Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
I couldn’t keep my hands off her.
And once I started, I couldn’t stop. Over and over, all night long, I kept thinking it would pass.
This aching need for her.
It only got worse.
Each touch, each breath. Each time she rode me and came. Each time I buried my face in her hair and groaned as I finished between her legs.
It made me want more. Like I was eating my fill, but it only made me hungrier.
I wake her around nine. She seems startled when I give her coffee. “Aren’t we going to be late for work?”
“No work today, baby. The families are getting together at noon. It’s safer to meet during the day. There’s less temptation.”
“Temptation?”
“It’s stupid to murder someone in the middle of the afternoon.”
She chews her lip and drinks her coffee. I don’t want to scare her, but I also won’t pretend like this is completely safe.
“Are you in a war with the other families?” she asks. “Is there a chance someone might try to hurt you?”
“No, it’s not like that. My organization is close with the Rinaldo Famiglia and the Milano Famiglia. We’re the oldest mafia families in the area. Then there’s the Aslanov Bratva, the Russian gangsters, and the Lynch Family, the Irish. We’re most combative with the Aslanov, but we all try to avoid bloodshed. Business is business, but nobody wants too much heat.”
“I guess that’s why you have this little council.”
“That’s right. We do this to avoid outright conflict. Sometimes things get heated during the discussion, but so long as the violence remains contained, it works.”
I don’t add that the Aslanov have been nibbling at the edges of my territory, including stealing away that important river deal, while the Lynch Family has been encroaching on the meth trade for months. Tensions are high and will only get worse for a while.
She’s a small piece toward easing those tensions, but I can’t know for sure how well it’ll work.
As she gets ready in the bathroom, I pick out her clothes. Silk blouse, black pants, heels. Something she might wear to work, but upscale. I add diamond earrings, expensive but not flashy, a simple necklace, and a ring.
“You’re dressing me now?” She smiles as she steps out of the bathroom. I watch her pick out underwear, a matching black lacy set. I love her body, the lines of her legs, her hip bones, her perky little ass. Her pebbled pink nipples are always hard when I’m around. I think that’s a sign.
“I’m helping you out.”
“I think I’m insulted.” She picks up the jewelry. “Although I like all this. Where’d it come from?”
“It was all my mother’s. Except for the ring. That’s yours.”
She stares at the diamond and it takes her a moment to process before she holds it up. “Is this an engagement ring?”
“Yes, baby. You need one.”
“But—” She stares at it for a second. “You never proposed.”
She’s right. I never did, not in the way she deserves. I feel a little ashamed of that, since I think Maddie should be given everything she ever wants. I walk over, take the ring, and get down on one knee.
“I know this isn’t how you pictured it.”
“No, not really.” She puts her hands on her hips. “Standing in your bedroom wearing only my underwear. Not exactly my dream proposal.”
“But none of this is what either of us wanted.” I take her hand. Her skin is so smooth as I slip the ring onto her finger. “I won’t ask you to marry me since you’re already mine. But I will promise again—” I look up and meet her gaze. Those deep, green eyes, so beautiful and filled with emotion. Her lips part, showing off her little white teeth and that pink tongue. “I will take care of you.”
“Thank you,” she whispers, blinking a few times.
“Are those tears?”
“No. I mean, yes. I’m just overwhelmed, okay?”
“Look at that.” I stand and grab her before she can squirm away. She’s so soft and warm. I kiss her gently. “You’re getting emotional.”
“You just proposed.”
“No, I gave you a ring and promised to protect you.”
“Close enough. Are you going to be an asshole now and ruin it?”
“Never.” I kiss her again. “If we didn’t have somewhere to be, I’d insist you wear nothing but that ring all day.”
“I’m sure you would.” She smiles a little. “I’d insist the same. You think you’re the only one that gets to have fun?”
“You want me naked, bella topo?”
“Sometimes. When you’re nice and doing what I want.”
“I always give you what you want.” I kiss her neck and let her go before things can go too far. “Get dressed. Are you hungry? I’ll have Tara make something.”
“No, I’m fine. I’m not really a breakfast girl.”
“She’ll send up more coffee then.” I walk to the door but pause before I leave.