Fighter in Lingerie (Lingerie 14)

“Then why hasn’t he been killed?” He hadn’t blinked since I’d answered his call. He stared at me with the same intensity as he did when we were in the same room together.

“I guess he’s really powerful. My family wants peace, not to fight another war…”

He took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing on my face. “What’s his name?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Then find out,” he said harshly. “And let me know.”

I stared at the anger in his eyes, seeing a look I’d come to recognize easily. “Why?”

“If my woman wants a man dead, I’ll make it happen.”

I stared at him blankly, terrified because I knew he was being completely honest. He never lied, not even about things like this.

“I’ll bring his head to you—so you can give it to your sister-in-law. It’ll give her closure.”

I still couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I knew he was the most powerful man in this country, so he could make it happen. He could kill this man with the snap of a finger. But it wasn’t my decision to make. My family could have pursued him and burned him alive. They chose to walk away from the fight—and I would honor that. “My family just wants to let it go—”

“I don’t care what they want. I care what you want. I don’t want to see this sad look on your face ever again.”

“It’ll pass. I’m just a little shaken up right now…”

He stared at me for a long time, hardly blinking. His chest rose and fell slowly, his chiseled physique strong and tight even when he was most relaxed. He stared into my eyes like he was looking right at me instead of through a screen. “You look so beautiful right now.”

His words were full of sincerity and hit me right in the heart. “My hair is pulled back. I’m not wearing any makeup, and I’m wearing a shirt that’s way too big…”

“But you’re so beautiful, you don’t need those things. You’re perfect the way you are.”

This man was piercing my heart with his words, saying the most romantic things I’d ever heard. “You aren’t entertaining yourself with other women until I get back, right?” I didn’t know why I said that. I’d tried to deflect his intimate comment with something else.

He shook his head. “There’s only one woman I want. I would much rather be alone than waste my time with a woman who will never compare to you.” He ran his fingers through his hair as he stared at me, that same intense expression on his face. The only words that ever came out of his mouth were true, so he meant every single word.

But I already knew how committed he was—from experience. “I should go to bed…” I hated how comfortable this was, how we could just stare at each other and say nothing. I hated how much I enjoyed being wanted by this man, how he made me feel so beautiful, like I was the most desirable woman on the planet. He wasn’t in the same room with me, but I could still feel his heat like he was right beside me.

“Can you feel me inside you?” he asked, his deep voice masculine and sexy.

I could still feel his weight deep within me, the seed he’d deposited earlier. “Yes…” I pressed my thighs together under the sheets, wishing they were hugging his waist right now.

“Goodnight, Beautiful.”

“Good night, babe.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, his expression intensifying at the nickname. He loved to hear that name on my lips, loved listening to me be possessive of him the way he was possessive of me. He stared at me for a moment longer before he hung up.

I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned all night, freezing cold because Bosco wasn’t beside me with his searing heat. When a few hours passed, I knew it wasn’t gonna happen. Just like when Bosco was at work and I was home alone, it was impossible for me to sleep without him. I usually lay on the couch and watched TV, hoping the mindless entertainment would lull me to sleep and I would know he was home the second he walked through the door.

I made my way downstairs and stepped into the kitchen. The refrigerator had an open bottle of wine, so I poured myself a glass. There were some cheese and grapes, so I stood at the counter and snacked, even though late-night eating would only hurt my waistline.

Footsteps sounded a moment later. “Couldn’t sleep?” Mom came into the kitchen, looking wide awake.

Because I couldn’t sleep without Bosco. “Too excited for tomorrow.”

“Me too.” She grabbed the bottle and poured herself a glass. “Your father is sleeping like a rock. Me…not so much.”

“If you’re so excited, then why do you look so sad?” I asked, popping a cube of cheese into my mouth.