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I gathered her into my arms, immediately heading for the master suite. She’d walked through the house, turning on a light in almost every single room. At least with the bedroom, there were blinds protecting us from any and all prying eyes. While I had confidence in Gio and his man to keep us from harm’s way, being on edge was part of my job.

One I hated tonight for the first time in over a year.

I lowered her onto the bed, purposely fanning her long strands of hair around her head. She smiled, studying me while remaining immobile. Whether or not there was a silent tether between us, she didn’t like anyone pushing against her resolve.

And she’d resigned herself to keep more than an arm’s length away from men. All men. I couldn’t blame her after hearing the brief story regarding Derek, the man who’d fathered her child. The prick had been using their relationship as a way of attempting to get to her father. While the jerk had heeded my warning, I’d still keep him on the radar for a long time.

What I couldn’t figure out was why a man like Lupini would act as if he would dare turn over his grandson to a man who’d attempted to extort from him.

That was for another time. But I would figure it out.

Being able to admire her long legs and voluptuous figure in this way kept my balls throbbing. Her wedding dress had been provocative, her reception attire sensual, but she looked best in jeans. But I needed them gone, immediately.

I crawled onto the bed, straddling her legs. Her expression shifted from a hint of apprehension to amusement as I fought to jerk off her sweater. She finally laughed and eased onto first one elbow then the other to offer her assistance.

From that moment I became like a wild beast, ravenous in every way. I jerked one bra strap down before the other, sliding my arms under her and thankfully managing to unclasp her bra with ease. With it removed, my hunger spiked.

A guttural laugh pushed up from my chest just before I lowered my head, cupping both breasts and squeezing her firm flesh. When I flicked my thumbs across her nipples, she arched her back just as she’d done before.

Her arms were completely straight, her hands fisted. I sensed she was still trying to convince herself she shouldn’t want or enjoy the sexual aspect of our relationship.

Perhaps for all the wrong reasons I wanted to change her mind.

“You’re beautiful,” I managed before engulfing one fully hardened bud. Everything about her was sweet, including her rosy nipple. I licked across her chest to the other, taking my time swirling the tip around her areole.

She was still in her jeans, and my mind was envisioning all the filthy things I could do to her. I took my time enjoying the moment before rubbing the flats of my hands down her taut stomach. She immediately flinched, which forced me to lift my head.

Hers was turned to the side. Her reaction indicated more than just nerves. I made a mental note, refusing to break the passion between us.

As I slowly unzipped her jeans, she brushed her curled fingers back and forth across her mouth. The light pink hue coloring her jaw and cheeks drew my attention.

But only briefly.

I had other things on my mind.

As soon as I slipped my fingers under the waistband of her jeans, she dropped one hand over mine. Was she suddenly embarrassed? She hadn’t seemed that way before. Maybe this was a more intimate setting, forcing her to face a reality she loathed.

I stopped my actions, rubbing my hands down her legs until I reached her shoes. She didn’t fight me as I tugged them both off, tossing the sneakers to the side. She even sighed, undulating her hips as if intentionally taunting me.

It was working.

“A little tease, huh?” I muttered.

“Uh-huh.”

“Be careful, Firesong.”

“Or what?”

This time I didn’t hesitate, lowering her jeans and taking her passion purple thong with them. When she was completely naked, I hovered over her like a hungry beast prepared for a feast. She finally turned her full attention in my direction, stretching and touching herself. There was something powerful about watching a woman intensifying her own desire.

Carmella was breathing irregularly as she squeezed first one nipple then the other. My mouth watered, but I was enjoying the show. However, my libido was on fire and as she shifted her hand between her legs, I lost all sense of patience.

I shoved her to the center of the bed while dropping a knee onto the covers and whisking her hand away. She laughed softly, but the sound continued to hold an anxious tone. I was no longer in the mood to be gentle, immediately bending her legs and pushing them wide open.

She gasped and laughed, pointing her toes as I breathed across her pretty pink pussy. But I suddenly had another idea in mind. When I flopped back onto the bed right by her side, she remained silent for almost thirty full seconds.

Until she couldn’t take the anticipation any longer. “What’s wrong?”