Sweet On You - By Kate Perry Page 0,39

ire.

In fact, seeing him in his tux had the opposite effect on her, rising her temperature up even more. He looked dashing—the suit fit him perfectly—but there was still that air of danger that turned her on.

Sights set on him, she strutted up the steps, grabbed him by the lapel, and kissed him hard.

His hands gripped the back of her dress, holding her to him. When she lifted her head, he said, "Am I being punished for something? If I am, tell me what I did so I can do it again."

She wiped her lipstick from his lips. "You haven't been bad yet, but I'm hoping later."

"Then I can't wait for the opera," he murmured, hand on her back as he escorted her inside.

Daniela lay sweating, face down on Nico's bed, her feet dangling over the edge. The only things she still had on were those uncomfortable heels.

But they were so worth the pain. She smiled tiredly against the silky sheets.

Nico rolled onto his side, against her. He pushed her hair aside and kissed the nape of her neck. "You want to tell me what had you so angry earlier. I don't think it was me this time."

"Amazing, isn't it?" She sighed and turned to face him. "My brother Antonio decided to make a surprise visit."

"How long since you've seen him?"

"Three months."

"But you aren't happy."

"He's come here to manage me." She turned onto her back and stared at the ceiling. "He thinks I'm out of control."

"Are you?"

"Only around you," she joked. Then she sobered. "But maybe I'm supposed to be a little out of control. For the first time in forever, I feel like I'm being myself. Tony doesn't know who that is, and he doesn't care to find out."

"I like you the way you are." Nico nuzzled her.

She smiled and turned into him. "I like me that way too."

"Control is an illusion," he said. "Once you realize chaos is what runs the world, you can use it to your benefit."

"My grandmother always said love runs the world."

His face set into a grim mask. "Love doesn't cause catastrophes and death."

"No, those are just parts of living." She cupped his face. "Love dictates how we react to them though."

He stared at her. She wondered what he was thinking. She wondered what she thought—if she wanted him to love her.

The thought caused a hitch of excitement in her chest. "Can I stay tonight?" she asked impetuously.

"Are you sure?"

She could tell he was thinking how she never stayed. But she didn't want to go home and face Tony—not when she felt so happy and hopeful for the future. She wanted to stay and revel in it. "I'm positive," she said.

He gathered her closer. "I'd love you to stay."

"Good." She kissed his shoulder, hopeful. The building was hers—maybe Nico would be, too.

Chapter Nineteen

First base achieved, Brian ran his hand under her coat and top and worked on stealing second.

Marley hummed and arched herself into his touch. "I've never made out on the front stoop of my home before."

"Good," he said, kissing a spot he'd bared on her neck.

"We should do it more often."

"If I knew a nice dinner and oozing chocolate cake was all it took to soften you up, I'd have tried it a long time ago." He lifted his head and resumed kissing her.

She'd never been kissed like this before, like she was the center of his universe and nothing else existed. His hand trailed up her midriff to rest over her breast, fingers trailing delicious circles around the tip.

She loved second base—so much that she wondered about third. She even had a fleeting thought toward a home run, but she knew she wasn't ready to go all the way.

Her breath hitched as his fingers rubbed over the lace of her bra, and she felt a rush of warmth pooling in her center. She twined her fingers in his hair, holding him close, and pressed herself against him.

He luxuriously ended the kiss, whispering against her lips, "I should head home."

"Come inside."

He looked as surprised as she felt. But he recovered almost instantly with, "If I go inside with you, there won't be any funny business."

"Funny business?" she repeated.

"You better keep your hands to yourself." He stepped back and crossed his arms as though protecting himself. "I know your type. You'll get me alone, in your lair, and then grope me. I'm more than a plaything though. I've got feelings and emotions."

"Both feelings and emotions, huh?" she said, tugging her clothes back into