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"Tell me about it," Rafael said, his eyes burning hot as they fixed on her.
"Rita claims she's loved you since she was fifteen. She wants you by her side or dead." Bellona tried to keep her voice steady as he stepped closer to her.
"And what was your response?"
"I told her to drop the bounty on you by dawn, or I would wipe the Costas off the face of the earth to keep you safe."
Rafael sighed. "There is no other way?"
"Not that I can see. She's obsessed. Like proper crazy obsessed. She won't stop until you are dead or you agree to be with her."
Rafael ran a hand over his face. "I can't believe this is happening. It seems so ridiculous."
Bellona took another sip of her brandy. She knew how Rita was feeling in a way. That didn't make her pity her. Rafael was no one's breeding stallion.
"Maybe I should have listened to my father and married years ago, and then this wouldn't be happening. I had offers. Someone in my position always does," Rafael said sadly.
"Why didn't you? You're a good person, and you would've made a good husband," Bellona replied, ignoring the itch of irritation under her skin at the thought of him being married.
Rafael pinched the bridge of his nose. He admitted, "I met you, didn't I?"
Bellona frowned. "What are you talking about? I rescued you like twenty years ago. It was barely an hour."
"You say that like it's meant to matter. Don't you get it? Every other woman after was compared to you," Rafael snapped and then drew back, surprised by his outburst.
"Me? A mercenary who killed a bunch of guys in front of you? That doesn't even make sense," Bellona replied, her temper flaring.
"It wasn't just that. I can't explain it. I met you, and everything felt right somehow. No kiss afterward made me feel the same way."
Bellona tried to calm her heart and ignore the nervous sweat prickling down her back. "It was just the adrenaline of the night, Rafael. That's all."
"You're saying it was all in my head?" he asked, closing the space between them. He was only half a head taller than her, but it was enough to make her feel the rush of challenge.
"Yes, it was all in your head," she said, her eyes fixing on his.
Rafael was close enough she could feel his breath on her lips. "You're a fucking liar, goddess," he whispered and kissed her.
There was a rush of excitement and lust, her whole body screaming about how right it felt, all mixed with the heady silencing of the ghosts in her past, the roar of battlefields vanishing until it was just him. Bellona's lips moved against his, wanting more, but as soon as it started, it was over.
Rafael pulled away and swallowed hard. "Yeah, that's exactly how I remember it," he whispered, his eyes fluttering open. "Okay, I'm ready for you to break my nose now."
Bellona didn't hit him. Her fingers reached out and rested lightly on the soft fabric of his shirt and hung on. It was a bad idea that would complicate the job and how she already had begun to feel about him. It didn't matter. He had touched her, and she thought she would cry if he walked away from her. She had sex too many times to keep count, but none of it really mattered. Sex with Rafael would.
For the first time, Bellona didn't know what to say or how to voice what she wanted. Instead, she tilted her head to the side in invitation. Rafael leaned forward and pressed a line of soft kisses on her neck.
"Fuck, I love how you smell. Your perfume has haunted my dreams," he said and lightly licked the curve of her jaw. Bellona was clenching his shirt so hard, her hands ached.
"More?" Rafael asked.
She nodded. "Yes."
"Tell me if you want me to stop, and I will. Just say the word," he said, and a wicked smile danced over his handsome face. "Or I'm going to strip off this dress and kiss you from head to toe."
Bellona's core went hot, and her toes curled just thinking about it. "Yes. That."
"I like that you agree with me for once." Rafael stroked his fingers through her golden hair. "You can be the one to show me how to make war, Bellona. I'll be the one to show you how to make love properly."
"That was so lame, " she said with a soft laugh at his ridiculousness.
