“What the fuck is this?” Raven asked.

“It’s an engagement ring.”

“I didn’t agree to this.”

“You agreed to being my future wife, Raven. There is no other way of having you by my side without people being curious. If you were a random fuck, they wouldn’t believe our ruse. That ring was necessary.”

Raven growled. “Fine, but this is the last surprise you give me, okay? From now on, you tell me every single little detail.”

“I might also have to tell you that we need to share a bed.”

“What?”

“It was just a tiny detail, and seeing as I shared your bed back in Fort Clover, I didn’t think it would be an issue.”

“That was the guest bedroom, and it wasn’t like I invited you into my bed.”

“With all the screaming you gave, it was a given.”

“I don’t like you right now.”

“I don’t mind,” Carlos said. “Doesn’t change the fact that you’re going to have to share a bed with me, and you need to keep your attitude in check.”

Raven took a deep breath. “Not when we’re alone.”

Carlos folded his arms. “What are you angry about?”

“A lot of things. I don’t like being kept in the dark, and I don’t like not having a choice. This is all bullshit, and what’s more, Carlos, you know it.” Raven pointed a finger at him.

With the heels on, she stared into his eyes.

Carlos looked at her, and he was fucking delighted this had worked. Smokey didn’t realize how much he fucking treasured this woman. She was a prize to behold.

“I want you to kiss me,” Carlos said.

Raven jerked back. “What?”

“Do I need to repeat myself?”

“I have no reason to kiss you.”

“You don’t want to kiss me?”

“No, I don’t.” Raven turned away from him.

“The time is going to come when you’re going to have to kiss me. In front of people. It will be expected.”

Raven stepped toward him and leaned in close. Carlos was a little surprised at how quickly she had changed. Her lips were near, and all it would take was a breath to capture them.

“And until then, we don’t have to kiss.” She tapped him on the chest and went to walk away.

Carlos grabbed her hand, and within seconds, he had her pressed up against the wall. “And do you think you can handle me?”

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Are you afraid of a little kiss?”

She laughed. “Carlos Santiago, I am not afraid of anything.”

He stared at her full lips. “You’re lying.”

“I don’t lie.”

“Then kiss me. Prove that you’re not … scared.”

She glared, grabbing his wrists as if to push him away, but he wouldn’t budge. He wasn’t going to let her hide. Not from him.

When she tried to knee him in the balls, he dodged her leg. Grabbing her hands, he pinned them to either side of her head. “Is it so hard to kiss me?” he asked.

“Are you that desperate you’d trap a woman and force her to kiss you?” she asked.

Carlos chuckled and then let her go. “You’ll kiss me, Raven, and when you do, you’re going to be begging for me to do so much more to you. But while you’re afraid, I’ll give you the space you need.”

This time, he was about to walk away.

Raven grabbed his arm, spun him around, gripped the back of his neck, and pulled him down for a kiss. At first, she was proving a point. Carlos wrapped his arms around her back, sliding his hand up to cup the back of her head, kissing her.

He had her right where he wanted her, and as he traced his tongue across her full bottom lip, she gave him exactly what he craved. She opened for him, and he plundered her mouth.

Unable to resist this moment, he slid his hand down, gripping the curves of her full ass. From the moment he first saw her, he’d been wanting to get his hands on her body. To touch her, to taste her. He’d been patient, and now, he was finally reaping the rewards of that patience.

Pressing her against the wall, he thrust his pelvis against her, allowing her time to feel what she did to him. He was on fire, burning with the need to have her.

Raven pulled away first, bringing their scorching kiss to an end.

“That shouldn’t have ever happened,” she said.

“Tell me your pussy isn’t warm for me right now.”

She pressed her lips together.

He smiled. “You can keep lying to yourself, Raven, but it is all bullshit.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I know differently. You want me.”

“I always knew you had a big ego.”

“I know what I’m worth.”