Page 49 of Dangerous Intent

What is she hiding from me?

She said, “I want to be the woman you need to stand by your side.”

“Hey, you are that woman.” I brought her hand to my lips and gently kissed it. “There isn’t anyone I’d rather have with me. You are brave, beautiful, and relentless. You were made for me.”

“Did you think that when I threw those cookies at you?” Her full, sexy lips curved into a delicate smile.

“I thought several things that day, and if I’m being honest, I never thought we would end up here. But I’m glad we did.”

“I’m happy you kidnapped me.” She leaned into my ear. “You were exactly who I needed. Who I’ll always need.”

“As much as I like it when we’re volatile, this is kind of nice too.”

“Ricardo told me we need to find the balance.”

“What did Ricardo whisper to you before he left?” I ran my finger over her wedding bands. “I’d love to know.”

“It might surprise you.”

“Now I really want to know.”

She slipped her fingers between mine, interlocking them. “He told me to go easy on you.”

“Really? And here I thought he was Team Lissia all the way.”

“He is.” She touched my wedding band. “Make no mistake about that.”

“I love you,” I whispered before tilting her chin with my other hand. “No matter what, that will always be true.”

“It’s true for me too.”

She swept her lips along mine, kissing me softly at first, but once we found our rhythm, we were in perfect sync. I ran my fingers through her hair, twisting them in her silky locks as I bit and sucked her bottom lip.

Our connection deepened, and I lost myself in this profound moment. Our lives had been a whirlwind of torment and despair since the beginning, but right now, in this impassioned instant, I needed to think beyond the immediate, bleak future.

She was right when she said it was always one thing after another when it came to us. But feeling her lips against mine and tasting the need we both had for one another, I let myself see a way forward. One we would forge together.

Once my father was home and back at the helm, some of the pressure would be off me. When Collins was six feet under and no longer a threat, we could breathe.

It’s not that far away,I assured myself.

We just had to lay low and get through these next few weeks. No more added complications. No more distractions.

All we had to do was be patient, and Lissia had to behave and trust that I knew what I was doing. If I told her to do something, she needed to do it with minimal questions.

This was going to be more difficult than I thought.

“Hmm…” she moaned.

I broke the kiss. “As much as I love a hot and sexy make out session with you, I’d much rather get you naked and feel all of you.”

“Okay.” She breathed against my mouth.

“Let’s go.” I helped her off the stool. “I want to get you home.”

She stumbled forward, holding on to me.

“What’s wrong?” I wrapped my arm around her, keeping her steady. “Are you okay?”