She didn’t loosen his hold.
Instead, her fingers tightened slightly around the stem of the martini glass, as if steadying herself — and then her hand came to rest lightly against his chest.Not to push him away.Just there.Grounded.The movement was small, unforced, but she didn’t create distance between them.She stayed where he’d turned her, close enough that her breath warmed his collar, close enough that she could have stepped back — and chose not to.
When she grimaced, Luca knew he’d won.He’d seen it a heartbeat earlier — the moment she’d chosen to trust him, even if she hated admitting it.
“Yes,” she grumbled, clearly not happy with the situation.“I trust you.”
Then she shifted, holding her martini glass carefully to avoid spilling it.“But you have to promise me that your plan won’t be dangerous.”
Luca’s gaze softened as he gazed down into her eyes, framed by long, dark lashes.There was a hesitation in his expression now, something unspoken passing between them.He wanted to tell her everything—wanted to reassure her.But he knew, deep down, that some things were better left unsaid for now.
“I promise that I won’t be hurt,” he offered.
Ava pressed her lips together, unconvinced.“That’s not the same thing.”
He reached out to touch her cheek, his fingers skimming over her skin with a tenderness that belied the storm inside him.“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, trying to ease the tension between them without answering her directly.But he sighed, pulling back once again.“Finish your drink,” he added.“Over dinner, we’ll discuss our wedding.”
Ava’s eyes flickered with a mixture of emotions—frustration, desire, uncertainty.But the moment passed quickly, and she took another sip of her martini as he led her to the table.Despite the tension and the unanswered questions, Luca felt a huge sense of satisfaction at having her here, even if it was just for tonight.
“Maybe we should hold off on discussing the wedding until after you’ve resolved whatever is going on with Tanaka.”She placed a hand on his chest.“Not to be melodramatic, but I don’t want to become a widow on my wedding night.”
He chuckled again.“You don’t have much faith in my abilities, do you?”He didn’t wait for a reply.Instead, he lowered his head and nibbled on the column of her neck, encouraged when she tilted her head back, giving him better access.
“Since I’ve never seen you in battle, I have no idea of your abilities, Luca.”
He plucked the martini glass from her hand and set it off to the side.Then he drew her hands around his neck.“Let’s just say that I’m better, faster, more strategic at controlling my territory than I am at making love.”Then he kissed her until she was squirming against him.No melting from his Ava.She was too alive, to vibrant for mere melting.She pressed closer, tilting her body and her hips as he cupped her butt to lift her higher.
Luca had no idea how long they stood there kissing, but it was long enough to strip all of her clothes off.He realized that his shirt was open as well, but he had no idea when she’d released the buttons.Suddenly, her hands were exploring his bare chest and he nearly lost his mind.Her fingers were both delicate and sharp.He enjoyed the feeling her nails scraping over his skin, quickly followed by her fingers soothing him, or even better, her tongue licking the spot she’d just ravaged.It was like ice and fire, her nails being the ice quickly followed by molten lava when her tongue laved his skin.
He groaned when her fingers wrapped around his shaft, that talented thumb stroking the head, then the ridge.He was going to explode if he didn’t get inside her.Now!
But when he picked Ava up and laid her down on one of the chaise lounges, he found he couldn’t seem to stop kissing her.Everywhere!Her breasts were his first goal and he lavished them with attention, teasing the nipples, nipping, soothing, then stroking each one with his thumb and forefinger until she arched her back.Then he’d start the process all over again, feeling her trembling with need against him.
Only when she pushed him away from her breasts did he venture further, exploring her stomach, her hips, feeling the lush softness of her curves as he moved lower.
Teasing her legs, he nipped and teased until she spread her legs slightly.Then he heard her moan and her legs widened.Luca moved closer, tasting, nipping, and exploring to discover what she liked best.When she finally grabbed his head and guided him to that throbbing nub, he was grinning, but then he focused on his task, which was to drive her wild with need.
With deliberate strokes, Luca teased and stroked Ava until he heard her whimper.Only then did he give her what she wanted.Sliding one, then two fingers into her tight, hot sheath, he stroked her from the inside, while his mouth latched onto that nub, sucking hard.
His reward was Ava’s gasps and moans as she arched her back.He gripped her hips, holding on until she gasped out her climax.Slowly, gently, he released her, but kept her close.Luca pulled her against his body, stroking her back and her hair as he held her while she relaxed against him.When she opened her eyes again, he felt like he was going to explode.The smile she gave him was one of the most beautiful rewards he’d ever achieved.
“Wow!”she whispered, then shifted her position, straddling his hips.“Now, it’s your turn.”
Luca was about to say something along the lines of waiting until their wedding night.But that was before Ava grasped his shaft, rubbing the tip against her wet heat.He watched, groaning with the sight.
“I’m on birth control,” Ava whispered as she slid down onto his shaft, encompassing his length within her.
In the back of his mind, those words bothered him.But since Ava was taking all of him and he was watching, whatever thought he might have had was obliterated as she continued.
When he was fully embedded, he clutched at her hips.“You need to move,mia cara,” he groaned.“Just…anything.”
Luca closed his eyes, trying not to watch as Ava shifted experimentally, rolling her hips as she tried to relax her muscles.It was too hot!He was going to lose it if she…!
She started moving.Slowly at first, but when she found her rhythm, her undulations came faster, and were hotter.He opened his eyes, watching Ava shift and shimmy on his shaft, angling her body as her mouth opened and her breasts danced erotically with every change.
He tried to remain still.He gave it a valiant effort.But she just felt too good.Too incredible.Every time she slid down over him, her inner muscles tightened around him and he could feel every part of her squeezing tightly around his shaft.
Luca knew he was close.So, he stroked that aching nub with the pad of his thumb, feeling her getting closer and closer.When she cried out, her body quaking with pleasure, he couldn’t hold back any longer.With a flip, he had Ava on her back as he took control, pounding into her.When she wrapped her legs around his waist, Luca was lost.His body shuddered with his own release and he felt as if every ounce of tension left his body.
