Sweet Temptation by Cora Reilly

that? You are surrounded by beautiful willing women in your clubs all the time,
and I never accuse you of sleeping with them, much less of sleeping with your
sisters for God’s sake!”
“Why would I cheat with any of those women? All I can think about is you.”
I froze. “You think of me?” I’d never considered the possibility that he’d
waste a single thought on me once he was at work.
Cassio watched me, a battle raging in his eyes.
“Why do you keep pushing me away, then? Why do you hurt me by not
trusting me?”
Cassio reached for his tie, loosening it with a hard tug. Tension lingered in
his body, and if Christian had still been here, he probably would have attacked
him again. Cassio had seemed in control, so it came as a shock that he harbored
so much unrestrained aggression. Of course, it only solidified that I’d been
trying to ignore that side of him. His reputation was there for a reason.
“I don’t push you away. We share a bed and spend time together.”
“We have sex together, talk about what the kids did, but whenever I try to
glimpse behind your mask, you block me, and now you almost kill my brother in
a jealous rage. Tell me what happened.”
His jaw locked into place. I turned my back on him, needing a moment
without his intense gaze. Dropping the towel, I grabbed a nightgown from a
drawer. Cassio’s steps echoed behind me. “No. Don’t touch me. Not now. I need
answers. If you refuse to tell me the truth, then I can’t have sex with you.” I
slanted him a look over my shoulder.
Cassio began to unbutton his shirt—so calmly and precisely that for a
moment I, too, wanted to roar and rage. I was glad when he moved to the door.
“I’ll take Daniele to bed.”
I sank down on the bed. I’d promised Cassio I wouldn’t move into another
room, but right now I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep that promise. I wasn’t sure
if I could stay, not as long as he left me in the dark over what happened. I didn’t
want to be scared of my husband, but right now I was.
Daniele’s cries rang out, and I stood then hurried into his room. Cassio tried
to change him into his pajama bottoms, but Daniele fought him. Eventually,
Cassio released him, and Daniele hurried toward me, hugging my legs.
Cassio appeared like a wounded animal as he straightened. “Can you—?”
His voice was rough, his jaw tight.
I nodded and lifted Daniele into my arms. Cassio watched with sorrowful
eyes as I dressed Daniele in his PJs then put him in bed. Cassio pressed a brief
kiss on Daniele’s forehead before he and I headed out and turned off the lights.
Silence tightened around Cassio and me as we stood in the hallway.
“Tell me the truth. If you want this marriage to work, if I mean anything at
all to you, tell me what happened,” I begged.
Cassio looked at my bandaged arm. His shirt was half unbuttoned, and he
looked exhausted. “I need a drink. Will you join me?” He held out his hand.
I hesitated, but seeing the tortured look on his face, I took his hand and