“Rocco…”
“I swore I would never hurt an innocent the way he hurt me.” he looks away. “When I saw you that first night at theCandelabra…those bruises…I couldn’t comprehend why anyone would lay a hand on you.”
I breathe in and out slowly. “You said inElectrixthat you would help me because it was the right thing to do.”
It hadn’t made any sense. How could a mafia Don be so willing to do something without anything in return?
But now…
“I’m not a good man, Cas. But any innocent on the receiving end of such abuse will always find shelter here.”
I feel my heart swelling in my chest. So much of my opinion of the man before me was based on assumption.
“Rocco…”
“I don’t want your pity,” he states firmly, staring down at his hands. “I just wanted you to know why. I hope it gives you some reassurance about my intentions.”
But I’m already shaking my head. Because there’s nothing I want more than to kiss him right now.
So I do.
15
ROCCO
My mind goes blank as her lips touch mine.
All I feel is an almost holy sense of calm. All that matters is that she’s there in front of me, willingly kissing me.
Those lips…her sinful mouth pressed against mine. How many times had I imagined this? How often had I forced myself to deny the urge to kiss her?
It wasn’t something I ever let myself do. Kissing always felt too personal and emotional. Even with Danny, I wouldn’t let her kiss me for fear she would get too attached.
But after so long…od, does it feel good.
My hand reaches to press into the back of her head. Her lips part willingly for my tongue. I want…I want…I want…
I need to stop.
I pull away abruptly.
“What?” Her eyes are wide with alarm and rejection.
“We shouldn’t.”
Something scorching hot crosses her face. “You had no trouble fucking me with your tongue the other day.”
She tries to pull away, but I hold fast. “I mean. We shouldn’t kiss.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s too…” I glance down, suddenly distracted by her swollen lips.
She snorts. “You think I’m going to fall in love with you over a kiss?”
I chuckle to myself. “It’s not you I’m worried about.”
Her dark brow shoots up. But she doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t protest as I pull her back to me, resting my forehead against hers.
