14. Ginevra

CHAPTER 14

Ginevra

A nother text pops up on my screen and I do my best to ignore it, but my sisters and cousin are relentless. Someone told Arianna about my relationship with Blake and the news has spread. Now they’re past the point of asking, and demanding I give them answers. Of course they are. I expected this.

When Sophia and Arianna were taken against their will and forced into twisted marriage arrangements, they were free to tell their family what was actually going on. I’m not. I have to lie to everybody I love, or risk going to prison. It’s been over two weeks since Blake’s party and I still don’t know what to tell my sisters and cousin.

“You’re popular this morning,” Blake says. He’s seated beside me in the back of the town car. “Are you going to answer those texts or just let them pile up?”

I sigh. “My sisters are after me.”

“Oh? Have you told them about us yet?”

“Nope.” I pop the P . “I don’t know how to lie to them without actually lying to them. How did they find out that we’re dating anyway? Actually, never mind, Mama probably told them.”

“Or Dimitri Kozlov. I ran into him a while ago and told him we’re seeing each other. He probably went straight to his wife with that information.” Blake sounds disgusted by the idea of Dimitri sharing our news with Arianna.

“Hm. Well, either way, they all know.” I fidget with my phone. “What am I supposed to tell them?”

“How about the truth, except you can leave out the blackmail part.” He turns his full attention on me and continues. “We’re dating—which we are. You’ve moved in with me–which you have. We like each other–which we do.”

I snort. “Do we?”

“I can tolerate your company, so I think that qualifies as liking someone.” He actually sounds serious.

“Wow, what a great compliment. Well, I’m not sure if I like the man who’s blackmailing me.”

“You can like me without liking the blackmail part.”

I squint at him, assessing. Yeah, I suppose that’s true. “I don’t know. I still think like might be too strong of a word.”

He gazes past me to the passing city scenery. “I’d say you more than liked the orgasm I gave you last night.”

Instantly my skin heats and I glance away from him. I don’t know what on earth I was thinking last night, but when he suggested the idea… I couldn’t bring myself to say no . In fact, I wanted to know what his mouth would feel like on me, what it would be like to orgasm in his strong arms, and maybe, just maybe my decision had something to do with how sweet he was when I had that meltdown. He was so caring.

In the past, I’d never put the words Blake Baron and sweet in the same sentence, but that was before. This man is much more complex than I gave him credit for and I can’t wait to see more sides of him. I know he’s a killer, blackmailer, and clean freak. But he’s also caring, gives pleasure without expecting anything in return, and I swear he sees me in a way no one else does.

I’m not sure if that last part is good or bad.

God, he’s still the man who murdered my childhood friend and her family. I can’t believe I let him touch me the way he did. Never in a million years did I think I’d be sitting in a car bantering with him, pretending to date him.

A prickle of guilt slithers across my skin. Am I betraying her memory by, maybe just a little, starting to like Blake? Definitely.

I clear my throat, changing the subject. “Where are we going this weekend?”

“To a mountain lake resort. Mohonk Mountain House. It’s quaint, I think you’ll enjoy it.”

“And we’re going there… why?”

“I thought it would be an ideal location for a marriage proposal.”

My heart lurches—what a strange physical response. Of course, I knew a formal, and very public, proposal was going to happen. But it’s too soon. Isn’t it? I guess not, if that’s the plan.

Not when the wedding ceremony has to happen before the end of summer. It’s mid-May and before the end of August we’ll be husband and wife. Holy shit.

Blake eyes me up and down. “You are ready to be engaged, aren’t you?”

“Sure.” I squirm in my seat. “Can we just keep it quiet for a little bit longer? I still need to tell my sisters we’re dating, then I can surprise them with the news of our engagement.”

“Fine. But I won’t keep quiet about it for too long,” he grumbles.

“Fair enough.” Picking up my phone, I start to type out a response to my sisters’ group chat, then delete it and start again—and again. Frustrated, I finally send a text saying I’m fine and we’ll talk later, then drop my cell into my purse. I’ll tell them everything after this weekend.

“ H ello, beautiful, are you here by yourself?” The guy sitting at the bar slides one seat closer to me and smiles. He’s about my age, with tousled brown hair and a suit that’s a bit too large in the shoulders.

I grin back at him. “For the moment.”

“Then let me buy you a drink.”

“Sure. I’ll have a lemon drop, please.” I toss my hair over my shoulder. Blake’s not here yet, he sent me off to the salon shortly after we arrived and now I’m waiting for him to finish up work and come down for dinner. In the meantime, I can entertain myself with this very nice looking guy—a little flirting never hurt anybody. Or maybe it’s simply that old habits die hard.

“Coming right up, beautiful.” He flags the bartender and orders our drinks, then gives me his full attention. “Are you here with family, or is it a girl’s weekend?”

“I’m here with a friend. How about you?”

“Bachelor party. We’ve got one of the big suites. You should come up, bring your friend if you want.” He appreciatively takes me in, his gaze pauses at my cleavage before sliding down to my hips.

I clear my throat, bringing his eyes back up to mine. Why are men so predictable? “If you’re at a bachelor party, then why are you hanging out at the resort bar?”

“Just looking for some classy ladies to join us upstairs, if you know what I mean.”

That gives me pause. It probably shouldn’t, they’re just some guys looking to have a good time. But a slithering sensation coasts across my skin and I shiver.

“Well, I’m sorry but I’m busy tonight.” My lemon drop arrives, and I sip it.

He shoots me a charming smile and takes a swig of his beer. “Are you sure? It’s going to be loads of fun. The groom’s super rich so there’ll be endless booze, even champagne, food and dancing and some games. You’ll have an unforgettable night. I promise.” He winks at me. The expression gives me the ick.

“I really can’t. Sorry.”

“Oh, come on.” He gives me puppy dog eyes, sliding closer.

“She said no .” The deep, smooth voice behind me sends a delicious shudder down my spine. Immediately, I feel safer with Blake near. “Now get the fuck out of here before I make you leave.”

The guy’s cheeks tinge pink, his brows pull together right before his eyes widen and the blood drains from his face. The series of expressions that cross his features is fascinating to watch.

“Sorry, sir.” He grabs his beer and practically runs out of the bar.

I turn around and face Blake. He looks good enough to eat in his navy blue suit, his blond waves artfully styled. His eyes though, they burn with the promise of danger. He’s a killer, I remind myself, anyone with a brain would run far away.

That fire dims as soon as he looks at me. “Have you been down here flirting , naughty magpie?”

I give him a shrug, realizing all I want to do is run toward him instead of away. See? Broken.

His bright blues flash with warning.

“I was just having some fun.” I down the rest of my cocktail and beam up at him, the disturbing encounter with that guy almost forgotten. “I even got a free drink out of it.”

Blake glowers, obviously annoyed by me. “Come. It’s time for dinner.”

“Okay.” I slide off the stool and wrap my arm around his as he leads us to the restaurant.

Quaint is not the word I’d use to describe this resort. The outside has the appearance of a sprawling European castle and the interior’s decorated with Victorian antiques. Our suite’s two stories tall, overlooking the mountains, with a wet bar, two balconies, a fireplace, and luxury ensuite.

The host leads us through the crowded room to our table by the window, where a silver moon peeks over the horizon and casts its reflection on the lake’s dark waters. The restaurant’s atmosphere is both luxurious and old world.

Blake strikes me as the type of man who prefers modern luxury—I’m not sure why, considering his home’s filled with antiques. He just gives off that vibe. But in his heart, he has a soft spot for artifacts of the past. I can see why he likes the Mohonk Mountain House. It’s so him .

And this is where we’re going to get engaged. I’ll never be able to stay here again without thinking of this night, I’m sure of it.

How many other places in New York, or around the world, will be imprinted with memories of my time with the infamous Blake Baron? As it is, his kisses are seared into my skin, his touch branded on my flesh, and his scent is anchored in my soul. My pulse stutters. He’s affected me so much in such a short amount of time. A year might be my ruin.

Blake orders us the seven course dinner and the dishes begin arriving shortly thereafter. Each dish is accompanied by a wine pairing, and by the fifth course I’m buzzed. That lemon drop on a practically empty stomach may have helped too.

“I scheduled you for a spa day tomorrow,” he announces, swirling his wine.

My stomach drops. “So we’re here for the weekend, but we’re not actually going to spend any time together?”

He glances at me, his gaze briefly flashes with surprise. “Did you…” He clears his throat. “Did you want to spend time together?”

I lift my shoulders and let them drop, doing my best to appear nonchalant. “Maybe. I mean not a lot of time, but maybe we could go out on the lake or something. Unless you’re too busy with work?—”

“No. I’m not too busy.” He frowns into his glass. “We can go out on the lake tomorrow around sunset.”

The lake at sunset? How romantic. Heat sweeps over my skin and my heart soars.

“Okay. Sure.” I bounce in my seat, giving away my enthusiasm. All things considered, I shouldn’t want to hang out with Blake, except that since moving in with him, I’ve felt more free and alive than ever in my life. Like I’m finally able to discover who I am without judgment or restrictions. And this new me that’s forming wants to spend time with this alluring man. After all, I won’t have him in my life forever. Each minute with him should be savored like a delicious dessert.

He’s a killer. He murdered your friend and her family. That insistent little voice won’t let me forget those details, even if it happened seven years ago. Almost everyone I know is a killer, so really, Blake’s not that different.

Am I making excuses for him now? We’re not even engaged yet.

By the time the dessert course rolls around, I’m practically vibrating in my seat with jittery nerves. He’s going to propose. It’s fake, I know it is, but I’m still nervous. We have a captive audience in this dining room who are going to witness this next step in our ruse.

For some reason, this feels like a point of no return. If I accept his proposal, then I’m in this fake relationship to the end. There’s no going back after tonight. Calling it off would create a scandal.

With each step forward, I become more and more… his .

We’re in the middle of dessert—which Blake hasn’t touched—when he clears his throat and stands up from the table. For a moment, he looks as nervous as I feel. But that can't be true. The mighty Blake Baron’s never anxious about anything. Unless he really is human after all.

He goes down on one knee and my heart leaps into my throat. From his trousers pocket, he pulls out a small, black velvet box and pops the top open. Inside is the largest diamond I’ve ever seen.

Oh my god, this is happening . Breathe .

“Ginevra, I first saw you on the dance floor a couple of years ago, and I immediately noticed your beauty. I realize that we’ve only been officially dating for a relatively short time, but in that time I’ve decided that I don’t want to live my life without you.” His brilliant blue eyes capture mine, boring into me, all the way to my soul. He’s lying, every single word is a sweet lie. “I absolutely adore you, and I would be honored if you’d be my wife. Ginevra Pontrelli, will you marry me?”

The diners around us all silently stare, seeming to collectively hold their breath. You could hear a pin drop in this restaurant right now.

“I-I—” Inhaling deeply, I will my nerves to settle. “Yes. I will.”

Applause erupts all around.

He slides the ring on my finger, and astoundingly, the grin that splits my face doesn’t feel forced. Blake takes me by the arms and stands up, then he dips me, his lips crashing down on mine. The crowd goes wild, applauding louder, and several whistles split the air.

But at this moment, all I know is Blake. His strong arms around me, his tongue roughly invading my mouth, and the heat that rushes through my body. We’re in our own little bubble.

Blake straightens, setting me firmly on my feet again, and I think he’s going to pull away when his fingers slide around the side of my neck and he dips his head, his lips taking mine in a slow, sensuous and tender kiss.