Page 81 of Stolen Temptation

I blink. “What?”

“I’m not asking you to create a Libertas masterpiece for us.” He shoves the words out. “Do whatever you want with those paints.”

“You…” My brain quits on me the same moment my lungs forget how to breathe. Then realization hits me like a pie in the face. “You bought these for me?”

The last man to bring me art supplies was Enzo De Luca. My father.

I know what it means for a mafioso to bring me art supplies. It means expensive shoes tromping into my room and a haphazard collection of supplies being thrown at me unless I’m quick enough to catch them.

But this isn’t that. Painting supplies aren’t being forced on me. No one’s going to snatch away my creation once it’s beautiful enough to be sold.

Rory…he brought me expensive, gorgeous, high-quality stuff.

Just because.

Things you only get if you roam the aisles of a professional art supply store.

If what he’s saying is true, and he really got all of this just for me, and for nothing and no one else, then…

This is the sweetest, most thoughtful thing any man’s ever done for me.

Rory studies me with his eyes, as though he’s examining the various dimensions of this moment too. He speaks, drawing my gaze down to that mouth I want on me again. And again.

“So…paint. If you want. It’s better than trying to escape out the window.” He winks. “Because we know how that turned out last time.”

His ribbing makes both of us smile a little, like this entire situation is our own private joke and not the brutal reality of our lives.

Rory extracts one final item from the bag. A white cardboard box. “Here.”

Cautiously, I open the lid. My heart swells to twice its normal size. “You bought me cupcakes?” I gape at the colorful desserts until I’m sure I won’t cry before glancing up. “Thank you.”

Whatever he reads in my expression causes him to clear his throat. His voice becomes gruff. “You need anything else, let me know.”

His gaze drops from mine to the towel covering me.

I’m not imagining the way he swallows, that thick, sexy knot in his neck bobbing up and down.

The corresponding pulse between my legs is so overpowering, I almost lose my balance even though I’m standing completely still.

Okay.

So, there’s no way to ignore or deny how much I want him.

Not at all.

Five minutes ago, I was in control. His unanticipated thoughtfulness shifted things, and now I’m seconds away from dropping my towel in front of this dangerous yet stunning man.

I glance at the art supplies one more time, and that’s when I know how sure and serious I am about this. Despite everything Rory’s said and done to me…despite how rigid and violent he can be…there’s something else inside him too.

Something that brought me art supplies.

That bought me cupcakes.

That wants me andseesme as I’ve never been seen before. And whatever it is, it’s waking me up.

I feel electric.

Alive.Because of him.