Shadow Warrior (Shadow Riders 4)

“You’re safe, bella. He can’t get in here.”

“I’m not worried about me, Vittorio. You have a wonderful family. I haven’t met them all, but the ones I have met have been so nice to me. They’ve treated me as if I’m part of your family . . .”

He brought her fingertips to his lips, his gaze holding hers. “That is because you are family to them. For me, this engagement is real.” His thumb slid across her bare ring finger. “I suppose it won’t be real to you until this isn’t so naked.” Bringing up their engagement did two things for him. He took her mind off her fear for his family and it also brought her one step closer to accepting that he meant his declaration that he wanted her in his life permanently.

A faint flush stole up her neck to her face, turning her pale skin a healthy rose. Her eyes shone a bright emerald green. The desire to kiss her was so strong, he had to call on every ounce of discipline he possessed.

“I’m fine without a ring.”

“My fiancée needs a ring. I have a need to declare to the world that you belong to me.” He kissed her fingertips because if he didn’t, he would be kissing her lips. Her pouty lower lip made him want to sink his teeth in her. She was tempting beyond his ability to resist her. He sucked her finger into his mouth and stroked it with his tongue. She squirmed in her chair. Her mouth formed a perfect little O, and her eyes widened in shock, but she didn’t pull away from him.

“I think it’s best if I call Katie. Midnight Madness, a fund-raiser for Locals Helping the Elderly, is in three weeks. We have to get the details hammered out before the event. I believe you’re on the guest list.”

“I am?”

She lifted her chin. “You and a very famous actress, Anne Marquis. You remember her, blond, beautiful, willowy figure, in all the magazines. I believe she was nominated for an Oscar last year. I didn’t see the movie but was told she gave an epic performance.”

The urge to smile was strong, but he kept his face a mask. He wanted her, right there in that chair with her shoulder wrapped up and her arm useless to her. He wanted her with every breath he drew. His hand dropped to her thigh and stroked a caress there. It was difficult to resist the urge to strip her naked and take what was his.

“You’ve known all along you were helping to put on Eloisa’s big event.”

She nodded. The hint of accusation gave way to humor. “Yes.”

“And you knew I was on the guest list with Anne, didn’t you?” He kept his voice pitched low but changed the tone to one that promised retaliation.

She wasn’t as fast to claim that knowledge. “Yes.”

“So, you were just waiting for the perfect time to use that little bit of information against me, weren’t you?”

Grace pressed her lips together to keep from laughing, but it was impossible to keep the laughter from her eyes. “Maybe,” she admitted, feigning reluctance.

“Just for that, I’m going to kiss you.”

He framed her face with both hands and leaned in to settle his mouth on hers. Heat exploded in his belly and raced through his body like a fireball. His tongue swept into her mouth, claiming her, and then he simply devoured her, taking over, silently demanding she follow his lead, that she give herself to him, surrender completely to him. He didn’t ask. He took.

Vittorio gave her who he was, her man, dominant, taking over, insisting she follow his lead. He kissed her until neither of them could breathe. Until his body was so hard he thought he might shatter. Until he knew if he didn’t stop it would be too late and all his careful planning would be for nothing. He forced his head up just enough to press his forehead against hers, staring into her eyes while he caught his breath.

Her breath matched his, uneven and ragged. Her eyes shone so brightly he felt a bit dazzled by the color. She looked adorably dazed, her lips swollen and very kissed, her skin slightly red from the shadow of stubble on his jaw.

“You make me feel alive, Grace. Every single cell in my body wakes up around you. My heart. Who knew it was even possible? I want you to be mine completely. I need you to give yourself to me the way you kiss me. More importantly, I need to be your man. The one who shelters you, protects you, gives you everything.”

She didn’t pull away from him, and he read acceptance in her eyes. He was getting closer to Grace at least thinking she might like his lifestyle. She liked the idea whether she wanted to admit it or not.