Blade

Chapter 69: Grand opening

Sienna

“What is this?” I barge into his office, tossing the large rectangular black box with the Armani family crest embossed in gold onto his massive desk.

The two men seated across from him turn to look at him, shocked that I’d dare do that, while the man I’m currently glaring daggers at simply leans back with a smirk, interlacing his fingers.

Blade glances away from me briefly, giving the men a sharp look, and they immediately scramble to their feet, heads bowed, before rushing out without a word.

“What kind of question is that, tesoro? Isn’t it obvious? It’s a dress I got for you,” he says smoothly, licking his lips as if savoring my irritation, which only makes me want to stab him repeatedly with a knife.

I fold my arms over my chest. "I’m not stupid, I know it’s a dress."

"Then what’s with the question?"

"You... you... I—" I try to think of something sharp to say, but nothing comes out. Frustrated, I scowl at him instead. "Why did you get me a dress? I don’t need one, and definitely not from you."

Blade keeps his gaze on me as he stands, smoothing his suit jacket before sliding both hands into his pockets and walking toward me.

"I got you that dress because that’s what you’ll be wearing when you come with me to the grand opening of my new casino," he says, stopping right in front of me.

I tilt my head up at him, wondering if he’s lost his mind, because I have no idea why he thinks I’m just going to do what he says.

"I don't know what you expect from me, but I'm not wearing that dress, and I'm sure as hell not going with you. So get that idea out of your head and leave me the fuck alone," I say with a tight smile before turning to walk away. I barely make it a few steps before he grabs my wrist and pulls me back toward him.

I collide with his chest, and for a moment my lungs struggle to keep up with my heart. For a split second, I want to sink into him, to let his warmth swallow me whole, but I snap back to my senses and try to pull away. His arm slides around my waist, holding me firmly in place.

God, I hate when he does this.

You sure? a small voice in the back of my mind whispers, but I silence it immediately.

"Why are you always manhandling me? Let me go right now or you’ll regret it," I snap, looking up at him with a hard stare, my breathing growing heavier.

"How exactly will you make me regret it?" he asks, one dark brow lifting, amusement flickering in those eyes I can never ignore. "And for the record, I’m not manhandling you. The way your body’s reacting to me right now says otherwise."

I grit my teeth, glaring up at him. "You’re insane. Let me go."

Blade doesn’t move. His gaze stays locked on mine, his expression shifting from playful to serious. "I meant what I said before, Sienna." His voice drops lower, rough with emotion. "I love you so much it scares me. You’ve got me wrapped around your finger, baby, and you don’t even realize it."

It feels like a dagger has lodged itself between my ribs, stabbing pain into me, my heart racing unnaturally, my chest tightening unbearably.

"It's too late for all this, Blade. I don’t care if you’re being honest or not, but I don’t love you anymore," I say, bitter taste on my tongue, a burn in my chest from the lies I just spoke. "What I felt for you is gone, so telling me you love me right now is useless."

"I don’t believe that."

"Believe it or not… I don’t give a damn."

His hand tightens around my waist, and when he looks at me, there’s a warmth in his eyes, a softness so intense that my heart threatens to melt. "Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t love me, Sienna. Tell me your heart doesn’t beat for me," he says.