Page 28

What was she doing? She was fantasizing about molesting an unconscious, wounded man. That’s what sexual predators did!

“I’m a monster.”

“What did you say?” Gio asked, making her realize she’d spoken out loud.

“Nothing!” she said, feeling her face go hot again.

“Carter likes you,” Gio said without looking up from where he was cleaning Carter’s calf. “I know he doesn’t mind that you’re touching him. He’d find it comforting.”

“W-what?” she stuttered. Was this guy a mind reader?

Gio looked up and met her gaze, making her freeze. She could’ve sworn his amber eyes were glowing again.

“Please touch him,” Gio said. He tossed his cloth into the tub and reached out for her hand. He placed her palm flat on Carter’s chest, right over his heart. Gio’s hand flattened over hers, trapping it in place.

“I, uh, I don’t think, I mean,” she stammered. She was sure she shouldn’t be touching Carter without his consent, but she didn’t try to move her hand away.

“Do you feel the connection between the three of us?” Gio asked, his voice low. He leaned in closer until his face filled her vision.

“Connection?” She was captivated by his eyes.

“Close your eyes,” he ordered.

Her eyes fell closed, partly because of his demand and partially to block out his intense amber eyes. The moment her lids shut, she felt the shocking level of heat radiating from where her hand was trapped by Gio’s hand against Carter’s body.

But it wasn't only heat. There was something more. It was almost as if a low-level electrical charge was humming up her arm. Goose flesh broke out across her body, and her nipples tightened.

“Mila.”

With a gasp, she opened her eyes at Carter’s whispered word. His eyes were slitted open and staring up at her. “Carter?”

He opened his mouth and tried to talk but coughed instead.

Gio hissed out a breath and touched Carter’s cheek with his free hand. “Carter, rest. Faith will be here soon.”

Once he stopped coughing, Carter focused on her again. “Don’t leave us.”

The charge humming up her arm got stronger for a moment, and she felt a strong need to reassure the wounded man. “I won’t go. Not until you’re better.”

A smile curved Carter’s lips, and his eyes relaxed closed. “Good.” The word was barely audible, but there was obvious relief there.

Gio’s face was still close to hers, so when he turned to speak, she felt his breath against her cheek. “We’re both grateful you’re staying.”

She froze, unsure what to do or say.

No, that was a lie. She desperately wanted to turn her face and press her lips to Gio’s. It was such an inappropriate impulse that she felt both shame and desire. The conflicting feelings made her feel a little shaky.

“Carter and I have a special relationship,” Gio murmured, his lips moving to hover next to her ear. “I can’t explain it all at the moment, but I promise we’ve been looking for you.”

“L-L-Looking for me?” she stammered, not surprised when her voice came out unsteady.

“Yes,bellezza,” he whispered, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. Electric sparks shot down her spine, making her suck in a breath.

Without thinking about the consequences, she turned her face to his. Their lips met, and she opened for him. He wasn’t forceful. His kiss was probing as if inviting her. She moaned, and he deepened the kiss. Her entire world narrowed to his lips on hers and her hand on Carter’s chest.

It was crazy, but she could’ve sworn she felt deep satisfaction radiating off Carter. At the same time, she felt her entire body aching. She’d never felt such a strong urge to rip off her clothes and beg to be touched.

“Gio?”