Did I want that?
Yes.
Whenever he looked at me with one of his sinful gazes that did terrible things to my body and resolve, I wanted to touch him. Taste him. Feel every inch of his skin with my fingers.
When the doors opened, Nico led me past the guards and inside his apartment. The place had Tuscan-style decor, a tasteful black leather sectional that took up most of the living room, and glass tables free of anything personal.
A hotel room had more personality than Nico’s apartment. Maybe he didn’t want people to know anything about him. For obvious reasons, the Lucianos were private, but this was his home.
He dropped his keys on the entrance table and raised his hand, gesturing for me to follow him into the kitchen. He looked through the cabinets with his back to me.
Nico turned around with a mixing bowl in his big hand. “Pancakes or waffles?”
I beamed a smile at him. “Waffles.”
It was so annoying that he affected me and my traitorous body. Whenever he was this close, his body heat practically radiated off him. My skin sizzled with desire.
He surprised me by reaching above my head, caging me against the counter.
I felt every part of him.
His muscular chest.
The outline of his cock.
My nipples hardened into points, all too aware of him. I held my breath as he plucked a box of batter mix from the cabinet. His head lowered to meet my gaze. A moment passed between us, quickening my pulse to an impressive rate. Then his eyes traced the length of my lips like he wanted to kiss me.
I wanted that.
I wanted him.
And I hated it.
My dad would lose his fucking shit. He’d always warned me never to get too close to the Lucianos.
Nico took a few steps back to set the box on the counter. “Bacon or sausage?”
Who gives a damn about food?
“Bacon,” I muttered.
I want you to eat me.
He put slices of bacon into a pan on the stove and then washed his hands. I thought he would start mixing the batter, but he shocked me by crossing the room. Nico gripped my hips and set me on the counter, standing between my spread thighs.
His eyes focused on my lips. Flames crackled beneath my skin, igniting a fire inside me.
I lost my train of thought.
He stepped back, scrubbing a hand over his jaw. “Bellisima.”
“You say that a lot,” I commented, now finding my voice.
“Because you’re beautiful.” He placed his hands on my knees. “I feel the need to protect you, Ava.”
My lips parted in surprise. “Why?”
Nico gave a light shrug, his hands slipping away from mine, and then he went back to making breakfast.