Chapter 22 #2
After tossing the keycard, he removed his weapon, placing it on the dresser. The scan of his eyes was typical, searching for any sign of danger.
Until his wildly possessive gaze fell on me.
“What now?”
“Now you undress.”
He lifted a single eyebrow, grinning and even though he’d yet to shave, I caught sight of his dimples that were rarely seen.
His smile needed to be wide for me to catch sight of his most adorable feature.
While at first, he acted as if he wouldn’t comply, he cocked his head to the side and removed his jacket.
Once finished, he took his time tossing it aside.
“Don’t make me wait too long. You know how grouchy I can get.”
His laugh was deep and dark, but he responded by unbuttoning his shirt, tugging it from the waistband of his trousers. Once he had, I re-crossed my legs, allowing him to see I wasn’t wearing matching panties to my sexy little lacy nightie.
His whistle brought a smile. “You know how to drive a man nuts.”
“Good. Keep going and if you’re a very good boy, I might reward you.”
I stood, walking closer but still keeping my distance. When I was close, the champagne glass was placed near the bottle and I ran my fingers across the surface.
He continuously shook his head, his chest rising and falling. “It’s good to see I can still surprise you.” My voice was little more than a purr.
“Of course you can.”
“Well, we are an old married couple.”
“Hmmm… I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Now, do a little strip tease for me.” My words surprised him all over again, his movements stopping altogether. “I told you. Do it.” To emphasize, I placed my hands on my hips, cocking one while shifting my legs apart.
“Mmm… Mmm… Mmm…” With a roll of his eye, he hesitated at least at first.
But he did as I asked… as I commanded.
Yes, the man could be a dangerous predator or a sensual romantic. I adored the combination. It was perfect.
No, he was perfect for me.
When he only had boxer shorts on, I couldn’t help myself, closing the distance and savoring the extreme heat between us.
He wasn’t backing down either, deciding to walk around me. Only then did I remember that the water was on. When my eyes opened wide, running away from him, I could tell he was thoroughly confused.
I made it just in time before water sloshed over the edge.
When I stood, seeing his form in the mirror brought another wave of desire.
“I guess you still need supervision,” he said with his amused tone.
He’d picked up his weapon again, and he placed it on the counter.
He’d left the door to the bathroom open and there was something very kinky about being able to see the hotel room door from where we’d be lounging in the tub.
“You never go anywhere without your weapon,” I said, obviously knowing the answer.
“No, I do not. I think you find men with big guns very sexy.”
The dip in his tone of voice only added to the illusion of romance. “You’re right.”
“I’m never wrong.”
“So arrogant.”
Now he grinned. “That too. Nothing you mind.”
“Just something I need to control.”
“We shall see.”
I hadn’t noticed the bottle of champagne and the two glasses in his hand. Never blinking, he headed toward me, finding the perfect location for them on the platform behind the tub.
With his expression hardening, he shook his head even more slowly than he’d done before as he peered all the way down. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you brought this with you in hopes I’d be the one sent to hunt you down.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“As I said before, I’m always right. Somehow, I have a feeling you’re going to surprise me for the rest of my life.” Very gently, he lowered one strap on my negligee, his nostrils flaring as soon as he did. “Fucking amazing.”
“Yes, you are.” Not to be outdone, I rubbed the flat of my hand down his chest, kneading his muscles with my fingers.
The touch provided a jolt of current running down my arm, the profound heat searing my fingers.
While I’d felt the extreme temperature before, this time I laughed, maybe because he could still make me jittery.
The sheer indulgence of being in control even for a little while was all empowering. Except when I slipped two fingers under the elastic waistband of his boxers and he wrapped his fingers around mine.
“Not yet.”
“You’re following my directions. Remember?”
His laugh sent a flutter of butterflies into my stomach.
“Never.” After moving my hand away, he pulled down the second strap before daring to tug on the thin satin tie holding the corset together.
“You seem to forget who I am.” He tugged slowly, every few seconds lifting his gaze to study my expression.
“And you seem to forget who I am.”
“I don’t think so. You are a French princess, woman of royal blood. A witch by nature, a highly seductive succubus.”
“Now I’m a demon.” My voice was breathless, barely audible and the moment he’d tugged the last of the ribbon free, exposing my breasts, a tiny gasp escaped.
Before the sexy little item tumbled into the water, he pulled it away, his entire face lighting up like a beacon in seeing me completely naked.
“No fair. I told you to strip first,” I told him.
“And I don’t care. I do what I want, when I want. I take what I want when I want as well. Which is exactly what I’m getting ready to do. Remove my boxers. Do so very slowly.”
“You’re teasing me. Again.”
“Which I plan on doing consistently. Behave or else.”
Just being able to laugh around him meant more to me than almost anything. I did as I was told, slowly, rolling my hands down to his waistband. This time, I stopped and lifted my head for approval.
His chuckle was likely all I’d receive. I slowly lowered the midnight material over his hips, my mouth instantly watering when his cock sprang into view. He chuckled the moment I licked my lips, even running his fingers through my hair. “I hope you’ll always have that reaction.”
“You mean when we’re old and gray?”
The way his eyes lit up surprised me. “Yeah, exactly like that.”
With my heart aching, I tugged the shorts down his massive legs, enjoying the way he flexed them.
“Good girl.”
Even the words created a tingling reaction. Being inside a small bathroom overheated by our explosive body temperatures, candlelight positioned on every flat surface and the scent of vanilla with a hint of cinnamon filling the dense air was as romantic as we’d been able to enjoy.
However, taking the time to brush the tips of our fingers down each other’s arms, enjoying being able to look into each other’s eyes without fear of being interrupted was priceless.
“Non ci sarà mai un momento dolce come questo.” His statement was almost melancholy.
There will never be another moment as sweet as this one.
“What if there is?”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning what if we could be together forever?” The words simply slipped past my lips as I crawled the tips of my fingers down his chest, daring to drag one all the way down the length of his cock.
His physical shudder was almost everything I needed. The hard throb was something else. But it was the way he rubbed his knuckles across my cheek that added fuel to the fire. “Is that what you’d like?”
“Maybe.”
“There’s no maybe to this one, darling. If we were to marry, our lives would change. Maybe not for the better. There are those who would oppose it. It’s yes or no.”
“Then yes.” This was all about daring him.
The sudden realization of what I couldn’t offer hit me harder than when I’d learned about my misfortune.
The word wasn’t nearly strong enough. Very few men in this corrupt, dangerous world would ever want a woman who couldn’t provide them with an heir.
And to be a mafia princess incapable bearing children was a strike from Satan himself.
The moment I attempted to pull away, his grip became tighter. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Nowhere. I just… I would understand of you didn’t want me given what I’m incapable of providing.”
He didn’t hesitate, pinching my chin and ensuring I wouldn’t even try to look away. “Listen to me. Your worth isn’t about spitting out children.”
“How romantic,” I teased.
“You know what I mean. Your worth is about you, everything about you from your smile and laugh, to the way you touch all living creatures with such love and tenderness. It’s the joy you bring when walking into a room.
The light that goes on in the pitch-black darkness.
It’s hope and desire forming the perfect need.
Because in my eyes, your worth is infinite. ”
Did he possibly understand what his words meant to me? For someone who’d never considered herself sappy or in need of a Hallmark moment, the rush of feelings and tickling vibrations was one of the most powerful experiences of my life.
“Then all those against us can oppose all they want. This is my life. Mine. And if I want you to be a permanent part of it, then they can go suck wind. Besides, within the unwritten rules of the Cosa Nostra, the Underboss is deemed an acceptable partner for the Mafioso princess.”
“Good in theory, but I’m not Alexander’s right-hand man and the Prince family isn’t Cosa Nostra.”
“You’re Jaxon’s Underboss. Plus, we do have an alliance with the original Five Families.
I’m certain they would approve. Think of it this way.
There would be no need to worry about one of our enemies appearing out of the darkness, kidnapping and keeping me like Rapunzel until the right Prince came along to provide them with additional wealth and power from an unholy union. No pun intended.”
His laugh was dark and toxic, but I could tell he was thinking about what I’d just said. “Perhaps you’re right. But it’s your brothers who have the say. And we’re not living in a fairytale.”
“Yes, we actually are. This isn’t real life, Donatello. Normal families don’t run away to try and stay alive.”
“Which you instigated, I’ll remind you.”
“Bastard. I’m serious. Typical families aren’t worried about whether an arranged marriage will claw them into bloody quicksand.”
“So poetic, my sweet Ambrosia. Perhaps you’re right, but your family only wants the best for you.”
“I know what’s best for me. Let me handle my family.” Were we really doing this or merely playing another game? “We could even get married here. Just the two of us.”
He dropped his gaze as he rubbed his thumb back and forth across my jaw. “This isn’t Vegas, baby. It takes six months if all the paperwork is in order. Including a passport for tourists.”
“But you are a powerful man. You could make all rules disappear. So you’ve told me.”
“Some, but not all.”
“I have faith in you. I always have.” Even though I could clearly see how much the man cared about me, apprehension and even a hint of fear gripped my aching heart.
This was most certainly nothing but another little game we’d gotten so good at playing.
It was my fault. I’d started the acts of flirtation years before.
Was I daring him as much as laying my cards out on the table? Did it really matter? We both knew we were playing with fire, but I wasn’t certain any consequences could alter the way we felt about each other.
I’d thought about being his wife more than once. What was wrong with indulging in the fantasy, slashing right through the ridiculous thought that our relationship was forbidden?
Not a damn thing.
With a heavy exhale, he rolled his knuckle down my arm, his gaze following the trail. “There’s no turning back. You would be mine. No one else would ever be allowed to touch you.”
“Who said I’d want to turn back?”
Once again, our eyes locked in passion and need. This time, there was no question about what we were doing.
The tone was perfect.
The scene established.
The danger real.
And the hunger impossible to deny.
For about a million reasons, I didn’t expect his next move.
He picked me up as if I weighed nothing and stepped into the tub.
“What are you doing?” I kicked out my feet.
“I would say cooling you down, but I doubt there’s anything capable of doing that.
Besides, there’s nothing wrong with heating you up even more, baby.
” Crouching so he was sitting on the side of the tub, he placed me into the bubbly water, which I immediately splashed in his face. “Be careful, little girl.”
“Being careful is highly overrated.” When I rolled my hands along the insides of his legs, he spread them wide open for me.
“Is that what you think?”
“That’s what I know.” I wrapped my hand around his cock as he stood, stroking him, tipping my head while he shook his.
“Not like this,” he told me in his usual commanding tone.
“Then how?”
With the same savage grin I’d grown to adore, he did two things at once.
He pulled me off the tub bottom and into his arms, the move forcing me to wrap my legs around his waist.
After that, he pulled us down into the water.