Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 43928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
The door at the far end of the hallway is slightly ajar, spilling light into the dark hall. I push it open slowly, glancing inside.
The room is as luxurious as the rest of the house, but it's inconsequential. The curvy goddess seated at the vanity is the only thing that matters to me.
The sight of her stops me in my tracks, gripping me by my fucking balls. It's an intense, visceral reaction I didn't anticipate.
Cazzo.
She's the prettiest little thing I've ever seen before. Every inch of her is thick and lush, from her full breasts to her thick waist to her hips. She looks so fucking soft and innocent. So gentle.
There's an ethereal, unreal quality to her—as if she's a midnight fairy bathing in the moonlight pouring through the window. Raven hair tumbles freely down her back. Her olive skin glows. Her full lips are parted slightly as she stares at her own reflection with troubled blue eyes as if trying to figure out who she is.
She turns toward me, and those blue eyes meet mine. It feels like being struck by lightning. Desire sparks through every vein and ignites every nerve.
My cock throbs in response, aching like a motherfucker.
Jesus. I've never felt anything like it.
She gasps, her hand flying to her throat in surprise. But I don't move to reassure her, not immediately. Not while heat pools low in my gut. Not when every instinct roars at me to claim what's mine. Not when my cock is so fucking hard that I can't think straight.
Coda would call this madness—an unnecessary distraction. But he doesn't feel the raw, all-consuming need pulling me toward this goddess. If this is madness, it feels pretty fucking vital to me.
Jesus Christ.
"Who are you?" Her voice trembles with fear, but a spark of defiance in those stunning eyes sends a shiver of anticipation through me.
Would she submit if she were on her back beneath me…or would she fight like hell the whole time?
I've never wanted to find out as badly as I do right now.
I don't have time for women or dating. Actually, I've intentionally never made time. Women and kids are collateral damage in my world. Just ask my mother. My father fucked up and got her killed. She was six months pregnant with my little brother.
I've made a conscious choice not to ever put a woman in that same position. I avoid them, plain and simple. I won't have the blood of one on my hands. End of story.
But there's something about this woman…
Dio. This is madness.
"Mattia Agostino," I introduce myself, my tone soft in contrast to the thundering beat of my heart. "What's your name, cara mia?"
"Aurelia R-Roscoe."
Aurelia Roscoe.
Jesus. She really is Tabitha Roscoe's daughter.
"Do you know who I am?"
She licks her lips and nods. "You work for Rafe Valentino."
"Yes. Your brother. I'm here to take you home."
Fear flickers across her face before she steels herself, sitting up straighter as she turns to face me fully.
"No." Her voice shakes. "You need to leave. Now."
Cazzo.
She's going to fight me. Of course, she's going to fight me.
Her resistance only makes me harder.
"I can't do that, cara mia. Not before I get you to safety."
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
Her defiance amuses me. She's a frightened little mouse, but she isn't timid. She's feisty, with a fire in those ocean-blue eyes that could rival the depths of hell. She doesn't deny that Rafe is her brother, though. She knows.
How long has she known?
I'd love to ask her that question, but now isn't the time.
"You aren't safe here, Aurelia. Brio intends to use you to get to your brother. You need to come with me. I can protect you."
"Why should I believe you?" she spits the question at me like venom.
Because I'm the monster who'll keep you safe from every other monster in this city.
I don't voice that thought out loud. Instead, I step closer, slowly, careful not to spook her even while enjoying the way her pulse hammers in her throat.
Would it react the same way if I wrapped my hand around her throat and squeezed while I fucked her? Would she come all over me?
A shout downstairs distracts her momentarily, pulling her attention from me.
I lunge forward, clamping a hand over her mouth before she can scream.
She goes rigid, fighting like a little hellcat as I haul her into my arms. She kicks and scratches, trying to bite my hand as she struggles to free herself. It's no use, though. I'm a helluva lot bigger than she is, and she's right where I want her.
The way she struggles shouldn't excite me, but it does. I want her to fight the same way while I'm balls deep inside of her.
"Relax," I command roughly, holding her close to my chest. "I'm not going to hurt you, cara mia."