The Skull King (Skull 1)

He stepped out of the stream of water so I could have a turn. He stood in front of me, looking down at me, a light shadow on his jawline. His blue eyes were slightly sympathetic. “I’m not fucking you just because you’re married. I’m fucking you because I can’t stop fucking you.” His hands moved up my arms and touched me lightly, his callused fingertips sliding across my soft skin. His hands left my elbows then moved around my waist, gripping my rib cage like he wanted to control my breaths. “And I meant what I said before…that I would help you if you ever wanted me to.” His thumbs moved to the center of my stomach and felt the small line that separated the small muscles of my abs.

That was a conversation I didn’t want to get into again. It filled me with false hope, and once that was gone, I was only left with depression. “So…have you been paying for sex when I’m not around?”

He held my gaze without blinking.

“I’m not asking because I’m jealous. I’m not asking because your answer will make me angry. I’m just asking…”

“Why?” His deep voice reverberated in the granite shower. “Why are you asking?”

My eyes drifted to his chest, to the way the beads of water stuck to his muscular physique. “I guess I just want to know more about you…”

“You don’t want to know anything about me.” He held my gaze, his blue eyes serious in their hostility. “If you want to keep screwing me, it’s better that you know nothing at all. You think your husband is a bad and powerful man… I assure you he’s an amateur compared to me. I own the secrets of this country, of the greatest criminals who use Tuscany as a battlefield in broad daylight. I’m cruel but fair. I’m murderous but merciful. All you and I have is this lust…this deep attraction. You should stay away from me because you might get caught. I should stay away from you because you’re a distraction. But when we decide to go our separate ways…we’re too weak.”

21

Cassini

I spent the afternoon with this man buried deep inside me. Afterward, we both fell asleep and took a nap in his bed. I had been at his place much earlier in the day than I would normally have been, so I didn’t have to rush home the second my toes curled.

When I woke up, he wasn’t beside me.

The imprint of his heavy body was still noticeable in the sheets from where he’d been lying next to me. My hand reached out to feel him even though I knew he wasn’t there. My fingers grazed the silk sheets before I pulled my hand back.

I glanced at the clock on the nightstand and saw that it was seven in the evening.

I should head home, but I truly didn’t have to. As long as I didn’t walk in the door past eleven, my behavior wouldn’t be suspicious. I’d stayed out that late long before I’d started my affair.

I helped myself to his dresser and pulled out a t-shirt.

That was when I noticed the handgun sitting next to his t-shirts. I was nosy when I shouldn’t be, so I picked it up to see if it was loaded.

It was.

I put it back then pulled the shirt over my head.

Guns had always been a part of my life. Both of my brothers had them in the house, Lucian had weapons all over the place, and Balto warned me he was a bad man, so I shouldn’t be surprised.

I shut the drawer and walked into the open living room, which led to the kitchen. The smell of dinner was immediately in the air, seasoned chicken with some kind of grilled vegetable.

I hoped he’d made enough for me. “What smells so good?” I sauntered into the kitchen and found him cooking in his black boxers. His back was to me, and it was the first time I’d ever gotten such a splendid view of his backside. His muscles formed a kaleidoscope of strength. All the muscles were so tight it seemed like he worked out each and every one on a regular basis. My nails were already well acquainted with the power of his back, but my eyes were still impressed when I looked at him.

He scooped the chicken onto two plates and added the veggies.

“I hope that’s not all for you.” I came up behind him and pressed a kiss to the center of his spine. His skin was warm to the touch, and his muscles were liked bricks against my fingers. With my nose pressed this close to him, I could smell his soap and his cologne mixed together.

He turned around to kiss me, but he stopped when he spotted the shirt I wore. His eyes moved down and examined the cotton that was at least five sizes too big. He was still as a statue, only his eyes moving.