Page 36 of Modern Romance December 2025 5-8

Just her needs. Only her desires.

Wanton heat bloomed when she shifted in his lap and his thick, hot erection rolled against her hip. The sound that burst out of his throat was like a feral animal’s, and it sent savage shivers through her. That she could arouse this powerful, gorgeous man to such heights of desire…made power thrum through her. Her arousal deepened into something more, stoked by the affection and admiration she felt for him. He was the first person in the world who had paid real attention to her, who cared what she wanted and saw her like no one ever had.

Every guttural sound he made, every harsh breath that escaped those sinuous lips, she bottled it all up like a female dragon hoarding her treasure.

“And here I thought you were an innocent minx I would corrupt with my desires,” he murmured at her ear before licking the shell.

Shivering, she rolled her hips against that thickness again. In return, that dampness bloomed between her thighs. It drenched her flimsy lace panties, and that in itself was another new, decadent sensation. “It’s your own fault for making assumptions.” An ache pulsed at her core, fanned into a bigger flame with his roving, stroking hands and teasing lips, begging to be put out.

God, she couldn’t remember the last time she had been this turned on by a simple kiss. Although there was nothing simple about how Renzo devoured her. Like everything else about him, his desire was overpowering, addictive.

Biting out a curse, he pulled back and pressed his forehead to hers. “Contrary to our pre-wedding kiss, I don’t want the bloody world and the media to witness this one,bella.”

“Hmm…” Mimi said, still riding the delirious high of his kiss.

When he grinned—which rendered him even more gorgeous—she looked around. The launch was approaching the private dock of the Grand DiCarlo Venezia. It rose like a palace from the water, its grand facade illuminated by soft golden lights.

But even the sight of the imposing hotel couldn’t dim her awareness of the man holding her like she was fragile while his kisses were filthy.

“And here I thought you were all about the performance, Mr. DiCarlo.”

Groaning, he gently pushed her to her feet while surreptitiously arranging his trousers. “I think you should hold off on giving me a rating, Mrs. DiCarlo.”

She giggled, and his gaze swept over her face. A small but utterly genuine smile played about his own lips.

On impulse, Mimi threw herself at him and kissed that smile, desperate for a taste of it. “Your smile…it does things to me,” she whispered, then hid her face in his neck. “Even worse than your voice.” His laughter was a rumble against her body, both comforting and arousing. “I think I know what I want for a wedding present.”

His fingers gently nudged her back. “What?”

“More of what we just did. I…like how I feel when you kiss me.”

His thumb traced her cheekbone. “How much more?”

“A lot more. All of it if we can manage it.” Then, because she couldn’t be anything but honest, she said, “I’m nervous, but I also want this. For you and me.”

“Ahhh…cara. Fate picked you to torment me,sì?” In one second, the passionate lover transformed into the caring partner who had held her hand through hours of labor. His mouth was at her temple again. “I don’t want to rush you into anything yet,bella. We have a lifetime for all the filthy, wicked things I want to do to you.”

“Do we?” The words tumbled out of her before she could stop them, propelled by an urgent desperation to know if things had changed for him. “Our agreement was for one year.”

A harsh laugh escaped him. “It’s never anything less than a battle with you, is it?”

“Renzo, wait—”

“Let’s not argue in front of the whole world. I refuse to follow in Santo and Pia’s footsteps. Everything that happens between us remains between us,sì?”

It was a sentiment Mimi could get behind, so she swallowed her protest and nodded.

The hotel was a masterpiece. The hum of the boat faded as the launch docked at the private pier, and Mimi’s heart fluttered with nerves.

She’d known Renzo’s company owned luxury resorts, but seeing one up close like this was overwhelming. “This is one of yours?” she asked, her voice low.

“Ours,bella,” he said, standing as the boat came to a stop. “The jewel in the crown of the DiCarlo empire.”

He extended a hand to her, and for a moment she hesitated before taking it. His touch was warm, grounding, and despite his tight jaw, she felt a flicker of gratitude for his steady presence through everything. “Before you argue with me, the penthouse is home now,sì? Small steps are okay with me.”

“Are they? Because all I want to do is to leap into the fire and damn the consequences.”

His inhale was sharp.