Page 6 of Thorns of Desire

His eyes gleamed. “You’re the first.”

I smiled. “I like you.”

He smiled wickedly and seemed to consider his next words. He leaned closer to me, his breath ghosting the shell of my ear. “That’s good, because I’m going to make you mine. I’m going to bury my face in your pussy tonight and make you come all over my tongue. And when you’re screaming my name, you’ll be begging me for my cock.”

My cheeks bloomed with heat. Apparently Italians didn’t waste any time.

“Begging, huh?”

He grasped a tendril of my hair, curling the lock around his finger before tucking it behind my ear. “What do you say,amorina?”

Oh, God.

Was it normal for my body to react this way? It was a novelty, something I wanted to explore.

“Amorina?” I rasped, my voice trembling. “My name is Athena.”

His knuckles brushed against my cheek, then he traced one finger down the line of my neck, stopping at my racing pulse, before he whispered, “It’s a nickname. It fits you perfectly.”

Goose bumps scattered over my skin and slick arousal drenched my panties. My mouth was dry and my heart drummed against my ribs. I needed this. Neededhim, and nothing would stand in my way.

Just as I opened my mouth to suggest we find the exit immediately, my phone buzzed and I let out a frustrated groan as I glanced down to check who it was.

Reina: Where the fuck are you all?

I loved my friends, every single one of them. But tonight, the only plans I had included this gorgeous man and everything I knew he could offer me.

I typed a quick reply in our group chat. They would know what it meant.

????????

Manuel leaned back as if to give me privacy. “Emergency?”

His gaze roved over me while he watched me from beneath those gorgeous, darkly lashed brown eyes.

“No emergency.”

Another message came through, but this time I didn’t bother opening it. I had more important things to do—such as sitting on this gorgeous Italian’s face.

I gripped my newly refilled shot glass off the bar, downed it in one go, then slipped off my stool.

“Should we get going or do you want to stand around and talk all night?”

A hint of a smile curled his lips and he put his hand on my lower back, guiding me toward the exit.

“You waste no time, no?”

I flashed him a confident smile. “Not tonight.”

It wouldn’t be until the next day that I’d realize I never pressed the send button, leaving my friends’ messages unanswered.

THREE

MANUEL

Athena.

The name suited her perfectly—a goddess of wisdom and beauty. I had yet to learn her last name, but I would.