Born in Blood Collection Volume 1 - Cora Reilly Page 0,66

let me have my way with you tonight? I won’t do anything you don’t want.”

I wasn’t even sure what I wanted right now. Except for Luca not to stop what he was doing with his hand. I would have promised him anything in that moment. “Yes.”

He increased the pressure on my clit and suckled at my throat, then flicked his tongue over my collarbone, and I exploded.

Luca kissed me below my chin before pulling back with a smirk. Once I came down from my high, I needed to figure out a way to balance the power between us. He wanted me more than I wanted him. I was sure about it. I needed to take advantage of it.

I rested my forehead against his shoulder. “So can I call Gianna and tell her to buy plane tickets?”

Luca chuckled. “Sure, but remember our deal.” His phone buzzed on the nightstand. He picked it up. “For fuck’s sake, Matteo, what now?”

I pulled back. Luca got up and began pacing the bedroom, completely naked. “We’ve got his back. I won’t let another fucking restaurant go to the Russians. Yeah. Yeah. I’ll be ready in thirty minutes.” He flung his phone on the nightstand.

“I’ll have to talk to the owner of a restaurant chain.”

“Okay,” I said, trying to hide my disappointment.

“Call your sister and tell her she can come. And I’ll be back in time for dinner, okay? I have a few take-out menus in the kitchen. Order whatever you want.” He leaned down and kissed me. “Let Romero take you to a museum or something like that.”

Fifteen minutes later, he was gone, and I was left with my doubts. How could I have agreed to his deal? Because I loved the pleasure he gave me. Why not enjoy it? Maybe I would have to live without love, but that didn’t mean I would have to be miserable.

Gianna was ecstatic when I called to tell her she could visit. I didn’t tell her about the deal. I couldn’t talk about something like that on the phone, or ever. I knew she wouldn’t approve of me giving in to Luca so quickly.

* * *

As promised, Luca was home early. I was incredibly nervous. I’d chosen a beautiful yellow dress and set the table on the roof terrace. Surprise flashed across Luca’s face when he found me outside.

“I thought we could eat here?”

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in for lingering kiss. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. “I ordered Indian food.”

“I’m hungry for only one thing.”

I shivered. “Let’s eat.” What would Luca do if I told him the deal was off? I took a seat. Luca watched me with intensity. Eventually he sank down on the chair across from me. The gentle breeze on the rooftop caressed my skin and tugged at my hair.

“You look fucking sexy.”

I started eating. “Romero took me to the Metropolitan today. It was amazing.”

“Good,” Luca said with a hint of amusement. Could he see how nervous I was?

“What about the restaurant owner? Did you convince him that the Famiglia will protect him from the Russians?”

“Of course. He’s been under our protection for more than a decade. There’s no reason to change that now.”

“Sure,” I said distractedly, taking a gulp of the white wine.

Luca put down his fork. “Aria?”

“Hm?” I nudged a piece of cauliflower on my plate, not meeting Luca’s gaze.

“Aria.” His voice sent a chill down my back and I peered up at him. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his strong chest. “You are scared.”

“I’m not.” He narrowed his eyes. “Maybe a bit, but mostly I’m nervous.”

He got up from the chair and came around the table. “Come on.” He held out his hand. After a brief moment of hesitation, I took it and let me pull him to my feet. “Let’s get into the Jacuzzi, okay? That’ll relax you.”

I doubted being in a hot tub with him in only swimwear would make me less nervous. I didn’t know what to expect and that terrified me.

“Why don’t you grab your bikini and I’ll set up the Jacuzzi?”

I nodded and went back inside. I picked my favorite white bikini with pink dots. I pulled my hair into a ponytail, then stared at myself in the bathroom mirror. I wasn’t sure why this made me so nervous. This morning Luca’s touch had set my skin aflame. He’d promised not to do anything I didn’t want.

I took a deep breath and walked into the bedroom. Luca was