“Hi,cara,” I attempt.
“Uh-huh, nope. No head-muddling Italian. I asked you a question, Alex.”
Fuck, she’s beautiful. Big curly hair bouncing as she moves her head this way and that in her animated speech. One hand at her generous hip. Brown eyes sparkling with fury. Delicate nostrils flaring. Sensual mouth moving fast with her rapid fire words. She looks so alive and vibrant.
“I came to get you, sweetheart. Spend Christmas with me, please?”
Emma crosses her arms over her generous chest and scoffs.
“I have prior engagements and I will definitely not change my plans for you. It’s not because we hooked up once…”
I feel my eyes narrow into slits and take a step forward, effectively closing the distance between our bodies and crowding Emma.
“So now wehooked up? That’s what you’re going to call it?”
“I don’t fucking care what we call it.
“Come here,” I rumble, low and menacing. My body, entirely still, bracing for action.
Emma shakes her head fiercely, pointing at the street.
“You need to go, boy.”
At the belittling word, I straighten, feeling like I grew a foot taller.
“Fucking come here, I said. Do not fucking make me come get you, Emma.”
She takes a step back. Then another, faster. And, as she retreats inside the complex, I stalk in her direction. Coming for my woman in long, angry strides. I reach Emma as she slides a magnetic card over the electronic reader at her apartment door. She stumbles inside, trying to push the door close, but I shoulder in. Careful to not apply too much force and send her sailing.
She stumbles, the backs of her legs hitting the big leather couch behind her. Her ass-cheeks bump against the plush edge as I land on her.
“Should have come when I told you to…” I whisper, low and menacing. Pushing her hair away from her beautiful face, then running my knuckles over the soft skin of her jaw. Fuck, I missed touching her.
Emma’s big brown eyes grow wide.
“Alex?”
“Yes,amore.”
“You’re scaring me.”
I shake my head.
“See, I don’t think that’s true, love. You went home with me, a man you clearly knew was violent and involved in illegal dealings, just a few hours after we met. You’re a fucking badass. I know my woman is fearless.”
“Your- your woman?”
I nod, my eyes never leaving hers, while my hand travels south, leaving her face, tracing a hot path along the tender skin of her neck, flirting with the chaste neckline of her top, then lightly grazing at the erect peaks of her breasts.
“I think I’m turning you on,cara.”
Emma remains quiet for a beat. Most likely attempting to fight her body’s reactions to me. I’m rubbing my knuckles over her nipples. Up and down. Nice and slow. Our mingled breaths coming out fast.
“Alex, please, we have to stop. I can’t handle it.”
She pants, voice raspy with desire, but tone pained.
And her words hit me like a cold shower. I lower my hands, staring into her beautiful eyes.