Page 87 of My Favorite Kidnapper

I stopped her, closing my legs and trapping her. Frowning, I pulled up the sleeves of her robe, ignoring the way she tried to slap away my hands. When I saw the bruises that were forming on her skin, five distinct fingerprints, I was furious. “He fucking touched you. He marked you.”

“I yanked my arm away. I bruise easily. It’s fine.”

I met her eyes, hers worried, mine angry. “I will kill him.”

She cupped my face. “You won’t touch him or go near him. He means nothing. He is nothing but a braggart, just as you said. Do not interact with him, Dante. That’s what he wants. He wants to start a war. He wanted to scare me. Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

“He fucking touched you. I hate that he was close. I hate that he scared you. I want to end him.”

She leaned close, resting her forehead on mine. “But you found me. As soon as you held me, I knew I was safe. The marks will be gone in a day or two. I don’t want to think about him again. Promise me.”

I pulled her close and kissed her. The moment our lips touched, my anger faded. I would never show anything but tenderness to her. Even in our most passionate moments, I would never hurt her or cause her pain. Cupping the back of her head, I slid my tongue into her mouth, tasting her sweetness. Sensing her worry, I gentled my mouth, with long, sensuous passes of my tongue on hers. I pulled her to my lap, and she gasped when she felt me hard between us. I drew back, our eyes locking, my emotions rampant.

“Dante,” she whispered.

“I can’t stand the thought of you hurt,” I confessed. “I need you safe.”

“I’m safe with you. I’m always safe with you. I knew it from the first moment.”

“I need you.”

She pressed her lips to mine. “Have me.”

I pulled her back. My pants were pushed down, her robe parted. I slid inside her, and she dropped her head to my shoulder.

“You feel so good,” she murmured. “So big and hard inside me.”

I slouched down, going deeper. Stroking the inside of her, feeling the way she gripped me. Every time I was with her, it felt like the first time, the wonder and intensity still strong.

We moved and rocked, neither of us talking. Our breathing was heavy, the low groans, grunts, and moans filling the air.

She gripped the back of my neck with a sob, and she came. Tight and wet around me, setting off my own orgasm. I clutched her to me until I was spent, and she slumped against my chest.

“Calmer now?” she whispered.

“I still want to teach him a lesson.”

“Please let it go. For me.”

I kissed her head. “For you. For now.”

After a moment, she sighed. “I guess a shower is needed now.”

I stood, taking her with me and yanking up my pants. “I’ll join you.”

She snuggled closer. “Okay.”

* * *

The blue dress she wore for dinner had longer sleeves, which covered the marks. I was grateful since as soon as I spied them, my first impulse was to go and find Winters and leave the same marks all over his body. The bruises had grown darker as the day wound down, and my anger burned hotter each time I saw them.

She had her hair down, her makeup was simple, and she wore the necklace I gave her.

She was perfection.

She was quieter than usual, the events of the day no doubt playing on her mind. I held her hand in the car and escorted her into the restaurant.

Richard was already there, looking his usual taciturn self. He rose from his chair, shaking my hand, and I introduced Brianna. She smiled benignly and said hello, sitting beside me.