Page 130 of Break Me

“Mmm… Well, I must be special then. You won’t hurt me.”

“A spanking doesn’t count?”

“Not even a little bit. Are you sure that’s what you’re saying?” She lowered her head until our lips were almost touching. “You have me curious. Is that the way you ask a girl to marry you, by just telling the world?”

“I don’t think I told the world. Just a few people who needed to hear if they fucked with you, they wouldn’t survive.”

“Ah. I see.”

“Do you have something to say?” I could easily become inebriated from her incredible scent. Already, I was lightheaded.

She nodded and opened my lips with hers just a few centimeters. “I think I do.”

“What is it?”

“What kind of ice cream do you like?”

She had me aching deep inside. “Double chocolate.”

“Mmm… My kind of man.”

“What else? I know you have something else on your mind, my sweet captain.”

When she darted her tongue past my lips, I almost lost control. “You know me too well. All I was going to say is that you’re one hardheaded man, but I’m falling hopelessly in love with you.”

As she crushed her lips against mine, I pulled her even more tightly against me.

I’d been the one to say I never wanted a family, that it was too dangerous and I wasn’t the kind of man who could tolerate having family responsibilities.

But I’d been wrong.

So very wrong.

CHAPTER 29

Alexsey

There were times when a grandiose response was required. Then there were times prudence would best benefit the situation at hand.

Maybe what was about to occur was a little of both. What term did some people use? Ah, yes, a proportional response.

Liam had been true to his word, making the arrangements we needed. I’d listened in on his phone call, admiring his acting abilities. With his connections to both Papadakis brothers, they wouldn’t feel the need to pull in extra protection.

He’d also pledged an allegiance to us, promising to let us know if and when the O’Shaughnessy clan decided to try to make good on their insistence on returning to Las Vegas. Liam knew better than to cross us and we knew that it was only a matter of time before we’d need to end the war with O’Shaughnessy.

I kept the engine idling, remaining away from the entrance, ensuring that we hadn’t been compromised. There was one SUVfull of our men on each crossroad. They would remain on watch to ensure our meeting wasn’t interrupted. Although there was no reason for it to last very long. We were simply offering the Greeks a deal they couldn’t refuse.

“You seem pensive,” Mikhail said. He’d chosen to ride with me, likely to try to keep my eye on the ball. He of all my family members knew when my mind was elsewhere. And I had to admit that this was merely a formality. I was eager to return home. Tonight would be special.

The next few days would be even better.

“Just thinking. My real estate agent sent me a few pictures of potential houses I might be interested in.”

“So you’re serious about Halle.”

“I did announce our engagement.”

“But have you asked Halle yet?”