Simon stiffened and then shifted, turning his back on his uncle to face me.

We stared at each other for a moment before he said, “You’re beautiful.”

“You look pretty good yourself.”

To describe Simon as handsome was an understatement. I’d seen him in all kinds of dress and outside of naked, I’d have to say a tux was my favorite.

“We came over when we heard your uncle discussing your toys.” Tyler shot a look over Simon’s shoulder.

I wanted to sigh, but Simon’s uncle had done it to himself. Tyler wouldn’t forget the slight.

“Simon knows this toy has no problems pulling a knife and slicing a throat if anyone thinks to use her,” I said in Greek, loud enough that I had no doubt any Drakos in the vicinity heard my words.

Simon’s lips quirked at the corners, and he leaned forward, taking my hand and then whispering in my ear, “That is, unless the toy wants me to use her.”

Immediately my skin heated, and I had to resist the urge to kiss him.

God, he smelled good, a mix of his cologne and the clean, fresh scent of his soap.

“Simon?”

“Yes.”

“I want them back.”

“What exactly is them?” He rubbed his thumb on the inside of my wrist, making my pulse jump.

“My rings.”

“Why?”

Lifting my face, I met his intense gaze. “Because you’re mine too.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.”

“I suggest saving your discussion for later.” Tyler set a hand on my back. “The families are watching.”

As I pulled my fingers from Simon’s, he ordered, “Solarium, one hour. We’re settling this tonight.”

Chapter Five

I entered the glass-enclosed solarium in the Morelli mansion, thankful I’d escaped the festivities in the ballroom without anyone feeling the need to join me.

A giant Christmas tree illuminated the back of the dark room, and flowers and plants of all types occupied the edges of the space, giving it a garden feel, a sharp contrast to the ice and snow covering the ground outside the windows.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, letting the fragrance in the air calm my senses.

“Want one of these in our home?”

I whirled around to find Simon leaning against a wall barely a foot behind me. The heat in his green irises had my core clenching and body aching for the orgasm he’d denied me.

He’d taken off his tux jacket and tie, telling me this was going to be some discussion.

“I’d rather have my rings.”

“Why would you want them? They’re shackles to a life you don’t want.”

“I want a life with you.”

“Do you?”

“I wouldn’t have married you if I didn’t.”

“And yet you sent me a symbol of our marriage back with a nice note.”

I moved toward him, setting my palm against his chest. “I’m sorry.”