I can't stand it.
I lean in, capturing her mouth with mine.
“Right now, I choose to ravish you again,” I murmur against her lips.
I trail kisses down her neck, feeling her pulse quicken beneath my lips.
Her breath catches as I move lower, exploring her soft skin.
"Luca," she gasps, fingers threading through my hair.
"Seven years," I growl against her skin. "I've got a lot of catching up to do."
She laughs, and I’m so fucking grateful that she’s letting whatever negative thing she’s thinking about me go.
She pulls me back up to her lips. "We're not done talking about this.”
“We’ve got time for talk,” I promise, claiming her mouth again.
I wake to Katerina curled against me, her breathing slow and even.
For a moment, I'm transported back seven years to when waking beside her was my normal, my right, my expectation.
Back then, we were so young, even though we felt like full-grown adults, playing at forever.
I was an arrogant second son who thought rules didn't apply to me.
She was a smart, fierce daughter of the Bratva who matched my fire.
I trace my finger along the curve of her shoulder, marveling at how familiar yet new she feels.
The years have changed us both, hardened our edges, deepened our distrust of the world.
But the core of what drew us together remains.
Back then, we’d steal moments in garden corners, secret passages, and eventually, our beds.
Each moment felt like victory against the world. I was sure it would never end.
How fucking naive we were.
Katerina stirs, her eyes fluttering open. "You're still here," she murmurs, voice husky with sleep.
"Told you I wasn't going anywhere." I brush hair from her face, letting my hand linger against her cheek.
Her lips curve into a smile that fills my heart. "Enzo will be up soon."
"Then we'd better make this quick." I roll her beneath me, relishing her soft gasp as I press against her.
"Luca…" Her protest lacks conviction as her body arches, opens.
I capture her mouth with mine, drinking in her soft moan as my hand slides down her body. "I was just thinking how I've missed waking up to you."
I position myself between her thighs, ready to remind her of exactly how good we've always been together. A thunderous pounding erupts against the cottage door.
"Luca! I know you're in there!" Alessandro's voice booms through the space. "We need to talk. Now!"
Katerina bursts into laughter against my chest, muffling the sound with her hand.
