Page 59 of The Devil's Deceit

I’ve never had the warm fuzzies after sex, or this comfortableness she talks about, and I don’t like that she has. Not one bit. I say none of this, though. Instead, I pull her closer to me and murmur, “Yes, Duchess. I love this part.”

I’m almost asleep when she speaks again.

“Christian?”

I smile against her skin. “Yeah?”

“I really hope your dad says yes. I don’t like the thought of you marrying someone else.”

My chest constricts, and while I’m struggling for a response, Grace lets out a heavy sigh, and in less than thirty seconds, her breathing evens out, and her entire body melts into the mattress.

An hour later, I’m still wide awake, staring at the ceiling.

I have never considered going against my father’s wishes, but if he chooses a bride that isn’t Grace, we’re going to have a problem. A big fucking problem, because the only woman I can ever envisage marrying… is her.

Chapter Nineteen

GRACE

Waiting for Christian’s father to make his decision is tantamount to that horrible period between taking exams and getting the results. You know, when you keep going over and over in your head how you did and the mistakes you made and how you wish you could go back and change something to affect the outcome.

Added to my worries he won’t pick me is the weight that’s settled in my stomach since Christian and I slept together on Saturday night. For a solid few hours, I forgot the plan, I forgot his part in my parents’ death, and I forgot he was the enemy.

Instead, he was the man who showed me kindness and consideration. The man who is so hot, he could travel to the sun and still not melt.

The man with shoulders fantasies are made of.

It isn’t only physical attraction, either. I like talking to him and listening to him. I never feel as though he’s waiting for me to finish only so he can talk, and therearen’t many men you can say that about. It’s not like I have tons of experience, but I’ve dated enough guys to know Christian is a rarity.

The truth is, I like him. I shouldn’t, but I do, and as we’ve grown closer, I’ve begun to question my entrenched beliefs. What if I’m wrong about his part in the collapse of Nexus? What if he’s buried the report for a different reason?

Ugh, Grace, stop.

I’m being ridiculous. Must be the sex endorphins or something. The only reason a man like Christian would hide the truth is if it was harmful to him or his family.

Juliet knows what happened on Saturday night, but I can’t bring myself to tell Arron or Uncle Daniel. Especially Uncle Daniel. If he gets an inkling that I’m catching feelings for Christian, he’ll… well, I’m not sure what he’ll do, but whatever it is, it won’t end well. Uncle Daniel is feral in his determination to dole out revenge for losing his brother. Arron and I are, too, but there’s something almost… unhinged about my uncle. Like he’s unraveling the longer this takes. I’m afraid of what he’ll do if I don’t find answers, and quickly.

Five days is enough time to check in to my background and figure out whether or not I’m a good candidate for an arranged marriage, right? Especially for a man of Charles De Vil’s means. I’m afraid that the longer this takes, the more chance there is of the answer coming back as a resounding no.

I make Arron a sandwich for lunch. He’ll be home soon. I’m putting the butter and sliced ham back in the fridge when my phone rings and Christian’s name appears on the screen. My heart leaps into my throat. Could this be it? I swipe the screen and lift the phone to my ear.

“Hi.”

“Hello, Grace.”

My stomach flips, and not in a good way. He sounds formal—too formal for good news. I hold my breath, waiting for him to take the lead.

“Are you free? We need to talk.”

The dreadedwe need to talk. In any circumstances, that isn’t good, but in these circumstances, I’ve a horrible feeling they’re disastrous.

“I can be.” No point in letting him think I’m hanging around just waiting for him to contact me. “I’m in the middle of something right now, but I can wrap it up.”

“Is an hour enough time?”

“Sure.”

“I’ll meet you at your apartment at two o’clock, then.”