Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“Like I said, I didn’t know him like you do, so it’s easier for me to imagine he would make a move like that. If he knew he was dying—” he flinches, and I hate to see it “—and I’m sure if he was as devoted to your family as I think he was, he’d want to find a way to make his death benefit you somehow.”
He stares down at his now empty plate, his fists sitting on either side. “And he never thought about what that would mean or how it would make me feel. Witnessing his assassination.”
True, and I can’t get past that part, either. Talk about cold-blooded. But still… “He knew you could handle it. He knew you would do the right thing when the time came, and you have. I’m sure he would be proud of the way you’ve handled all of this.” I take his plate and mug and put them in the sink along with mine.
He’s still sitting at the table when I turn around, and I go to him, placing my hand on the back of his neck. “I wish he hadn’t done it this way,” I whisper. “And I’m sorry he did. But he knew you could handle it. He trusted you. He believed you could lead this family.”
He turns in his chair all at once and winds his arms around my waist, resting the side of his face against my stomach. It takes my breath away, how suddenly it happens, how my heart swells, how joy fills me. I take the chance of running my fingers through his hair, and when he doesn’t pull away, I close my eyes and focus on soaking in the moment, not pushing anything, just being here. Right now, there’s nothing but the two of us holding each other, and nothing in the world has ever felt so good. Like this is how it’s meant to be, the way it’s supposed to be for us. Holding each other, taking refuge in each other when we need to.
It isn’t long before something else flares to life, and all it takes is the slightest shift of his hands over my back. The way his fingers press in with need before he lifts his head, staring up at me. He pushes his chair back but remains seated, pulling me around in front of him between his spread thighs.
He nudges me back slightly, and I follow his lead, sitting on the edge of the table. For a while, it’s enough for him to just touch me, neither of us saying a word. I lean back on my elbows and watch him as he works my nightshirt over my thighs. The familiar heat is there, sure—it takes nothing for him to wake my body up. There’s more to it, though, a tenderness I’ve never felt from him. Not now, not while he’s touching me and kissing his way up the insides of my legs. There isn’t that sense of demand or ownership. As much as I like it when he takes me forcefully, I like this, too. I could learn to love it.
I hold my arms out to him because there’s nothing I want more now than to hold him. To touch him. I can’t put a finger on why or where any of this is coming from exactly. Maybe it’s all the feelings I’ve had for him all along coming to the surface, rushing forward now that all the walls between us have crumbled. All the pent-up, held-back emotion is free, and we have so much time to make up for. It’s scary, giving into this, letting myself feel this way. I don’t know whether this is going to end up hurting me worse than ever, opening myself and letting him into my heart. I only know nothing could stop me.
I could scream with happiness when he stands and lowers himself over me. Instead, I sit up and wrap my legs around him while my arms do the same. He buries his hands in my hair and covers my mouth with his, kissing me deeply before breaking the kiss and tipping my head back so his lips can trail over my throat.
“Oh, Enzo…” I breathe, and he shudders when the evidence of his arousal makes contact with my aching pussy. I can’t get enough of touching him, my hungry hands running over his shoulders and back, over his ass, anything I can reach. It’s the sweetest indulgence, made sweeter when he teases my breast with one hand. He groans, and so do I, both of us grinding our hips, gently humping each other.
He lifts his head just far enough to meet my gaze and what I see there makes my heart skip a beat. “Alicia…” he whispers, already breathless, his voice already strained. I tighten my legs, drawing him closer, and he sighs before capturing my mouth again, plunging his tongue inside, enfolding me in his arms. I moan into his mouth, and he responds in kind, the pressure from his dick increasing. It’s so sweet and so hot at the same time. My pussy is aching to the point of pain, and wetness flows from me in anticipation of what’s about to happen.