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Did I completely lose my mind somewhere along the way? Was I in shock? That had to be the case, because why else were my hands running up Arkadi’s hard chest as his body pulsed against my bare skin?

In the car, I realized that he hadn’t made any mention of Nat, so he must not have been aware of her presence in Milan or even who she was, just like the old man at the auction.

The relief that my niece was safe nearly blotted out my own fear, and I had already begun to think of a way to get word to her.

I was good with people. I enjoyed getting to know them, and usually, everyone warmed right up to me. While I didn’t expect that to happen with the man who despised me and whom I’d happily see tossed into a volcano, there was the chance I could find his weakness and exploit it if I pretended…

Okay, I was pretending way too well at the moment, leaning into his rough kiss and clinging onto him like I was actually enjoying it.

I wasn’t. Not at all.

I finally pushed away, trying to wipe away the feel of his lips and struggling not to slap him.

The psycho would probably like it. He smiled—not a sneer, or a sarcastic grimace.

A real smile, and probably the first time I’d ever seen him do it.

He had a damn dimple, and there was something about the lift of his chiseled cheekbones that made his eyes almost sparkle like black diamonds instead of coal.

It was something else, and knocked me off kilter again. Why was he smiling at me?

“I take it you’re not going to kill me?” I managed. A small miracle I could speak at all since the kiss made me feel like I had run a mile, and his unexpected smile stole the last of my breath. “I’m worth much more alive, after all.”

The heart-stopping smile disappeared like it never existed. “I’ll decide what you’re worth,” was his disconcerting non-answer.

The smug tone, so sure he held all the cards, pissed me off all over again.

Worse, this time, leaving nothing but my bottomless hatred.

With a huge effort, I tamped it down enough to speak somewhat calmly.

I had to lull him into complacency, not get him worked up enough to think he needed to kiss me again.

“Listen,” I said, holding up my hands in feigned surrender. “We might be able to work together to achieve our goals.” It was true enough, and as much as I wanted to watch him suffer, it would be better to end the forever war between our families.

He laughed bitterly. “Do you mean that little art scam you’re running? Not interested. At all.”

I was stunned that he knew about that. How long had he been watching me? I shivered at the thought of his dark, cunning eyes following my every move. They passed over me now, but instead of causing icy fear, they raised a trail of heat wherever they roamed. More symptoms of shock, certainly.

“I meant getting me home and getting you whatever you want in order for that to happen,” I said with as much patience as I could muster. I held my hands in tight fists at my sides to keep from wrapping them around his neck. Or just grabbing him again.

“There are a lot of things I want,” he said, moving closer, completely oblivious to my urge to strangle him. Or simply not caring at all. He leaned down, his mouth inches from mine. “Right now, you’re on the top of the list. Right now, this is your home.”

I tipped my chin up, ready to spit fire and tell him exactly where he could go.

I was not going to let him kiss me again, not in this lifetime.

None of the threats that swirled around in my confused mind came out of my mouth.

I was trapped by his steady gaze, only able to take in his strong features, and completely unable to read him.

He leaned ever closer, his warm breath brushing against my hair.

My own sigh escaped my lips as I yearned for …

something . But what? To run away or melt against him again?

Before I could make up my mind, he turned and stormed out, leaving me alone in the house.