Then he leans in and licks the icing off the tip of my finger.
The stroke of his tongue makes my pulse jump because it’s exactly how he licks me when he’s between my thighs, patient, focused, savoring.
My mouth parts on a soft inhale.
“Santo…”
“You make a mess,” he murmurs, licking another finger with the same devastating control. “I take care of it.”
Heat pools low in my belly. My legs feel unsteady.
He sees that. He always sees.
His hands slide to my hips, strong, sure and before I can breathe, he lifts me, turning to place me on the counter, away from the cookies, away from my excuses. The cold marble kisses the backs of my thighs, and a soft gasp slips out of me.
“Santo… my dress—”
“It’s coming off anyway,” he says quietly, stepping between my knees. “I told you you’d get messy. But not from icing.”
My pulse stutters.
He cups my face, his thumb brushing my cheek with tender devotion even as his eyes darken with something deeper.
“You work yourself to exhaustion for everyone else,” he says softly. “For this house. For this family. Forme.”
His forehead rests against mine, grounding me, claiming me.
“Now you let me take care of you.”
One hand trails down, slow and firm, slipping beneath the hem of my dress, warming the inside of my thighs.
I shiver.
“Santo…” I whisper, breath breaking.
His other hand brushes my cheek, gentle, so gentle it makes my chest ache, while his eyes darken with something molten.
“Let me take care of what’s mine.”
His hand slides up mapping the inside of my thighs. I can’t help the soft sound that slips out of me when he parts my legs wider.
He exhales like he’s starving.
“That’s it,” he murmurs. “Open up for me.”
A gasp slips free. “Santo…”
“You sound so sweet when you need me.”
His fingers drag higher—slow, teasing, devastatingly careful. “Let’s see how much.”
His fingers trace the edge of my panties, and I squirm beneath his touch, unable to stay still.
“Please,” I breathe, my hands finding his shoulders, anchoring myself against the storm building inside me.
“Please what?” he asks, voice like velvet and gravel, eyes never leaving mine.
“Touch me.”
