Bride by Ritual (Paperback)

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A crooked smile appears. He lifts his brows.

I shake my head. "You should take this seriously, Brax."

He groans. "I am. But you have to admit this is a lot for any normal man to take in. Kings. Queens. Next, you're going to tell me there are knights in shining armor, too."

I stare at him.

"You've got to be kidding me," he mutters.

I offer, "Look, I know this is a lot to absorb, but your mouth is going to get you in trouble."

He laughs softly. "Good. Let it. Take the dress off, Valentina."

A shot of lava flows through my veins. "No."

"Scared?"

"Of what?"

"Of wanting me."

I roll my eyes, but the tremor in my core grows. I accuse, "You're delusional."

He prowls closer until his breath brushes my temple. He grabs my wrist and plants his thumb on it. "You keep saying no, but your pulse says otherwise."

I pull my hand away. "Ha ha funny."

He leaves the room and returns with a fresh towel. He takes it to the kitchen, runs water over it, then wrings it out. "At least cool off before you pass out." He tosses it to me.

It lands against my chest, damp and cold, but the relief only lasts a few seconds. I sigh. "That was nice but short-lived."

"Admit it felt good for a brief moment," he demands.

"I just did. Do your ears not work?" I tease.

His grin turns wicked. "Imagine if you could feel the relief longer."

I don't move. I'm pretty sure if I take my clothes off, it's only going to get hotter. I don't trust him or me if we're both naked.

He lowers his voice and firmly commands, "Valentina, take that dress off before you faint."

I remind him, "You don't get to order me around."

He shrugs. "Then think of it as a suggestion."

"Keep suggesting, and I'll—"

"What?" he challenges.

"I'll make sure your next breath hurts," I warn.

His smile deepens. "You're beautiful when you threaten me, Minx."

Minx.

Every time he calls me his little pet name, I don't correct him. I should, but I can't seem to tell him to stop.

The clock chimes for the top of the hour. A new crackle fills the air.

Brax moves toward the thermostat and spouts, "God dammit!"

"What?"

"It's at 103 now."

More sweat pops out on my forehead. It's not new. Every hour it's risen.

"For the love of God, take off that dress," he demands.

"Fine," I hiss, unable to stand the material any longer. "You want a show? Here."

I reach behind my neck and tug at the zipper, but it's stuck.

"Let me get that," Brax offers, sliding behind me before I can object. His fingers glide down my bare spine.

I gasp, then try to pull it together. I spin. "I'll get it."

"I already unzipped you," he claims.

I reach behind and confirm.

He adds, "You'll have to peel that nasty material off you."

"It's not nasty," I declare.

"Maybe not at the start of the night. But now? Ew." He wrinkles his nose.

I laugh.

"Off," he orders.

He's watching me.

So? It's not the first time a man's watched me.

Flashbacks of all the things I've done in the Underworld pummel me at once.

Pretend it's just another ritual.

I tug at the material. It falls to the floor, and a moment of relief fills me. I sigh, then my self-consciousness comes back.

I'm not naked. I'm in my thong and bra. But I feel naked.

For a heartbeat, he doesn't move. Then his eyes drag over every inch of me before he challenges, "Take the rest off, Valentina."

"I'm good."

He points to my panties. "Is that because I've been exciting you all night?"

I glance at the soaked lace, then slap the back of my hand against his arm. "Funny."

He tosses his own towel aside. "Don't be shy. I refuse to get heat stroke."

My breath catches, and I freeze.

The bar of silver gleams against the light. I saw the flash of metal earlier when he dropped his sweats, but the same coil in my gut reoccurs.

Tropes:

• 🗡️Fake Marriage/Marriage of Convenience
• 🗡️Frenemies
• 🗡️Secret Society
• 🗡️Dark Mafia
• 🗡️Family Secrets
• 🗡️Taboo Steam
• 🗡️Found Family
• 🗡️Scars of the Past
• 🗡️Rags to Ritches

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  "It was such a powerful and emotional story and was a fantastic way to end this incredible series! Thank you for the gift of this read!" Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Valentina and Brax might be my favorite couple!? Valentina really stole my heart, in a heartbreaking way. I love her so much. And Brax- he is everything you want in a mafla man. Their chemistry is off the charts, sizzling the entire time."-Reviewer