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“Never. I’m a controlled guy.” A shiver ran down my spine as he brushed a piece of hair from my face. His hand lingered on my neck as he tucked it behind my ear. “I have to be because of my job. I’ve never done anything like this.”
“I know the feeling.” I chewed on my lip as our eyes connected, understanding passing through us. I swallowed thickly as I felt myself falling into his unique trance again. “Do you regret it?”
“How could I regret something that spectacular?” His crooked smile went straight between my legs, making me come alive for him. “Do you?”
“No.” I shook my head, feeling my cheeks blush as my gaze flicked away. “Just a little embarrassed. I’ve never done anything like this, either. I’m not the one-night stand girl. I don’t even know you.”
My chest tightened as he placed a single finger under my chin, drawing my gaze back to him. I felt so small and protected next to his strength. Precious. “I don’t want it to be a one-night stand. Get to know me. Let’s have dinner.”
Was I really going to run from this feeling because I was a little embarrassed? Was I going to give up something that could be great because it had started with sex? Because I was afraid and my life was a little crazy at the moment?
“Okay.”
His eyes flashed at my answer, hope filling them. “Yeah?”
“Well, you did go to all this trouble.” I smiled as he stepped back, pulling the kitchen chair out for me.
It felt surreal but strangely right having him sit across from me. Like he was always meant to be there. Like the place didn’t feel like home until he was in it.
“Dawson.” I blurted out, his fork stilling in midair as he tilted his head. “That’s my last name.”
“It’s nice to officially meet you, Emma Dawson. I look forward to getting to know you.”
“I feel like you know a lot about me already.” My lips rolled together as the words escaped. My cheeks blushed again.
“Not enough.” His lust-filled gaze had my body heating for a different reason. “For example, I’m curious why your living room is covered in lingerie.”
My head whipped to the side. Lingerie in all different colors and styles covered my coffee table. Some of it spilling onto the couch and floor. It looked like the backstage at a strip club.
“It’s not mine.” He raised a single brow at the force behind my words. “I mean, it is mine. But it’s not what you think. Companies send me samples, and I photograph them for websites. It’s an easy way to make money while I try to find a studio space and build my clientele here.”
“Where are you looking for a new place?”
My heart ballooned in my chest as he asked me question after question. That’s how it went. It felt like the easiest thing in the world to sit here and talk to him. To tell him about my sister and moving. About my job and the studio I dreamed of.
It felt like a beginning.
7
Matteo
Iwatched as Emma’s back rose and fell in a steady rhythm. She was sleeping on her stomach, her arms and legs wrapped around a pillow as she snored softly. The sheets slipped down, pooling just above her plump ass. I fought the desire to pull her close even as I never wanted to stop staring at her.
I memorized the way her silky red hair fanned out on the pillow. I counted all the freckles across her cheeks and nose. My fingers ghosted down the delicate bumps in her spine, committing her soft skin to my memory.
I tried to force myself to get up and walk away. To never look back. The same thing I’d been trying to do every time I’d woken up here the last two months. I came to see her almost every night, but it needed to end. I had to stop. I was putting her at risk. Every time I saw her, it was a chance for someone to find out. For someone to use her against me. Hurt her.
Men in my world didn’t fall in love with normal women. Or if we did, they were mistresses. We could never marry them. And I would never do that to Emma.
Of course, there were the few exceptions. My mind flashed to Kincaid, Maddox Vancini’s girlfriend. Well, girlfriend was a loose term, I wasn’t sure she wanted to be with him, but he hadn’t given her a choice. And because of that, she’d been taken. By my uncle.
I told my uncle not to do it, but he’s in charge. For now. I would guess not for much longer. He was unhinged. Attacking women was against the code. The unspoken rules we all lived by. But he was fanatical about this crusade against the Vancinis. Eventually, he would get us all killed.
My chest tightened as I pulled Emma close. Her soft cheek pressed into my chest as she snuggled against me in her sleep. She was the only thing stopping the dark thoughts from consuming me.
This war with the Vancini was out of control. My sister’s plan to kill Leonardo Vancini by marrying his son Leif was imploding. So last night, my uncle had ordered her to kill her husband instead. To use him to make Leonardo suffer. It was going to go wrong; I could feel it.
I should’ve been at my uncle’s right now, waiting to hear from Mila. For her to confirm the kill, but I half expected to hear from Leif instead. To find out she’d been the one who was killed.
