“Remember, Alessia. I am not human. I have abilities you don’t have, like the ability to cloak myself and to heal wounds. Those skills came in handy when you escaped from Enzo. Sending you to safety would allow me to concentrate on the threat. By following my instructions, you’d help me.”
She studied him. Would she be able to leave him if he were in danger? Titus made a good point that he had talents she didn’t. He’d never focus on himself if she was at risk. He would concentrate on saving her even at the risk of harm to himself.
After considering the dilemma, Alessia agreed with his request. “I wouldn’t like it, but I would follow your directions. I’d rather you concentrate on getting yourself out of danger than putting yourself at risk to rescue me.”
“Thank you, Little mate. I like the idea of a secret message between us. How about if I pat my heart three times to let you know I love you.”
Alessia stared at him. He’d said the words that resonated so strongly inside her. Was he making that up? About loving her?Titus had never told her anything he didn’t mean. She smiled at him as a sweet feeling swelled in her chest.
“How about if I remind you every once in a while? I’ll remind you I love you with that gesture in situations where everything is safe.” Titus thumped his chest in rapid succession.
“You really love me?” popped out of her mouth before she could stop it. She wanted to believe him with every fiber of her being.
“You are my mate, Alessia. I’ve loved you since our first touch.” Titus rose from his chair and scooped her up into his arms. After sitting down with her on his lap, he pressed a sweet kiss to her mouth.
“I love you,” he repeated. His next kiss scorched her lips with passion. Titus demanded a response.
Alessia pressed herself to his hard physique, showing Titus how much she cared about him too. She wasn’t ready to say the L-word yet. She’d never said that to anyone other than family, and that hadn’t worked out well. One day she would be ready.
Titus’s hands swept under her tunic, stroking her skin. She arched into his caresses. She didn’t understand how he affected her so much and frankly didn’t want to. Each stroke of his hands fueled her desire.
He swept her shirt over her head and tossed the garment away without taking his gaze from her. “So precious,” he murmured as he cupped her nude breasts. His fingers rolled her nipples, beaded by the fresh air and his touch, drawing a moan of delight from Alessia.
“Daddy… Someone might see,” she whispered, looking around at the outdoor porch they occupied.
“No one will dare to disturb us, Little mate. I will sensethem if they get close. No worries. Nobody gets to see what is mine.”
The fierce possessiveness in his tone sent a thrill through her. She could hear the threat in his voice if anyone dared to intrude. No one had ever cared about her enough to protect her at all costs. Alessia had no doubt that Titus would risk his life to defend her. He’d already dared to retrieve her from her family’s home.
He closed his lips around her nipple, pulling strongly at the tight peak. Pleasure tinged with a hint of pain lanced through her. Alessia threaded her fingers through his thick hair. “Please,” she begged, needing everything he could give her.
“I’m not rushing, Little mate. I want to taste every inch of your sweet body,” he growled before lowering his mouth to continue to lavish his sensual caresses to her breasts.
Alessia gathered a handful of his T-shirt and pulled it up. She wanted to feast her eyes on the erotic view of Titus’s chiseled strength. “Help me, Daddy.”
Titus shook his head as he rubbed his silky beard over her sensitive flesh. The prickly ends of his whiskers made her shiver. Impatiently, she tugged at his shirt, wanting the fabric off.
The world whirled around her as Titus flipped her over his lap. She grabbed at his legs to stabilize herself and gasped as he ripped her leggings and panties off in one quick move. Before she could ask questions or protest, Titus smacked his hand down on her bottom. The sharp sting made her yell.
“Hey! Stop that!”
He did not follow her request. Titus peppered her vulnerable butt with a flurry of swats. “Who’s in charge, Little mate?” he asked.
“Not you!” she dared to challenge him. “I don’t want to be spanked.”
His hand punished her a bit harder. “Wrong answer, Alessia.”
Tears welled up in her eyes as the burn intensified. “Daddy, stop! I’m sorry.”
“Who’s in charge, Little mate?” he repeated.
“You’re in charge, Daddy. You.”
“Good girl. That deserves a reward.” Titus stood and placed her gently into his chair.
A hiss escaped Alessia as her bottom landed on the fabric of the cushion. She glared at him. “That….” The rest of her protest died away as Titus yanked his shirt over his head. When he kneeled on the porch floor between her legs, she reached forward to run her hands over his broad chest.
“What kind of a reward do I get?” she asked.
