and there he is.

In a chair pulled up beside my bed, with his tuxedo jacket draped across the back of it. Tie gone. Sleeves rolled up and the residual stress from last night lining his face, mixed in with blatant relief when he sees I’m awake.

“Did you watch me sleep all night?” I stretch before inspecting my clothes. He may still be wearing last night’s attire, but I’m in pajamas I don’t remember changing into. I touch my face, and my jaw drops when I realize he also cleaned the makeup off my face.

Adonis looks at me, unblinking. Like I’m not sitting here with the knowledge that he carried me to bed, undressed me and removed my makeup.

“From now on, I want you in my bed every night.”

“Why would I do that? We’re not together.”

“Delilah.” My name is wrapped up in an exhale, a warning of sorts. I sit up against my headboard and watch him.

“We’re not together, Adonis.”

“We kissed,” he states matter of factly. “You think I’m letting somebody else experience you?”

“You’re very possessive for a man who’s engaged to another woman.”

His eyes flash in the early morning sunlight and it satiates a need I didn’t know I had inside of me. Watching the torture play across his face is its own special kind of bliss.He deserves it.

“Where’s Titus?” I ask as a yawn steals my voice. My eyes water and when I open them again, more misery has found its way into Adonis’ expression. I wipe the sleep from the corners of my eyes and cover another yawn.

“I won’t marry her,” he blurts when I reach for my glasses on the nightstand.

“That doesn’t seem like something you can undo overnight just because you kissed the woman you kidnapped, Adonis.”

Vacating the chair, he’s on his knees beside my bed, hands closing around mine in my lap. “It won’t be overnight, it’ll take time. But if you tell me I have a chance with you, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

He pulls my hands to his lips and plants kisses up and down my wrists.

“You kissed me back,” he reminds me. “And you told me you liked me.”

“I was under duress,” I bite back, avoiding his gaze.

“Delilah, please.” He brings my hands to his chest. “Let me fix this.”

All I’m saying is that I didn’t cheat on her by falling in love with you.

Last night, I thought he was talking to make himself feel better, but maybe I just don’t know what a man in love looks like.

However, Adonis on his knees, mouth on my skin, and a desperate plea on his lips might be my new standard.

“Menace, say something.”