Page 23 of Tempting Frankie (Lust & Luxury #1)

“Then when I was fourteen, I ended up in this home with five other kids. That's where I met Kat.” Her voice softens, a note of warmth creeping in. “She was twelve and all attitude. But we just…clicked, you know?”

I nod, even though she can't see me. “Sometimes you find your family in unexpected places.”

“Yeah,” she says, a smile in her voice. “That's exactly it. We looked out for each other, covered for each other when things got rough. And when Kat turned eighteen, we both took my last name.”

My heart aches for the two girls who found solace in each other, who chose to be sisters in every way that matters. “That's beautiful, Francesca,” I murmur.

Francesca shifts in my arms, turning to face me. Her eyes search mine, curiosity dancing in their depths. “Why don't you come here more often?” she asks, her voice soft but probing.

I open my mouth to answer, but the words die on my tongue. Why don't I? The question hits me like a sucker punch, leaving me winded and off-balance. I stare out at the inky lake, watching the moonlight ripple across its surface as I search for an answer.

“I...” I start, then stop. I don't have a good reason. There's no reason why I shouldn't be out here more often. No reason why I haven't brought her here until now, two months into us.

The silence stretches between us. Francesca waits, patient but expectant. I can feel her eyes on me, see the slight furrow of her brow in my peripheral vision.

Finally, I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Honestly? I don't know,” I admit, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. “I bought this place years ago, thinking it'd be a retreat. Somewhere to escape, you know?”

Francesca nods, her fingers idly tracing patterns on my forearms. The touch grounds me, gives me the courage to continue.

“But then life happened. Work got busier. The company expanded. And this place, it just sat here. Empty. Waiting.”

I look down at her, taking in the way the firelight dances across her face, highlighting the curve of her cheek, the fullness of her lips. “I guess I forgot how to slow down,” I murmur. “Forgot how to just...be.”

She considers this, her head tilted slightly. “And now?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I cup her face in my hands, thumbs brushing over her cheekbones. “Now? Now I'm wondering why the hell I waited so long to bring you here.”

“We could come here more often,” she says softly, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. “If you wanted to, I mean.”

I lean in, pressing my forehead against hers. “I want to,” I breathe. “Francesca, I want to show you everything. I want to wake up with you here, watch the sunrise over the lake. Take you out on the boat, teach you to fish. Show you all the secret spots I've found over the years.”

The words pour out of me, a flood of desires I didn't even know I had until this moment. I can see it all so well.

Her eyes widen, mischief in their depths. Before I can react, she's moving, quick and graceful as a cat. In one fluid motion, she turns and straddles my lap, her thighs bracketing my hips.

“Francesca, what—” I start, but the words die in my throat as she grabs my wrists, pinning them above my head against the back of the couch. Her grip is surprisingly strong, and the shock of it sends a jolt straight to my dick.

“Shh,” she whispers, her lips curving into a wicked smile. “My turn to be in charge.”

Well, I've never seen this side of her before. The confidence radiating off her in waves almost makes me drunk. I could break her hold easily, but I don't want to. I want to see where she'll take this.

Francesca leans in, her breath hot against my ear. “Is this okay?” she murmurs, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her voice.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. She pulls back, searching my face for any sign of hesitation. Finding none, she closes the distance between us, capturing my lips in a kiss.

It's not like our usual kisses, where I take the lead, guiding and coaxing. She nips at my bottom lip, then soothes the sting with her tongue. I groan, straining against her hold, desperate to touch her.

“Ah ah,” she chides, tightening her grip on my wrists. “No touching. Not until I say so.”

The order sends a shiver down my spine. I've always been the one in control, the one calling the shots. But this? This is fucking new and exhilarating.

Francesca rolls her hips, grinding down against me, and I hiss through clenched teeth. She's so warm, so perfect in my lap. I can feel her heat through the thin fabric of her leggings, and it's driving me wild.

“You like this, don't you?” she purrs, trailing kisses along my jaw. “Big, bad Alexander Steele, at my mercy.”

I growl low in my throat, fighting the urge to flip us over and take control.

“Answer me,” she demands, tugging lightly on my hair.

“Yes,” I grit out, my voice rough with need. “Fuck, Francesca, you have no idea what you do to me.”

She smirks, clearly pleased with herself. “Oh, I think I have some idea,” she says, grinding down again, making me groan. “I can feel exactly what I do to you, Alexander.”