As her unfiltered thoughts blasted into his mind, Titus lost every vestige of the entertaining bartender character. He stood and stalked forward. Automatically, Alessia backed up.
Stop, Little mate. Has no one ever told you it’s dangerous to run from a predator?
“A predator?” she repeated aloud.
He noticed she stiffened at the term Little mate. Titus wondered which word bothered her. Could she not know she was Little? He tried it again. “Yes, Little mate.”
“What do you think you are?”
“Perhaps it’s better if I ask who you are?” Titus asked. Would she tell him the truth?
“Fine. Go ahead and kill me. Then I won’t have to stand here in this drenched gown with torn-up feet, waiting for my brother to punish me in some mode that will hurt like hell but not clue the neighbors in that he’s abusing me,” she blurted.
“Your brother won’t touch you ever again.”
“The only way that happens is if he kills me.”
“He, being Enzo Costa, the mob boss?” Titus asked.
“I can’t catch a break, can I? Okay, you know who I am, and now you’ll probably eliminate me first.” Alessia thrust her fingers through her hair in exasperation. “Could I ask you to end me fast?”
Titus stared at her standing there defenseless, not putting up an ounce of protest or self-protection. “I’m not going to kill you, mate. That is the last thing I’d do.”
“Really?” Her voice squeaked with surprise.
“Truly. Let’s get you off those painful feet and figure out what happens next.” Titus picked her up and returned to retake his place on the couch.
“I could sit over there,” Alessia suggested, pointing to a chair across the room.
“Nope. I need to hold you. Can you feel this?” Titus gestured back and forth between them. He stripped off the small purse she wore across her torso and dropped the leather bag to the floor. Even the thin strap would be too much between them.
“I don’t understand what is happening.”
“My kind are blessed with mates. I have searched for years to find you. Now that I have, I will cherish and protect you from everything and everyone who would harm you.”
“Including Enzo?” Alessia asked, sounding skeptical.
“Enzo is an inconsequential player. I will ensure he doesn’t harm you.”
“I don’t understand,” Alessia said. “I’ve never acted like I did out there.”
“Do you mean crawling over the bar into my arms?” Titus asked, grinning widely. “That was pretty badass.”
“Crazy, maybe.”
“This has nothing to do with mental health, Alessia. This is pure biology. You are the one I’m destined to find.At our first touch, you responded. My presence will always excite you, as yours will tantalize me.”
Titus lowered his lips to hers. Instant heat flared between them. Her hand gripped the material of his Nightfall polo, holding him close as she opened her mouth, inviting him to deepen the kiss. He gathered from her astonished reaction and the degree of pleasure to her response that Alessia wasn’t experienced. Or maybe she was shocked by the higher level of pleasure flowing between her and Titus after sexy times with other lovers. That thought totally pissed him off.
“Titus,” she moaned, and the sound made his dick stiffen harder than he ever remembered. He focused his attention completely on his mate.
He could smell her arousal. He lifted her to straddle his hips. Immediately, Alessia ground her pelvis against his cock. She was going to kill him, but he’d go willingly to his end. The warmth of her body moving on him was exquisite torture. Her pussy radiated heat, telling Titus she was eager for him.
Stroking his hand down her beaded gown, Titus explored her figure, savoring Alessia’s firm body. He slid his fingers under her dress to cup her bottom. Her ass was perfect, just like all the rest of her. Titus couldn’t imagine a greater attraction than the sizzling ties between himself and his mate. Only sheer willpower kept him from ripping her dress off.
Forcing himself to stay on the outside of the silky scrap of fabric she wore as panties, Titus traced her pussy lips. The material was soaked with her juices. He slid his fingers between her grinding pelvis and his cock, providing more direct contact over her clit. Alessia sped up her movements as her breath came faster. Her head reared back, ending their kiss. Tense concentration was etched into her features.
A keening wail emerged from Alessia, and she shook with passion. The gush of excitement drenched his fingerseven through her panties as Titus groaned from the strain of preventing himself from coming in his jeans. He would empty inside her the first time he orgasmed with his mate. She collapsed onto his chest for support as she panted to regain her breath.
