“Y-yes,” Natasha said on a ragged moan.
He slid down her body, hooked her left leg over his shoulder, and placed a kiss on her knee. He trailed his tongue along her inner thigh to her warm center, then mirrored his actions on her right leg. Antonio repeated the action until she trembled and writhed beneath him, then plunged his tongue into her slick, wet heat.
“Tonio,” she chanted as his tongue moved faster and deeper. She arched her back and screamed his name again.
Lowering her leg and moving back up her body, he guided his engorged shaft inside her. He groaned as he sank deep within her tight walls. He lowered his head and kissed her, loving the way she fit in his arms, the way her mouth and body fit with his as if she had been created especially for him. “You take my breath away,” Antonio murmured, thrusting in and out of her with long, languid strokes.
“Mmm, and you take mine away. You’re mine, Tonio.”
“And you’re mine, sweetheart.” He crushed his mouth to hers. The kiss was hot and demanding but filled with a sweetness that flooded his soul. Her breathless sighs and small whimpers of pleasure stoked his own, and he increased the pace. Antonio moved his tongue in and out of her mouth, imitating the movements of his lower body.
Natasha arched up to meet his deep strokes, while her hands moved up and down his back. “Don’t stop.” Her cries of passion filled the room. “Yessssss!”
Feeling her body start to tremble around him, he lifted her higher, stroking her harder, wanting to be as deep as possible when she came. She let out a scream that sent chills down his spine. He pulled out to the tip and surged back in. His orgasm exploded through him with a force that stripped him bare and left him weak and panting. Antonio dropped his head.I have to keep her in my life.
Natasha carried the platter holding grilled salmon inside to the counter laden with covered dishes of ribs, chicken, and a host of sides.
“Thanks for all your help, babe,” Antonio said, coming to stand next to her and placing a kiss on her cheek. “I’m going to take a quick shower. If the doorbell rings, please answer it.”
“Okay.” She watched him until he disappeared around the corner. She could get used to being here like this. They were behaving as if they were a married couple, and Natasha realized she wanted that with him. She’d never enjoyed cooking—she’d much rather do all the table settings and create the ambience. This made the third time they had worked side by side in the kitchen, and she found herself looking forward to preparing meals with Antonio.
Speaking of table settings, since they were eating outside, Natasha had opted for a natural tablescape. She didn’t want to cover the beautiful golden oak wood table and decided to use a sage-green runner instead. She added ivory square plates, champagne-colored napkins, and simple greenery for the centerpiece.
Natasha heard the doorbell and rushed inside to answer it. “Hey, Gabriel, Serenity. Come on in.”
Gabriel dipped his head and placed a sisterly kiss on Natasha’s cheek. “What’s up? It smells good in here.”
“Of course that’s the first thing he’d say,” Serenity said, hugging Natasha. “Girl, you’re answering doors now. Guess that means things are pretty serious with you two. I’ll be waiting for my wedding invite,” she added sotto voce.
“Serious enough, and don’t get ahead of yourself.” Natasha couldn’t deny that’s where she wanted the relationship to go, but she was still afraid to hope. However, she planned to do everything in her power to make it work this time. Before she could close the door, she spotted Jon parking.
“I know you love him, Tasha.”
“I love him so much, it scares me,” she said softly.
Serenity gave Natasha’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I understand, but it’s worth every risk you’ll take. And for the record, he loves you, too. His eyes give him away.”
Natasha wanted to believe her friend. “I—” She cut herself off when she heard Antonio’s voice.
“Welcome, welcome,” Antonio said as he entered, greeting Gabriel and Serenity. He wore a pair of black shorts and a pale-blue pullover silk tee. The man made every piece of clothing he wore look amazing. Natasha didn’t realize she was staring until Serenity elbowed her.
Serenity gave her the side-eye. “What’s that you were saying about getting ahead of myself?”
Ignoring her, she waved Jon and Terri in. After the greetings were done, they all filed into the kitchen.
Antonio raised a hand to get everyone’s attention. “Drinks are in the cooler outside—soda, water, and tea. Wine, in the bucket next to it. Help yourselves while Tasha and I bring the food out.”
Natasha rolled her eyes when Serenity shot her another I-told-you-so look as she followed the others out. Before she realized it, she’d slipped into the role of hostess with no effort. And she liked it. A little too much.
“Everything all right, sweetheart?” Antonio asked, coming up behind her and sliding an arm around her waist. “You look like you’re a million miles away.” His lips moved over her neck and shoulder, which was bared by an off-the-shoulder top, while his hands roamed lazily over her hips.
Her head dropped back, and sparks shot to her core. “Mmm… I’m fine. I can’t… We’re supposed to be taking the food out.” Natasha could barely get the words out because he had her body on fire.
“I know. Did I tell you how much I love having you in my home, in my kitchen… in my life?”
I love it, too.“I don’t remember.”
“Then let me go on record andshowyou how much.” He spun her in his arms at the same time as his mouth came down on hers.
