Page 39 of Sicilian Savior

“That’s not what’s happening here, Knox.” She stepped forward. “I have feelings for you. Real feelings.”

“You don’t know that, Lucia. I don’t want to take a chance that what you’re feeling isn’t real. Just because I’m helping you get Luca back doesn’t mean I need you to... you know. I know your feelings toward me changed since we first met, but you need to understand the why. It can happen to women with guys in positions like mine. It’s like a reverse Stockholm Syndrome toward the guy rescuing you, and it can cause you to feel things you wouldn’t normally feel. I’m not touching you until we get Luca back, get you settled in at home, and I’m certain that you aren’t just attracted to me because I’m helping you.”

Her eyes widened. “That’s why you haven’t kissed me? Because you think you’re taking advantage of me? That I have this ‘savior complex?’”

“Yes,” I groaned. “I don’t want you to think you owe me for what I’m doing for you. I don’t ever want you to feel like you’re indebted to me. I’m not taking advantage of you.”

“Knox,” she said softly. “I know that I reacted to you at first with fear. But it wasn’t because you scared me. It was because everyone scared me. Everyone was potentially a threat sent by Victor.”

She moved closer. My heart begged me to sweep her in my arms, but my head demanded I move away. Instead, I stood in place, refusing to listen to either.

Her eyes tracked my body, tormenting me as every muscle tightened. “I was beyond attracted to you from the second I saw you. I thought you were the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen. I was just too scared and heartbroken to act on it. I had no room in my life for anything other than pain. But now that I trust you, and now that I know I’m getting my Luca back and my heart is healing, I can finally open it up to something new. Something good. Something that I want.”

She took my hands in hers. The small gesture nearly took me to my knees.

“And that’s you. I wanted you the moment I laid eyes on you in my store, and I still want you now. And it’s not because of saving Luca or saving me. I swear it.”

“I know you think that Lucia, but—”

“No.” She stood tall, her confidence setting me back. “I know that. This isn’t about some ‘savior complex’ or whatever. I’m attracted to you, Knox.” She stopped and shook her head. “It’s more than that. I’m connected to you in a way I still don’t understand. And for the first time in years, I feel something other than terror and fear. I feel joy. Hope. Excitement. And I want to embrace it... enjoy it. I want this. I want you.” The confidence in her eyes faltered as she peered up at me. “But if you don’t feel the same, I’ll understand.”

I exhaled a pained breath. “Of course I feel the same. It’s killing me not to kiss you right now.”

“Then let me enjoy these new feelings... feelings I never thought I’d have again. Let me enjoy you...us. Kiss me, Knox.”

My heart pounded in my chest as I remembered the taste of her lips. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Kissing me is the opposite of hurting me.”

She leaned closer.

“I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“You’re not.”

Closer.

Her eyes were hooded with desire as she stared up at me through thick, black lashes. “I didn’t think I’d ever want a man to touch me again, but then I met you. Now, all I can think about is your hands on me. Your lips on mine. I want to feel your touch.” She lifted my hand to her face and pressed it against her cheek. “I know you’ll never hurt me, Knox. I trust you.”

“I would never hurt you, Lucia. Ever.” I brushed the pad of my thumb across her soft skin. “I’ll kill for you. I’ll die for you. I’ll do anything for you.”

“Then kiss me, Knox. Please.”

She rose slowly, lifting herself toward my lips. She paused before they touched, waiting for me to make the final move.

Our eyes connected, and I saw the truth in hers... the feelings for me that went as deep as mine. I ignored my head screaming at me to run. This time, I let my heart take the lead, and I swept an arm behind her and yanked her against me. Our lips crashed together as I captured her moan in my mouth.

I demanded entrance with my tongue, and she granted it. Her small hands spread across my back as I held her against me, bending her backward with the power of my kiss. I may not have known her long, but it felt like an eternity of torture just waiting for this moment—the moment I knew she was mine.

I slid my hand into her hair, pulling her lips in tighter. She pressed her body along the length of mine, the space between us now obsolete. And that was how I wanted it. Me. Her. Never more than an inch apart.

Closer even. An inch was too much.

“Lucia,” I whispered against her lips. “Are you sure you want this? I don’t ever want you to feel like this is something you have to do.”

“I want this, Knox. I want you.” She looked at me, and I saw the same desire coursing through me reflected in her soft, brown eyes. “I want all of you.”

“Fuck,” I growled, pressing my forehead to hers. “I need you, Lucia.”