Page 10 of Baby Bump for the Mafia Boss

I shift so I’m over him. His hand at my back, and I’m looking down into his face. So familiar, and yet I’ve never been thisclose to him. And now, everywhere we touch isn’t cold. Quite the reverse. I’m on fire.

My heart is vibrating.

“Dane…” I can’t quite bring myself to be bold enough to say something I can’t take back. I love this job, being with him. I mustn’t make this awkward. But there’s acknowledgement shimmering between us. And yes, it’s cold, that might be all there is to the fact he’s drawn me to him. Close. Maybe he’s just thinking of this as a casual thing, but I love this man with my heart and soul. He’s difficult, and brilliant, and when he smiles at me for having done as he wanted, or anticipated his needs, I glow from the inside out.

Life without him is unthinkable.

“Stephie,” he rumbles. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?” I lean in. I lick my lips then part them. There’s a constant beat between my legs. I’m being reckless and probably a bit stupid, but I nearly died today, and so did Dane. The difference is, I would have died a virgin.

I’m lying half over him. And yeah, we’re wrapped up in blankets, but seriously. This is the sexiest thing that’s ever happened to me. The list is admittedly short, but the top spot was wide open for the taking, and sleeping on a sheepskin rug in front of a fire, with my tall, dark, handsome boss definitely takes it. We could be dressed from head to toe in plastic bags and this would still be infinitely sexier than my life in general.

Probably it isn’t for Dane. I’ve never seen him with a woman, and he’s never asked me to book anything like that, but surely he isn’t a monk. He’s far too attractive to be celibate. Much as I want him all to myself, it would be rather heartbreaking if no one got to enjoy how beautiful he is.

“Like…” He heaves an annoyed sigh.

“What?” I should get an Oscar for this.

“You’re looking at me like you want me to fuck you in front of this fire until you scream my name with pleasure.” His brows lower. “So stop it, princess, before I take the invitation.”

His crude words take my breath away, and I flush all over. But it’s the one, seemingly accidental, sweet word that my brain fixes onto. He’s never called me princess, and it feels so special.

I keep my gaze on him. I don’t even blink. I dare him.

He breathes out shakily, as though he’s restraining himself. His chest is solid. Muscled, yes, but tense.

Slowly, he shakes his head.

His bleak expression binds down my heart, which had been floating up, expanding with hope. It’s crushed under the weight of that denial.

And then his hand clasps my nape, holding me tight. In a raspy voice, he says, “Fuck it.”

4

DANE

Through the blur of the dream, I reach for Stephie and bring her mouth to mine in a kiss that’s all demand and no finesse. She feels so real for a second, whimpering against my chest, and kissing me without reserve. I’ve been perfectly restrained, but she looks at me like that—sultry and sweet—and I’m beyond.

The room sways when I have my eyes open, but closed, I’m anchored by Stephie. She’s that for me. I’m a hulking grey metal warship, and she’s the small, unassuming part, chained to me. But she keeps me steady.

I’ve held back from admitting how much I want my little assistant for years now, managing by sheer force of will to keep her close to me, but not too close. Even in my fantasies, I don’t confess that I need her.

There’s buzzing in my head. I’m asleep, and this is a very vivid dream.

I’ll enjoy it to the fullest.

Stephie’s mouth gives, soft and warm, though her lips are still cool from the freezing weather.

I nearly lost her. I nearly died myself. I’m certain I’ve been drugged and I’m hallucinating. I have no idea how long I have left.

Kissing her is everything. I hold her to me, and plunder her mouth, taking. This isn’t a gentle kiss, but she feels as starving as I am.

“Princess.” I mutter the sweet word against her lips. She’s my life. “My best girl. Fuck, how I’ve longed for this.”

“I have too,” she whispers, and I groan, because that’s a new development from my usual fantasies, and I love it.

It’s her who brings us back together, her greedy lips on mine. And she’s exploring me, which is a delicious new part of this illusion. I imagined me kissing her, me licking between her legs. I tried to think what her face would look like as I pressed my big cock into her little body. But in all my fantasies, I didn’t imagine she’d want to touch me. But in this dream, she does. She creeps her hand over my pectoral muscles, testing their firmness with her fingertips. She’s not just accepting my kiss, she’s engaged with it, tugging away blankets and sliding her small hand under my suit jacket, questing for more. As though this is as urgent a need for her as for me.