And I viewed him as so much more.
When I didn’t say it back he opened his eyes and looked into mine. He searched for an answer in my expression but was unable to find one.
I let my walls come down when I shouldn’t, and I got my heart broken. I refused to let that happen again. He coerced me into this, and I was only cooperating to keep Jason out of it. He was a great guy and shouldn’t be dragged into the nightmare that was Crow Barsetti.
His fingers glided to my cheek and he felt the soft skin before he cupped my face. He leaned in and brushed his lips past mine, teasing me. Our lips never fully collided, just touched slightly. Then he went in for the real thing, fisting the back of my hair as he closed his mouth over mine.
And I felt it. I felt that scorching heat and intense desire. I felt my body come to life like it always did when his lips were on me. I felt both alive and dead, existing on a different dimension that no one else could understand.
Nothing compared to his kiss.
He tilted my head back with a yank of my hair to get more of my mouth. He sucked my bottom lip slowly before he slipped his tongue into my mouth. A quiet moan escaped his lips as the passion burned between us.
I moaned too.
His other hand squeezed my waist, claiming me as his all over again. His fingers stretched to the top of my ass and he gave it a firm squeeze, pulling me further into him. He devoured my mouth with his wine soaked lips and guided me toward the bedroom in the back. His cock was rock-hard and pressed against my stomach. I knew exactly how it would feel once it was inside me. I would never forget that delectable stretching that sent me to the stars.
He pushed me onto the bed then pulled off his t-shirt. His body was exactly the same as I remember. Lithe and toned, his muscles were long and exaggerated. His skin looked chiseled from stone, and his narrow hips led to a stomach harder than concrete. He was perfect.
He unbuttoned my jeans and slowly pulled them down my legs. When they were at my ankles, he gave them a frim tug and pulled my ass to the edge of the bed. After they were on the ground he kneeled at the edge then kissed my inner thighs.
I already forgot I hated him.
My head rolled back and I gripped the sheets as I felt his mouth migrate to the apex of my thighs.
But then I realized exactly what I was doing and why it had to stop. “Fire.”
Crow immediately pulled his hands away and stood up. He took a step back, giving me more space than necessary. If I didn’t see the safe word he pushed me until I nearly broke. Nothing would stop him from taking what he wanted. But once the word was said he took it seriously. “What is it?”
I sat up and pressed my thighs together. I was half naked with him and ridden in guilt. “I need to talk to—”
“Don’t say his name.” The veins in his neck were thick like chords.
“I need to talk to him.”
“Why?” Crow kneeled down again.
“I need to break it off with him first. This is wrong.”
He bowed his head in irritation, his chest rising and falling with pent up aggression. “Didn’t realize you were so serious with him.”
“I’m not. I wouldn’t even say we’re dating—just hooking up.”
His jaw clenched tighter.
“But I should give him the courtesy before I do this. He’s been so good to me and he deserves better.”
“Good to you?” His hands moved to my thighs and he gripped them tightly. “Do you care to explain that?”
“He was the one pushing the investigation. He was the one who told the authorities to look for me in Tuscany. He did this research and never gave up.” I would always be indebted to him for that. There wasn’t a single person on the planet who cared about me the way he did. He was the closest thing I had to a family. “So I can’t do this until I talk to him.”
Crow released the tension on my thighs then pulled his hands away. When he bowed his head and remained silent, I knew he didn’t have an argument. He couldn’t disagree with my sense of loyalty. “Okay.”
My lips still ached for his. I wanted the kiss to continue all night and the following morning. That was exactly the kind of affection and attention I craved. I missed the scorching heat of his body as it kept me warm during the night. I missed having my leg hooked around his waist as an anchor. I missed everything.