Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 110824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“Ready to go home?” I ask him, doing my best to keep the disappointment out of my voice.
“Not on your life. You and I are going to dance and I’m going to show you that we are anything but friends.”
I blink. “Is this a bad time to tell you that I’m not that great of a dancer?” I sigh.
He grins. “I just need you in my arms, Gia.”
“Lead the way,” I whisper putting my hand in his as a million butterflies take flight in my stomach. I’m nervous, but I know I’d follow Victor anywhere.
victorio
. . .
“Lead the way,” she says softly.
Her voice is so sweet that it wraps around me, making my cock ache. She has no idea what she does to me. I’ve been keeping everything hidden from her and now I can see that was a big mistake.
When we make it to the dance floor, I’m grateful that it’s not crowded. It’s a weekday, so most of the people are here for the food, not the DJ or dancing. That means we have most of the dance area to ourselves. Thankfully, a slow R&B groove is playing while the DJ is on a break. I pull my girl close and hold her in my arms. I bury my head in the crook of her neck and breathe her in. I feel her body tremble as her arms tighten around me as she holds onto me.
“I’m sorry about tonight, sweetheart. I know I’m in a weird mood. It’s not because I don’t know what I want with you. It’s just, I know I have to head back out for Antonio later this week and it pisses me off. I don’t want to leave you.”
“You have to leave again?” she asks, and she doesn’t try to keep the disappointment out of her voice. That’s both good and bad. I love that she doesn’t want me to leave, but it hurts to hear that I’ve upset her.
“I’m sorry, Gia. I have to. Trust me, it’s the very last thing I want to do—especially since Antonio asked Zane to watch over you while I’m gone.”
“Why would he do that? I told you I don’t need a bodyguard. Did you lie? Is this why you’ve been watching over me? You told me that Emilia and Niko didn’t ask you to be my bodyguard.”
“Calm down, Kitten.”
“I don’t think I will,” she snaps, and her eyes are practically glowing with her anger. I probably shouldn’t find her so damn sexy when she’s mad, but fuck, I do.
I kiss her lips quickly, thrusting my tongue into her opened mouth. The kiss was meant to distract her—at least until I could explain. Instead, we both get absorbed in our desire for one another. She tries to fight me for control in the kiss, but I don’t give her that. She moans her submission. I hungrily swallow the sound down. I’m not willing to lose her mouth long enough to even drag air into my lungs. Her body goes pliant against me and only then do I let go of her mouth. I discreetly lick my lips still tasting her there. “No one has ever asked me to be your bodyguard. I’ve been watching over you—as you put it—because I can’t bear to be away from you for very long. I’m obsessed with you in case you haven’t noticed.”
“But—”
“And Antonio knows how I feel about you. He has from day one. Fuck, Kitten, everyone knows.”
“They do?” she breathes, her eyes going round as saucers. “God…”
“They do and that’s the reason Antonio asked Zane to watch over you. He knows I wouldn’t leave you unprotected. I’m set to take over Nico’s place as he moves into Max’s old position full time. That means, you may never need protection, but in case you do, you will have it at all times.”
“Victor, no one knows me. You’re all being silly.”
“I know you don’t have anything to do with the family, but you’re not naïve either, Gia. You know what kind of work we do, and what my promotion means I will be doing more of. Humor me and please, let me make sure you’re safe.”
I see her frown and I begin to worry I’ve said too much. What if she thinks this is all too much? What if she decides she doesn’t want a man who has blood on his hands? Fuck, I meant for tonight to be a relaxing evening full of ways to show her how much I care for her. I sure as fuck didn’t mean for us to go around in circles talking about the major pitfalls of us having a relationship.
“Okay.”
I didn’t think I could be surprised anymore. In my line of work, you always expect the unexpected.
“Just like that?” I ask.
“I trust you. If having someone watch over me is important to you, then I’ll stop fighting it.”