Shadow Warrior (Shadow Riders 4)

She turned toward the door but then glanced at him over her shoulder. “We can’t leave the dishes out here.”

He blew out the candles and then gave her his full attention. “I’ve got that taken care of.”

“Of course you do.” She sent him a smile and walked ahead of him to the door.

He reached around her to put his hand on the doorknob. Lowering his head to her shoulder, he bit the sweet spot between it and her neck. “You should have trusted that I took care of that detail, gattina.”

She gave a little yelp at the sting and then shivered when he soothed the bite with his tongue. “I’m usually the detail person, and I’m still getting used to the fact that you’re willing to take that on for me.”

He pressed a kiss over his mark on her skin. “It will take time to work things out between us, but we’ll get there. Trust is given over time, not immediately. I don’t expect that.”

It had taken Vittorio a long time to accept the dominant traits in himself and what that would mean when expecting a partner to live with him. He didn’t want to ever be overbearing or in any way hurt his wife or children. He took time to find the things he needed to keep his life balanced and peaceful, as well as to develop compassion and humility. He might be dominant, but he refused to be domineering.

He’d learned to be a clear, good communicator, one who listened attentively with an open mind and tried to find every solution before resorting to imposing his will. His voice was a gift he could use when needed and it helped to persuade and soothe a difficult situation. He hoped it would help with their children. He knew it would be every bit as important for him to be honest with Grace as he wanted her to be with him. If he wasn’t, how could he expect her to be?

He had pride in who he was, because he’d taken the time to train his mind just as he had his body. He had a strict code he lived by and loyalty was at the top of the list. If his woman put herself and her well-being into his care, he took that seriously and knew the gift she was giving him. He wasn’t about to let her down through self-indulgence.

He was very aware his hold on Grace was tentative. She wanted him and the lifestyle he offered her, but he could tell there was a part of her she was holding back. That was expected as well. She was an intelligent woman and she wasn’t just going to hand herself over to him because she was tempted. He loved that about her because it meant when she did fully surrender, he’d earned it and he had a much better chance of keeping her when he had to tell her he was a shadow rider and what that meant for both of them.

He swept his hand from her shoulder blade to the curve of her bottom and then rested his palm there, making her hyperaware of him. He felt her reaction as she walked back to her room, the slight trembling of her body, the little hitch in her breath.

“Do you object to walking around the house with just lingerie such as this on?” Deliberately he stepped closer to her, letting her feel his heat.

She shook her head. He remained silent, and she cast an anxious glance up at him. He met her eyes. Waiting.

“No. I’d definitely have to get used to it and wouldn’t want anyone else in the house but the two of us.”

Her explanation came out in a little rush. She’d continued walking so her face was averted, but once again, he saw that slow blush that was full body. He found the way her color rose when she looked at him both sexy and endearing. Just that sight alone did unexpected things to his body. He dropped his hand and caressed her left cheek.

Reaching around her as if to open her door, he let his body press tight against hers, so she would feel the thickness of his cock and know he wanted her as much or more than she wanted him. “If I ask you to wear something for me, you’ll have to trust that I’ll keep you safe, Grace, whether someone’s in the house or not.”

Her breath hitched, and she glanced at him over her shoulder. He swept his hand down her back from the nape of her neck to the curve of her bottom, but she didn’t protest.

“There will be many occasions that I will use something like handcuffs or ropes. I like the idea of having you helpless and me giving you orgasms over and over. I’ve fantasized about that.” He made the confession against her ear, his lips brushing her skin, his breath warm. “Does that excite you or make you afraid?”