Page 21 of Humility

“It’s true, every last word,” I said and pulled out my phone. I played a short clip of Jasmine’s father speaking to Giovanni about an arrangement. She looked skeptical right up to the very end.

“So what say you, Sergio? Are you willing to give up what is most precious to you,” Giovanni asked.

“You promise that your son will take care of my Jasmine?”

“I do.”

“I will give it serious consideration. You’ll have my final decision in three days.”

Jasmine’s hands went to her mouth as the clip stopped. “I can’t believe it.”

“We have wanted you for years. Let’s ensure your father will be reluctant to make an arrangement with anyone else?”

Her eyes flicked from Angelo to me. “You’re using tonight as another chip to make sure my father says yes, aren’t you? If you take my virginity, he will demand you marry me to protect my honor.”

“Always the smartest in the room. Yes, that is the plan. I will tell your father of my undying love. I will give him a chance to say yes, and if he doesn’t, I’ll tell him of our time together and how I suspect you may be pregnant. He will question you, of course, and you can confirm we are together.” Jasmine chewed her lip. “Your father will not disown you. He will order me to do right by you and marry you, which is what we want.”

Jasmine was quiet as she looked down to the floor, and I held my breath. “I don’t want him to know right away. I want to make sure this is real between us first.”

Angelo looked ready to argue, but the firm look in her eyes had him nodding. “Fine, we can wait a few months and hopefully you really will be pregnant. That gives you time to see we’re serious and me an iron clad position to argue for your hand.”

Angelo didn’t move as Jasmine thought it over. She gave her answer as she slid the shimmering dress off her shoulders, letting it pool at her feet and left her standing in lace panties.

“Fuck you’re beautiful, Tiger,” Angelo said as his eyes roamed over her body at the same time mine did. My cock was already hard, but now it ached to be set free. “You won’t regret this.”

“I will agree to marry you, but if you’re playing me…Angelo, I swear….”

“I’m not,” Angelo said, interrupting her before she could come up with a colorful way to kill us.

Relief bathed me, and the heaviness that had been sitting on my chest as I waited for a response flew out the balcony door. Jasmine never said she loved us, but it was now my mission to make her fall hopelessly in love.

Rising from the bed, I walked over with the wine glasses. Cupping her chin, I tilted her head up and stared into her honey eyes.

“Playing you will never happen.” A blush crept across her cheeks, and I knew that no matter what was to come, she would forever hold the keys to my heart.

Chapter Ten

ANGELO

I hadn’t realized how nervous I was that my Tiger would say no until the relief rushed through my body with her acceptance. Now, I just needed to convince her father, but I had backup plans just in case. One of those was happening right now. I watched her lips as she sipped the wine. I needed all of her tonight.

Dario took our empty glasses, and as soon as my hands were free and before she could think to kick us out, I brushed my thumbs across her soft cheeks and dropped my lips to hers. The world felt alive with color when I was near her. The feel of her lips and her sweet flavor mixed with the wine on my tongue was enough to drive a man insane.

Jasmine’s small gasp made me deepen the kiss, and a moan that was sweet, sensual candy on my tongue was my reward. I wanted to feast on every part of her body and planned to do just that. I knew when Dario stepped up behind her. Jasmine pressed closer to my body, her muscles tensing. He growled, and I smirked as she shivered in our hold.

She was frozen, trapped between us. She looked up into my eyes, and I saw fear in those golden orbs.

“What’s the matter, Tiger?”

The delicate pink on her cheeks turned a vibrant shade of red. “I…I…um….”

“I know you don’t,” I said, saving her from having to say she had no experience. I wasn’t planning to tell her I paid handsomely to ensure no one touched her. Anyone who gave her a second look or lingered a little too long was never seen again. I kept tabs on any dates that dared to ask her out through a few of her guards—including one of the women her father insisted on. No man ever entered her room. I knew because I snuck in and watched her sleep everynight and had been tempted to make my move sooner. Age alone kept me at bay. I was ruthless when it came to getting what I wanted, and she was what I wanted.

“How do you know that?”

“I’m a guy, we just know,” I said, the corner of my mouth lifting in a lopsided grin as she scowled back. “I just do.” I shrugged. “But I plan on us being your first and your last.”

“We’ll be gentle with you,” Dario whispered as his lips grazed her skin.