Page 69 of Bound in Debt

“That’s a matter of opinion.”

“Why? Because no other girl on campus had a large enough trust fund to help you?”

“No, because you’ll never fall in love with me.”

I frown.

It’s just another reminder not to let myself get caught up in this man.

He’s so not worth it.

If I push this, if I let myself fall for him, I’ll be the one bruised and hurting at the end of this. Not him. I’ve seen plenty evidence that the Moretti men don’t have hearts or souls, just big egos and a hunger that can’t be satiated.

“Let’s just get this over with so we can get out of each other’s hair. I don’t want to cramp your lack of style,” I mutter.

“You don’t think I have style?” I’m not used to him speaking casually to me, almost teasing, even as we share some hard truths.

And how he’s not reacting to anything I say the way I expect him to.

I’m sure he’s exhausted from the day because I know I am. Unfortunately for my body, my brain won’t shut off. The craziness of tonight seems to have broken my off-switch.

“Your style has nothing to do with me,” I reply, rolling to my back to create some distance between us.

Dante’s palm shoots out to latch onto the curve of my hip, squeezing the flesh there. It feels like someone has struck a match under my skin and I flush.

I hold my breath without thinking, waiting for his response, unsure what kind of reaction I’m hoping for.

“According to whatever higher power we just said our vows to,” Dante continues. “I have everything to do with you.”

“We don’t have an audience in here, Dante. You don’t have to pretend.”

His body lifts slightly. “Who says I’m pretending? What’s wrong with having some married fun?”

Everything.

Except that would only be true if there were feelings involved, right? And there are none.

Zilch, zero, nadda, nope. No feelings here.

I will never ever fall for this man. He’s a murderer, an asshole, and way too broody for my taste.

I prefer guys who actually enjoy things that don’t have anything to do with blood or violence. Guys who don’t go around waving guns in people’s faces.

“Nothing if you actually want to be here,” I grumble on an exhale. “I didn’t ask to be dragged out of bed in the middle of the night like a hostage.”

“And I wasn’t about to let Liam put his fucking hands on you just to rip your trust fund away and leave the States. I already told you that.”

“Don’t make it sound as though you’re a Boy Scout, Professor. You don’t get a merit badge after this.”

“And here I thought you were a princess, sweetheart. That would make me Prince Charming, right? I thought he gets a lot more than a badge in his story.”

“If you think I’m going to fuck you?—”

“I don’t have to think, Victoria, I know,” he glares at me, slowly reverting back into the asshole I’m more than familiar with. “If I wanted you like that, you’d be riding my cock right now.”

“Bullshit, professor. We’re not even on the same level.”

“We’re not,” he agrees immediately. “You couldn’t keep up with my ass if you tried. You can’t study that kind of chemistry, sweetheart. It doesn’t matter how much mediocre porn you watch in your free time.”