“I have to get back to the party.” Her chest rose and fell, each breath soft and uneven. Those fists clenched at her side. The crisp, sweet scent rose off her skin, teasing me. Tropical flowers and toasted coconut. I drank her in.
“You keep trying to stay invisible,” I finally said. “It’s impossible.”
“Then stop looking at me!” she snapped.
“I’ve tried.” Madonna mia, I’d tried. I leaned forward before I could stop myself. This wasn’t a flame of lust. I was obsessed with this woman. Consumed. On the brink of insanity. Those devious pink lips beckoned me, and I gave into the temptation. “Tell me to walk out that door right the fuck now, or else—”
Air caught in my throat.
“Or else…what?” she whispered.
Fuck it.
I closed the distance and brushed my lips over hers. The feel of her against me was a visceral zap. Rae braced her hands against my chest. She seemed to be both pushing me away and pulling me closer. I fisted my hands, pushing my entire weight into the wall to keep from grabbing her. The moment I laid hands on her, it would seal our fate. Rae couldn’t get into trouble tonight because I wasn’t able to hold myself together.
Her mouth was firm and insistent against mine. That wicked little tongue slid against my lips, and I opened for her.
Mannaggia! She tasted good. So fucking good.
I would ruin her—and she’d let me.
I had to be stronger than this flame burning between us. At least until the time was right. And then no force on earth was stopping me.
The kiss deepened, and Rae slid her arms around my neck, tugging me close. I remained rigid, letting her explore my mouth, hold onto my body, but refusing to touch her.
“Nico,” she moaned, her hot breath mingling with mine.
This was dangerous. I was drawn to her, unable to stop myself. But my world was dangerous; it was what fueled my veins.
Rae had to be the sweetest drug of all.
“I have to go back,” she insisted, tugging on the short strands of hair at the back of my neck.
I groaned and buried my face in her neck. My next inhale was deep, filling myself with her, and praying it was enough to carry me through the rest of the evening.
“Let me slip out first. I’ll knock if the coast is clear,” I said. My voice sounded strange to my own ears. Who was this desperate, raw, needy guy? I didn’t recognize him.
Rae nodded, sliding her palms down my torso. The moment her touch fell away, every muscle clenched in protest. I forced my foot to take a step back. The thigh and calf were lead. As if in slow motion, my hand reached out to twist the knob. The door cracked, and some voice inside me cried out in protest.
I opened the door—and nearly leapt out of my skin!
My grandfather was walking down the hall with his capos.
“Hide,” I hissed, stepping into the hall and closing the door.
Blood roared in my ears. A tremor slid through my muscles. Despite the years of training, and the numerous, bloody fights, my field of vision narrowed and my awareness zeroed in on the threat, instead of staying alert to the full scope of my surroundings.
I stood there, frame loose and ready to act.
The lazy fucks didn’t notice from where I came, and it took them too many seconds before they spied me. If we’d been on the streets, they would’ve been dead.
Actually…they might not make it out of this house alive.
Not if they found Rae.
I steeled my spine. They weren’t going to find her, and so what if they did? If they hurt a hair on Rae’s head, they would die. It suddenly became as simple as that. Protecting her trumped every other bond or tie in my black heart.
“Ah, nipote, there you are,” the don called out.
