"You think I am pushing you away because I don’t have feelings for you?"
She nods.
I laugh bitterly.
"I'm pushing you away because it's the only way I can keep you safe."
"What’s that supposed to mean?" She lowers her eyebrows toward the bridge of her nose.
"Exactly what I said. You think I can’t acknowledge my feelings for you, when it’s the exact opposite. I feel too much. Maledizioni. Can’t you see, you’re driving me crazy? Every time we’re in the same room, I can’t look away from you. And when we’re not together, it’s even worse. Then, I walk around like some bumbling idiot with a strange smile on my face. It’s why I can’t be with you. You wreck me, Angel. And I will not be the cause of something far worse happening to you. And let’s face it, the chances are far worse when we’re together."
"And if we’re not together, will that change anything?"
"At least I can guard you without my emotions being involved."
She stares. "So, you won’t be with me, but you still plan on stalking me?"
"On looking out for you, yes."
"So you can prevent your enemies from hurting me?"
"Precisely," I snap.
"Even though doing this will hurt me more?"
"At least you’ll be safe," I mutter.
"Argh!" She blows out a breath. "Can't you see how flawed your logic is? It'd be much safer, for all concerned, if you made peace with your rivals, put the illegal activities of theCosa Nostrabehind you, and became the CEO of a legitimate enterprise."
She plants her hands on her hips and the action pushes out her breasts. Not that I haven’t been aware she’s naked, but after that initial survey of her body, I’ve managed to keep my eyes on her face. Kudos to me. Not that my body isn’t reacting to her nearness. Not that my dick isn’t throbbing and lengthening with every whiff of her scent that I draw into my lungs. Her breasts seem to swell under my gaze and her nipples extend. I’m not the only one caught between the conflicting signals of our body versus whatever discussion it is we’re having. What are we talking about, anyway?
"Hey!" She snaps her fingers. "My face is up here."
"But the rest of you is naked and gorgeous, and the parts of you down there are especially luscious."
"A-n-d there he is, alphahole extraordinaire. Mister Filthy McDirty himself."
"Who?" I whip my gaze to her face. "You’re talking about another man when you’re with me?"
She laughs. "And you think you can walk away from me? You idiot. You can’t even stand it when you think I’m speaking about another man. You really can’t be so full of yourself that you can’t see what’s standing right in front of you."
"Oh, I see all right. Question is, what am I going to do about it?"
"You mean what arewegoing to do about it, right?"
We stare at each other for a second; then, as one, we move.
44
Jeanne
Maybe I throw myself at him, or maybe he moves toward me first. Either way, I find myself in his arms, with my legs around his waist. His palms are under my butt holding me up. His lips on mine, his tongue in my mouth, he kisses me like he can’t get enough. Like he wants to steal my breath. Like he’s starving for me. I dig my fingers into his hair and tug, strain against him, and push my breasts into his chest as I plaster myself to him. I sense him move forward, but don’t take my eyes off of him. He holds my gaze as he strides out of the bathroom and toward the bed, all the while, still kissing me.
"Wait, what about the bathtub?" I ask.
"What about it?"
"It's filled with water."