Goosebumps flowered over her skin, the ache deep inside intensifying again. It had been so many years since she’d made love to anyone and that was really only youthful fumbling when she’d kidded herself she was in love. Right now, she might as well have been a virgin. This was different. Leo was a man, one with a reputation and who routinely topped the best of everything lists.
It hit her with a flash of realisation. She deserved nothing less.
He strode through the space with purpose till he found the bedroom. The bed turned down for them already. He gently placed her on the carpet and held her steady when she swayed into him, a look of smug satisfaction on his face. She couldn’t blame him. It was well deserved.
‘Turn,’ he said. His voice low and rough. She shivered at the erotic promise of the sound as she turned her back to him. An indefinable sensation like water trickling down her spine told her he was close. Then his breath caressed the back of her neck in warm gusts. After a few moments there was a touch at the base of her neck, gently stroking down to her zip. A slight tug and the cool air of the room eased the burn of her overheated flesh. After the zip was undone, Leo traced his finger gently up her spine, then swept her dress from her shoulders, as it slid down her body in a silky rush and pooled on the floor at her feet.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Leo rocked backon his heels. It was as if time had suddenly stopped. Simone stood before him in her underwear of sleek coffee-coloured satin and lace. A vision before him. The swell of her backside, the tempting nip of her waist. Her skin like rich cream. Needing to stay away but wanting to get closer.
He knew he’d put her off on the pretext of business when she’d come to find him. When she’d asked him to dance, what he wouldn’t have given to simply take her hand and lead her to the dance floor. Yet he’d been trying to wrestle his aching need for her under control. This magnificent, confounding woman. That was until he’d overheard someone saying gleefully,Silvestri’s dancing with Zanetti’s wife…
Feeling stabbed in the gut at the thought, he’d left to find her immediately.
‘Face me,’ he ground out, words almost impossible. She inflamed him. Undid him. He wasn’t a violent man though some from his past might beg to differ, yet seeing her dancing with his half-brother made him want to roar and tear apart the world. How he’d maintained any semblance of self-control in that moment, was beyond him. Leo knew why Silvestri had done it. Just another game, trying to steal something from a Zanetti that wasn’t his. Leo wouldn’t allow it. A Silvestri would never steal something from a Zanetti, ever again.
For as long as his ring was on her finger, Simone washis.
Simone turned, slowly. An attempt at a tease or shyness, he couldn’t tell. It could well have been both. He knew nothing about her past and whilst she’d been working for him she hadn’t dated as far as he knew. She’d been focused entirely on the job and catering to his needs. The sharp, potent stab of jealousy hit him in the gut again. No matter, tonight he’d ruin her for any other man or die trying.
What a way to go.
Finally, she faced him. Simone was glorious partly dressed. A magnificent body only hinted at under her clothes. Flesh and curves. Breasts, a perfect handful. Was she a goddess sent to tempt him? Or a siren luring him to his doom? It was hard to tell. Right now, his thoughts scattered. Leo craved to kiss and taste every part of her. Whatever she was it didn’t matter. He’d be worshipping her either way.
She raised her eyes to his, almost hesitant. He wanted to leave her in no doubt how beautiful she was. He unbuttoned his jacket and her gaze dropped to his groin. With that one glance an arrow of heat shot direct to the heart of him. Tearing the jacket off, he tossed the handmade garment to the floor.
He couldn’t take the distance any longer. Leo stepped forwards and took her into his arms. She was still shorter than him in her heels but tall enough to be level with his mouth. The perfect position.
‘Sei bellissima.’
Yet she was more than merely beautiful. Something about her struck a chord deep inside. The scent of her like citrus blossom. Fresh and sweet, with a bite. Full of spring promise. He tightened his grip on her and she dissolved into his embrace as he brushed her hair over her shoulder and pursed his lips, wondering where to start. With his tongue at the centre of her, his fingers embraced by her slick heat, or simply plunging himself deep inside? All of him so greedy for her, it was difficult to decide. Yet one thing kept pounding like a drumbeat in his head. Words said over and over.
Make. Her. Yours.
He raked his teeth gently over the tender flesh at the juncture of her shoulder. She trembled in his embrace. He’d promised to make her scream and she told him she’d hold him to that.
Her cries would be the sweetest of sounds.
He opened the clasp of her bra in one practiced flick of his fingers. Drawing it from her shoulders and throwing it to the floor. Her dusky nipples tightening in the cool air of the room. He stroked her left nipple with his thumb and she moaned. When she was almost mindless, writhing against him, he pinched the tight peak and she threw her head back. Crying out in pained ecstasy.
Her last orgasm had been in the dark. Now, he’d watch as the pleasure overtook her. She wasn’t there yet, but her gaze was glassy, unfocused, as if she’d retreated deep inside herself. Swept away with the pleasure of his touch and nothing else.
Something darkly possessive overtook him, a pounding drumbeat deep inside. After tonight, any other man would be swept away from her memory, for ever. Replaced only by him. His lips, his hands, the memories of him inside her.
He ceased his ministrations at her breast and slipped his hands into her underwear, gripping her bottom. Stroking. Inflaming and soothing all at once. Drawing her close. Letting her know how much she affected him. She rubbed herself against his arousal as he gritted his teeth, exercising patience and restraint because he knew this wasn’t enough for her and that her frustration would only ramp up her desire.
He was right. The noises she made, of pleasure, of need, were sweet music. He hooked his fingers into her panties and began to draw them down as he followed, till he was on his knees as if in worship. Leo pressed his mouth to the golden curls at the centre of her. Slipped his tongue through her folds, then slid his hands to her hips, holding her close. Gently teasing her clitoris. She speared her fingers through his hair as shudders wracked her, but if she thought he was going to let her tip over the edge this soon, she was wrong. Tonight, she’d been playing a game with him of sorts and he aimed to return the favour before giving her what she so desperately desired. Teasing and toying as she tried to press his head closer to where she needed him most, as he enjoyed the salt sweet taste of her on his tongue.
When her moans turned into sobs, he pulled away and she swayed. He stood, picked her up in his arms again and placed her on the bed where she splayed, her body flushed pink with arousal. He slid off her shoes and dropped them behind him, then he kicked off his own and removed his socks. He tore off his shirt, his trousers, till he stood there. Flagrantly aroused. Simone licked her lips. She could use that mouth with devastating effect on him later, if that was something she enjoyed. He prayed it was. Yet for now, he needed protection before he lost himself like a teenager before he was even inside of her.
Leo strode to his jacket and bent down. Reaching into the inner pocket to a card wallet, which held two precious condoms. They’d need more but in his experience a suite like this often came prepared with whatever those who booked it might require, and he suspected this was no exception. He tossed one on the bedside table, opened another and then made a show, rolling it down himself slowly whilst she watched, her pupils huge and dark. Breath coming in fevered pants.
Whilst he would have liked to continue standing there, letting her take her fill of him, he’d reached the end of his endurance. Leo crawled over her. Buried his tongue at the centre of her once more then licked up her body. The taste of her overheated skin like the finest of wines to his senses. He took one nipple in his mouth. Sucked. Laved his tongue over till it peaked, then moved to the other. Slipped a hand between her legs to test her. So slick and wet and hot it almost undid him.
‘I want you,tesoro. I wish you knew how much.’
She arched her hips to him. ‘You couldn’t want me more than I want you.’
