The Arrangement by Bethany-Kris Page A

wondered why he was even back this early. Usually he strolled into the safe house with just enough time to sit down to eat an evening meal. “I thought you had a lot of stuff to do today?”
    The sight of his grin returning made her heart ache in the best way. Anton looked down at Rocco whose tail thumped happily to the ground. The pup was so pleased to have his other master close again.
    “I did, and I handled what was most important like I needed to. Then, I realized that I missed you, and so that took precedence. I wanted to see you,” he murmured quietly, still not looking back up. “Sending a text or calling seemed really ridiculous considering I have a half a dozen cars that I could jump into and come home to be with you. There are enough people who can handle things when I decide to take a day off. I’ve been busy this week, I know, and I’m sorry for that. Maybe I’ll try taking days away more often … now that you’re here.”
    “You didn’t ha—”
    “I did,” he interrupted, regarding her finally. Bright, blue eyes shined with emotions and want so thick she could feel it; her breathing stuttered. “I’ve already spent too many years keeping the distance for your safety. Now, I want to be closer. Close that gap for me, Vine.”
    There was no waver in her actions when she moved fast to meet his embrace. With his strong arms locked tight around her small shoulders, the sense of security and safety slowly faded back into her senses. The slight tremor rocking her shoulders had her understanding just how panicky and fearful she had become.
    “Hey, you’re fine, okay?” His lips pressed down on the top of her head as he whispered, “They were close enough, baby. Just following orders like they were told to and giving you some breathing room. Ivan was worried you had been the one who called me after your disagreement and that’s why I came back early.” Anton sighed when she tensed at the mention of his lawyer again. Really, it wasn’t something she wanted to get into, but he clearly wasn’t going to give her that choice. “Speaking of which, the money he mentioned … all that nonsense, don’t worry about it. It’s not at all important. It’s not mine, it wasn’t ever meant to be, and it has no real bearing on the arrangement, anyway. I’ve known about the prenuptial agreement for a while and already agreed to sign when he had it ready.”
    “Just …” A huff of breath escaped her. “Why all this secrecy?”
    “I missed you,” he said instead.
    “You woke me up to say goodbye this morning. You were only gone a few hours.”
    Anton shrugged, tilting her head up. His mouth brushed feather-light kisses on her cold cheeks, warming the flesh instantly. It was the closest he’d come to kissing her lips, and suddenly she was overwhelmed with wanting the heat of his mouth on hers. Shivering from everything but the cold, he held her tighter as his eyes flickered with something she didn’t recognize.
    “What is it?” Viviana asked, worried something had happened he didn’t mention. “You’re here, so I’m good now. We can … I don’t know, do whatever. Go back to the house if you want, or take Rocco back to that pond he seems to like.”
    “What I want …” Trailing off, he abruptly kissed her hard with no warning, her mouth opening instantly to taste the sweetness of his.
    The taste of cigarettes and the faintest trace of bourbon was heavy on his tongue. It swept into her willing mouth with force. The kiss wasn’t gentle, soft, or slow like she expected, but instead he commanded with his mouth on hers, dominating and wanting so heavily with every sweep of his tongue. Tasting, needing, feeling. The ache that traveled from her middle outwards was all-encompassing. When his lips slowed, pecking light touches to the corner of her mouth, his thumbs rolled over her smiling cheeks.
    “I missed you,” he repeated with a throaty tone that had her muscles constricting. “Didn’t take the