Page 70 of Sweet Deception

I hadn’t even finished half the pizza, but I was already stuffed from the meal he had brought earlier.

“I’m sorry you had to cancel your meeting.”

“It’s fine.” He closed the pizza box and stacked it on the other.

“So what now?” I asked. “The meeting’s canceled, so do you have any other plans?”

“Might meet with some of the men, get updates.”

“Or... you could stay here with me.”

His gaze flicked to mine.

“Talk to me,” I said suddenly.

He frowned. “About what?”

“Anything. Boring, interesting. I don’t care. I just want to know who you were before all this.”

After a long pause, he walked back to the bed and sat beside me, his expression unreadable.

“I really don’t have anything interesting to say.”

“Then tell me the boring things.” I smirked. “I trailed my fingers over the buttons of his tuxedo.

“Can I?”

He raised a brow. “Can you what?”

“Take this off. You’re always so put together. I want to see what’s underneath.”

His brow lifted slightly.

“I know we’re traveling tonight, but I still want to spend time with you,” I continued. My voice was steady, but inside, I felt a war raging. I told myself it was because we had thirty days left. That I just wanted to know him better before we parted ways.

But deep down, another voice whispered something else. Something I wasn’t ready to admit. That was the only reason I was doing this.

Right?

He hummed, considering.

I moved closer, taking off his tie first, then sliding his tuxedo jacket off his shoulders. His scent, masculine, rich, intoxicating surrounded me.

“Should I tell you about the first time I killed someone?”

“Hell no!” I swatted his arm as I unbuttoned his shirt. “I know you’re used to violence, but I’m not. Tell me something that doesn’t involve bloodshed.”

He exhaled, almost amused.

“When I was eight, my mother baked a cake for me and my friends.” His voice had a different quality now. Softer.

I slowed my movements, paying attention as I slid his shirt off, revealing his sculpted chest.

“She barely ever made it, so I thought... why should I share? I could eat it for days instead.”

I raised a brow. “Selfish and greedy, huh?”

His lips twitched, and this time, he didn’t fight it. A ghost of a smile. Small. But real.