“You’re fucking crazy!” I raise my voice, trying to fight his words.
“Oh sunshine, you haven’t seen crazy yet.” His face sours, and he tsks. “And don’t curse. It’s not you. My Cecilia doesn’t say foul things.”
“Your Cecilia doesn’t exist anymore. You ruined her. You ruined me! My name is Emily,” I protest.
“Cecilia, you’re being unreasonable,” he scolds me.
“My name is Emily Ricci!” I scream it this time.
“NO, IT’S NOT! YOU DON’T HAVE THAT BASTARD’S LAST NAME!” Roman roars, then takes a calming breath. “Your name is Cecilia María Álvarez Rivera. And before the day is done, it will be Cecilia María Montclair.”
“You’re insane,” I whisper as I back away further behind the counter, grateful for the barrier. My palms start to sweat as the realization that I truly don’t know this man washes over me. My hero would never yell at me. Never curse at me. This man truly is a monster.
He only chuckles at my words then takes a step towards me, and my heart pounds. I don’t know if it’s from fear… or excitement. But I have to stop him. I can’t be near him.
I hold up my hand in a halting motion. “Stay the fuck away, you bastard! Don’t take another step!” I demand.
“We’ve been over this. My Cecilia doesn’t curse. And she especially doesn’t curse her husband out.” He slowly starts moving again, approaching the counter separating us. “And I am insane. Of course I’m insane. You make me insane!”
Then he effortlessly jumps over it.
I back up further, but for each step I take away from him, he takes one double in length towards me.
I turn and sprint, trying to get to the back room.
But in less than a second, he has me in his arms. He turns me to face him, and this close, it’s difficult to refuse him. Too difficult.
Because while my brain knows Roman is a monster, my eyes still see my hero.
He loops one of my wavy strands around his finger and glides through it. He tucks it behind my ear, then fists the hair on the back of my head.
I look up and meet his gaze.
It’s the biggest mistake I could make.
His eyes glance down at my mouth.
I hitch a breath as I glance at his.
Then he pounces.
His lips descend upon mine in the hungriest kiss we’ve ever had. It’s frantic and harsh. He’s claiming me.
He’s always been a gentle lover, but this is far from that. It just reminds me that I’m kissing the Monster Montclair.
And despite it all, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him in closer. I respond eagerly to his kiss. I’m not strong enough to resist the man I love. Not when he’s kissing me like this.
His tongue parts my lips, and I greedily grant him entrance. The moment our tongues touch, a shiver shoots down my spine.
Starting from a prick on my neck.
Then the world fades.
And I’m falling into his arms.
“Now, you’re coming home,” I hear a faraway voice say as I succumb to darkness.
Chapter 77
