Page 45 of Sacred Blood

“If there were no Russians. No oligarchs. No fathers trying to use me as a bargaining chip...” Her voice softened. “Would you still want me?”

I tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet my eyes.

“Yes.”

Her lips parted, but I didn’t give her the chance to interrupt.

“The Russians may have forced my hand on the timing, Gabriella, but they didn’t put you in my bed. They didn’t make me spend every waking moment wondering where you were when you disappeared. They didn’t make me want to protect you, punish you, laugh with you, or wake up with your hair all over my damn pillow.”

Her eyes softened.

“I wanted you before I knew who you were. Before I knew you were in danger. Before I knew marrying you would solve a single fucking problem.”

I brushed my thumb over her bottom lip. “So yes, tesorina. If none of this existed, I would still want you. The only difference is I might have been stubborn enough to take longer admitting it.”

A smile tugged at her lips.

“Anything else?”

She crossed her arms once again. “Aren’t those reasons enough?”

I drew in a slow breath. “Try looking at this from a position where you don’t get a say.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean by that?”

“What would you do if our roles were reversed?”

She chewed her bottom lip as she eyed me up and down. “I suppose I would weigh out my choices by making a pros and cons list.”

This time I couldn’t hold back the laughter. “Is that right? Oh please, do share this list with me.”

She grinned at me, her eyes dancing with mischief. I may be opening a can of worms here, but I would do anything to take away the look of defeat she’d had since I broke the news.

Positioning herself on my lap to face me, she wrapped her legs snugly around my waist. “Pros: you are sexy, handsome, really smart, thoughtful and attentive when you want to be, and professional when you need to be. I like your body, especially this.” She pressed her greedy cunt against my cock.

It lengthened inside my pants. I was like a horny teenager around this woman! The silk she wore did nothing to hide her scent that soaked the thin material between us and I breathed it in hungrily. She inspired me to throw her down and shove my cock deep inside her slick pussy. What happened to the cold, controlled Tano that could play in the Club Carnage dungeon and never have feelings?

“And the cons?”

“Easy! You’re bossy, demanding and seem to suffer from multiple personality disorder as I never know which Tano I’m going to get. You are stubborn and a workaholic. Your turn.”

I could have said a lot of things, but instead I chose to show her. Standing up with her legs hugging my hips, I carried her inside and up to my room.

“Pros,” I announced. “You’re tiny and light, and I like tossing you on my bed,” I added, demonstrating.

She bounced in the cushions, then scrambled up to her knees, hands on her hips.

“What else?”

“Lay on your back, Gaby, and hang your head off the edge.”

Once she was in place, I stepped up to her face and peered down. “You are a natural submissive and that works for me. Now open your mouth.”

She did.

I slid my cargos and boxers down to my knees. “Take my cock in your mouth.”

She obeyed without pause.