His hand slides down my thigh, the heat of his palm warming me through the silk of my dress, his fingers closing over my knee. My breath hitches as my body comes alive. I’m terrified of this man. And yet…I can’t deny that I’m also turned on.
“Come,” he says, taking my hand and pulling me to my feet.
I don’t even try to resist.
4
CANDI
With his eyeslocked on mine, Armani slides his free hand up the back of my neck and runs his fingers through my hair. When he gathers a handful in his fist and grips tightly, his display of dominance sends instant frissons of electricity racing from my scalp to my toes. I love it.
Leaning closer, he lowers his mouth until it’s a breath away from mine and says, “Is it too soon? We don’t have to move this fast. I can give you whatever you want.”
Desire pulses hot between my legs.
“No,” I answer. “Not too soon. It’s been too long already.”
Anticipation rises inside me, simultaneously sweet and painful because I want it so bad. I wanthimso bad. This is the moment we cross the line we’ve been toeing for ages.
He moves in for the kill, my lips part, and then he’s kissing me and it’s everything I’ve ever fantasized about—except so much better. The kiss is deep, hungry, all-consuming, and delicious. A soft moan escapes me as he claims my mouth. He tugs lightly on my hair, holding me captive, exactly where he wants me. Lucky for me, there’s nowhere else I want to be.
I’m breathless when he finally pulls away and takes my hand again, stabilizing me as if he knows that kiss just rocked my world. I let him lead me to the railing along the bow, and we pause there to watch the first stars that are just starting to glimmer in the sky. If Armani and I have this much chemistry already, I can’t imagine what else might be in store for me if I move in with him.
My heart is pounding, my pulse throbbing. I’m completely on edge with wanting him, but he’s in the driver’s seat and he knows it. Hell, he’s probably only dragging this out to torture me. And I can’t lie—I’m loving it.
The breeze coming off the river is stronger now. It tugs at my hair, chilling my bare skin. I can feel my peaked nipples tingling against the silk of my dress. I don’t know if Armani notices, but he moves to stand behind me, his warm body pressed against my almost-bare back. Every muscle in my body is tense, every nerve ending sparking.
I try to relax, to focus on the scenery, but his hands start roving the curves of my waist and hips, up and down, slowly stoking a fire to life. I melt against him, soaking in the sensations of his touch. One hot, strong hand runs down the back of my thigh, then up, dragging my skirt with it. The cool silk sliding against my skin adds to the pleasure. He’s driving me mad.
We stand like this for a while, watching the sky darken as his hands explore my body over my clothes and I try my absolute best not to combust right here on the deck. The last touch of pale blue on the horizon finally disappears completely, casting the view in darkness save for the lights of houses up in the hills and the other boats occasionally passing by. Armani rakes his nails softly down the front of my torso, my belly, trailing finally over my mound.
And no, I’m not wearing panties. You can’t in this type of dress. Fuck.
My body is humming.
I don’t know how much more I can take. My knees weaken as I shift slightly, pushing myself against his fingers, silently telling himyesandmore. Armani groans into my neck, his breath giving me goose bumps as he cups my pussy through the silk. This dress has got to go.
“Did you forgo the panties for me?” he growls.
“Yes.”
“Good girl.”
He gives me a hard squeeze and I gasp out loud.
Holy. Shit. I bet he’s a dirty, dirty talker. A rough lover with a filthy mouth. And those hands? Who knows what kind of damage they’ve done to people…and now they’re touching me, making me want him so bad it has to be a sin. This icy mafia killer has me at his mercy. Adrenaline races through me, but I’m unstoppably turned on. I should be afraid of him, but—
Suddenly, he steps away from me. A chill races over my back where his body was.
“Let me show you something.”
As commanding as he is, he still waits for my nod before he takes my hand and whisks me back into the salon and through a door that reveals a narrow spiral staircase. As we descend, softly glowing sconces highlight the way. I take care with my steps, glad now that I’m barefoot. Right now I’m a little dizzy, a little giddy, no doubt a mixture of champagne and lust.
Armani reaches the bottom of the stairs first and opens a door in the corridor, leading me inside a sumptuous cabin that must serve as the master living quarters. I see more polished wood, smoked glass, and a huge bed made up in sophisticated, steel grey linens. Armani shuts and locks the door behind us, then turns to me and begins loosening his tie.
Oh my God. He’s really just going for it. My mouth goes dry, my cheeks flushing hot.
Oh, yes. I should be very afraid.
