Page 29 of Scarlet Vows

“I’ve been having nightmares and didn’t want to stay in that mansion alone, so I moved into your spare room. I can tell him I forced myself on you.”

I wince. “Don’t…don’t use those words.”

“Your virtue. Right. We’ll say I just moved in here for the time they were away, and then we can say I like it here or…or…I don’t know. We’ll have two months to figure something out.”

“You really want to move in here?”

“I like the neighborhood. I like the place. It’s big enough that a roommate situation could be believed. If you want, I’ll tell him about all the chicks you bang.”

“Chicks?” I raise my brows and put my drink down as she eats the desserts, like her petite, slender frame is built to absorb the cake into her bones or something.

Maybe she’s hollow because she doesn’t show signs of being full, and she doesn’t offer me any more bites.

“Women. Females of the human variety.” She looks at meas she finishes the dessert. “And just think of the points you’ll get for keeping me safe.”

“Until he finds out.”

“He won’t.”

She says it with such confidence I almost believe her.

“Uh-huh,” I say.

Alina starts to tell me about how she’ll cook for me. Or at least improve her cooking skills. We banter back and forth, and she tugs me out onto the balcony where she curls up in the big swing chair. A small table and an outdoor sofa also sit out there, plus some plants and a grill I haven’t used.

“This is nice. We could have summer evenings out here.” At my lack of an answer, she pouts in the soft lights I turned on. “Don’t you yearn for company?”

“I do all right.”

“That’s not the answer I see. We can play cards, poker. I’m going to be good for you. And you’ll be good for me. I’ll be able to flash a ring when I go out, and men will leave me alone.”

I don’t believe that, but I keep it to myself.

Then I frown. “Alina?—”

“We’ll have a story for Demyan when he gets back, even if it’s just roommates and I helped you out.”

“I thought you didn’t want to tell him.”

“Oh, I don’t. Worst-case scenario. And I don’t need to wear rings around him.” She slaps a hand over her mouth. “I’ll buy them.”

“You know what?” I say. “I think this is a conversation we don’t have time for. I need to get you home.”

She sighs but stands. “Okay, and tomorrow, we’ll get the ball rolling.”

I drive her back to the mansion and then walk her in and up the stairs to the floor where her bedroom is, making sure I stay at the top of the stairs, going no farther.

“Tomorrow?” she asks.

She’s so fucking beautiful that I can’t breathe. What would it be like to kiss her, my lips on hers, the slide of her tongue against mine? Because I want to see if she tastes as sweet and soft as she looks, if her mouth is addictive as I think it is.

This is not the first time the thought’s come to me, and it won’t be the last.

“Tomorrow.” I ruffle her hair. “Good night, Alina.”

Then I turn, her “good night” floating down behind me.

I almost hate myself. We’re going to enter this fake marriage because I let her back me into a corner. And I know I’m going to be thinking about a lot more than kissing her during it. Even though she’s made it clear she’s not interested in anything more.