43
Paige
While I take a hot shower, Moreno is situated on my bed, waiting for me to reemerge.
We have a lot to talk about, but all I feel is guilt weighing heavily on me. My intuition screamed at me that something was amiss at Nanny Agency, Inc.
I certainly never imagined that the reason was Vance and the fact he works for an opposing mafia family.
After I dry off in the shower and slip on a t-shirt and cotton shorts, I run a towel through my hair on my way back into the bedroom.
Moreno’s shoes are off. His tie loosened.
He’s spread out on my bed and looks sinfully hot.
“Have a seat,” he whispers, his voice raspy and thick. He’s trying to keep his voice down so he doesn’t wake Nova in the next room.
She ought to be sound asleep by now.
He pats the bed and I sit beside him, leaving plenty of space between us.
Moreno doesn’t seem pleased with that and grabs me by the hips, pulling me closer.
I don’t expect his brashness, and his touch makes me giggle as I fall onto the bed.
He raises an eyebrow, staring down at me, his arm trapping me right beside him.
I inhale his scent. It’s musky and mixed with smoke. He needs a shower as bad as I did, but I’m not about to point that out to him.
There’s something hot about his power, proximity, the way he stares down at me. I press my lips together.
“You were saying?”
“Don’t you ever lie to me again,” Moreno says. He shifts on the mattress and grabs my wrists, pinning them into the bed. “Do you understand?”
I nod.
“I need to hear it, Paige.”
“I understand,” I say and lean up, wanting a taste of his lips. He should be forbidden, but I don’t care. Everything inside of me screams that he’s here with me and hasn’t tossed me out or had me murdered for my betrayal.
“Do you?” Moreno asks. “Those aren’t light words to throw about. I need your loyalty, your honor, your commitment to the family and me.”
I smile up at him. “Is this the speech you give to all your recruits?” I tease.
He snorts and leans down, capturing my lips hard with a searing hot kiss.
My insides sizzle and are warm as I wrap my legs around him.
I want him.
I’ve wanted him for longer than I care to admit.
I’ve been fighting the growing desire building inside of me out of fear, but the thought of not being with him hurts more than anything I could ever imagine.
Is it too soon to be falling in love with him?
“Do you commit to the Ricci family and me?” Moreno asks. His forehead rests against mine.