She dug her nails into his flanks. “I’m not talking about that.”
“Oh, you’re talking about that.” He pulled out and pushed back in, sending desperate shards of pleasure careening through her every nerve. “You’re gonna promise me a lot of things tonight.”
Then he started to move faster, harder, his strokes powerful. She held on with everything she had, murmuring his name, climbing high. His free arm wrapped around her waist, tilting her hips to take more of him.
His control blew hers away, and she whimpered, trying to take all of him.
“Serenity,” he whispered, kissing her deeply, his lips firm and tongue insistent. He increased the speed and strength of his thrusts, throwing both into a maelstrom only he could create.
She became utterly lost and wrapped up in Rory Albertini. He was the only person in existence for this brief slice of time.
He had been correct. By the time the night was through, she’d promised him pretty much everything.
Chapter11
Rory stretched awake, his body feeling peaceful for the first time since Serenity had thrown her ring at his face.
She lay curled against his side, breathing softly in sleep.
He still had the simple bands in his pocket that he could have made into a right-hand ring for her. How had he missed her desire for sparkling gems? The woman had hints of glitz all over her home—from her pillows to her crystal wine glasses to picture frames. He should’ve noticed.
He was one of the most observant operatives in the firm, yet he’d missed that about her. Perhaps he’d been too busy living two lives and hadn’t paid enough attention to this one.
This one now centered around her.
She kissed his pec and snuggled into his body, blinking sleepy emerald eyes. “This was a nice first and small step, Rory. That’s it.”
Those were not the words he wanted to hear, but he had always appreciated her stubbornness. Someday, she’d use that to keep their kids protected. “You did promise to attend the New Year’s Eve ball with me tonight.” Her acquiescence altered his plan to kidnap her, but maybe they could do that for Valentine’s Day—for fun. He fully intended to have his ring back on her finger by the end of the week.
She rolled her eyes. “Stop planning on kidnapping me.” A lazy smile tilted her lips. “Seriously.”
“If I don’t kidnap you, my nonna will be very sad.” He leaned down and kissed her nose. “How about, if we get engaged again, I can have her help kidnap you for fun on Valentine’s Day?”
She planted a hand on his chest. “I don’t think I should encourage either of you.”
“You’re not wrong about that.” He ran a hand down her arm. A ruckus downstairs had him out of bed in an instant, running down the stairs to note the open front door.
He reached it with Serenity on his heels. “What the hell?” he muttered, finding Hana, one leg in a cast, the other knee in Brandon’s back. The boy’s face was smooshed against the porch, and he still had scattered daisies clutched in his hand.
“Looks like I caught your secret admirer,” Hana said cheerfully, shivering in the cold, pain lines etched into the sides of her face.
The muscles along Rory’s neck knotted and the tension spread across his shoulders, but he kept his expression placid and his movements calm. He lifted his partner off the kid and carried her back to the sofa, then nudged Serenity into the chair by the tree before tossing Brandon’s butt into the matching seat.
The kid shook violently, his eyes wide on Hana. “How did you do that so fast?” He still clutched what remained of the flowers.
She smiled, the sight dangerous. “You think that was fast? You start telling us the truth, or I’m going to rip out your throat.”
The soft lilt of her voice made the threat all the more effective. Brandon paled to the color of a blank canvas. He looked ridiculous with snow matted on the right side of his face and his brilliant yellow knit hat perched sideways on his head. He’d worn black jeans, a black sweatshirt, and bright purple gloves for his clandestine act. Even his boots—or at least his one boot—had streaks of blue on it.
Serenity straightened in her chair. “Brandon, do you have enough plastic on that thing?” She studied his leg.
He looked up. “Yeah, I’m good.” He checked out his cast and looked over at Hana’s leg. “I guess we’re twins, huh?”
“Don’t make me kill you,” the woman murmured, not sounding like she was joking.
Rory held up a hand. “All right. Enough of this. Brandon, have you been stalking Serenity?” He let the full force of his irritation enter his voice.
Brandon gulped. “No, I haven’t been stalking her.” He swiveled to face her. “I’d never stalk you, Serenity. I think you’re wonderful. I think you’re perfect.”
