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“You remember. I wish I’d prepared by bringing champagne or wine.”
“You mean now that I’m of age?” I laughed and it felt good to do so. “Scotch is fine. I quite like a smooth glass of Macallan or Old Rip Van Winkle. You should try 21 Hibiki. The taste is fabulous.”
He gazed at me in amusement before pulling out a bottle of Macallan, plopping two ice cubes in each crystal tumbler before pouring a hefty amount. As he handed me a glass, our fingertips touched, and I was thrown by the electricity of the lingering effects.
There was a series of vibrations, a light hum that kept me alive and on fire. As I brought the glass to my lips, I wasn’t certain I could swallow without coughing. But I did. He turned slightly in his seat, placing his hand on my thigh possessively. I couldn’t help but do the same so we were facing. For what seemed like forever, we studied each other, our heated gazes and scattered breaths likely fogging up the glass.
I couldn’t care less, the moment a wish fulfilled. After taking a sip of my drink, I allowed it to remain in my mouth and leaned closer, wrapping my other hand around his shirt. When I pulled him down, the growl he issued sent another wave of tingles dancing through me.
Our lips touched and I was certain a jolt of electricity had crackled inside the dense space. Taking my time, I gingerly opened his lips, forcing the liquid into his mouth. Then I swept my tongue back and forth before pulling away, dragging the tip of my tongue around his full lips.
“Be careful, little girl. I am a predator.”
“So I’ve heard. But I’m no longer a little dove but a vixen in disguise.”
“Oh, really? Is that true?”
I bit my lower lip, keeping a pouting look on my face, marveling at the way the lights of the city illuminated his face as if his skin was shimmering. Then I took my time exploring his face, trailing the tip of my index finger across his forehead then down the bridge of his nose.
I shifted my gaze to his eyes, biting my lower lip as he watched me with amusement. Then I ripped at his tie, using one hand to try to yank the knot, groaning in frustration seconds later when I failed.
“It would seem my baby is hungry.”
“Yes.” The single word held so much emotion. I sucked in my breath, holding it as I wiggled my finger between two buttons, issuing a slight purr when I touched his chest.
His growl was deep and throaty, as if he was going to eat me alive. “Careful, my wild bird.”
“I’ve grown up and know exactly what I want. Why be careful?”
“Because I won’t be able to stop and you already know I have zero patience. This isn’t a game any longer, Christiana. I’m about to enter into battle to protect a woman that I should have claimed years before. You can either tell me to stop right now and I’ll walk away, or you can accept the fact that if we go any further, I will make good on the promise I made you three years ago.”
“The one you reneged on?” I don’t know if I was out to hurt him because of the suffering I’d endured but the look on his face was full of sadness, so haunted I was thrown by it.
He gripped my chin with enough force a hint of fear swept through my system. “I was a fool to want to protect you by turning you away. I’m not usually a man who has regrets, but this is the single one I will claim. I never want to hurt you.”
“You did.”
His firm hold turned into a soft caress, his fingers dancing across my skin. There was a point when thinking about the past no longer mattered. I wasn’t a little girl any longer and he was right in that this wasn’t a game. What we were doing was dangerous, but I had a sense his recklessness couldn’t be stopped. “I don’t want to ever leave your arms, Francesco. I’ve always belonged to you.”
His exhale was telling and he tensed, taking a deep breath. “Then so be it. If we’re damned, then we will accept that together.”
“Mmm…” I murmured then raked my finger down his chest to his leg, darting another quick look before licking my lips in an exaggerated motion. When I dared drag my fingertip across his thick bulge, he shifted in his seat uncomfortably.
“Goddamn it, woman.”
“I’ve missed you. There’s so much to say.” I could barely talk, my voice little more than a whisper. I had to tell him, to share the horror that had almost destroyed me the last few days. I just didn’t know how to say the words.
“You’re right, little dove, but not right now.” He threw back more of his drink then pried the glass from my fingers, placing both in two holders. Then without any conversation, he whisked me into his lap, forcing me to straddle his thighs. “I want you.”
“Here?”
He chuckled then slipped his hand around the back of my neck, squeezing. “Anywhere is perfect with you.” As he captured my lips again, I was aware Cayman had slowed, making a turn. When he stopped altogether, I glanced from one side of the SUV to the other, realizing we were near the water, staring out at the bright lights of the stunning yet dangerous city across the bay.
Almost immediately, Cayman stepped out, leaving us very much alone. I wasn’t worried about anyone looking in through the windows. Not only were they darkened but the parking lot of what appeared to be a harbor was empty.
“A view,” I said softly.
“Nothing but the best for my beautiful woman. No more talking. Right now, you are all mine.” Everything about him was possessive, more so than I remembered, yet there was also a gentleness that I wasn’t expecting, his white-hot touches and rippled growls keeping me on edge. I was wet and hot, my pulse racing as he wrapped his hand around my long strands of hair.
