His eyes flashed with need. I cupped his ass, feeling a rush of heat between my legs. He gripped the board of the top bunk and began to thrust his hips, slow at first, then faster and harder.

I clung to his ass as he took my mouth. His eyes burned into mine, his expression twisted with pleasure, his muscles flexing with every slam. I had trouble taking in even half of him, but he didn’t seem to mind, judging from his grunts and moans.

Soon his movements became jerkier. He moved back without warning. “On your knees!” he barked.

Rattled, I scrambled onto my knees. I didn’t get the chance to wonder what was going to happen because I felt something wet and sticky hit my ass cheek followed by Mauro’s groan. I twisted my head around. Mauro’s eyes were closed as he pumped his erection slowly, spurting his release all over my ass. My core clenched at the sight.

I’d never thought this would turn me on, but it did.

Mauro opened his eyes and frowned. He reached for his shirt and cleaned himself with it, then my ass. “Are you all right?” His voice was rough with a hint of concern in it.

“Better than all right,” I admitted with an embarrassed laugh.

Mauro was bent over me to clean me. He dropped his shirt on the floor. “Is that so?”

I nodded, rolling onto my back so Mauro hovered over me, gloriously naked. “I thought you’d sleep with me when you asked me to get on my knees.”

Mauro’s eyes darkened. He cupped my cheek. “You know the rules,” he said gruffly, then added in an even lower voice. “And when I take your virginity, I won’t do it from behind. I want to see your face when I claim you.”

When, not if.

Maybe Mauro realized his choice of words too because he frowned.

He stretched out beside me, stroking my hair with an unreadable expression. “How will I stay away from you now that I know how sweet you taste? I want to eat you out again.”

“I’m not stopping you,” I joked. “There isn’t much we can do down here.”

Mauro chuckled. His eyes taking in every inch of my face until I had to look away, suddenly shy. It still seemed surreal what we’d just done. With Mauro I’d felt safe, I still did. He kissed me. I tasted myself on his lips. Pressing even closer to his strong body, I knew I wanted to be with him. Not just in this panic room.

I fell asleep in his arms not long after, feeling protected and in love.

“I won’t ever let you go.”

Seconds before I drifted off, Mauro murmured those words against my skin.Mauro jerked behind me and practically leaped over my body, grabbing his guns from the floor. It took me a moment to understand why.

The lock of the trapdoor had clicked. With a creak, the thing opened. Mauro grabbed my arm and pushed me behind him, his guns aimed at the ladder.

My heart pounded wildly in my chest.

“Mauro?” a man called.

Mauro relaxed, lowering the gun. “Stella and I are down here.”

“Don’t shoot. I’m coming down now.”

I slumped against his back, finally recognizing the voice of one of Father’s men. Realizing I wasn’t wearing anything beneath the T-shirt, I quickly slipped into the discarded boxers. Luckily, Mauro had put on his sweatpants before we’d fallen asleep.

“We’re safe,” I said, relieved.

Mauro turned to me with a small smile. “We are.”

This panic room had become our respite from reality, our own pleasurable, safe haven. It had brought us closer, not just physically.

I wanted a future with Mauro, and I would get it.Gianna“How about we party the night away?” Matteo said as he nuzzled my neck.

I grinned. “I’m in. It’s been too long.”

“I know,” he murmured.

“Sometimes I wish I could just make a girls’ night out with Aria and Lily.”

“You can.”

I snorted. “Yeah with bodyguards watching our every move.”

Matteo’s dark eyes met mine in the mirror. “I’m trying to give you as much freedom as I can. I’d allow you to go party with your sisters if it wasn’t too dangerous. And Luca would never allow it anyway.”

“Allow it?” I muttered. “Like I’m a kid or a prisoner.”

“You know it’s not true,” he said. I gave him a look because we knew it was true. Matteo would never let me head out on my own either, and I wasn’t entirely sure if it was only because of the Bratva and the MCs breathing down the Famiglia’s neck.

“It doesn’t matter anyway,” I said. “Now that Aria and Lily have kids, they don’t want to party anymore anyway.”

Matteo grimaced. “I know. Romero and Lily talk about nothing but poo and vomit since Sara was born.”

I snorted, shaking my head. “I hope they hold back when we celebrate my birthday this month.” It would be a chilled affair in the Hamptons.


Tags: Cora Reilly Romance