Forbidden Temptation My Mafia Fiance's Alpha Father

Chapter 95 Chapter 95 Brooklyn When I turn and find Aden standing in the doorway to my bedroom, I nearly jump out of my skin.

"Oh!" I say.

"Going somewhere?" he asks.

I nod. I'm standing in my bedroom mirror, holding two dresses.

"Out, actually. Hudson just cby and askedif I want to go to dinner." Aden smiles at me, just raising the little corner of his mouth.

"You should go with the black dress, then," he says, nodding towards a little minidress still hanging in my closet. "That's better for a city dinner." I consider the dress, which is really just a scrap of fabric.

"You don't think it's too..." I say, hesitating and looking up at him, a little embarrassed. "Well, slutty?" Aden laughs a little at this, leaning against my doorframe.

"The whole point of going to a chic restaurant in the city is to wear a dress like that and make your boyfriend jealous when all the other men stare at you. That's why a dress like that exists." I look back at the dress, surprised and a little excited. I had never thought about it that way.

I sneak a glance at Aden, still leaning there in my doorway, wondering what he'd think if he sawon Hudson's arm, in this dress, the hem riding a little too high on my thigh.

Then, I take it off the hanger and lay it out on the bed, the question decided.

I start to move over to my vanity but stop dead in my tracks at his next question.

"Do you want to marry Hudson?" Aden asks, blunt.

I just stand there, blinking at him, totally confused.

"What?" "Hudson," Aden says, pushing the issue. "Do you want to marry him?" Where was all of this coming from? I take a moment to plan my next words. "I didn't realize that I had a choice," I say, keeping my voice quiet.

"No one will force you to say yes at the altar," Aden replies, his voice low and husky.

That's when I realize that this isn't a real question about what I want. This is a negotiation.

I turn fully to him, folding my arms over her chest.

"I don't want to go to my father's house," I say, evading the question of marriage. "I want to stay here." Because that, I think, is what this is really about.

Aden, I know, could care less about whether or not I actually marry Hudson-our wedded life isn't what interests him. Instead, it's my allegiance.

"There are other ways," Aden says, his eyes drifting down over my body, "of staying in this house. Of proving your loyalty to this family." My breath comes shallow, and I try to stand perfectly still as he looksover.

"What are they?" I ask, my voice a timid breath.

We're getting dangerously close to stricky territory with this question, with that look in his eye.

"Use your imagination," Aden says, dragging his eyes up to mine.

Then, as if he can't stand it a moment later, he turns away from me, heading back down the stairs.

I let him go, but step to the edge of the banister to watch him as he heads back downstairs.

I see that his hands are clenched into fists, his knuckles white. The only thing belying the tension behind that strange question he just asks. And, frankly, I would consider it.

Did I want to marry Hudson? What were the alternatives? Were any of them anything I could actually accept? "Are you ready?" Hudson asks, coming of his room in a chic suit, looking so much like his dad at ythat that I just stare at him.

He blinks at me, confused.

And I realize that there is absolutely no heat between us, between Hudson and me.

Butand Aden...

Dammit, we could start a forest fire if we weren't careful.

What the hell was I supposed to do with that? *** The next morning I get up very early, stretching my arms over my head as I consider my plans for the day. The stables, for sure, but...well, I hope that if I can catch Aden early, maybe he'll letgo visit my sister and my dad this afternoon.

I haven't seen my dad in so long, and my visit with Jolie just mademiss him so much.

I climb out of bed swiftly, eager to get started.

Dinner with Hudson had been really nice, and Aden had been right. The dress he suggested really had drawn the eye.

Not that Hudson really noticed.

Instead, the experience just solidified forjust how much of our marriage will be a cozy friendship instead of...

Well, instead of something else. Something spicier.

As I pull on my tight riding pants, I consider Aden's words last night.

Is marriage to Hudson really my best choice in this world? Did I really want to trade my hand in marriage my own trump card,.

apparently-for something I'm sure won't truly fulfillemotionally? QUMS

If there are other ways to demonstrate my loyalty to the m Kenwood family and keep the benefits of my life here shouldn't I explore them? My mind surprisesby turning to Colsen.

He had toldhimself that he was throwing his hat into the ring.

He noticedin ways that Hudson fot certainly does not have to admit, too, tha 'm definitely Nim drawn to him.

Was there something there, in that option? I bite my lip, considering it as I pull my boots on.

He's still Aden's enemy.

What would it mean, really, to consider Colsen as a romantic option? What would it cost me, in terms of my connections to the Kenwood clan?

I sigh, finally getting my boot on and hunching my shoulders fora minute. These questions are way too big to be asking without coffee.

My mind on a caffeine boost, I walk to my door, pulling it open, ready to head downstairs.

I'm shocked, though, to see someone already there.