King of Wrath

How does he look at me?” Janis smiled. “Like he never wants to look away.

You can’t see the stars in New York,” Dante said. “So I brought the stars to you.

You take the most ordinary or unexpected things and make them extraordinary.

Love wasn’t always about the big moments. More often, it was tucked in the small moments connecting the major ones.

You and me, sweetheart. That’s the destination. And I’m willing to take as many steps as I need to get there.

You forget.” I pressed my fingers against her nape, forcing her to look up at me. “You’re my fiancée. Not Kai’s. Not anyone else’s. I don’t give a fuck how handsome they are or what type of accent they have. You’re mine, and no one…” I dipped my head, my lips brushing hers with each word. “Touches what’s mine.

Who needed therapy when you could punch your friend in the face every week?

Somehow, somewhere along the way, I’d fallen in love …Not like or lust. Love, in all its terrifying, unpredictable, unwanted glory.

His next words pitched low and rough. “Tell me what you want, Vivian. Do you want me on my knees?

Per te aspetterei per sempre, amore mio.

We’re only together because of a deal you made with my father. What’s it to you if my ex shows back up in my life? … Why do you care?”“I don’t know!” The force of his reply stunned me into silence.Dante’s granite mask cracked, revealing the torment underneath.“I don’t know why I care. I just know I do, and I hate it.” Self-loathing coated his voice. “I hate the idea of you touching anyone else, or anyone else touching you. I hate that other people can make you laugh in a way I can’t. I hate how I feel around you, like you’re the only person that can make me lose control when I. Don’t. Lose Control.”Every word, every step brought him closer until my back pressed against the wall and the heat of his body enveloped mine.“But I do.” His voice dropped, turning ragged. “With you.

You live in my head all the fucking time, even when I don’t want you to…” His palm slid to my hip, where his fingers dug grooves into my skin. “And God, I want to punish you for driving me so damn crazy. Every. Single. Day.

I'm sorry for hurting you...for pushing you away...for ever making you feel unwanted when you're the only person I've ever loved

Here I thought you only ate caviar and human hearts.” “Don’t be ridiculous. Caviar tastes awful with human hearts.” Vivian’s laugh evoked a strange sensation in my chest. Heartburn? Investigate later.

A part of me would always find my way to her. She was my North Star, the brightest jewel in my sky.

Her body fit mine the way the ocean hugged the shore-naturally, effortlessly, perfectly.

I love you, too. Even after what you did. Even if I shouldn’t. I love you more than I could ever hate you.

Next time you try to steal a man’s fiancée,” I said, my voice deadly calm despite the rage tunneling through me. “Don’t be stupid enough to do it in his house.

There's nothing wrong with a little dysfunction. It keeps things interesting.

You want to know the truth, Vivian? If I loved you as much as he claims to love you, nothing would’ve stopped me from keeping you.

We should attempt to get along,” she said breathlessly. “Get to know each other. Maybe go on a date or two.”Some of the earlier tension dissipated.“Are you asking me out, mia cara?” A smile touched my lips at her glare. “I told you to stop calling me that.”“Yes, you did.”I was going to call her mia cara every chance I got.

Trust me,” I said quietly. “Of all the things you do to me, putting me to sleep isn’t one of them.

My future husband was devastation poured into a suit. Not handsome by conventional means, but so powerful and compelling his presence swallowed every molecule of oxygen in the room like a black hole consuming a newborn star. There were generically good-looking men, and there was him.

Might want to fix your lipstick, mia cara. As beautiful as you look freshly fucked, I would hate to ruin our evening by having to kill every other man who sees you like this.

His voice dropped, turning raw. “You’ve been gone less than a week and I already feel like I’ve spent an eternity in hell.

We kissed like we were drowning, and the other person was our only source of oxygen. Wild. Frantic. Desperate. And it still wasn't enough

Chinese proverb that said an invisible thread connected those destined to meet, regardless of time, place, and circumstance.

Her presence awoke an unwanted heat in my gut. My body had never reacted so viscerally to anyone before, and I didn’t even fucking like her.

Look, I know this is business to you. You’re not high on my dream list of people to marry either, but it doesn’t change the fact we have to live with each other. We should at least try and make the most of the situation.”What the fuck?A rush of irritation ran down my spine. “Who, exactly, is on your dream list of people to marry?”“Seriously?” Exasperation bled into her voice. “That’s your takeaway from what I just said?”“How long is the list?”“It doesn’t matter.”“It sure as hell does.

I never claimed to be virtuous, sweetheart. Sinning is more fun.