In that second, she went from falling in love to landing on a fluffy cloud of Theodore Santini goodness. She had no expectations,she wasn’t looking for a commitment. She didn’t see babies or a white picket fence. She’d been chasing and eliminating predators for so long, she wasn’t convinced “normal” was even gonna work for her.
But she did see them spending the next twenty minutes getting lost in each other. And with everything going on, twenty was her new sixty.
“Sydney, are you okay?” he asked, plucking her from her thoughts.
“Yes, well, no. I’m not sure I’meverokay, but I like you… a lot… and I want to show you. I want to feel you on me, in me?—”
He stopped her with a kiss, a mind-numbing assault on her senses. Strong arms held her flush against him, his delicious musky man-scent flooded her nasal passages. She could stare at him for hours and never tire. The intensity of his kiss sent her pulse soaring while her insides came alive.
When he slowed the kiss, then stopped it, she opened her eyes. His loving gaze set her heart afire. She trailed the back of her finger over his cheekbone, down his chiseled face, over his scruffy beard.
“I got you,” he murmured. “And I really like you too.” Then, a wink. “A lot.”
Clothing was shed, his strong muscles pressed against hers, sending her soaring high. He caressed her back, teased her nipples. He was laser-focused one her and, when he stepped behind her, wrapped his arms around her, she felt protected. Like they were in a tree fort, squirreled away from the world. From the horrid men she chose to chase day in and day out, year after year.
He kissed her shoulder, the back of her neck, his warm breath on her skin a delight. He was a man, a ruthless one, but the tenderness he showed her had her body humming with pleasure. When he cupped her pussy, she raised her arms over her head, and sunk her fingers into his hair. She’d never beenthis open, this vulnerable, with any man. But she had every confidence he would make her purr.
With his other hand, he fondled her breast, outlined her areola with his finger. Her nipple plumped, her body hummed with desire. She broke away to fish a condom from her bag before he scooped her into his arms and deposited her on the bed. There, he planked over her.
This—him—was all she wanted.
She let go, getting lost in him. And Tank took care of her, like she was his. Like his happiness depended on hers.
With slow and deep thrusts, he pulled sounds out of her that had him groaning from the depths of his soul. He was a big, big boy, and yet, he took his time, ensuringshefelt good. That their union was about her, not him.
And she adored him for that.
The build was luxurious, intense, and exhilarating. Twice, he took her to the edge, and stopped. Beads of sweat slid between her breasts as he kissed her with an intensity that had her mewling.
When she bucked off the bed, a devilish smile filled his face, and he began thrusting. Slowly, then faster and deeper. She raised her arms, rested her hands on the pillow, and she surrendered to the ecstasy. The orgasm started deep inside, slowly spreading through her. She cried out, the guttural sounds unchecked. She felt free, freer than she’d ever felt.
“Baby, I’m coming so good.” When he finished, he stared into her eyes. “You got me too.”
She didn’t want their connection to end. She wanted more of him. She wanted all of him.
Knock-knock.
The door flew open. Caroline stood there, fear spilling from her eyes. Grey loomed large behind her.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Caroline blurted. “I heard you scream.”
Grey started laughing. “La vendetta è una stronza, vero?”
Tank laughed, then said, “Esci e chiudi quella dannata porta.”
Still laughing, Grey reached around Caroline, pulled the door closed. And that’s when Sydney and Tank burst into laughter.
“I didn’t get all of that,” she said. “Something about payback?”
“He said, ‘payback’s a bitch, isn’t it?’” Tank translated. “And I told him to get out and shut the damn door.”
“Payback?” she asked.
“I was with Luciano at a private party,” Tank explained. “I interrupted him and Simone. Months later, I interrupted Greystone and Caroline at Lost Souls.”
Sydney laughed, hard. When she stopped, she said, “You had it coming to you.”
“Nice pun.” He kissed her. “I love that you’re super chill.”
