Chapter 24
LEO
When we walk through the front door, I head straight for the side table in the living room to pour myself a drink.
Just as I take a sip of whiskey, Haven grabs hold of my gun. My body tenses when she pulls it from where it’s tucked into my pants, and I wait to see what she’ll do.
She reaches past me and places it down on the side table.
I let out a slow breath, and when she wraps her arms around me from behind and rests her cheek against my back, my body instantly relaxes.
I close my eyes, focusing on how incredible it feels to be held by the woman I love.
The woman I love.
“What was I like when I was younger?” she asks.
“You were a whirlwind of energy,” I whisper, the corner of my mouth lifting in a sad smile. “ Cazzo , you never did as you were told and drove your mother insane.”
“Yeah?”
“Whenever I came over, I always had to give you all the attention you wanted before I could spend time with Diego.”
Haven brushes her hand up and down my abs before settling her palm over my heart and holding me tighter.
I set down the tumbler and place my hand over hers. With my gaze on the view of the ocean, I let the memories roll over me after doing my best to avoid them for such a long time.
“I was there the day Mrs. Messina brought you home after you were born. It would take you an hour to fall asleep, so I used to push your stroller up and down the hallway.”
“It still takes me an hour,” she whispers.
My sad smile widens for a moment, and I rub my hand over hers.
“When I used to spend the night, your mother would struggle to get you into bed. You’d keep sneaking out to sleep between Diego and me.
Eventually, your mother would give up and let you stay with us.
I’d always end up with your unicorn in my face and you sprawled over me.
” My voice drops low, the urge to cry hitting me hard, but I swallow it back. “It was my favorite way to wake up.”
Haven moves around me, and when I see the tears on her cheeks, I lift my hand to her face and brush them away.
“I want to remember my family,” she admits. “If you cared about them so much, they had to be wonderful people.”
“They were. Your family home was the only place I felt safe. Your parents were so generous and loving. They were even prepared to take me in.” I take a breath as a wave of sorrow hits. “Diego always took care of my injuries after my father beat me. Your family was selfless.”
More tears escape from Haven’s eyes, and I brush them away again.
“It hurt losing Diego and your parents, but not being able to find you,” I shake my head, my emotions becoming too intense for a few seconds before I’m able to continue, “It killed me.”
She places her hands on my chest, an expression on her face that looks a lot like love. “I’m here now.”
I frame her face and stare at her for the longest moment before I lean down and press a soft kiss to her mouth.
Our eyes lock, and I whisper, “Your absence killed me, and your presence gives me life. You’re my beginning and end, stellina mia .
Now that I have you back, I won’t let anything or anyone take you away from me again.
” I brush my palm over the side of her head, my eyes drinking in every breathtaking inch of her.
“My heart belongs to you. It always has and always will.”
“Is it weird that I only remember you?”
I shake my head. “Not at all.” The corner of my mouth lifts again. “You always said I was your favorite person.”
“What was my relationship with Diego like?”
I think for a moment before I answer, “You used to annoy the living shit out of him.”
She lets out a chuckle that sounds like music to my ears, and when her dimple appears, I say, “I should’ve known it was you when I first saw your dimple as you came down the stairs at the party.”
“A lot of people have dimples.”
I brush my thumb over the indent on her left cheek, and as my gaze moves over her face again, I say, “You used to have black hair.”
“After I graduated from school, I colored it.”
Needing to hear the words, I ask, “Did you really have a happy life?”
Haven nods, her smile widening. “Besides the nightmares and therapy, I’ve had an amazing life.”
We stand and whisper, reconnecting after seventeen years. It’s only when the light flickers on in the living room that I realize it’s getting late.
“What do you want for dinner?” I ask.
“Something small.” Haven starts to walk toward the kitchen and shoots me a grin over her shoulder. “I’ll make grilled cheese sandwiches.”
I pick up my gun and tuck it into the back of my pants before I follow her. Taking a seat at the island, I watch as she gets to work.
I can’t stop staring at Haven, my eyes tracking every single movement from her.
My thoughts are all over the place until Haven comes to me, holding a small piece of cheese between her fingers near my mouth.
My eyes lock with hers as I lean forward, and when my lips close around her fingertips, I notice her pupils dilating.
At least the attraction is still there, and the events of today haven’t destroyed the progress I’ve made with her over the past two weeks.
After I pull back to eat the cheese, Haven sucks her fingers into her mouth, giving me a playful look before she returns to making our dinner.
I harden fucking fast, my desire for her turning into an inferno of desperation to sink deep into her body.
“You’re playing with fire,” I warn her. “After the day we’ve had, I have zero self-control tonight. I’ll fuck you right here on the island.”
Her eyes dart to me, and not believing me, she lets out a chuckle while shaking her head.
I climb to my feet and stalk toward her. She glances over her shoulder again, her eyes widening on me.
Wrapping an arm around her, I tug her against my body. My voice drops to a seductive tone as I ask, “Will you stop me?”
“Yes.” Her eyes lower to my mouth. “The marble top doesn’t look comfortable.”
“Oh.” My head jerks back with surprise. “So if I take you to my bed, I might get lucky?”
Still, thinking I’m joking, she lets out a chuckle and pushes against my chest. “Let me finish making the sandwiches.”
I lean forward until my mouth is an inch from hers. “I’d much rather have your pussy for dinner. After getting a taste last night, it’s my new favorite meal.”
“God, Leo!” Her face flushes bright red, and she tries to pull away from me while chuckling. “You need to use a filter when speaking.”
“No.” I brush my nose along her jaw before my lips nip at the skin beneath her ear. “I love the way you blush.”
“I don’t blush,” she mumbles, her breaths speeding up a little.
My lips ghost over her skin to her pink cheeks. “Pink was always your favorite color. It looks good on you.”
My other hand grips her jaw to keep her in place, and I nip at her mouth. With my eyes holding hers prisoner, I bite and tug at her bottom lip until her breaths are coming hot and fast.
Haven’s hands rub up and down my chest before she grips the sides of my neck, her gaze burning with desire.
Letting go of her jaw, I keep our eyes locked while my fingers graze the soft skin of her neck. My touch is feather-light over the contours of her body as I move down until I reach her pussy.
Her features tighten with need, her lips parting on a gasp that I inhale.
I need Haven to want me as much as I want her before I’ll fuck her.
“Beg me,” I whisper, so I don’t break the spell I’ve woven around her.
Her chest rises and falls fast, her nipples hard beneath the fabric of her shirt. When it looks like she’s about to start overthinking things, I slam my mouth to hers.
I lift both my hands to the sides of her head, my tongue thrusting past her lips to get to the addictively sweet taste.
I kiss Haven with every emotion I’ve experienced today. I lay claim to her with my lips and teeth, my tongue dominating the fuck out of hers.
She makes the sound that drives me wild, and it has my body caging hers to the counter. My hands move down her body, and I grip her breasts, massaging them roughly so I can brand her with my touch.
“God,” she gasps into my mouth before I smother her with a filthy kiss, which should give her an indication of how I plan to fuck her.
Deep and rough.
Cazzo , I want to ruin her completely.
I let go of one breast, and when I cup her through her jeans, I can feel how fucking hot and wet she is for me.
Breaking the kiss, I rasp, “You’re on fire for me, principessa .”
Haven takes desperate breaths as she looks at me through her lashes that are lowered over her eyes.
So fucking sexy.
Wanting to push her to the brink of madness like she’s done with me, I pull away and swipe my thumb over my bottom lip.
Smirking, because she looks completely out of it, I ask, “Should I continue making dinner while you recover a little?”
“Dinner?” She shakes her head then remembers what she was doing before I seduced the fuck out of her. “Oh, right. Dinner.”
Laughing, I walk toward the doorway. “I’m going to shower while you finish up in here.”
When I step into the foyer, I hear her mutter, “Just what I need. A mental image of him naked and wet.”
“And fucking hard,” I call out. “You can always join me.”
I climb the stairs, and walking into my bedroom, I leave the door open in case a miracle happens and Haven decides to join me.
Fuck, I’ll probably come in seconds again.
I was so fucking desperate for her last night after eating her out, the instant she touched my cock, it was game over.
I switch on the faucets in the shower, and after stripping out of my clothes, I step beneath the spray. Not giving two shits that Haven can walk in on me, I palm my aching cock.
Gesù Cristo.
Remembering how hot and soaked Haven was when I cupped her pussy through her jeans, I begin to stroke myself slowly.
My fist tightens more and more with every stroke, and my muscles tighten. Water runs in rivulets over my heated skin, and I let out a groan.
Movement draws my attention, and I watch as Haven slowly comes into the bathroom.
Dio, miracles do happen.
I don’t stop, but continue stroking my cock, my thumb swiping over the swollen head.
Her eyes drift over my body, desire bleeding over her face and parting her lips as she takes her time to admire every inch of me.
The air tenses with our powerful attraction for each other.
My voice is low and commanding as I say, “Take off your clothes, principessa .”
I torture myself with slow strokes while I watch as she pulls her shirt over her head.
She unhooks her bra, and my hungry gaze feeds on her breasts.
I drink in the sight of her stomach and abdomen, and when she shoves her panties and jeans down her legs, I have to squeeze the base of my cock to keep from coming at the mere sight of her pussy.
Hoarse as fuck, I plead, “Beg and I’ll make you come until you don’t remember your own name and scream mine.”
Instead of saying the words I want to hear more than anything, Haven comes closer and steps beneath the spray with me.
She doesn’t say anything as she picks up the body wash, squirting some into her palm.
When she starts to wash my chest, my hand falls away from my cock. My desperation for her grows into pure fucking relentless need as I watch her hands move over me.
Her fingers follow the lines at my hips and flirt with the sensitive skin dangerously close to my hard-on before her eyes lift to mine and she sinks to her knees.
Cazzo.
I’m completely transfixed on Haven as her hand closes around my cock, and when her lips part, I’m unable to breathe.
She sucks me into her mouth, only managing to take me a few inches. Fisting my cock, she strokes me while sucking hard as if she knows exactly how I like it.
“ Christo, principessa ,” I hiss, my hands gripping her wet hair. I’m so fucking worked up for her, it only takes her head bobbing a few times to make my balls tighten. “Pull away.”
Instead of listening, Haven sucks me to the back of her throat, and I’m done for.
Pleasure shoots through my body, drawing a hiss from me as I jerk in her hot mouth.
The instant I’m done coming, I reach down and yank her to her feet, my mouth slamming into hers so I can taste myself on her tongue.
I blindly reach for the faucets, switching them off.
Haven’s hands rub up my chest, and when her arms circle my neck and she presses her wet, naked body to mine, there’s no way I’ll be able to stop myself now.
My kisses turn desperate, my tongue licking and teeth biting her lips, her jaw, and her neck.
“Please, Leo,” she gasps. “I want you so much. Please make love to me.”
Hearing her finally beg, I’m completely stripped of my control. A million men won’t be able to stop me from fucking her tonight.