"Come here..." He pulled her forward, so he could bring her body closer to his.

Rosabella let him kiss her, enjoying his warm lips gently brushing hers as he let out a satisfied moan.


Taking a step back, she locked eyes with him as she knotted her fingers through his hair.

"Did I ever tell you that you're a good kisser?" She whispered low, seductive voice.

Charles bit her lower lip lightly. "No, but I won't stop you..." He chuckled as he bent down to her again and kissed her again.


He locked his lips deeper, letting his tongue gently touch hers as his fingers continued to pull her shape to mold into him.

Panting and heart pounding, Rosabella parted again, her eyes sparkling in satisfaction.


"Uh, sure you're a good kisser." She giggled.

---

Four months later.

"Congratulations." Everyone joins in, sipping champagne as they stand, all gathered together in the downstairs living space that has been decorated in a T with elegant floral arrangements and lighting.

They invited key businessmen and women, the Wilson family, and friends to a rehearsal dinner to celebrate the Black Roses leader's union with those closest to them for the wedding, which takes place over three days, will be on a much larger scale.

While Rosabella would have thought she would be bored with all the people she didn't know, she was surprised to find she was actually entertained.

She knew that each of those attendees was a career criminal, but the moment she accepted that she wasn't leaving anymore, she somehow felt she fit in.

Looking around, she saw that the others were also having a good time.

Kaylin is talking to Boniface - Farrah's brother, the two seem to become closer whenever there is an event where the Black Roses members meet with guests.

Meanwhile, Audrey and Vengo were dancing slowly beside Michel and Fanny just as Andy and Farrah were eating the buffet.

Sweeping through the crowd further, she finally came across the man she was looking for.

Across the big room, drink in hand and his eyes on her, there he was. Her man.

The corners of Charles' lips curled up in a small smile as he apologized to the person he was talking to and walked over to her.

Sliding his free hand around her back, he leaned into her ear.

"Didn't know you had a gun license." He whispered teasingly.

Rosabella frowned at him. "What?" she asked, taking the drink out of his hand to take a sip.

He grinned. "This dress, Rosabella. Surely you know you need a gun license for it."

Rolling her eyes, Rosabella was still smiling. "Charles, that's a slur. What, four months after making it official and you're already lazy? You used to flirt much better."

He chuckled, savoring her smart mouth as he pulled her deeper into him, his fingers stroking the top of her head behind.

Charles watched her drink and let out a grunt of disapproval. "Guess we've run out of bourbon. Want another drink?"

She nodded, allowing herself a quick kiss before Charles took the empty glass from her hand and made his way through the crowd to the bar they had set up for the occasion.

Rosabella thought this would be a good opportunity to find a seat when a strange young man walked in and stopped her.

"I don't think we've met. I'm James." He put out his hand.

Surprised by the sudden introduction, Rosabella reluctantly said her name. "Rosabella. Nice to meet you."

"Joy is all mine." He grins, his eyes showing his intent as he quickly scans her from top to bottom, clearly enjoying the view of her striking curves in a silver satin dress that she is wearing.

"So I see you as the new addition to the family." He continued the conversation as Rosabella answered his question with ease.

He went on to explain to her that he is one of the heads of the business that is investing in several playhouses.

"How often do you go to any of these establishments?" He asked her, taking a sip of his drink.

Rosabella looked over his shoulder, wondering why it took Charles so long when she answered casually.

"I know... sometimes." She shrugged and said.

"Uhm, maybe we can meet again sometime."

Rosabella was surprised when the man suddenly pushed a business card at her that simply contained his name and phone number.

Before she had time to react, however, Charles rejoined her, giving her one of the drinks he was carrying then wrapping his arms freely around her waist to pull her enters him possessively.

"You can take your hand back, James. She's not interested." Charles glared at him as he turned to look at Rosabella.

"Have you waited too long, honey?"

The man's eyes widened as he quickly connected the two in front of him.

"Charles. I'm sorry." He quickly bowed his head and apologized.

When James had left, Rosabella frowned at Charles. "Honey? What happened to you?"

He shrugs. "He needs to know who you belong to."

Rosabella gasped as she took a sip of her drink.

She looked up at him, frowning in confusion. In her opinion, he made it quite clear that he was upset with the businessman.

"And what would that look like?"

Charles took a sip and licked his lips, eyes still on the crowd as if he were searching for the next threat to come his way.

"For touching what belongs to me, I really want to cut off his hand."

Making no sense, Rosabella's heart skipped a beat as a burning sensation invaded her lower abdomen.

"God, Charles..." She suppressed a smirk.

She doesn't want to be explicit, but she loves his territorial side. Rosabella couldn't explain it to herself, though each time Charles was even upset with someone else showing interest, it made her hot and uncomfortable.

"Sorry, did I look wrong?" He looked at her suspiciously.

"What?" She suddenly felt exposed, quickly trying to adjust her expression so as not to be caught.

Of course, she didn't want to make it clear that his behavior had angered her because it would defeat the purpose.

"You find this funny."

Rosabella pressed her lips together, fighting with her amusement.

"I won't say funny, no..."

"Afterward?"

"I can't tell you here."

"What?"