Page 102 of Devil's Property

Not just in my head and groin, but also in my heart. I’d never felt such a need to protect as I had the moment I’d closed the front door. It was no secret we were back in Spain. By now, Fassi knew we’d left Mexico.

With the goddamn formula intact.

If that’s what he really wanted, he would eventually make another appearance. We had to be ready, or the cat and mouse game would continue. And I for one was sick to death of playing by his rules.

I sensed her presence the moment she walked into the room, the crackle of electricity scouring every nerve ending. I remained where I was, curious as to what she would say or do.

“I heard you won my sister over.” Fallon’s comment was difficult to read.

“How so?”

“She thinks you’re the cat’s meow. I told her the jury was still out.”

My muscles tensed, my balls tightening. “Oh, it is, huh?”

“Yes, but whatever you said to her convinced her that you’re a good guy.”

“I’m certain you told her otherwise.”

She sighed on purpose. “I told her a lot of things. So here’s the thing. I think we should get married.”

I almost dropped the glass I was holding. Fallon’s voice was strong, crystal clear, and without hesitation. I turned around slowly, studying her in the limited light. Night had fallen, another day spent with the two of us in silence.

I’d spent more time watching her taking her sister for a short walk on the beach than going over details of what I knew and suspected.

Also in silence.

Now she was interested in getting married, making the announcement like another business deal. “What did you say?” How could I not have a grin on my face? The woman continually shocked the hell out of me.

She walked in or perhaps I should say she waltzed in, the air of confidence exactly as the night in the club. The night when I’d become determined to break her. It was interesting how things worked out. Perhaps she was the one doing the breaking.

As she headed for the bar, I remained quiet, cocking my head over my shoulder to watch her every move. There was nothing more pleasurable than observing her. She hadn’t realized it, but I’d also watched her paint, standing in the shadows the only time she’d left Brooke’s side and heading outdoors in the late afternoon sun.

Everything about her was sensual, including the way her long fingers gripped the paintbrush or when they moved to shove a piece of hair behind her ear. I’d felt more fulfilled in watching her work than I had being with any other woman.

I’d salivated the entire time, indulging in filthy images.

She didn’t answer me at first, taking her time to prepare a stiff drink, stiffer than I’d seen her make. After spinning around, she leaned against the bar with her ankles crossed, one hand on the edge of the credenza. “A wild storm,” she finally said.

“Yes, potentially dangerous.”

“Not nearly as dangerous as being around such a powerful man.” She purred at the end of the sentence.

“Only to those who cross me.”

“Then I can only imagine what you’ll do to me if I’m a bad little girl. Yes, marriage. The two of us. You know, going in front of a judge or justice of the peace. Whatever you have over here. We become one. We share in our assets. We build a future. You know what I’m talking about.”

I was rarely shocked in my life. I could count the times on a single hand, but this… This shocked the fuck out of me. “Marriage. With you.”

She sauntered toward me, offering her best and rather infamous seductive smile. How many times had she used it on me before? “Why not, darling? I mean if you’re scared of me, we can make certain and have separate bedrooms. You can certainly lock the doors to keep me out.”

I took a step closer, my hunger increasing even more than before. Around her it was next to impossible to keep from smiling. “What you’re telling me is that you’ll eventually find a reason to kill me in my sleep.”

“That depends on how good you are in bed.” She pressed her hand against my chest.

I wrapped my arm around her waist, yanking her onto her toes. “I’m surprised you’d consider entering into any arrangement with the man you intended on killing.”

“Well, a girl can change her mind.”