Page 37 of The One Night Match

“Did you ever see that movieHow to Lose a Guy in 10 Days?”

“Obviously. It’s a classic.”

“Well, it may not have worked for Andy, but it could totally work for you.”

I nibble at my bottom lip, my mind wandering to all the ways I could make Cruz sign on the dotted line at the end of the ninety days.

“I have an idea.”

Asoft knock at the door startles me from my research, and I barely get the lid of my laptop closed before Cruz appears in the doorway with a sandwich in one hand and a soda in the other.

“I thought you might be hungry. You didn’t finish your breakfast.” His sweatpants ride low on his hips, and the black shirt he’s wearing hugs every one of his muscles. God, why did my husband have to be so attractive?

“Thanks.” I smile.

He nods, placing them down on my bedside table. “Did you maybe want to go through the files together?” The uncertainty in his voice makes my chest ache, which is really freaking annoying when I’m actively trying to push the man away.

I glance over at his file sitting at the end of the bed before nodding slowly. “Sure. I actually wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Oh?” He crosses the room and drops onto the mattress beside me.

“Yeah, I wanted to know if it would be okay if I did some redecorating? I don’t want to ruin the vibe or anything. I just wanted to add some color…if that’s okay?”

His shoulders drop with relief, as if he were expecting me to drop a much bigger bomb on him. If only he knew. “Of course! I want this to feel like your home! I’ve got your credit cards in my desk drawer. Remind me to grab them for you later.”

“My credit cards?” Okay, he surprised me with that one.

“Yeah. I added you to all my accounts this morning and had the bank drop off your cards.”

“You can do that?”

He chuckles. “You can when you have enough shares in the bank.”

“You have shares in a bank?” I must sound like an idiot, because even to myself it seems like I don’t have two brain cells to rub together, but the more this man speaks, the more confused I get.

Because Cruz De Luca is nothing like I thought he would be.

He’s not the standard asshole Mafia boss I’ve encountered time and time again. As far as I can tell, his reputation is reserved for those outside his immediate circle, and somehow, I’ve ended up smack bang in the middle of it.

Lexi’s words have played on repeat in the back of my mind since I hung up with her. Every word she said is like surround sound, because I can’t reconcile how Cruz could go from being adamant about his arranged marriage not working out, to being a doting husband to me without even flinching.

“Don’t seem so surprised. I have a varied portfolio, just in case this whole Mafia boss thing doesn’t work out.”

My brows rise so far up I think they’re about to disappear into my hairline. “Is that an option in your family?”

Cruz sighs and leans back against the headboard. “Not really. But I have exit plans in place if the worst were to happen. Afew of the men who were loyal to my father have been actively trying to overthrow my leadership since I took over years ago, and although I believe I’ll be able to turn things around, I won’t put all my eggs in that basket. I won’t put your life, or Mom and Lexi’s, in jeopardy like that. So I have plans in place to make sure I’m prepared for every eventuality.”

Just when I think Cruz De Luca can’t surprise me anymore, here he goes again.

If I don’t find a way to get him on board with ending our marriage soon, I’m at risk of falling victim to this sweet side of him, and that’s something I can’t allow to happen.

EIGHTEEN

CRUZ

“What the fuck?” I murmur as I look around my living room.

“Do you like it?” Riley beams, her eyes darting around the room with pride.