He did.
She pressed her nipple into his mouth and started moving again, her intensity turning him into a savage beast.
“Fuck me,” she ground out. “And fuck me hard.”
He grabbed her hips, controlled her thrusting. Back and forth faster and faster. Her moans turned desperate, her gaze never leaving his. She was his. All his. And he was hers.
The orgasm started deep inside him, building slowly.
“Come so hard in me,” she rasped.
His juices shot out of him, the blinding, deafening ecstasy had him releasing a long, loud series of groans while he stared into her eyes and poured himself into her.
“I love you,” he murmured, before their mouths came together in another wild kiss.
“I love you.” A tear spilled down her cheek. “That terrifies me more than anything.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “Why are you afraid?”
“Love makes us vulnerable. I’m like a turtle, and I like having a shell I can hide in.”
“Like this house.”
Still locked in an embrace, she peered into his eyes. “Yes, this house. Feeling scared won’t stop me from loving you. I want this. Whatever this is, for as long as it lasts. I love loving you.” Her adorable smile made him smile.
“I feel complete with you,” he said, “and the closest I’ve felt to being whole.”
“I want to help you find the person who killed your family.”
He shook his head. “It’s okay.”
“Let me help you. Maybe, then, you can start to heal.”
The truth might push her away, but he needed her to know…
“Loving me puts you at risk. Someone wanted me dead, and my family was collateral damage. That can’t happen to you. I won’t let it.”
“Luciano, I can’t stay here in your ivory tower, surrounded by a tall fence and armed guards. I have to live my life.”
“I know, caro.”
He said nothing more. Why ruin their perfect moment? Until he found the person who killed his family, he would always be looking over his shoulder, always be doing everything he could to keep her safe.
Even if it meant taking a bullet for her.
23
MURDER AND …
SIMONE
At nine-thirty in the morning, Simone entered the Metropolitan Police Station in DC and walked over to the check-in counter.
A woman sidled over. “Special Agent Joelle James?”
“Yes,” Simone replied.
“I’m Nikki Cardoso.” After they shook hands, Nikki held up a shopping bag. “Perfect timing. My weekly junk food run.”
