Page 82 of Dancing with the Devil

I chewed my bottom lip, scanning his entire upper body before gently cupping his face in both of my hands. My eyes trailed over his face, and I sighed in relief. “You’re fine. You’reperfectlyfine.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me if I won?” he suddenly spoke up.

I simply shrugged my shoulders, hiding a genuine smile. “You never lose.”

I noticed a flicker of concern behind his eyes, so I let go of his face, looking down as I picked the skin on my fingers. My stomach twisted in a knot, and I could feel my pulse throbbing in my neck.

“Why are you so upset with me,tesoro?” he asked, and I was hesitant as I glanced up at him.

“It’s nothing.”

A beat passed before he reached over, lifting me onto his lap. “Come here.” I straddled him, not meeting his eyes.

With his gentle touch, he tilted my chin upwards with his fingers, and my fearful gaze finally met his patient eyes. “Talk to me.”

My heart raced in my chest as I tried to piece together the best way to admit my feelings to him. I knew he’d listen and understand, and that should have made this conversation a lot easier. But, it didn’t. Because my anxiety would not allow me to embrace the peace and reassurance he had constantly given me.

With a deep breath of courage, I finally spoke. “I don’t like seeing you like this. It hurts, Antonio,” I confessed. “It scares me,” I rather clarified. “I’ve seen every important person in my life like this—bloody, bruised, and some even hanging on for dear life.”

My eyes stung with tears, and he noticed because his hands found my waist as he pulled me closer. “Oh, baby,” he cooed. “You don’t have to be afraid for me.”

“But,” I protested, shaking my head. “I saw what you did to your opponent and the thought of you—of you being in that position, I—”

“They couldn’t knock me out like that no matter how hard they tried,” he assured me. “Trust me. I’ve been in the ring many times to know that.”

I sighed, dropping my shoulders. A part of me knew he was right. I saw tonight’s fight, and well, even though I hate to admit it, he definitely knew what he was doing.

“And the fight with the twins…” he trailed off. “It’s complicated. They wouldn’t have fought unless it involved you. Plus, winning them did wonders for my ego,” he added.

My brows drew together as my jaw dropped in utter disbelief. “You egotistical bastard—I am not sometrophy, De Luca,” I scolded him.

“No, but you’re definitely a reward,” he grinned, pulling me up against his chest, and my hands gripped his shoulders. “You also weren’t the only woman involved—”

“Oh?” I sarcastically smiled. “So you’re fighting for the affection of other women now, too?”

He shook his head instantly. “Of course not— baby, like I said, it’scomplicated. And I’d rather not involve you any further. It’s over now.”

With a knot of uncertainty sitting in my stomach, I adjusted myself on his lap as I glanced away for a minute, trying to gather my thoughts.

“But do you have to fight?” I asked, and he lifted his hand, gently cupping the side of my face.

His voice was low, and his tone sincere. “How else am I supposed to protectmylittle vixen who can’t seem to stay out of trouble?” he asked, and I could not help the smile that danced on my lips.

I let out a breathless chuckle as he took both of my hands in his, placing multiple little kisses on my knuckles.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You did win, right?” I asked, and he nodded in confirmation. “Good.”

“So what do I get for this victory?” he asked, letting go of my hands and gripping my waist.

“Absolutely nothing,” I shook my head, and he only leaned in.

“Nothing?” he teased, leaving kisses up my jaw. “Come on, you have to give me a little more than that.”

His lips found my neck as he sucked the sensitive skin. My head subconsciously tilted to the side as my skin buzzed with warmth.

I gripped his shoulders, pushing him back. “You can’t piss me off, then shower me with kisses, De Luca. That’s not how it works.”

“Then what do you want, hm?” he dropped his eyes to my lips withneed. “I’ll give you anything you want,” he leaned, stealing a kiss. “Just name it,” he whispered against my lips, and heat pooled between my thighs at the desperation in his voice.