Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“Lock the door,” he said in a gravelly voice.
I did as he said, and the sound of the lock engaging had my heart jumping to my throat.
“I couldn't stay away,” I admitted, finally speaking, although I didn’t sound like myself. And the longer he stared at me silently, the more my heart raced for a different reason. “I told my brothers about everything.” I swallowed, expecting Gio to be upset, but he just sat there and drank. “I didn’t tell them about you though. That you’re the one who saved my life.”
“Why?”
I licked my lips and took a step closer but then froze and inhaled a deep breath. I didn't want to lie anymore. “Because they’d see it as a betrayal that you didn’t let them know right away about what happened. They’d take it personally.”
He pushed up off the couch and walked closer to me. I noticed the whiskey bottle was almost empty and wondered if it had been full when he started.
“You took an enormous risk coming here. Your brothers would kill me if they knew.” He smirked, but I knew he didn’t think this was funny.
“I don't want them to come after you. I don’t want them to kill you.” He was right in front of me now, and I stepped back, my back hitting the door. I thought about last week and being in this same position, when Gio was so close that all I could see and smell was him.
“Your brothers don’t scare me, and they certainly aren't strong enough to kill me, but your concern for my well-being is cute, bambolina.”
I tipped my head back and stared at his face. He brought the bottle up again and took a long pull from it, his gaze never leaving mine.
“They are crazy.” I loved my brothers, but the truth was the truth.
He stepped closer, crowding me. “Sono più pazzo.” I’m crazier.
I didn’t know what he said, but Gio had spoken with so much clear intent I knew whatever he uttered was the absolute truth, his wicked-ass grin causing my pussy to clench. “I had to see you,” I whispered, admitting what I should have kept to myself.
His eyes narrowed, his presence overwhelming.
I swallowed hard, feeling a shiver run down my spine when he didn’t respond.
Gio's jaw was clenched, and I swore we were in a stare-down, where it was this tug-of-war I didn’t know I was fighting.
And then in a sudden move that pulled a shocked gasp from me, Gio grabbed my wrist, hauling me forward. My body slammed into his before he took a step to press my body against the door once again, and I placed my palms on the rock-hard expanse of his male chest that was only covered by a thin, white t-shirt.
“This isn’t a game, bambolina.”
“Who said I was playing games?”
He leaned down so our lips were only inches apart. I smelled the alcohol on his warm breath, and I found it highly arousing. “Do you have any idea what would actually happen if your brothers found out you were here?”
I looked up at him, my head resting back on the front door. He was a dangerous man, a mafia boss who had no doubt seen and done things that would make most people run screaming. Hell, he’d killed for me… right in front of me.
There was something about Gio that drew me in, made me feel alive in a way I never had before. I’d never been touched or had sex. Hell, I’d never so much as kissed a boy while growing up.
Men had steered clear of me, at first because my father demanded I remain untouched for whomever he pawned me off to. And then, my brothers…. Everyone was too scared to even look at me, let alone talk to me.
“I know the risks,” I said softly.
God, was I really going to say what I was about to say?
Yes. It’s too late to turn back now.
“But being here is worth it.”
For a moment, Gio just stared at me, his grip on my wrist tight but not painful. Then, with a low growl, he released me and turned away, setting the whiskey on the counter and running a hand through his hair.
He murmured something low in Italian, but then spun to face me and said, “You drive me crazy, you know that?”
I pushed away from the door and took a step forward, my heart still in my throat.
“You're playing with fire, Tatiana. But, damn it, I can't stop thinking about you.”
Before I could react to his words, Gio closed the distance between us, his hands gripping either side of my neck, and pressed his thumbs lightly on my pulse points right below my ears.
My lips parted, and the breath slowly seeped out of me.
Gio stared into my eyes for a long moment, so long I felt something dark, explosive, and hot move between us.