The first tear fell from her lashes and drifted down her cheek. “I can’t lose you.”
“Lila.” I kissed her tears, tasting the salt and bitter regret, and released her hands to embrace her.
Her hands slipped around my waist and locked together in the small of my back.
I’d put my blood and sweat into maintaining my father’s operation, maintaining his strict leadership even if it wasn’t the same bloodbath. Nothing rocked me, and yet I was undone byLila’s tears. No one had ever cared for me the way she did. She settled against my chest, her cheek brushing back and forth over my bare skin.
Nothing felt as good in my arms as her. Nothing made me want to change my mind except her. She was the reason I breathed, and the reason I was willing to give my last breath to save her and Leo. The quietness in the room wrapped us in a serene blanket, a cocoon that death and destruction didn’t dare invade. I kissed the top of her head, then her lips when she tipped her face toward mine.
32
ALESSIO
Asense of rightness washed over me. This was what I’d been fighting for, what I was willing to die for. My last time with Lila had been rough and desperate. I’d been trying to prove a point by commanding her in hopes of regaining the control she took from me without even trying.
I fanned my fingers through her long hair and kissed her again. Her lips molded to mine and encouraged me to continue, to deepen the kiss and take advantage of the gift she offered me.
“There’s something I need to tell you.” Lila’s fingertips ran up and down my spine in a familiar gesture from our past. She felt each ridge of muscle and explored every scar, lingering when she found a new one.
I hummed into her ear and nibbled her earlobe. “Can it wait?”
“I think you’ve waited long enough.” She chuckled against the curve of my neck when I growled. “Don’t worry, this is news you want to hear.”
“Sounds ominous.” I continued to nip and bite my way along her neck and across her shoulder. The neck of the thin t-shirthad stretched out to reveal her smooth skin. It fascinated me how she reacted to a simple kiss on her collarbone.
“Leo’s your son.” She leaned her head back to stare into my eyes.
A beat of betrayal lanced through me, followed by understanding and relief. She’d wanted to protect him, and I hadn’t done a damned thing to give her confidence in my abilities as a father. “I’d come to that conclusion.” I cupped the back of her head in one hand. “Thank you for telling me.”
“You’re not mad?” Confusion blanked her eyes and drew her lips into a pucker.
I kissed it away and gave her a smile. I had been, but it didn’t matter anymore. “Not at all. If you were hoping to distract me, it’s not going to work.”
“Why would I want to distract you?” She grimaced when she looked down at my bruises. “Maybe we should wait.”
“Not happening.” I dragged her over my erection and groaned as the pressure built.
Lila’s sultry laugh trickled out. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t offer when you can’t breathe later.”
“I don’t need to breathe.” I slid her shirt over her head, my gaze skimming her body and its lush curves. “I need you.”
“You have me.” She shimmied out of her shorts and stood in front of me in her underwear.
The sight of her, willing and bare to her skin, drove me forward. I kicked off my pants—hiding the wince from the pull in my ribs—and picked her up, carrying her to the bed. She dragged her nails up and down my spine in the way she knew I loved and buried her face in the crook of my neck. We fell together in bed, with me landing carefully on top of her. She pushed at my chest, but I held her there with my weight.
“You’re going to hurt yourself. Let me.” She pushed again.
I settled between her thighs and nudged her legs apart. “I’m fine, Lila. This is what I want.” I slid a finger beneath her panties. “You’re so damned hot.”
Her head fell back, her eyes drifting closed when I pumped a finger into her and sucked a nipple between my teeth. I’d loved her in every position possible, but this had to be one of my favorites. She melted into my touch, her body accepting and more willing than I’d ever seen her.
“You made the fire.” She dug her nails into my hips and pulled me closer. “Now you have to put it out.”
I raised my head from her breast. “I will…eventually.” I relished the chance to love her slowly.
“Alessio.” She huffed a laugh that was part groan and rode my fingers.
I added a second and buried them to my palm, curling upward to reach that spot that I’d learned drove her wild. She bucked with a low curse and wrapped a hand around my cock. Her stroking matched my rhythm, bringing us closer than ever.
