“Whether you believe it or not, it’s the truth.” I continue to eat while she gawks at me. The server returns to offer us more to drink. I nod. She brings me another whiskey and Gloria another glass of wine. Gloria doesn’t touch the wine; instead, she steals my whiskey and takes one large gulp; her face immediately twisting with disgust. Fuck, she’s going to be wasted in a matter of minutes.
“Wow, how do you drink that with a straight face?” She sets it down with a look of absolute revulsion.
“Years of practice. It’s a family whiskey.”
“Oh. Well. I’ll pass on that, but I could use some water.” I snap my fingers and the barkeep comes over with a bottle of water, clearly having witnessed her bold act.
“Thank you.”
“Eat. It will help dilute the alcohol. I don’t want you to get sick on our first date.”
“Fine,” she mutters, daintily eating her meal.
Once we’re finished, I stand up and pay for our meal even though technically I eat for free. I call for my car and take Gloria’s hand, leading her out of the pub with my men looking out for any signs of trouble.
“Where are you staying?” I ask as I assist her into her seat.
“The Westbury Hotel.”
“Take us to Ms. Grasso’s hotel.” My driver takes us to the hotel, which is almost in walking distance, making it almost silly to take the car.
“Did you walk to the pub, love?”
From the guilty look on her face, I have my suspicions confirmed. “I did. I’d been sightseeing and stumbled on this place.” My driver opens the door and I help Gloria out. We walk into the lobby where she expects me to leave her, but I decide I can’t let her go just yet. Thankfully she doesn’t protest.
When we reach her door, I cup her face with both hands, staring into her beautiful chocolate eyes and say, “No more walking around alone. Do you understand me? I have to go out of town and will be back in two days. I need to be sure you’re safe.”
“I’m a gig birl,” she says, giggling. “I mean a big girl. You have a way of messing up my head, Mr. Delaney.” She leans in and whispers, “And ruining my panties.”
“Good. I’ll make sure to have new ones for you in the morning,” I whisper along the shell of her ear before snagging her lobe between my teeth. “Are these wet for me?” I cup her sex over her jeans, testing the wet heat against my fingers.
“Yes,” she moans along my throat, and I can’t stop myself from doing what I need.
“I’m going to kiss you,” I warn her. “It’s the only time I’ll ask.”
“That wasn’t asking.”
“It’s the closest it’s going to get, love.” I crush my mouth to hers, pinning her against the door to her room, slipping my tongue between her lips until I’m ready to fucking ram into her. With all the strength I can muster, I pull back and step a foot away.
“Get inside, my love,” I say with my voice shaky and gruff as I hold back the urge to fill her womb, right here, right now.
“Do you have to go?”
“It’s for the best.” Sweat beads down my spine, thinking about how much I want to fucking be inside my bride. Taking her to my home would be a blessing, but it must wait. Tomorrow is a Family matter, and I don’t want to bring her into my sadness and concern.
“Sweet dreams, Cormack.”
“They will be. I’m going to dream of being deep inside of you, Gloria.” She blushes and closes the door. I stand there for another minute, adjusting my heavy cock and regaining control of my hunger before leaving. I send a message to have someone here in the next hour. I don’t want her unprotected for no fucking reason. Still, I have to go before I can’t leave her.
I get in my car, and we make it to my estate when I forget all the reasons why I can’t have her tonight. I take my Land Rover, leaving my driver there because I have no intention of making him wait.
Chapter Two
Gloria
I can’t believe how intense Cormack Delaney is, but I should have known better.
He’s the dark prince in this region. I might be a tourist, but I heard his name mentioned on the news the morning after the death of his father. Although the news hadn’t gone into details about the suspected illicit activity and Cormack’s involvement, I knew the second his men took that asshole who tried to rob me Cormack wasn’t just a business owner. He’s the type of man I lived with my whole life… a mafioso.
On a whim, I took a chance and made it my mission to meet him and determine if this attraction is more than just a fleeting fancy and it is. Nothing prepared me for the reaction my body would have the second I stepped inside Delaney’s.