Page 26 of Shadows of Steel

Inside, my mind races. I need to make him reconsider. With Leonardo, there would have been no chemistry, no emotions, no complications. Just a business arrangement, a carefully maintained facade. Simple. Effortless. But Dante? With him, I’m not certain that will be possible.

I lift a brow, my voice smooth. “You know, it might not be too late to change your mind.”

Dante smirks, like he already knows exactly what I’m trying to do. “I see no reason to.”

I exhale, tilting my head. “I should warn you, I’m expensive. I’ll spend all your money.”

His smirk deepens. “Good. I like expensive things. They last longer.” His voice dips, the gravel in it smoothing into something decadent. “And, cara mia, you could never truly waste it all, but I dare you to try.”

I narrow my eyes. “I am not the kind of woman who can be tamed, Dante.”

He leans in, his voice skimming over my skin. “Why would I ever wish to tame you? Wild things are far more intriguing.”

A flicker of annoyance sparks within me. “I don’t trust anyone.”

His lips barely shift, amusement lingering at the edges, his voice dropping to something near a whisper. “That’s wise. Trusting me would be a grave mistake.”

A shiver runs down my spine. He’s too close now, his scent wrapping around me, seductive and unmistakably masculine.

I straighten my shoulders. “If you’re expecting affection from this arrangement, you’ll be sorely disappointed. I don’t love.”

Dante exhales a low, dark chuckle.

He dares to fucking laugh.

“Even better.” He muses, his tone edged with amusement. “Love only complicates things.”

I narrow my eyes. “I don’t laugh either. I’m no fun. You’ll tire of me soon enough.”

His grin is predatory, a display of confidence. Tilting his head slightly, he leans in, whispering in my ear. “Then it seems I have no choice but to change that, don’t I?”

The moment his lips graze my ear, arousal sparks low in my belly, pooling wet and wanting between my legs. I steady my voice. “I don’t break, Salvatore.”

His smirk sharpens, cutting. “Neither do I.”

My pulse betrays me, hammering against my will. I’m out of retorts, he has an answer for everything.

Still, I lift my chin, refusing to let him see how his presence unravels me. “This marriage means nothing.”

His jaw tightens, sweeping over my lips before meeting my eyes once more. “Is that so?”

“Yes. Nothing more than a formality. A performance, if you will.”

Dante watches me closely. “A performance, you say?” His voice is rough. “We’ll see about that.”

My breath catches. I don’t know what to say, how to counter the unspoken promise in his words.

“I won’t sleep with you.” The words escape before I can stop them.

Dante chuckles.

He bends down, his nose brushing against mine, his breath warm and laced with mint. His voice drops into something lethal, dripping with intent. “I would never impose myself upon you.” His lips hover just above mine, so close I can almost taste the champagne on his breath.

“But mark my words.” His voice deepens. “You’ll be on your knees before long, begging for my cock like a desperate little thing, dripping, ruined, utterly and completely mine.”

His words strike like a match against my skin,and I know without a doubt, my panties are drenched, beyond redemption, a clear betrayal of my resolve.

Dante smirks, as if fully aware of the havoc he’s wrought on my body. And I despise him for it, despise the way his words unravel me.