Shadow Warrior (Shadow Riders 4)

“Some men can’t be faithful. They think that lust is love. According to Emme, she actually heard Val tell a woman that he was ordered to seduce Emmanuelle and get as much information from her as possible, but she meant nothing to him. She was devastated.”

“That’s beyond horrible. It would destroy me if I ever overheard you say something like that.” Her green gaze moved over his face, as if looking for reassurance.

He put his phone and a flat jewelry box on the nightstand beside the lamp. “You know that isn’t ever going to happen.”

“How is your mother?”

“As you know, Eloisa has been home for the last few weeks. Apparently, Henry is still living in the house and taking care of her. Emmanuelle tried to go over, but Eloisa made it clear she didn’t want her daughter or one of us to nurse her back to health. Stefano did insist on talking to her doctor. He says she’s healing nicely, but the concussion was very bad and it will take some time.”

“She probably doesn’t want to appear vulnerable or fragile in any way,” Grace pointed out. “That’s why she doesn’t want help from her children.”

He hadn’t thought of that. His hands dropped to his belt buckle. “I think I was a very smart man to find you, Grace. None of us would have considered anything but that she was being stubborn, although none of us can be considered children. I’ll have to pass that on to Emmanuelle, who always feels rejected by Eloisa.”

“Do you feel that way?” Grace’s gaze was on his hands as he opened the belt and then peeled down the zipper hidden in the specially made trousers.

“I couldn’t care less whether or not Eloisa rejects me.” It was the sad truth. He had long ago accepted that his mother was never going to be the kind of mom who greeted them all with fresh-baked cookies and asked how their day was. He hadn’t needed her the way Emmanuelle seemed to. He had Stefano, and his older brother was all the parent he’d ever need. “I would, however, care very much if you rejected me.”

He slipped out of the trousers and underwear, watching her face, the quick intake of her breath as she stared at his cock, the rise and fall of her breasts as her breathing turned a little ragged with arousal. He loved how responsive she was to him. He didn’t always have to touch her to have her slick with need. He took his time putting his clothes on the chair and coming back to her.

“I have no intentions of ever rejecting you,” Grace said staunchly.

“How are the wedding plans coming? You haven’t mentioned anything you and Katie have been discussing up in the penthouse with Francesca and the others.” He patted the side of the bed. “Lie across the bed, gattina, with your head right here.”

She turned obediently, her back to him, stretching her legs out and lying back until she was looking up at him. “It’s all coming together. I thought we could go over everything at breakfast and you could tell me what you approve of and what you’d like changed.”

Vittorio had made it a point that they talked about everything important over breakfast and once again after dinner. He liked to know where she stood and get a reading on how she was feeling. Was she happy? Did she need or want anything? Had he noticed and taken care of everything for her there at the house? He liked to hear about her day and how things were going with her business.

“Scoot closer to the side of the bed so your head is hanging over the edge.” He flicked the top off the jewelry box and then dropped his hand into the silky mass of red that fell in a waterfall toward the floor. His fingers massaged her scalp, but his gaze was on her soft breasts jutting up toward him.

He leaned down and flicked her nipple, then tugged and rolled. She squirmed, her hips bucking a little bit. “You’re always so responsive to me, Grace. Are you ready to try something new? Different? Something very sexy.” He kept his voice low. Compelling. A tone that spoke of sin and pleasure.

Her gaze jumped from his cock, which was inches from her face, to his eyes. Held there. Very slowly she nodded. He smiled his approval.

“Mia bella ragazza, sei sempre cosi corraggiosa per me,” he murmured. She was brave, and he was proud of her. “I’m going to push you a little out of your comfort zone,” he warned, just as he had other nights when he thought she was ready to trust him that little bit further.

She swallowed, and he watched the movement of her throat with satisfaction. Part of her arousal was from fear of the unknown. He leaned over her and licked at her nipple, while he played and teased at the other one with his thumb and finger, tugging and twisting. His mouth was hot around her breast and he used his teeth and tongue to flick and gently bite until her nipple was taut. He drew the glittering chain from the velvet bed of the jewelry box and held it up for her to see.