Benny’s bare chest falls through a heavy sigh. “The little shit has something to prove as the youngest of two sons. I have no issue with the Preda if they stay out of my territory. He’s been working with an outsider. For what, I don’t know.”
Just my luck that I’d land in the middle of a mafia beef.
Red wine coats my lips with aromatic notes of plum and spice. Benny pulled the same bottle he had the first time he’d cooked for me.
“What will you do when you retire?”
His gaze slides from me toward the citrus grove. “Move to Mazara del Vallo to fish.”
“Was your father a fisherman?” I ask.
“His father too, and my great-grandfather. My mother tolerated it, but she hated baiting a fishing hook.” He laughs to himself. “We used to chase her around with live bait until she kicked us out.”
“I don’t blame your mama one bit. Guts in my face is a nonstarter.”
Benny chuckles at my scowl. “My parents led a simpler life. I watched my father do what he loved and adore the ground my mother touched. I envy it sometimes.”
“Because of who you felt you needed to become?”
He holds my stare before looking away. “What about you? Why human resources?”
I sip my wine. “I enjoy helping people. HR is a necessary function in organizations, and it makes an impact. If I influence culture while problem-solving to make life a little easier, I’m happy. I’m good at what I do.”
“You are.” His lips brush my temple through a kiss.
My stomach does a swan dive at the gentleness of his voice. It matches his eyes sweeping over me like I’ll complete an impossible mission without asking Tom Cruise for help.
“Maybe I’ll stay in Sicily if this is the thanks I’ll get for doing my job,” I giggle.
“I wouldn’t mind,” he whispers.
The air thickens.
“Careful, Benny. I’m starting to think you like me.”
He offers a faint smile. “Your nickname is growing on me.”
“As it should.” I nod to myself. “It’s about time you recognize—“
His kiss shuts me right up. He teases my lips apart to chase my tongue and groans. The noises this man makes are criminal. My coochie stutters.
Benny’s mouth moves over mine. His knuckles graze my jaw before he wraps a hand around my throat. I gasp at the kisses showered over my lips. He pulls me to my feet and lifts me in the air, pressing our bodies together.
“What about the food?” I ask between breaths.
He dips his tongue into my mouth. “I’ll feed you again. That work?”
“Uh-huh.”
We never make it to his bedroom.
The sweet aroma of honey and yeast tickles my nostrils. Hades sniffs the air from the foot of Benny’s bed.
Gruff.
“It does smell good,” I say with a yawn and wince at the ache between my legs. I’d eat the refrigerator if I could make it to the kitchen.
Benny had my toes touching my forehead last night. Arms, legs, and ass tossed in the spin cycle of his stamina. We kicked the dogs out after Hades bit him for mounting me. He and Ares weren’t the only ones howling at the moon.
