“You should,” I say.
Then I kiss her.
Chapter Twenty Two
Caterina
His mouth on mine is nothing like last night.
Last night was frantic and desperate, a collision of fear and fury and a need to feel something other than terror.
This is different.
This is deliberate.
This is a decision.
The kiss starts slowly. Deep and sensual, designed to make me drop my defenses one by one. His other hand is firm on my hip, holding me steady, and I am suddenly grateful for it because my knees are weak.
His mouth moves with devastating confidence, a controlled possession that is far more intoxicating than the rough desperation of the night before. He kisses me like he has all the time in the world, like he wants to memorize the taste of me, the feel of my lips, the way I sigh against his tongue.
My hands slide up his chest, my fingers tracing the hard muscles, the warm skin. I feel the steady beat of his heart under my palm, a rhythm that calms me even as it stirs me up.
He breaks the kiss, but only to trail his lips down my jaw, my throat. I drop my head back and give him access.
“Adrian,” I whisper.
His response is a low growl against my skin that makes my whole body clench.
His mouth moves lower, to the sensitive skin where my neck meets my shoulder. He licks me and has my toes curling into the rug.
Then he bites me.
Not hard. Just a little sting of teeth.
I gasp, my fingers digging into his shoulders.
My pussy clenches, a wave of wetness flooding me.
"Shh." It's a gentle vibration against my skin. "You have to be quiet, Caterina."
Quiet. Right.
Why again?
He soothes the bite with a soft kiss, and I melt.
"You don't want anyone to hear us, do you?"
My mind is a fog of desire, but the question finally penetrates.
No.
I don't want to get caught. My father, uncles, brothers. All in the house. All armed. That would be a disaster.
I shake my head, not trusting my voice.
His hands move, one sliding up my back, the other down to cup my bottom, pulling me flush against him.
