I gasp and break free, bending over to catch my breath. My lungs burn as I gasp in air. Pietro takes the guy in a headlock and drags him to the ground, placing his knee against the guy’s throat, a menacing look in his eyes. The guy struggles under Pietro’s hold, his arms flailing wildly.
“Hey, motherfucker, what you think you’re doing?” he gasps.
Pietro’s hands close around the neck of the guy’s tattered shirt. Pietro drags him to his feet, bringing his face close.
“Get the fuck out of my face before I ruin you,” Pietro growls, shoving him hard. Startled, the guy stumbles and backs away, cursing, before disappearing down an alley.
“Are you okay?” he asks, looking me over for injuries.
I nod, shaking. I think I am, anyway. That could have been so much worse.
“Come on. Let me help you home.”
“Thanks,” I mumble. I’m shaking as Pietro puts his arms around me and pulls me to his chest. The intimate gesture makes me recoil as I remember all his lies.
“Get away from me, Pietro. I can’t believe you’ve been here all along. Were you having a good laugh at my expense?!” I shout, pushing him away.
“It wasn’t like that, Luce,” he protests, but I don’t want to hear his excuses. I walk a few feet ahead of him, ignoring his pleas for me to let him explain. “For God’s sake, listen to me.” His hand on my shoulder stops me. I turn around, my arms crossed protectively over my chest.
“Explain what?”
He hesitates.
“Please just let me take you home. You’re shaking,” he whispers. “Let me make sure you’re okay, and then we’ll talk. Please.”
“Fine,” I mutter. “Whatever.”
—
Pietro hands me a cup of hot cocoa. I smile, tucking my legs up under me as I take the cup from him. He sits down next to me on the sofa. After a shower and some fresh clothes, I’m feeling a lot better.
“I’m sorry I lied to you, Lucy.”
“Are you?” I ask. “Or are you sorry you were found out? You didn’t have to say yes to my dad, you know.”
“If it wasn’t me here he would’ve sent someone else.” His jaw clenches as he closes his eyes and sighs. “I hated the idea of being away from you. So yes, maybe I did say yes for my own selfish reasons.”
“You couldn’t stand to be away from me, but you can’t be with me?” I laugh. “Make up your mind, Pietro. What the hell do you want from me? I can’t handle knowing you’re here and not be able to be with you.”
“I want you,” he replies, his voice gruff. “Do you have any idea how insanely jealous I’ve been the past few days? Do you have any idea what you do to me? You drive me crazy, Luce. I can barely breathe around you.”
Hearing this makes me smile. Regardless of how bad my little plan turned out in the end, I’m glad it worked. Pushing my hair behind my ears, I kneel on the sofa, touching his face with one hand.
“So, have me, then.” I maneuver myself onto him, placing his hand firmly on my ass. “For once in your life, take what you want, okay?”
He grunts and lifts me onto his lap. I gasp as his lips find mine. He presses his mouth against mine as his fingers rake through my hair. He takes my breath away. All I can think about is how much I want him.
“Get this off,” he mutters, his fingers grasping at the hem of my sweater. I lift my arms, laughing as he all but rips it over my head. I loop my arms around his neck, anticipation filling me as he fumbles with the clasp on my bra before peeling it down over my arms.
“God,” I say as he squeezes my breast, rolling the palm of his hand over my nipple. I lift myself off him and place his hands underneath my skirt around the flimsy band of my lace thong. He gets the message and slides them down over my thighs. “Now you,” I whisper, tugging at his shirt.
I undo the first two buttons but lose patience after that and resort to tearing the damn thing off him. Sighing, I run my hands over his exposed chest, my heart pumping harder with every sculpted muscle I trace over.
Leaning down, I kiss his chest, my tongue savoring the sweet, sexy taste of his body. My hands tremble as I unbutton his jeans and then lower the zipper. His erection brushes over my hand, causing a surge of excitement to race through me.
“I love that you’re so hard.” I grin. I reach into his boxers and wrap my hand around his cock while grinding my body against his. I’m so turned on right now.
“How can I not be when your hands are on my cock?” he growls.