“Come for me, Ria.”
And like some invisible connection, my body bowed to his command and exploded, taking me along for the ride and all I could do was succumb to a release that shook me from the core outward. I whimpered against the pleasure surging through my veins, holding onto him.
“That’s it, baby girl,” he whispered against my lips, slipping his tongue deep inside my mouth, rocking his body into me in delicate encouragement. No longer pounding ferocity until I felt his cock throb inside me, and his orgasm ripped through his body. He stilled as though savoring the moment before his body convulsed and went limp, living me sated and exhausted.
When his eyes sought mine again, I wasn’t sure what he was asking of me, I only knew I had to walk away. We belonged to two different worlds now. I was no longer Ria Singh whose heart he’d betrayed, shattered by taking the people she loved. I was Gianna Salvatore, and I didn’t bow down to men, I fucked. Just like them.
“Thanks for the fuck.” I pushed against his chest. Startled, he released me. Yet, unlike Salvatore, I wasn’t sure I would’ve pulled the gun on Zayne. “You know the way out.” With a quick toss of my hair, I walked out, while struggling to keep a rein on my heart because Zayne fucking Morrone owned it.
56
Zayne (33 years)
Leaning against the car, I watched the private jet taxi down the runaway. Despite the warm weather, Ria’s cold dismissal last night had left me empty and my heart encased in an icebox ready to crack. Over the years, I’d been comfortable with what I did and being on my own, yet the loneliness that crept over me was nothing like I’d ever felt before. While a part of me wanted to get the fuck out of here, the other part knew I had to see this through with Jaz. After all, I’d promised to help her and I sure as fuck keep my promises.
“You okay?” Jaz sidled up to me and rubbed my arm. I nodded. “You don’t seem liked yourself after last night.”
“I’m good.” I shrugged, letting my gaze fall to the tarmac. Jaz had become a good friend and her keen perception made me a target for sympathy I didn’t want.
“I’m here if you want to talk, you know that right?” again she tried. I nodded.
“You ready to meet your nephew?” I asked, fifteen minutes later as the door to the jet opened.
“As ready as I’ll ever be...oh shit.” She scrambled around to the passenger side, sticking almost half her body through the window, and retrieved the stuffed toy she’d brought with her. “Got it!” She waved the blue elephant around like a school kid making me smile.
We both looked toward the jet as Julian descended with a little boy in his arms. My gaze shifted and my heartbeat stilled for just a moment as I waited for Ria to exit. She didn’t. Disappointed, I dropped my gaze and focused on the little boy who seemed to be bouncing with excitement over the planes. Julian laughed with him and I was glad the child was intimidated by the plane ride.
As he drew closer, Jaz took a few hesitant steps forward. She glanced back at me and I saw the fear in her eyes. I figured she was scared the child wouldn’t take to her. “What if he doesn’t come to me,” she whispered out the side of her mouth, verbalizing my thoughts.
“Just smile and be yourself.” I winked.
Julian stopped a few steps away, greeted me with a nod, and set the little boy on the floor. The child’s earlier excitement morphed into hesitation. He looked from Julian to Jaz then she knelt.
“Hey, sweetheart, do you remember this little fella?”
She held up the elephant and I could almost hear her silent prayer for him to say yes. It leaped off her stiff shoulders like a fucking Olympic high jumper and I wanted to reach down and calm her. The child’s gaze shifted then and he looked at me. I smiled, noticing his two different colored eyes. Green and brown. That was something you didn’t see every day. His gaze dropped to my Rolex, and I grinned. Good taste, buddy. Jaz was still trying to coax him to take the elephant. Sensing her disappointment, I crouched, unclipped my Rolex, and held it out. Without hesitation, he ran to me, took the Rolex, and dropped to the ground. I chuckled.
