"Come here." He pulled her down against him, wrapping his arms around her, pressing his lips to her forehead. "You don't have to explain. Not to me."
"She hurt you just as much as the rest of us, Rodrigo. You will never be the monster she wanted you to be," she said, clinging to him, her face buried in the warm curve of his neck.
"I… I don't know if I believe that's true," he replied. "I'm not a good man, Giana."
"Whatever you are, you're mine."
Rodrigo's grip on her tightened. "Now that, I can be sure of."
Giana finally lifted her head, wiping at her damp cheeks. "Sorry. That was?—"
His thumb caught a lingering tear, brushing it away with impossible gentleness before bringing it to his mouth. "Never apologize for letting me see you."
Giana gave in and kissed him. It was soft and deep, a slow exploration of lips and tongues that made her chest ache with its tenderness.
When they broke apart, Rodrigo's eyes were dark with want and reverence.
"I need you," he said, the words raw and honest. "Not just tonight. Not just until this is over. I need you, Giana. All of you."
"You have me." She rose over him, straddling his hips, and felt him hard against her, but when she moved to take him inside her a short time later, he stopped her, his hands gentle on her hips.
"Slow," he said, his voice rough. "Let me…"
He pulled her down for another kiss, long and deep, his hands roaming her body with a tenderness that undid her. When he finally guided her onto him, it was inch by inch, his eyes locked on hers, watching every flicker of sensation cross her face. The way he looked at her, like she was his everything, hit her the hardest.
They found a slow rhythm that built the pleasure gradually, wave upon wave. This wasn't the frantic, possessive claiming of before. This was soft sighs and touches. She loved the way his breath caught when she rolled her hips and the way her name fell from his lips.
Rodrigo's hands stroked her breasts, her waist, the curve of her hip, touching her like he was memorizing every line. When his thumb found her clit, circling with gentle pressure, Gianagasped, her rhythm faltering. Her orgasm built faster, a rising tide that crested and broke with a soft cry. She shattered around him, her body clenching, pleasure radiating through her.
Rodrigo groaned, his hips thrusting up as he followed her over the edge, burying himself deep as he came. Giana collapsed against him, boneless and trembling. She knew at last she had one person that she didn't have to hide from anymore, and it made her want to cry again.
Rodrigo's arms came around her, holding her close. His lips brushed her temple, her cheek, the corner of her mouth.
"I've got you,anima mia," he whispered against her skin. "No matter what happens, I've got you."
They lay tangled together as their breathing slowed, the sweat cooling on their skin. With Rodrigo's heartbeat steady beneath her ear, and his arms wrapped around her like he would never let go, Giana felt something she hadn't felt in years.
Safe. Whole.Home.
41
Rodrigo was awake, watching Giana sleep, as the pre-dawn light bled through the tall windows. Her dark hair curled across his pillow, her breathing slow and even, one hand against his chest. The sheet had slipped down, revealing the elegant curve of her shoulder, the shadow of her collarbone. She looked so peaceful.
He could have stayed like this forever, he realized. Could have let the world burn outside those walls as long as she remained there, warm and whole in his arms.
Dangerous thinking, the strategist in him warned.Lying in bed won't keep her safe from her enemies.
Rodrigo pressed a kiss to her hair, breathing in the jasmine scent of her shampoo, the salt of her skin, the subtle musk of their lovemaking that still clung to the sheets.
His phone vibrated on the nightstand, breaking the peaceful moment. Rodrigo's hand shot out, snatching the device before the second vibration could wake her.
Leo's name flashed on the screen. A text, not a call:Perimeter breach detected. East sector. Multiple contacts. Ass up. This is it.
The words hit him like ice water. Rodrigo was out of bed in an instant, muscle memory and years of training overriding the warmth still lingering in his blood. He pulled on cargo pants, a shirt, his bulletproof vest, and his shoulder holster, his movements automatic as his mind raced through defensive positions, chokepoints, and evacuation routes.
"Rodrigo?" Giana's voice was sleepy as she pushed herself up on one elbow, her dark eyes blinking in the dim light, her hair tousled and beautiful.
God, he didn't want to do this when she was in his bed so sleepy and sexy. He crossed to the bed and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
