There was something about his words that were so damn haunting. He’d never been allowed to have a childhood. I turned slightly, still hiding behind my drink, still unable to look him in the eyes. “Did he… punish you?”
“He raised his hand as if to slap me for daring to defy him, but something odd happened. He lowered his arm and crouched down to my level. There was such sadness in his eyes, as if he had no idea what to say to his own son. When he reached out, I refused to flinch and his gentle touch was shocking to me. My father had never tucked me in. He’d never attended a birthday party. He was far too busy. On that day, I could see tears in his eyes.”
“What did you do?” I realized I was leaning in, now barely an inch away from him.
“I placed my hand on my father’s face, telling him that it was all right that he couldn’t take me.” Lorenzo snorted. “I was eight years old consoling my monstrous father.” He sighed, giving me an awkward smile. “Anyway, for the first time, my father told me how proud he was of me for standing up for what I believed in. Then he let me in on a little family secret.”
I twisted my mouth, uncertain if I wanted to hear the rest.
“He said that our family wasn’t normal in any manner, that we couldn’t attend various events or festivities like all the other children in my class. When I asked him why, he said that there were too many enemies hungry and very willing to find any weakness, prepared to destroy our family. He said that it was his responsibility to keep his family safe. Sadly, years later I realized that he’d been right.”
Another obvious tragedy in Lorenzo’s past. All I’d really been thinking about was myself, forgetting that the life he led he hadn’t chosen.
Lorenzo offered a slight smile. “Anyway, he told me that I would soon hold that responsibility as the firstborn son, and he knew I was capable of protecting those I cared about. Of course, I was too young to fully comprehend what he was telling me, but at that moment, I felt like king of the hill, as if my father was telling me I was special.”
The sadness in his voice brought tears to my eyes. “I’m… sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. That was the night I began to grow up. He also told me that I needed to be very careful who I placed any level of trust in and that I would learn caring about anyone had risks.”
“That’s a shitty thing to say to a little boy.”
Lorenzo lifted a single eyebrow. “Is it? He was preparing me for the life within the dark realm of a mafia family. I respected him much more after that day.”
“Why are you telling me this?” I finally asked.
He took the last step in my direction, towering over me. “Because I believed every word my father told me and until recently, I trusted no one. I cared for no one.”
I opened my mouth but there were no words to say.
“Until you came into my life, Sierra. You are capable of bringing my world to its knees. I was ready to tear the city apart in my effort to seek revenge when I thought you were dead. You have changed my life but in doing so, I’m forced to face demons that I’d locked away years ago. I never want to hurt you and I do trust you with all that I have.”
Perhaps there was no real reason for him to trust me or for me to believe anything that he’d said. But I did. He’d finally allowed me into his inner sanctum, and I had no doubt he’d never done that before. As I captured a glimpse of his very soul through his beautiful eyes, I knew there was no turning back. For whatever reason fate had brought us together again, I refused to fall victim to my own fears and allow it to be stripped away. “I-”
He placed a single finger over my mouth, shaking his head. “Stop talking. We’re not going to waste any time. What we have tonight might not happen again for some time.”
“Why?”
“I think Dante is right. Someone is actually attempting to protect you. Things are escalating, and my guess is they will reach a boiling point within days.” He used his body to push me against the edge of the counter, taking the drink out of my hand. His eyes twinkled as he took a sip before placing the glass on the counter with a hard thud. “I’ve told you before. When I want something, I take it. No ifs. No questions. No hesitations. And. I. Want. You.”
There was such angry desire in the man, as if he’d unleased the beast. While I’d been apprehensive before, all I wanted was to have him fill me.
Lick me.
Fuck me.
I planted both palms on his chest, clenching his thick jacket, my breath skipping. “I want you. Not just not tonight, but…” Why couldn’t I finish my sentence, sharing with him what I honestly desired? This wasn’t about love at first sight or even going from enemies to lovers. This was about accepting a life that I had no real understanding of but with a man-the only man I knew who could fulfill my desires, giving me everything I’d ever wanted.
“Forever,” he growled and took my hands into his, lowering his head until he pressed his lips against mine. He held the position, finally using his lips to open mine, darting his tongue just inside.
For a man with no patience, his tender and calculated actions were enough to drive me to the point of insatiable need. I tipped my head, forcing our lips together, drinking in his sweet essence. He smelled of testosterone and brawn, a man ready to seek revenge on all those who would attempt to destroy any portion of his life. The taste of him was even sweeter, a reminder of our intense connection.
I slipped my arms around his neck, intertwining my fingers in his hair as the kiss became more passionate, turning into a desperate need shared between us. His breathing was ragged as he lifted me onto my tiptoes, taking more control, ravaging me with his mouth. He finally unleased his beast, growling past the kiss as he ground his hips against mine.
The feel of his throbbing cock made me swoon, my mind reeling as the intense longing rushed into every cell and vein. I was lost to this man with no sense of rationality any longer. Whatever danger was about to occur, we would face it together.
At least I believed we would.
He yanked me away from the counter then gripped both sides of my face, using enough force I opened my eyes wide. When he broke the kiss, he took several rapid breaths, the hot air invigorating. “Mine. I’ve told you that before, but no man will ever attempt to hurt you again. Do you hear me? Do you?”
“Yes. Yes!”
With almost no effort, he tossed me over his shoulder, taking long strides out of the kitchen. There was no need to comment to Dante. The soldier knew his place. He’d keep us safe and alive.
At least for tonight.
I was totally electrified, a heightened level of red-hot heat searing every nerve ending. Lightheaded, I was torn by how much I adored him. This time, it wasn’t only my body that had betrayed me. My heart and soul had followed suit.
Lorenzo took the stairs two at a time, not asking which room I’d taken. He simply went to the end of the hall, kicking open the partially closed door, slamming it shut and storming forward. There was no light, no warm glow of a spring moon shining in through the blinds, yet he knew his way, dumping me onto the softness of the bed.
Neither Dante nor I had selected what I guessed was the master bedroom, both feeling like unwanted strangers and nothing more.
There were no words as Lorenzo moved around the room, although I heard the sound of a closet door opening. I held my breath, concentrating on the rapid beating of my heart. When the light from a single candle added a warm glow to the room, I couldn’t help but take a deep breath. He was magnificent tonight, although his roughhewn appearance was a little frayed around the edges.
He had been worried. Such warmth rushed into my system at the notion.
I watched as he removed his weapons, laying them carefully on the small nightstand, both ready for action. He would never relax, could never simply be a man. On this night, he was my protector as well as my lover.
He was also my master.