Is she still playing me? Is this another trick? No, it can’t be. She had a chance to be free, and she’s still sitting right here with me. Why? I don’t get it!
Stefania wraps her arms protectively around her chest and looks out of the car window into the night. I reach over and pull her face toward me with my hand around her chin. “Talk to me. I don’t get it. You could be at home with your family.”
Stefania bites at her lip, sending a shiver of desire pulsing through me. I drop my hand away and wait, watching her.
One moment, she’s quiet, contemplative; the next, she’s shouting in agitation.
“Because I care about you!” she blurts out, throwing her hands in the air. “Because I care what happens to you, ok? Is that such a bad thing? I don’t want them to know it was you who took me. I don’t want my brothers to come after you. I was worried, and I didn’t know what to do, and I got stressed out, and I didn’t tell you and…”
I grab her face again, overwhelmed by her confession, and lean across the car to press my lips to hers.
Stefania relaxes immediately. Her body softens, her anger melts away as she reaches up to touch my jaw, returning the kisswith an eager, soft moan. Her lips are sweet and delicate against mine. Her words are still sitting in my mind, playing over again.
My heart beats faster, wanting to pull her onto my lap. I want to wrap my arms around her and be as close to her as possible. But we’re too visible where we’re parked, and home is just around the corner.
I pull away from the kiss with reluctance. Stef reaches up and touches her fingertips to her lips. Her cheeks are glowing pink in the dim light. Her lips are swollen and parted.
“Let’s get you home,” I whisper, pulling out into the road again and heading toward the mansion.
***
Pushing the front door open, I gently usher her inside with my hand on her lower back. My body is still humming from the kiss, anticipating more. Needing it.
The front door clicks closed behind us, and I reach out to pull her into my arms. She leans into me, but there is a softness in her eyes that catches my attention.
A frown plays over my face as I study her expression. “Stef?” I whisper her name.
“Mm,” she replies, quiet and subdued.
“Thank you for what you did. For the choice you made,” I whisper against her lips.
She smiles, soft and sweet, but filled with worry. I realize that in making that choice, in choosing my safety, she also chose to continue to keep her family in the dark. And it’s eating away at her.
Her vulnerability in this moment suddenly breaks me. It reaches into my heart and aches through my chest.
I hold her closer and kiss the top of her head. She holds onto me, tighter than usual, needing this comfort more than I realized.
Reaching down, I lift her into my arms and carry her upstairs to my bed. I help her get undressed and tuck her beneath my blankets, then climb in beside her.
Pulling her close to me, with her back curved against my chest, I hold her. Nothing more. This is what she needs from me tonight. And as much as I would love to do so much more, to gently caress her, kiss her, and lead her to pleasure…thisquiet comfort is what she needs.
Chapter 16 - Stefania
Waking up in Marlen’s arms set a soft smile across my lips as my eyes flutter open. I shouldn’t be so comfortable with this. I should get out of bed and move away from him. But instead, I snuggle closer. The warmth of his body is too inviting to ignore.
Marlen groans, half asleep, half away, and wraps his arm tighter around me.
“Good morning, sunshine,” he mutters in a gruff, deep voice.
“Morning,” I whisper back.
“Shit, what time is it?” he asks, suddenly sitting up. “Dammit, I have to go, I overslept. I was so cozy,” he chuckles. Marlen unwraps himself from my body and climbs out of bed. I sit up, clutching the blankets against myself. “Are you going to work?” I ask.
“Yes, I’ve got a bit of running around to do today,” he says.
“Please, can I come with you?” I ask, excited about getting out for the day.
“No, absolutely not,” he answers immediately.
