Where his voice was usually calm and unreadable, I could catch the unmistakable hints of worry and hesitation now. The fact that he could be vulnerable with me, that he trusted me enough to share his doubts, filled me with a happiness so intense it almost hurt. I was the one person he could confide in, the one who saw his light and shadows-and cherished both.
“It’s okay to feel happy about having siblings, even if they’re from another world and trust doesn’t come easily,” I said, my heart aching for him. Growing up, I’d never thought much about being an only child. My mom and dad were my world; even without close friends, their presence was always enough. “Have you had a chance to meet them yet?”
“For just a moment,” he replied with a grunt, “but Isotta and Marinella were there too. I don’t trust either of them. Isotta is testing my patience, and Marinella has a temper to match her sharp tongue.”
The darkness crept into my tone before I could stop it. “Did something happen with them?” A glint of protective anger flashed in my eyes, and I couldn’t hide the murderously jealous thoughts that surged to the surface. If Isotta had any ideas about Leonardo, she was in for a rude awakening. “Does she think there’s something between her and you-”
Before I could finish, Leonardo wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me onto his lap, and I settled comfortably, straddling him. Being this close was intoxicating; his scent, the warmth of his hands against my hips, all of it was imprinted on me now, something I knew I’d crave endlessly.
Jealousy, bitter and sharp, clawed its way up again, coloring my thoughts. I’d dealt with jealousy before-over Francesca, over Laura-but this was different, raw and unyielding. The thought of someone else believing they had a claim to Leonardo felt like a physical ache, a deep, possessive burn in my chest.
Leonardo’s hands came up to cradle my face, his cool fingers soothing the blush that had crept onto my skin. When his lips met mine, it was like stepping into a storm of ice and fire, each kiss charged with an intensity that went beyond words, a silent promise.
“I don’t care what Isotta or anyone else thinks,” he growled, his voice rough with passion. “Those two insufferable women have their own agendas, and if that pits them against you, then they’re my enemies. I don’t hesitate to destroy my enemies.” His words were fierce, and I clung to the fabric of his tunic, feeling the vibration of his voice as he held me.
Our lips met again, and with every kiss, the lingering pain faded away. I was drowning in him, in his taste, in his scent that reminded me of rain-soaked earth and frost-covered nights. I tangled my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer as his teeth scraped against my bottom lip, a spark of pleasure shooting down my spine. His tongue brushed against mine, a taste that felt like pure bliss, like home.
His arms tightened around me, almost to the point of pain, but I only wanted him closer, to lose myself entirely in his embrace. I was so absorbed in the feel of him, in the way his touch seemed to melt away every doubt, that I barely registered the faint scent of my own arousal thickening the air. Sensing it, his hands shifted to grip my hips, his voice low and guttural.
“Damn it, kitten,” he whispered, his words laced with hunger and the slightest tremor of restraint. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
In a swift motion, he laid me back, his weight pressing down on me as his gaze lingered on my body. I throbbed with anticipation, aching to feel him even closer. The thin nightgown I wore had bunched up around my hips, leaving me exposed beneath him. He looked down at me like I was something sacred, something he’d waited an eternity to hold.
His lips left mine, trailing down my jaw and neck, his touch scattering every coherent thought. I didn’t want him to stop, couldn’t think of why I’d ever wanted him to. His lips continued their path, soft nips and lingering kisses that stole my breath, grounding me in a way I hadn’t felt before.
When he reached the edge of my nightgown, he paused, his gaze flicking up to meet mine. His hand brushed over my chest, sending a shiver through me.
“You have no idea…” he began, his voice thick with emotion. “I may never fully deserve you, but I’ll cherish you every day I have.”
“We’re a match for each other,” I murmured, my voice raspier than usual. “No matter our pasts.” My words felt like a promise, one I couldn’t wait to fulfill. “And if you keep going, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop you.”
A glint of intensity flashed in his eyes, and he didn’t waste a second. His mouth reclaimed mine with a hunger that erased any lingering insecurity. With Leonardo, there was only this-a bond deeper than time, a certainty that nothing and no one could ever come between us. I wrapped my legs around his waist, drawing him even closer, savoring the way he groaned softly, the sounds spilling from his lips without restraint.
His hands drifted lower, his gaze darkening as he focused on the damp fabric between my legs, and I thought I might explode from the anticipation.
Then, just as he grazed his fingers against me, a heavy knock sounded at the door. His mouth stilled against my neck, and a low, dangerous growl rumbled in his chest.
“I’m going to kill them all,” he muttered into my skin, the possessiveness in his voice only stoking the fire building inside me.