Page 98 of Ruled By Wizard

“It might be, but that’s what’s going to happen.”

“Okay.” Dumping the remaining shrimp onto his plate, he continued eating.

“You aren’t going to try to change my mind?”

“No. If you don’t want to have sex, we won’t. If you change your mind, I can go along with that, too. I’m a flexible guy. I’ll leave it up to you.”

Flexible was the last word she would use to describe Wizard.

“You’re the least flexible person I’ve ever met. You expect everyone to jump at your commands.”

“True, but they aren’t you.”

Deep in her heart, she knew he was only trying to get into her bed. Arden had warned her, and so had Marco. Yet part of her wished he were being as sincere as he pretended to be.

He must have noticed her skepticism. “Natalia, were you this skeptical of the man you were supposed to meet tonight? Or did you swallow his lies hook, line, and sinker?”

She felt a telltale flush spread across her face.

“Have you ever caught me in a lie?”

“No,” she admitted reluctantly.

“Then give me the same chance you gave Mr. No-Show. I might not have a doctorate, but I’m smart enough to know you would never do anything to endanger a minor. If anything, you’d bust your ass to protect one.”

She would. That was what made the accusations so painful.

Before she could change her mind, she slid the plate of food she couldn’t finish toward him. “Just don’t eat enough to make yourself sick,” she warned. “The night is still young. You might want to save room for dessert.”

CHAPTER 40

A FOREVER KIND OF MAN

After parking his motorcycle in front of Natalia’s garage, Wizard climbed off and walked to the front door. Only a few moments passed before she opened it.

Her hand came up, pressing against his chest before he could enter. “I have a few terms we need to get straight.”

Her expression made it clear that his agreement to whatever terms she had in mind would determine whether he spent the rest of the night buried in her pussy or riding home.

Leaning against the doorframe, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Such as?”

“After we’re done, you go home. You don’t spend the night.”

“Why not?”

“Because this is sex, and I don’t want to get used to having you in my bed. I save sleepovers for men I’m in a relationship with.”

“Woman, I’ve told you I want to marry you. You want a relationship? I’m in. You’re the holdout.” Uncrossing his arms, he cupped her cheek. “At least give me the same chance you gave the dude who stood you up,” he bargained.

“I’m not going to jump into a marriage with you. We don’t even know if we can stand being together for a month without one of us wanting to kill the other.”

His hand slid to the nape of her neck. “Let’s find out,” he whispered in her ear. “I can be the man who makes your fantasies come true.”

“I’m not looking for a man who can make my fantasies come true. I’m looking for a man who wants children and all the mess that comes with them. I want someone who can handle the long hours I work without making me feel guilty for not catering to him. I need someone who won’t turn to another woman whenever his dick points in her direction.”

“I can be that man,” he promised, nuzzling her neck.

Shuddering, Natalia slipped out of his intimate hold and faced him, still blocking the doorway. “You want a chance? I’ll give you one. Just one.”