Page 51 of Heaven Help Me

She laughs softly. “Yeah, I think I learned my lesson on that.”

The sun is setting and the temperature is finally dropping. The first band of the night starts their set and people mill about happily. All the fires have been put out. Valentina steps up into my chest and wraps her hands around my neck, her fingers massaging the tense muscles.

“Follow me,” she whispers.

I don’t bother to ask questions because quite frankly, I’d follow her just about anywhere. We push through the crowds and emerge in the back alley of Saint’s Row. When she opens the door to the storage room of Saint’s Suits, I don’t stop her. Maybe she left something in here she needs that didn’t fit into her binder or clipboard. But instead of heading for the table she used as a workstation, she pushes me into the back corner behind a rack of clothing that hasn’t been priced yet.

“What are you⁠—”

My voice cuts off as Valentina drops to her knees right there in the dark, her hands on my belt. She has my khakis undone before I can catch my breath or squeeze words past my thick throat. And then she’s wrapping her hands around my half-hard dick and licking the top like she ordered an ice cream cone that’s melting in the summer heat.

“V,” I wheeze, muscles locking up at the feel of her velvety hot tongue swiping across the tip.

She smiles up at me like the devil got ahold of her. Then she bobs her head and takes me all the way to the back of her throat. I swear I’m rock hard in an instant, my hands flying to her head to try to get her to slow down. It’s impossible though. The woman is determined and I’m just a man. A man who loves every stroke up and down my shaft, the way her fingers tighten around me almost painfully. The way her other hand cups my balls like she can control me. Which she absolutely can. I couldn’t move from this spot if the damn boutique was on fire.

She hums like she’s enjoying herself and I feel it in the base of my spine. She pulls up, her teeth grazing the rim and it’s just scandalous enough to have goose bumps firing up every inch of my skin. She soothes the skin with a full lick of her tongue. Then she purrs up at me, her voice throaty and deep.

“I appreciate your help today, ciuccio.”

It’s the mean nickname that has me finding my voice again. “Shut up and show me your appreciation.”

She grins so wickedly I find myself grinning right back. Then her head bobs and she sucks me back into her warmth…mouth, tongue, and hands gliding up and down in a punishing rhythm. I’m so close to spilling into her mouth. So close to letting her push me over the edge.

But something’s not right.

Just a week or two ago, I would have let her.

But she doesn’t need to show her appreciation for my help. I would help her any day of the week without even a thank-you. I don’t like that she thinks she needs to show her thanks for what should be common courtesy.

So I yank on her hair and pull her off my cock.

She pops off with a startled gasp. I let go of her hair and grab her under the armpits, lifting her to her feet like a doll.

“What—”

“Shut up,” I growl, spinning her around and pushing her against the wall. Her hands slap down on the brick, her neck twisting as she tries to see what I’m doing. I reach for my wallet, hoping I have a condom there, but Valentina stops me.

“I went on birth control after the broken-condom fiasco.”

My grin is instantaneous. I flip her skirt up and push the gorgeous black lace of her panties to the side. She bends forward with a moan and pushes her hips out. God yes. She wants this as much as I do. I run the head of my cock up and down her flesh, finding her wet and ready. Goddamn, she was turned on while she sucked my dick. The thought makes me weak in the knees with want. I plunge inside her tight body in one forceful thrust, both of us freezing in a rush of pleasure. Then I’m moving, in and out of her in a rapid rhythm that shows just how out of my mind I am for her.

“See? Dresses…are…amazing,” I manage to say, slamming into her again and again.

She’s laughing when she comes, my name on her lips and her body quivering around mine. I follow right after, with only one thought in my mind.

What the fuck am I going to do?

I’ve fallen in love with Valentina all over again.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Valentina

My phone rings out at dawn like a bomb going off.

I’m ripped out of a lovely dream of swimming in cool, sweet tea while Deuce presses me against a wall with his big dick. It’s cruel to wake a woman from a dream like that. It’s especially cruel when I see it’s Bettina calling. My hand slaps down on the phone and I snatch it under the covers, getting it mostly near my ear.

“Hello?” I croak. I pull the phone away from my mouth to clear my throat.