I don’t hesitate, downing my drink and grabbing my purse. Sophia’s eyes are on me as I follow Silvo toward the exit, and I glance back at her. She hesitates, then gives me a reluctant thumbs up like she knows she won’t stop me.
I smile before following the God of a man out of my brother’s club. No one stops me—no one ever does at Gio’s club. This is reckless. Exactly what I need.
The moment we slide into the back of the taxi, I can feel the sexual tension crackling between us like a live wire. Silvo’s large frame takes up most of the space, his muscular thigh pressing against mine. I try to ignore the heat that rushes through me at the contact.
He gives the driver an address, no doubt his place. As the car pulls away from the curb, I turn to Silvo with a bright smile. “So, where are you from? I detect a bit of an accent.”
He grunts, his stare fixed out the window. “Italy. Originally.”
“Really? My family is Italian too! What part are you from?” I ask, determined to draw him out of his shell.
“Sicily,” he says, clearly not in the mood for small talk.
I refuse to be deterred by his grumpiness. “I’ve always wanted to visit Sicily. I hear it’s beautiful. The food, the history, the architecture...”
“It’s a place like any other,” he interrupts, his tone brusque. “Nothing special.”
I frown, taken aback by his dismissiveness. “Well, I think it sounds magical. Maybe you could show me around sometime, give me a local’s perspective.”
He finally turns to look at me, his blue eyes intense. “I don’t do tours, sweetheart.”
The endearment, spoken in his deep, gravelly voice, does things to me I can’t explain. I lick my suddenly dry lips, watching as his gaze drops to follow the movement.
“That’s a shame,” I say, leaning in closer. “I bet you’d be an excellent guide.”
His expression darkens, his hand coming to rest on my thigh. “I can think of better things to do with you than sightsee.” His fingers trace patterns on my skin through the thin fabric of my dress.
My breath catches in my throat, desire pooling hot and heavy in my belly. “Is that so?” I manage.
He leans in, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “Yes, I’d definitely make it worth your while.”
A shiver runs down my spine, my eyes fluttering closed as his hand slides higher, skimming the sensitive skin of my inner thigh. “Silvo...”
Just then, the taxi pulls to a stop outside the Ritz Hotel. Either he’s visiting, or he prefers hotels to home for hookups. Silvo pulls back, the sudden loss of his touch leaving me aching and wanting. He smirks, clearly aware of the effect he has on me.
“This is our stop,” he says. “Coming?”
He pays the driver, and we step out onto the sidewalk. The night air is cool against my flushed skin as he takes my hand, leading me into the opulent lobby. My heart races with anticipation. I barely know this man, and yet here I am, following him to his hotel room like some kind of wanton hussy.
But I can’t help myself. There is something about him, a magnetic pull that I’m helpless to resist. As we step into the elevator, Silvo pulls me against him, his strong arms encircling my waist.
“You sure about this, Carmela?” he asks, his lips brushing my temple. “Last chance to back out.”
I tilt my head back to meet his gaze, my hands sliding up his muscular chest. “I’m not going anywhere,” I reply, rising up on my toes to brush my lips against his.
He groans, his grip on my hips tightening as he deepens the kiss. I melt against him, my fingers tangling in his dark hair as his tongue sweeps into my mouth. By the time the elevator dings and the doors slide open, I’m breathless and weak in the knees.
Silvo leads me down the hall to his room, his hand never leaving the small of my back. He swipes the key card and pushes open the door, ushering me inside. The room is spacious and elegantly appointed, but I barely have a chance to take it in before Silvo is on me.
He walks me backward until my legs hit the bed, and I fall back onto the plush comforter, pulling him down with me. His body is hard and heavy above me, his hands roaming my curves as he kisses me deeply.
I arch into him, my own hands exploring the planes of his back, the coiled strength of his muscles. I want him with a desperation that frightens me, a need that consumes me.
“Silvo.” I take a sharp inhale as his lips trail down my neck, his teeth grazing my pulse point. “Please...”
He lifts his head to look at me, his blue eyes dark with desire. “Please what, sweetheart?” he asks, his voice a low rumble that I feel all the way to my core.
I swallow hard, my fingers digging into his shoulders. “I want you,” I whisper, holding his gaze. “All of you.”
