Giving my head a shake, I follow him to the elevator and after waiting a minute, the door slides open. Roberto motions for me to enter first and, again, I'm struck by how he's such a gentleman. It makes my heart speed up.The elevator starts down and I shift, surreptitiously studying him from beneath my lashes. He looks so stoic and solid. Especially when he crosses his arms like he's doing. It's too quiet and I hate uncomfortable silences, so I do the only thing I can—try to fill it with meaningless conversation."So, your family owns this hotel?" I ask, even though I already know the answer.He nods."How long have you owned it?" Inwardly, I cringe at my own question. Really, Em, who cares?Roberto thinks for a minute then says, "For as long as I can remember.""Do you stay here a lot?" I regret the question before it even fully leaves my mouth. If he's staying here then it probably means he's bringing a woman to hook up with. The apartment over his fight club isn't that far away an
Holy hell, no one ever tasted this good. Like sunshine and lemons and my favorite dessert all rolled into one. Adeline is so sweet, so eager, and she kisses me back with so much innocence. Offering herself up to the moment, to the kiss, to me and to whatever crazy thing is happening between us.I love how responsive she is and I deepen the kiss, forcing her head back slightly, sliding my tongue along hers. She mimics whatever I do, and that only encourages me to keep kissing her. Usually, I'm more controlled, but Adeline makes me come undone. It's wet and sloppy and so damn needy. My usual technique disappears and we're swept away in the passionate moment.And that's never happened to me before. I've kissed plenty of women in my twenty-eight years, but this is a completely different level of desire pulsing through me. Yeah, sure, I've fucked my share of women, too. But I don't want to just fuck Adeline. I want to make her reach the highest level of pleasure possible and then shatter i
Emotion thickens my throat but before I can comment, the elevator door glides open and I pull my hand back. I instantly miss her warmth and softness. Touching her is starting to become a habit. And it's definitely a habit I don't want to break.We head over to the suite and I knock. Finley opens the door with a big grin, hugs me then hugs Adeline who looks a little surprised since the two have barely spoken to each other. But that's my little sister. She's a bouncing ball of exuberant energy and loves everyone and everything."Adeline, your dad is so funny!" Finley exclaims and tugs her over where Jonathan Shepherd appears to be holding court with my mom, sister and Griffin."He is?" Adeline asks, clearly surprised by Finley's words. With wide eyes, she looks over to her dad who waves at us. He's shuffling a deck of cards and it looks like he's entertaining the group with tricks because he asks my mom to pick one.Walking closer, staying beside Adeline, I watch the amazement wash over
Connor and I talk for a little while longer and then say goodbye. He should arrive at the hotel by early evening and then we can all sit down and come up with a game plan to defeat Desmond. In the meantime, I take a quick shower and wash away my workout. I also relieve some of the sexual tension thrumming through my body and jerk off.Since I'm not going to be fucking Adeline any time soon, it's best to give my poor dick some relief.The problem is, the moment I'm around Adeline again and smell her soft lemon vanilla scent, I start getting hard all over again. She's like this siren, calling to me, and I'm dying to have her. All of her.But I refuse to cross that line again. It's not good for either of us. Nothing can happen, I keep telling myself. Over and over again. Like a loop replaying through my head.My mind hears it, but my heart isn't really on board and my dick never got the notice because I'm sitting with Adeline right now and he's raring to go.Fuck. This is miserable.Coul
I haven't been able to fall asleep and listening to Roberto toss and turn and sigh isn't helping the situation. Finally, he rolls off the couch and walks over to the sliding glass door, opens it and steps onto the balcony.There's a lot going on and maybe thoughts of Desmond taking over and the need to protect his family is keeping him up. Stressing him out. There is the possibility it could be something else, though.It could be me, I realize.If Roberto is feeling anything like I'm feeling, then I'm definitely contributing to his anxiety. I don't want to or mean it, but there's no denying the truth. That kiss we shared earlier in the gym was electric. It's making me wonder what else we could do that would cause sparks.The air in the room feels thick, almost sensual, and it's hanging over me like a humid blanket. No wonder he went outside to get some fresh air. Sliding out of bed, I decide two things. First, I'm going to join him on the balcony. And second, I'm going to try to ease
Whatever is holding Roberto back snaps like a rubber band stretched too far and he pulls me against his hard body, dips his head and slams his mouth against mine. Sensations flood me and I slide my hands up, skimming them through his hair which needs a cut. But I love the tousled feel and whimper softly when his tongue pushes past my lips.It's like he's claiming me, and I open my mouth more, letting him know that I'm all his. Leaning into his hard, muscled body, I can feel his big, steel length pressing into my belly and, for a moment, I wonder if he's too large. He's so tall, muscled and big in every way, and it's a little intimidating.He must feel me tense up a little because he immediately breaks the kiss, grabs my chin and lifts it up. His dark blue eyes search mine as he asks, "What's wrong?"Clearing my throat, I try to look away, but he doesn't let me."Talk to me, Adeline."My mouth opens and I'm not sure how to tell him his size is a little scary. But I know Roberto will un
I'm probably about to pop a vein on my forehead, but I do everything in my power to maintain my stringent control even though everything in me wants to let loose and start pounding away like a lust-filled mad man.But this is Adeline. Sweet, sweet Adeline who just handed me her virginity and I'm going to cherish it. No matter how much I'm dying, I grit my teeth and force myself to give her a moment to get used to the feel of me inside her."Are you okay?" she asks.A laugh bursts from my throat. "I think I'm supposed to ask you that question.""I'm good, but you seem a little tense."I'm a helluva lot more than a little tense and if I don't start moving soon, I think I'm going to die. But if I have to go, I suppose being balls-deep in Adeline is the way to leave this world. Very slowly, I begin rocking my hips, trying to hold off the orgasm that is threatening to explode and launch me into the stratosphere."Let me know if anything hurts or is uncomfortable, okay?""Okay," she murmurs
When she doesn't move, I reach for the sheet she's clutching like a lifeline and slowly tug it away, exposing her naked body. Her skin is still flushed and warm. Lowering the washcloth between her legs, I carefully clean her.Afterward, I get rid of the washcloth, climb back into bed and pull her into my arms. Pressing a kiss to her temple, breathing in her soft scent, I know I'm a goner. This is what Connor and Rylan must have experienced with Trish and Solana. There aren't exactly words to accurately describe the depth of what I'm feeling. Just an overwhelming sensation that everything is right and good and wonderful."That was amazing," I tell her. "Just, ah, one little thing you should know."Adeline turns in my arms, brow furrowing. "Did I do something wrong?""Christ, no. You were perfect in every way. More than perfect." She relaxes slightly, searching my face."What then?"Shit. There's really no easy way to say it, so I don't bother trying to sugarcoat it. "I noticed the cond
"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.