Page 19 of The Temptation

I drop the vibrator onto the mattress beside me and type my reply.

Me: Do you mind? I’m in the middle of something.

Romeo: You better not be doing what I think you’re doing!!!

I chuckle to myself as I write the following message.

Me: What is it you think I’m doing?

Romeo: Don’t play games with me, Lucia. You won’t win.

Oh, Mr De Luca, I haven’t even begun playing games with you yet.

I toss my phone onto the bed and reach for the vibrator again. I turn the setting up a few notches because if I keep going at my previous pace I’m going to end up with cooch burn. It only takes a few more minutes of moaning to get another ping.

Romeo: Stop what you are doing this instant, or I’m going to kick that damn door in and stop you myself. I’m not fucking around here, Lucia.

Me: The door is unlocked, there’s no need to kick it in. You’re welcome to come in and watch.

I roll my lips to muffle my giggle as I press send.

Romeo: I’m fucking serious, Lucia, STOP!!!

Me: Give me a minute, I’m almost done.

I wait for his reply, but when it doesn’t come, I reach for Big-O again. I can play this game all night long if need be.

As soon as the vibrator buzzes to life, I hear Romeo’s bedroom door creak open. I freeze and hold my breath, because I’m fully expecting him to storm in, but instead, the bathroom door slams shut seconds later.

When the shower turns on, my eyes widen. He had one earlier, so that can only mean one thing … he’s having a cold one. I’ve read about those in my books.

I drop Big-O and spring out of bed, racing towards the wall that adjoins the one in the bathroom, placing my ear against the gyprock.

I can hear the sound of running water coming through in a steady, muffled rush. Every so often, there’s a dull thump, likely a footstep, or a bottle being moved. The water shifts occasionally, changing pitch slightly as he moves around or adjusts the showerhead.

I listen for something … anything, and when it finally comes, I can’t believe my ears. “Luuuu-cheeee-yaaaa,” he groans. It sounds like he’s in pain, but he’s not … not specifically.

He’s coming.

Oh. My. God.

Romeo De Luca, the tattooed hot underboss of the ManciniFamiglia, is in the shower, jerking off to images of me, I’m sure of it.

Turning, I lean my back against the wall as I place my hand on my chest, right over my erratically beating heart.

A huge smile curves my lips when I realise that phase one ofOperation Takedownis complete.

Tomorrow I’m going to up the ante. This man will be putty in my hands before he even knows what hit him.

Chapter 6

Lucia

Romeo may think his sporadic growls and the ice-cold shoulders he’s been throwing in my direction all day are enough to scare me off, but if that’s his plan, he’s seriously underestimating me. If there’s one thing I am, it’s persistent.

I want this man. And deep down, I’m pretty sure he wants me too. He just needs a little nudge. Or in this case, a well-placed shove in the right direction.

Phase two ofOperation Takedownis already scheduled for later tonight. It’s technically the same thing I did last night, but this time I’m hoping he comes into my room like he threatened, instead of disappearing into the bathroom again.