“Well, back then, I couldn’t exactly have close relationships. They couldn’t find out who I was.”
“Still,” he mumbled. “It kind of sucks that you’ve finally found someone after destroying my only chance at happiness.”
It took me a while to figure out what the hell he was talking about. “Are you still talking about your ex?” I asked incredulously. “I thought we got past that.”
“We did.” He looked away. “Just forget it.”
I didn’t know what to say at first. I’d nearly forgotten what I’d done to him all those years ago. Stealing his girlfriend had been a low point for me, when I’d been especially desperate to get our father’s attention. I’d known that Killian would make a scene, forcing our father to intervene. But I also knew that that girl wasn’t the right person for my brother. He deserved better.
Reaching across the table, my fingers grazed the back of his hand. “You’ll find someone someday.” Pouring him another glass, I slid his cup over to him. “Who knows? Maybe we can arrange another wedding for you.”
“Ha, ha. Very funny,” he muttered.
I smirked, allowing myself to feel this small bloom of happiness between the bad and chaotic. It wouldn’t be long before Ivan woke up. And then the real shit would begin.
18
SIENNA
Iwoke to soft kisses along my eyelashes, the feeling of gentle hands against my body. In the back of my mind, I could feel the dull thudding of pain, but it wasn’t as bad as before. Shifting my weight, I could feel the bedsheets move beneath me, feel the pillow beneath my head. There’s a warm body beside mine, arms circling me while carefully avoiding my left arm.
Opening my eyes, Dante’s face swims into view. He was propped up beside me, his eyes locked onto my arm, with a slight frown on his face. Light glows softly behind him, the morning light filtering in through the bedroom window. I didn’t know how I got here or when. I didn’t even know how long I’d been out. I faintly remembered the sound of a gun going off before the flare of fire along my arm, but that was it. Everything after was just darkness.
“Sienna.” My name was like a prayer on his lips. His fingers move to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing my lower lip. “How are you feeling?”
I groaned as my arm shifted, the dull feeling of pain lancing up my shoulder. “Like I’ve been hit with a truck.”
“A bullet, actually. But close enough.” He chuckled, his fingers still circling along my skin softly.
I looked up at him, my eyes tracing the sharp edges of his jaw, his cheeks, catching along his eyes. He might be joking, but I could see the fear behind the poor attempt at comedy.
He’d been scared. For me.
“I’m okay,” I told him softly. It hurt to move, but I did it anyway. My hand cupped his face, my thumb brushing his cheek. He leaned into my touch, eyes closing.
When he kissed me, it was gentle, tentative. I gave in, sinking in his hold, arm wrapped around me. The familiar sensation of heat thrummed along my veins as he deepened the kiss. His tongue pried my lips apart, and I moaned at his taste. My stomach dipped at the way he so completely consumed me. The heat spread, shooting through my middle, between my thighs, and I couldn’t help but inch closer.
He moaned against my mouth as my legs parted his thighs, finding the hardness between us. My hand slipped between our bodies, fingers running along the length, and he gasped at the movement, mouth breaking away. My hand dragged his face back to mine, my fingers pressing against his length, wrapping around the head as much as I could through his jeans.
Dante pulled away again, both of us breathing hard. “You’re injured.”
“And I probably could have died,” I reminded him. “I don’t care. I want you. Now.”
His lips curled into a dark grin. Rolling me onto my back gently, his lips moved down the length of my neck. He bit, kissed, and lapped at my skin. I was sure he was leaving marks. I could feel the dull thud of pain reverberating through me, but I couldn’t find it in me to care. I was too lost in the feel of him, in how perfectly I molded into every single sharp edge and curve of him. I tilted my head to the side, giving him better access to my throat, and closed my eyes.
“When that gun went off,” he kissed down to my right shoulder, “when you said my name. I thought I was going to lose you.” He nipped at the sensitive part between my neck and shoulder. “I couldn’t see where you were hit at first. All I saw was blood.” I let him talk, let him get out his fear and worry.
“You were scared?” I asked.
“Terrified.” His hands push the edge of my shirt up. Someone had cut away the black sweater I’d worn last night and replaced it with a loose tank top. Knowing Dante, he wouldn’t have let anyone else do it.
Just the thought of him carrying me home, caring for my injury, was making me wet. His length pulsed against my hand. His gaze burned me alive, and I had to close my eyes to protect myself from the heat of it. He was careful moving his hand up my side, cupping one breast. My nipple hardened at his touch, my core clenching in anticipation of what I knew would come next.
“Does that turn you on?” he asked, fingers twisting my nipple roughly. “Knowing that you scared me?”
“Maybe a little,” I gasped, back arching. Pain flared along my shoulder.
I almost protested when his hand left my breast, sliding up through the neckline of the tank top, hands clasping around my throat. Those dark eyes flared, fingers gripping tighter as his hips rolled against mine. Pleasure skittered down my spine, rushing through my veins. His body loomed over me as his other hand glided down my body. Each brush of his skin lit sparks, like the match to the fire burning within me.