all the magazines. I believe she was nominated for an Oscar last year. I didn’t see the movie but was told she gave an epic performance.”
The urge to smile was strong, but he kept his face a mask. He wanted her, right there in that chair with her shoulder wrapped up and her arm useless to her. He wanted her with every breath he drew. His hand dropped to her thigh and stroked a caress there. It was difficult to resist the urge to strip her naked and take what was his.
“You’ve known all along you were helping to put on Eloisa’s big event.”
She nodded. The hint of accusation gave way to humor. “Yes.”
“And you knew I was on the guest list with Anne, didn’t you?” He kept his voice pitched low but changed the tone to one that promised retaliation.
She wasn’t as fast to claim that knowledge. “Yes.”
“So, you were just waiting for the perfect time to use that little bit of information against me, weren’t you?”
Grace pressed her lips together to keep from laughing, but it was impossible to keep the laughter from her eyes. “Maybe,” she admitted, feigning reluctance.
“Just for that, I’m going to kiss you.”
He framed her face with both hands and leaned in to settle his mouth on hers. Heat exploded in his belly and raced through his body like a fireball. His tongue swept into her mouth, claiming her, and then he simply devoured her, taking over, silently demanding she follow his lead, that she give herself to him, surrender completely to him. He didn’t ask. He took.
Vittorio gave her who he was, her man, dominant, taking over, insisting she follow his lead. He kissed her until neither of them could breathe. Until his body was so hard he thought he might shatter. Until he knew if he didn’t stop it would be too late and all his careful planning would be for nothing. He forced his head up just enough to press his forehead against hers, staring into her eyes while he caught his breath.
Her breath matched his, uneven and ragged. Her eyes shone so brightly he felt a bit dazzled by the color. She looked adorably dazed, her lips swollen and very kissed, her skin slightly red from the shadow of stubble on his jaw.
“You make me feel alive, Grace. Every single cell in my body wakes up around you. My heart. Who knew it was even possible? I want you to be mine completely. I need you to give yourself to me the way you kiss me. More importantly, I need to be your man. The one who shelters you, protects you, gives you everything.”
She didn’t pull away from him, and he read acceptance in her eyes. He was getting closer to Grace at least thinking she might like his lifestyle. She liked the idea whether she wanted to admit it or not.
“I’m not certain it’s exactly fair for you to be kissing me.”
He ran the pad of his thumb over her lips, his heart feeling more than he’d known it was capable of. She turned him inside out without even trying. “Why is that?”
Her lashes fluttered and then veiled the emerald in her eyes.
“Gattina, look at me.” He kept his voice gentle. She deserved gentle. He knew she wouldn’t want him to think of her as a little lost kitten, but he couldn’t help it. He’d rescued her in the parking lot, hissing and fighting, surrounded by wolves bent on devouring her, and now he had to win her trust in order to keep her.
He used his voice unashamedly. He knew it was a gift he’d been given and now, more than ever, when her long lashes lifted, he was thankful for the way his voice could compel others to do as he commanded. He waited, willing her to tell him whatever it was she’d been reluctant to say.
“I can’t think when you kiss me.”
Her confession wreaked havoc with his heart. He found himself wanting to smile when his life had been one of duty and work, of constant training with few things that brought him real pleasure. He hadn’t even known that there was so much more—not until his oldest brother had found Francesca. He had seen the difference in Stefano immediately and had wanted that for himself. Someone to care about him. Someone to be his center. Someone to make him feel alive and passionate about living.
He smoothed his hand over her hair because he had to touch