in love with her over her jealousy.
“She’s not yours to love, Raphael.”
“You don’t have to remind me. I’m yours, and only yours, forever.”
Her eyes pool with tears, but she doesn’t let a single one fall. “I hate this, and you were only speaking with her for less than a minute.”
“I’m going to have to entertain her this evening. We can’t raise suspicions with my father, or yours.”
“Just… don’t kiss her.”
“Never even crossed my mind. These lips belong to you. Now, kiss me before we have to go back out there.”
Thank the Lord she isn’t wearing any lipstick or that glossy stuff. Her lips, as warm and plump as ever, claim mine in a heated kiss. Jamila is like heaven and sunshine, and if I could, I’d never pull away. But tonight isn’t the night to get caught. It could ruin everything for us.
Reluctantly, I pull away, telling her, “You go first, and then I’ll follow.”
Opening the door, she’s about to slip out when I call, “Mila.” She turns just outside the door. “You look sensational.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself.”
And then she’s gone, and I’m left with the coldness I suffer from the loss of her touch.
I wait a few minutes and head back to the party, where I find my mother alone, talking to Annalise, and my father no doubt expressing his joy in the idea of marrying off his son to Mr. Dupree’s daughter somewhere nearby. Mila is once again standing next to her mother, pretending to listen to their conversation with the mayor.
She swipes her tongue over her bottom lip, and it kills me to see it. She’s tasting me in front of everyone, and not a single fucking person knows it.
“We thought you’d gotten lost, Raphael,” mother chides, chuckling lightly, but I see the curiosity in her eyes.
“This place is huge. I had trouble finding the bathroom,” I lie.
Leaning in to kiss my cheek, she whispers, “Stop it now. Whatever happened with the Camarco girl, end it. Your father will kill you both, and you know it. If I noticed, you know it’s only a matter of time before he does as well.”
With that, she stands back, makes her excuses, and leaves me alone to deal with Annalise.
“Shall we go for a walk around the gardens before dinner? I hear the mayor has statues of demons.”
As difficult as it is, I hold my arm out for Annalise and stop myself from glancing over at Mila. She’ll be watching, and she’ll hate me being close to Annalise, even if it’s just for show. With my mother noticing our disappearing act, I can’t afford for my father to notice as well.
I welcome the fresh air and the quietness the garden offers compared to the stuffy air and mindless chatter in the mansion.
“Can I ask you a question?”
For a moment, I forgot I was out here with her, choosing to let my mind stay with Mila.
“Sure.”
“How do you feel about our fathers arranging a marriage between us?”
She’s not afraid to speak her mind, and I like that. But it’s not enough to sway me. I lay on the charm and swallow the bile rising up my throat.
“I was shocked at first. I thought when I married it would be for love.”
“You believe in love?”
“Doesn’t everyone?”
Christ, deception flows too easily from my lips, but I continue when she shrugs. “Didn’t you grow up believing the man you married would be the love of your life?”
“My father has always made it clear I’d marry a man suitable to my status in this world. Love has never been in the equation, but I think I could grow to love you.”
Jesus. Grow to love me? I don’t want someone to grow feelings for me. I want what I have with my Mila. Instant need and wants. I’m no fool, I know girls like what they see when they look at me, and I come from one of the two powerful families in Vita. I’m what people call a “good catch.” Yet I don’t want to be caught. I want my soul to free fall with another’s and be consumed with each other.
“We’ll take it one day at a time,” I offer, and that’s the best I can do.
“Excuse me, sir. Dinner is ready,” a waiter at the end of the path informs me.
We follow him back inside and into the lavish dining room. The table is long, and the only two seats left are next to each other. I refrain from sighing when