Nodding toward a bench that faces the water, we go sit down and eat our gelato. "How's the praline pecan?" I ask her."Good. How's yours?"In response, I scoop some onto the little spoon and offer it to her. Her eyes lock onto mine as she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around it."Yum," she declares, licking her full lips.That's the understatement of the year. Shifting on the bench, I try to ignore the heaviness in my pants but, damn, it's not an easy thing to do. Finley is getting under my skin and making me want things that absolutely cannot happen."I'm getting that flavor next time," she announces.Next time. I wonder if the next time will be with me? A fierce possessiveness steals over me and I want it to be with me. I want everything she does to be with me. And I know that makes no damn sense. She's practically a stranger."So," I begin, trying to bring us back to the main issue at hand. "What should we do about this whole fake marriage thing?""I don't know," she says care
"Oh, my God," I whisper, touching a finger to my tingling lips as I walk into the hotel. Luca Volkanov has now kissed me twice and now I'm dying for a third kiss. Each one was more thrilling than the last and right now there's a freaking party going on in my panties. Sucking in a deep breath, I know that I really need to chill out.I step into the elevator, hit my floor and then sag against the wall. Good lord, that man knows how to kiss. My entire world just tilted on its axis and it's a good thing I walked away or else I'm scared we would've slipped into the nearby alley and done some very naughty things together.Luca seems just as into me and I'm not sure whether I believe his story or not. He was so much cooler this morning toward me and now he's running hot and full-steam ahead. I can't help but be suspicious and question his intentions. But what would be the point of being dishonest and not upfront? What in the world would he have to gain by pretending? We both want to help our
As I'm walking to the door, my mom stops me in my tracks when she says, "Finley. Don't do this because everyone else wants you to. Don't let them pressure you.""I'll be fine," I assure her. "And it's only for a short amount of time, right?"She studies me closely. "A lot can happen in a few months, sweetheart."I nod. "But, in this case, it's all fake.""Until it isn't," she comments. "Guard your heart, okay?""I will," I assure her. My mom is wise and I know she's worried about me, but I think it's time for me to spread my wings and live a little. I'm tired of being shut up and feeling like I'm missing out on life. I'm ready to take a leap of faith and have some fun."Are you sure you don't want me to go down, too?""Positive. This will only take a few minutes." She nods, reluctantly watching me leave. But it's something I need to do on my own.I know I should take the enforcer standing outside of our door, but I skirt around him and pretend like I'm only going to go down and grab m
I watch Finley sign her name on the dotted line and a wave of triumph passes through me. My gaze instantly shifts to my father and a small smile curves his mouth. He thinks he's in control and that he's gotten his way, but he has no idea that I'm about to get the ultimate revenge on him. After this, he's going to be a laughingstock in this town and his precious empire is going to crumble down all around him.And I don't give a shit. In fact, I'm looking forward to raising my glass and toasting his ruin.After scrawling my name across from hers, I invite Finley to go for a walk with me. I can tell she's less than comfortable with what's happening and I need to keep her believing in me and in a positive state of mind. The last thing I want is for her to start questioning me or our relationship. My goal is to make her as comfortable as possible and get her up on that altar, because if she bails early on me that won't happen.Reaching for her hand, I guide her outside, pulling her away fr
Everything is happening so fast and I can't believe I have a ring on my finger. I know it isn't real, but it feels...nice. Of course, I never imagined this is how my engagement would go. I just assumed I'd meet a man one day, we'd fall in love and, basically, that things would happen in a normal way.And this is so not normal.After Luca drops me off at the hotel, I hurry upstairs and my mom asks me how everything went. "Oh, fine," I say vaguely, desperately wishing I had someone to talk to, other than my mother.Her gaze drops to the diamond on my finger which sparkles like it's lit from within. God, I can't stop looking at it."You have a ring already?"I extend my hand. "Luca's friend owns a jewelry store and we walked over after signing the contract."Her face clouds over. "Finley, this whole situation worries me.""I'll be fine," I assure her."I'm just scared you're going to get hurt.""I know it's not real and I'm completely ready to walk away after three months. I'm doing this
The moment we enter, the hostess perks up, her eyes grazing appreciatively over Luca. "Right this way, Mr. Volkanov. Your usual table is all ready for you.""Thank you, Bettina," Luca says and places a hand on my back, guiding me through the dining room.As we pass by other tables, several people nod or greet Luca. He's a man of importance and, like me, it has everything to do with his last name. He may be the youngest Volkanov, but people respect and fear Matthias.Once we reach the corner table, Luca pulls my chair out and I sit. I'm tense and I know I need to relax, but my nerves are bouncing all over the place. Unfolding my cloth napkin, needing something to do, I lay it across my lap and start fidgeting with the silverware. Luca reaches over and lays his hand over mine, stopping its movements."What's wrong, Finley?" he asks in a low voice.Am I that easy to read? Not sure what to admit, I watch as he turns my hand over and begins to circle his index finger on my palm."Talk to m
Finley's pelvis starts a slow, sexy grind against my face and I lift her hips right up off the mattress and devour her. Licking up her sweet slit and sucking on her clit until she's crying out and desperate.I know I shouldn't be touching her much less having my face between her legs, but I couldn't resist. Knowing she's never been with a man before makes me want to be the first. A fierce need drives me forward and I'm determined to give her an orgasm right now.Finley is writhing and panting, so close, but not quite there, so I slide a finger into her slick pussy, slowly pumping it in and out and working her swollen clit with my mouth. Sucking her into oblivion."Get there, baby girl," I urge her and lightly scrape my teeth over her small, throbbing clit. With a husky cry, Finley tenses and I feel her inner muscles tighten around my finger. Damn, she's tight.The release rolls through her and I sit back on my heels, watching as ecstasy crosses her face. Her eyes are closed and her go
For the next couple of weeks, we're seen everywhere and spend every moment with each other. Once the society column announces our engagement, all bets are off. Invitations come out of the woodwork and everyone who's anyone wants to meet me and Finley—the one coupling with the Mennetti family that my father approves of.And the man practically shouts it from the damn mountaintop. He's telling everyone how perfect we are together and how he judged Trish and Solana's choice of partners far too quickly and harshly. It's hard to believe when he announces to the world that the rivalry between the Volkanov and Mennetti family is officially over and he fully supports his children and their significant others. And that it was my unwavering love for Finley that made him see how wrong he was.Cue the massive eye roll.My father is full of shit. And, as the days pass and we get closer and closer to the wedding day, I realize I am, too. I'm discovering that Finley Mennetti is a rare and amazing cr
"Welcome to the family, Luca. Officially," Connor adds, his champagne flute extended, and we all chuckle. The toast makes my heart happy because for the first time, what's happening between our families is genuine.Looking down the table, I take a moment to soak in what I see—endless smiling faces and a fierce love that brings tears to my eyes. Except for Matthias, Anna and Giovanni, everyone is here and it's amazing.We're at the hotel, celebrating in the attached restaurant. My brothers sit with their wives and my two nephews are being held by their glowing mothers. Trish and Connor are incredible parents and I hope to follow in their footsteps one day. Same with Solana and Rylan who is healing up quite nicely and being fussed over constantly by his adoring wife. Roberto and Adeline will be having their own little one soon enough and the way he looks at her makes my heart tumble.My mother sits beside Harrison Shepherd who's been welcomed into our dysfunctional chaos with open arms.
The intensity of her sucking increases and even though I'm trying to be good and not blow, it's getting damn hard. "Fuck, Finley," I swear. It's all too much and the moment she hums and those little vibrations skate up my aching length, I grab her shoulders and pull her up."I wasn't done," she says with a frown.Fighting for control, a muscle flexes in my jaw as I turn her toward the tub and help her step inside. "I want to come inside that sweet pussy, baby girl. And you're going to take my cock deep inside you and ride it hard. Can you do that for me?"She licks her lips in answer and I nearly blow my wad.Lowering myself into the tub, I guide Finley down to straddle me, and rest my arms along the porcelain edges. She takes a moment to get situated then shifts forward, spreading her legs wider. I drop a hand into the warm water, grasp my throbbing cock and push at her entrance. "Take it all," I encourage her. "Every last inch."With a soft moan, Finley starts to sink down, her body
After losing the assholes enforcers, the drive back to the city is uneventful. And that's fine by me. I've had enough adventure to last a lifetime. From this point forward, all I want is to focus all of my attention on Finley and make her the happiest woman in the world. I know I have some more apologizing to do, but right now, I just want to make it up to her.And my plan is to start with multiple orgasms. Butter her up a little first then pour my heart out and beg for her forgiveness. Hopefully, it's a good plan.I've lost what little faith and trust I had in Matthias, so I tell Roberto to drop us off at the hotel where their mother is staying."But I want to stay with you," Finley murmurs softly. She's curled up on my lap and my mouth edges up."You will. Don't worry, I'm not letting you out of my sight. I just don't want to go back to the apartment my father gave us. I'll never trust him again and we'll get our own place soon, tesoro."When Roberto finally pulls the Jeep up to the
My knees give out and I drop down to the rooftop patio, shaking so hard. The sound of pounding boots fills the air and I immediately tense—until I see Luca. He sweeps out onto the terrace, pulls me up and I sag against him."Thank Christ," he murmurs, pressing a string of kisses against my temple. "C'mon, we need to go."We lace fingers and jog back through the storage room then down the three flights of steps."How did you get away? Where are my brothers? Rylan? Is he okay?" I manage to ask."We overpowered some enforcer scum," he tells me. "Rylan was grazed by a bullet, but he's okay, and your brothers are loading him up into the Jeep right now.""I-I killed him," I murmur, still feeling a little shell-shocked."Don't think about it," he says, sliding an arm around my shoulders and holding me close. "You did what you had to do."I send up a little prayer that Desmond's twisted body is lying on the side driveway and not here in the front because I don't ever want to see it again. Luc
Luca seems to be on the same page. "Do you really think you can get away with this?" he asks. "Matthias is coming for you and there isn't a soul more ruthless than him. He won't rest until you're no longer a threat.""He's right," I add. "Matthias will fight you until his last breath.""You think I'm scared of Matthias?" Desmond scoffs. "After I take care of you, he's next. I've already hired the hitman to take him out."Luca and I exchange a quick look. Is he telling the truth? I have no idea, but it's definitely possible. We need to get away from Desmond, but how? Suddenly, two huge enforcers appear and Desmond motions to us."Grab them," he orders.My heart sinks as I'm yanked away from Luca and the enforcer forces me to walk toward the house. I have no idea what Desmond is planning, but I'm really starting to worry about my brothers. Where are they?I find out the answer as soon as we enter the house. Connor and Roberto are each sitting in a chair, tied up, and it looks like they
My eyes snap open and I carefully move my arms and legs. All good, no breaks. I have no idea how I'm still in one piece and all I can do is thank my lucky stars. Then I call out for Luca."Luca..." Turning onto my side, I look for him, but my eyes are still trying to focus after being knocked silly. Coughing from the smoke, I struggle to pull myself up into a sitting position, squinting through the thick billows of ash and black clouds. Finally, I spot Luca a hundred or so feet away from me.He's lying on the grass and not moving."Oh, God, no." Is he hurt? Or worse? Heart in my throat, stomach dropping in dread, I pull myself to my feet and stumble over to him. Falling down beside him, I lay my hands on his chest and lean down. "Luca?"When he doesn't respond, everything in me sinks hard and fast. Panic sets in and my fingers curl, grabbing hold of his shirt and shaking. "Luca!" I hiss.This can't be happening. He came to rescue me, told me he loved me and would never leave me...and
"We have a big fucking problem!" Luca snaps into his comms unit. "Stay away from here. Desmond has the barn rigged with explosives and I need to get Finley untied! Stall him!"My heart plunges. Connor and Roberto abruptly stop walking after Luca warns them that they're heading straight into a trap. Which, of course, is going to let Desmond know that something is up. But, thank God, Connor seems to play it off smoothly as he reengages Desmond in conversation.But, I know my brothers will only be able to stall for so long before Desmond realizes something is going on. He's too damn smart and ruthless.Luca stays low, working frantically on my bindings and I'm twisting, pulling and turning until my scraped wrists start bleeding."Fuck!" Luca glances up and I see fear and worry flash through his molasses eyes. Connor and Roberto have turned back around and continue talking to Desmond again, still stalling, and I don't see Rylan anywhere.Suddenly, chaos erupts up by the house and we look
By the time we get to the compound, I'm on the edge of my seat and ready to get this done. I want my woman back in my arms where she belongs and I'll do anything to make it happen.Roberto drives around to the rear of the property and lets me and Rylan out. We're splitting up so we can keep an eye on things better. I slide the tiny communications unit into my ear and we test them quickly. Everything appears to be in working order and Roberto gives us a salute."Stay in touch," Connor says."Roger that," Rylan responds and I give a sharp nod.The Jeep drives away and Connor and Roberto head to the front gate. The plan is for them to meet up with Desmond while Ry and I will stay under the radar, keeping a close eye on things. If Desmond deviates from the plan or tries to be sneaky in any way, we'll be ready."Ready?" Rylan asks."Let's do this."We move through the woods and sneak onto the property. From here, the plan is to split up and move to opposite sides of the large rear yard."S
Sweeping around the corner, our plan foremost in my brain, we walk straight into two enforcers and immediately jump them. They aren't expecting us and we use the element of surprise to our advantage. It's four against two and, even though the guys are big, they don't expect us to come flying out of the blackness and attack like wraiths.Roberto and Rylan quickly overpower the guard on the left while Connor and I take down the burly guy on the right. I tackle him at the knees and he drops hard while Connor slugs him with a fist to the face. We work well together and I pop up, lift my gun and slam it down against the base of the enforcer's skull. He drops like a brick and Connor gives me a nod.Glancing over, I see Roberto just finished doing the same thing.Once the guards are taken care of, or at least momentarily out of the picture, I stalk over to the cell and see Sean Flannigan cowering in there like the weasel he is and always will be. Looking down, I see the cell door is locked.