The Commanding Italian's Challenge

And she was going to expire—she was certain of it.

He kissed her. Surprisingly softly considering the passion that bristled from him. Heart-stopping. Poignant.

Faye felt tears prickle at her eyes. He pulled away again and she sucked in a shaky breath as he spun her around to face the bed. Slowly, excruciatingly, he traced the outline of her body from wrists to thighs. Then he followed the caress with his lips, down the column of her spine.

‘Il mio bellissimo arcobaleno,’ he rasped against her skin. My beautiful rainbow.

Faye felt beautiful. Almost...treasured.

She knew she was getting carried away, but she couldn’t help it.

When he placed one hand in the small of her back and nudged her, she teetered forward onto her hands. Firm hands removed her panties, feathered caresses up the inside of her thighs. Before she could draw breath Maceo parted her in the most elemental way, tasting her with a voracious kiss that weakened every atom in her body.

‘Oh, God!’

Shocked pleasure sizzled up her spine as her night of firsts continued. His tongue wrung bliss from her, and when she climaxed he was there to catch her. To hold her close as he drew back the sheets and placed her in the middle of the bed.

Then he made her wait as he finished undressing. A man fully comfortable in his own skin, he stood tall and proud, content to stare down at her with savage hunger while she fought the urge to squirm with the renewed need flaying her.

Slowly he prowled onto the bed, positioned himself over her so she was caged in his arms. He kissed her in slow, languorous strokes, as if he had all the time in the world.

‘I feel the need to make you come again,’ he delivered hoarsely.

‘Because you like seeing me lose control?’

‘Because it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,’ he growled, then flicked his tongue over one nipple.

Need clamouring through her, she arched her back, presented her other breast and revelled in his unfettered shudder as he accepted her offer.

He teased and tormented her. And just when she imagined she’d go out of her mind he reached for a condom. After sliding it on, he grasped her knees.

‘Show me where I crave to be, Faye,’ he pleaded gruffly.

Knowing she had him under her spell, even if only for a brief time, filled Faye with a heady power and worthiness she’d never experienced in her life. Every ounce of self-consciousness evaporated as, watching his rapt, breathtaking face, she parted her thighs.

Maceo inhaled long and deep, hectic colour scouring his cheekbones as he stared at her feminine core. Then his fingers slowly brushed her flesh. ‘Dio mio, you’re so soft,’ he rasped thickly.

Faye reached for him, unable to stem her need. ‘I want you now, Maceo.’

He parted her wider, settled between her thighs. ‘Then tell me you’re ready, tesoro.’

‘I’m ready,’ she whispered.

In one smooth thrust, he slid into her.

* * *

Maceo felt as if his heart would beat right out of his chest. He’d stepped off the path he’d designated for himself, a path that already burned beneath his feet, because of the woman beneath him. Her scent. Her smile. Her very uniqueness. In that moment, embedded deep within her, he was sure he could search the whole world and never find another close to Faye Bishop.

But he didn’t need to. The woman who quieted his demons was right here. Her tightness was welcoming him in ways he’d only dreamed about. Now he understood why men went to war over sex.

He bit back a groan as she gripped him tighter. As she squirmed.

‘Please, Maceo,’ she begged.

His vision hazed. He fought for control, noting the tremors shaking the fingers he used to smooth back her hair. He traced her brows, her cheekbones, her nose and the bottom curve of her trembling mouth.

‘Hush, bella arcobaleno. I’ve waited a long time for this. Allow me a moment to savour it.’