Swiveling his head to look at her, he cleared his throat. “Yes, I have. I’ve been with women of all nationalities and backgrounds. A woman is beautiful in whatever skin she’s in, and I’ve partaken of my fair share.”
Standing suddenly, she walked a few steps away. “You’re in the news a lot.”
He placed his glass on the table in front of him. Measuring his words, he knew the next few minutes would determine how things would go from here on out. Leaning back, he crossed one leg over the other. “Yes. I guess I am.”
She was facing him now. “Earlier, you said most of the things I’ve read about you were probably true.”
Nodding, he continued looking her in the eyes. He wasn’t ashamed of who he was. He’d never come outright and told any of the women he dated what his family was into. Tonight would be the night for him to start. But he was interested in where this was going.
“Yes. I did say that.”
“My father didn’t raise me like a normal girl.”
Laughing under his breath, he wondered if she had to explain this to others in the past. The smile fell from his lips. He didn’t want to think about another man sitting where he sat right now.
“No, I don’t expect he did.” If only she knew the true reason behind why her father raised her to be the strong, amazing, capable woman she was. He wondered if his father or uncle ever considered the possibility that he and Camille would meet when they got older.
“Speaking of, how do you know my dad? He seemed to be comfortable with you. I’ve never seen you around before.”
This was one path he was not going down. “Tonight is about us, not your father.”
A flash of annoyance and frustration came over her face, but she quickly masked it. He knew she didn’t like that he wasn’t answering her questions. Too bad. Her father would have to explain his history with the Lucarelli’s. That was a line Tristan wasn’t willing to cross. Not now. Not ever.
“Fine.” Biting her lip again, she spoke again, “So, is tonight all we have?”
Now they were getting to the good stuff.
“Is tonight all you want?” Standing from the couch, he walked over to her.
The closer he got to her, the quicker her breathing became. Her breasts heaved up and down as she watched him.
“No. I want more than tonight. I want what we had in the car. I want to have anything and everything you’re willing to give me.”
Her words made him pause. Camille’s words hit him hard, and he knew he wanted the same. How could one date, just a few hours in her presence, make him want things he’d never desired before?
“Sweetheart, with me, you get more than what you see.”
That was the only warning he’d give her. His Camille was a smart woman. She knew who he was and what she was getting into. At least he hoped she did.
Then again, he’d kill anyone who tried to do her harm. She’d be protected with him. Safe with him.
“I know,” she paused, closing her eyes for a moment. When they opened, she had a look of resolve on her face. “Tonight was initially about having my moment. Creating a memory that I could hold on to after the evening was over, and you were gone. I was ready for that. I would have accepted that.”
Tristan knew he was holding his breath, but it couldn’t be helped. “And now?” he asked on an exhale.
Raising her hands to his chest, she began undoing the buttons on his shirt. “Now I think it must be in a dream, and if it is, I never want to wake. I want more than a memory. I want to know you’re the only man who makes me feel this way. That your hands on my body are the only touch I need. Your voice in my ear as you claim my body as yours over and over again, is the only sound I need. That when we’re together, and I’m screaming your name in release—”
She didn’t get to finish that sentence. Tristan grabbed her arms in a hard grip, pulling her body flush against his. He captured her mouth with his, forcing her lips to open for him as he deepened their kiss.
Her words were a repeat of his own. This woman made him feel things he never expected. That she’d repeat what he’d said to her earlier tonight had him going over the edge. Hearing the words on her lips caused the blood to rush to his cock, rapidly engorging the muscle to the brink of pain.
Tristan grabbed her, lifting her body in his arms. He adjusted his hold on her, moving his hands to grip the thick globes of her ass. Tristan broke the kiss for a moment so he could speak. “How do I get to your bedroom?” He settled her pussy just over his hard cock, nibbling on the soft skin of her neck. He could feel her heat permeate through his pants and moaned in need. He needed to get to her bedroom. Now!
“Up the stairs, third door on the left,” she panted.
Turning, he made his way to her bedroom. All the while, he prayed to a God he’d long parted ways with.Give us more than tonight. Just give me this one thing. She’s myanima gemelli. I need her.
Tristan prayed being with Camille wouldn’t bring heartache to her life. With his life, he knew it was a very real possibility. Holding her soft form in his arms as he walked to their bedroom, he had a feeling his life was about to change in a way he’d never expected.