by Anna Hackett
He followed her, his temper flaring. “I am still talking to you.”
“And I’m done listening.” She headed up the stairs. “I want to wash this filthy water off me, and then we need to work on our next moves. We need a new plan.”
A new plan? He watched as she disappeared. He had a new plan, lock this too-brave woman in a room until he had defeated Caecius.
Luca stopped thinking. He stormed up the stairs. He would make her listen to him.
He threw open the bathroom door. “You will not be involved in any new plan.” He jerked to a stop and stared.
Rayne’s head shot up. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
She’d shucked off her trousers and was standing there in tiny black panties and her black tank top. The shower behind the glass wall was on, steam billowing.
All the air sucked out of Luca’s chest. His rage morphed into something else hot and needy. He drank her in, taking in the long, toned legs, and the angry green eyes.
He’d never wanted anything as much in his life as he wanted Rayne Santini.
“I asked what you think you’re doing?” She cocked a brow.
“I came to give you a piece of my mind.”
She snorted. “Well, you can get out and save your breath.”
“Except I can’t think of anything but you.”
She went still, her gaze flicking up to his. “Is that your attempt at charming me?”
“No. It’s just the plain truth.”
They stared across the space, then they both lunged forward. Luca wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off her feet. She made a startled noise, but her arms closed around him. He stepped into the shower and she gasped, the water sliding over them both.
“Luca.” Her hands went to his shirt and he helped her pull it off. Next, her hands attacked the buttons on his trousers.
“I need you, Rayne. I burn for you.”
“I know.” She went up on her toes and their mouths met. He took control, deepening the kiss, needing the taste of her.
He grabbed her wrists, pulling them off his trousers. First, he wanted to hear all the sounds Rayne Santini made when he made her come. He grabbed the neckline of her tank and ripped it open. She gasped and he saw a flare in her eyes.
Si, Rayne liked things a little rough. He backed her up against the tiles and pressed her hands above her head. “Hands flat against the wall. Don’t move them.”
“Bossy,” she muttered, but obeyed.
Luca dropped to his knees, the water pelting over him. It took him seconds to slide a finger under her panties and tear them off. When he looked up her strong, naked body, he saw she was watching him. Need was all over her face, her eyes hot.
He nudged her legs apart and set his mouth on her.
“God.” Her body shuddered.
He speared his tongue into her, lapping at the taste of her. Delicious.
“Yes.” Her hips rolled against him, and her hands sank into his hair, pulling hard.
He paused. “Hands, Rayne.”
“Lick me,” she moaned. “Don’t stop.”
“Hands.”
Her breath came out in a huff. “Better be worth it, Warrior.” She gave his hair a hard tug, then slapped her hands back against the wall.
He went back to licking, loving every husky cry that came out of her. Then he found her clit and licked the small nub. She moaned, her body tensing. He knew her release wasn’t far away. He sucked her clit into his mouth.
“Oh…damn.” She bucked hard and cried out as she came.
Luca’s desire was like a raging storm. He scooped her up and strode out of the shower and bathroom. He tossed her on the bed, and didn’t care that they were both wet.
“You saw my last health check report. I’m clean.” He tore his clothes off. “Do I need a condom?”
She lay on the bed watching him, gloriously naked, her chest still heaving. He heard the impatience in his voice, his body at the very edge. He needed her. Now.
He’d never needed anything the way he needed this woman. He knew that should scare the shit out of him, but he was too far gone to care.
“Rayne, tell me now, otherwise open those long, magnificent legs of yours so I can fuck you.”
Her green eyes flashed, her gaze running over his face.
Then she slid her legs open.
Luca closed the last step to the bed, hooked his hands under her legs and dragged her to the very edge. He took his cock in hand and pressed it to her pretty, damp folds. Then his gaze met hers.
He couldn’t wait any longer.
He thrust into her, setting her breasts bouncing. She made a harsh sound, her hands twisting in the covers. He started driving into her, with none of his usual skill or sophistication. With every thrust, Rayne bucked up to meet him. Dio, she was gorgeous.
She wrapped her legs around him, small cries coming from her throat.
More. He needed everything from this woman.
He loved that there was nothing between them. “I don’t usually fuck without a condom. I love feeling your slick body around my cock. Hot, tight, wet.”
Those inner muscles clenched on him and he groaned. Sweat mixed with the water on his skin, and his hard breaths were sawing out of him. Pressure was building at the base of his spine. He was going to come soon.
But first, he wanted to watch her face when she found her release again.
He unhooked her legs from his waist and pushed them back. Cazzo, he had the perfect view of his thick cock spearing into her body. He loved seeing her stretched around him.
“You like to watch,” she panted.
“I like to watch you. I like watching where I’m filling you. You feel full, Rayne?”
“Yes.” A hiss of breath. “Make me come, damn you.”
“Si, Signorina Santini.” He pistoned inside her, his hips moving fast. He slid one hand down and touched where they were joined.
“Yes…God, Luca!”
She arched her back and screamed.
And that was enough to send him over the edge with her.
Luca groaned through his orgasm, gripping Rayne tightly. Staggering pleasure tore through his system. As he jetted inside her, he knew he never wanted to be anywhere else.
Chapter Six
Oh, God, she was so close to coming.
Rayne gripped the headboard, undulating her hips as she rode Luca’s mouth.
His tongue alternated between spearing inside her, then licking and sucking. The man was so damn good with his mouth.
“I’m so close…” Just having this big, strong man beneath her was a hell of a turn on.
His hands were digging into her thighs where they spread over his head. With another wicked lick, Rayne came. Hard. Lights danced in front of her eyes.
The world whirled and she ended up in a boneless sprawl on the bed. She sucked in air and watched a very smug Luca leaning over her. His lips glistened with her own juices and as she watched, he ran his thumb across his bottom lip, then sucked it into his mouth.
Her belly clenched.
“I could eat you all day,” he murmured. “For every meal, and I’d never get tired of the taste of you.”
Now her body quivered and she let her gaze slide down his body. All that tight muscle, hard abs, and bronze skin. And the hard cock she felt pressed against her.
Need fired again. “I think it’s my turn now.”
Luca cupped her jaw. “Oh?”
“I want to taste you.”
There was nothing icy about his blue eyes right now. His thumb stroked her lips. “You want to suck my cock?”
She nodded. “I can’t wait to get my hands and my mouth on it.”
He groaned. “I’ve wanted to see your lips wrapped around my cock since the first day you started working for me.”
She pushed up, already feeling heat arrowing between her legs. “Stand beside the bed.”
Something moved through his eyes but with a flex of muscle, he rose.
His big cock pressed upward.
Rayne took her time sliding off the bed, giving him a glimpse of her naked body. She slid to her knees in front of him and wrapped a hand around his cock.
His finger trailed down her cheek, then across her lips. “Open up and suck my cock.”
Desire flashed through her and she leaned forward. First, she licked the head of it, relishing the salty taste of him. One of his hands tangled in her hair.
She pulled back. “Hands, Luca. Keep one by your side and use the other to grip the base of your cock.” She wanted him to lose control, not try to keep it.
“Bossy.” But his hand moved away and circled his thick girth.
Then he fed his cock into her mouth. Oh, he was big. Rayne relaxed as she took him, looking up his body.
The look on his face made it all worth it—desire, adoration, need.
She bobbed her head, sucking him deeper. She loved the groans he made. She reached around, her hands cupping his firm, amazing ass, and pulled him forward.
“You are so beautiful,” Luca groaned. “I’m not going to last long.”
His hips were surging forward. He was losing that iron-clad control. Elation filled her, and she knew that he was on the very edge. She wanted everything from him, all of it. She sucked harder, her cheeks hollowing.
“Rayne!”
He came hard in her mouth and she sucked it all from him. When she looked up again, his hand cupped her cheek. Something passed between them. Something deep and intense that made her belly quiver.
He tugged her up and his arms wrapped around her. When she felt a hard cock brush against her bottom, her eyebrows winged up.
“Warriors of the Wind have excellent stamina.” He pushed her onto the bed. “And I’m planning to show you just how much.” His big body lowered over her, pinning her to the covers. “I’m planning to fuck you all night, Rayne.”
A smile curved her lips. “Let’s see what you’ve got, Warrior.”
Luca woke in the darkness. He stared up at the ceiling, realizing that for the first time in so long, the anger was silent. He felt pleasure and…happiness. He tightened his arm on the warm body pressed against his side.
Rayne.
He buried his face in her hair and breathed in her scent. She was his perfect match. Strength, beauty, brains…and a woman with the will to do what was right.
Despite fucking her several times through the afternoon and evening, he felt his cock stir. He smiled. It seemed it was impossible for him to get his fill of her.
He stroked a hand down her thigh and felt her stir, shifting against him.
“Well, the stories of the stamina of the Warriors of the Wind are not exaggerated.” Her voice was heavy with sleep.
He pressed a kiss to her shoulder, sliding his hand up to cup one full breast. “I’m not entirely certain you have enough data to make a decision yet.”
She laughed. “Okay then, Warrior. Show me.”
Luca let the pleasant mix of emotions inside him wash around. Then he sensed something.
Something dark and angry.
“Luca?” Rayne sat up, her voice changing.
He pushed to the edge of the bed. “You sense it too?”
“Yes.”
Outside, night had fallen. All of a sudden, something slammed into the window.
Rayne jumped. Luca saw the black bird against the glass. It slid down, leaving a smear of blood.
Then the wind hit, setting all the windows rattling.
Cazzo. “Caecius has found us.” Luca leaped up, grabbing his clothes and yanking his trousers on. “Get dressed.”
Rayne was already grabbing her clothes. The wind howled outside, like a hurricane had hit. Somewhere, a window burst in a shatter of glass. The walls started shaking.
“Come on.” Luca reached for her hand and they ran out of the room.
As they started down the stairs, there was a groan of wood and a whooshing sound. Rayne screamed and debris rained down on them. Luca threw himself over Rayne and glanced up.
“He’s tearing the roof off!” she shouted.
Luca saw a patch of roof tear away, and saw the walls start to rattle harder. Caecius was tearing the house apart.
Luca felt Caecius coming. Like a wave of aggression pumping across the sky.
“Luca.” Rayne grabbed his shirt. “There’s a busy piazza around the corner. The restaurants and bars will be packed with people.”
And Caecius would infect every one of them.
“We need to lead him away.”
Together, they raced outside the house. A beam of wood flew at them and Rayne bumped into Luca, knocking him out of the way. The beam hit the stone path and rolled into the nearby canal with a splash. In the surrounding houses, lights were flashing on and people were opening their doors.
“Rayne.” He held out his hand.
She slapped hers into his without a second of hesitation. Dio, she was a hell of a woman. Instantly, he called the wind and let their bodies dematerialize.
They streamed into the night sky, and Luca raced away from the safehouse. He flew deeper into the maze of Venice’s waterways, but felt Caecius coming, like an inexorable storm. Beneath them, the water in the canal churned violently, boats capsizing and people’s screams filling the air. With Rayne held tight to him, Luca flew under a small bridge.
Behind him, the bridge shattered in a spray of rubble.
Damn you, Caecius. With the Tempest Wind so enraged, Luca couldn’t afford to risk him infecting the people of Venice.
Luca flew higher and headed toward the open sea. He had to find somewhere less populated. Ahead in the moonlit darkness, he saw the arch of islands that separated the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea.
Suddenly, Caecius roared over him then darted downward toward the last island, where a bell tower speared high into the air.
San Giorgio Maggiore. With its church, bell tower, and old monastery, it now housed an arts center and library and was filled with tourists during the day but was empty at night.
Perfect. Luca wheeled and gave chase.
As they neared the island, he wished he could set Rayne down somewhere safe. But there wasn’t time and he knew she’d never forgive him.
He saw Caecius rematerialize and land in the top of the bell tower. Luca followed.
As he took solid form, so did Rayne. He held her in his arms and they both turned to face the Tempest Wind.
The bell tower was undergoing renovations and some temporary lights were on, washing the space in golden light. A large, yawning hole was uncovered in the center of the structure with only red barricade tape surrounding it. Above, the huge bells hung, still and silent.
Scaffolding filled much of the space. Luca glanced to the right, saw the stunning view of Venice. He caught sight of Piazza San Marco and the burned-out shell of the Hotel Venti. He gritted his teeth and looked back to his enemy.
“It will end here, Caecius.”
“Yes, I think it will.” Caecius spread his arms wide. “But I will not go back to my prison. I love being free. Watching men and women succumb to their true instincts. I love breathing in their anger. You’ll give in to it soon, Venti. I feel such fury in you.” Caecius’ gaze swung to Rayne. “You want to keep her safe but we both know I’m not the biggest danger to her.” Dark eyes burned into Luca. “You’ll hurt her eventually. You’ll lose control. You’ll use your fists on her, mar her skin, leave her hurting.”
Rayne lifted her chin. “He is not you, Caecius.”
A harsh laugh. “You want to believe that, don’t you?”
Luca sucked in a breath. He fought to control his vice, but he felt the seed of truth in the Tempest Wind’s words. One slip, and Luca could hurt Rayne.
No! He launched forward. He smacked into Caecius and they hit the ground. They rolled, both wrestling for control. Their winds roared up, tearing through the bell tower and rocking the bells above. The dull dong of metal against metal echoed around them.
; Suddenly, Caecius gave a giant heave and knocked Luca off him. The Tempest Wind jumped to his feet and ran. Straight at Rayne.
Luca charged after him. No way he’d let the Tempest Wind touch her. He saw Rayne spread her feet, braced to fight. There was no fear on her face.
As Luca dived forward, Caecius turned into the wind. Luca’s momentum carried him forward through the streaming particles of the Northeast wind. Instead of hitting Caecius, Luca slammed into Rayne.
She fell backward, skidding along the ground…right toward the gaping opening in the center of the tower.
“Rayne!” He reached out, trying to grab her.
She crashed through the tape and tipped over the edge. Her hands scrambled to stop her fall. But she disappeared, her scream echoing in Luca’s ears.
“No!” He jumped to his feet and dived over the edge. Turning into the wind, he streamed after her. Caecius’ laughter echoed after him.
Luca caught her and slowed their descent. A scaffolding cage intended for the restoration work lay beneath them. They touched down inside it.
He yanked her to his chest. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
She held onto him, tight. “I’m fine.” Her voice was a little shaky. “I really wish I could turn into the wind.”
He patted his hands down her arms, over her sides. “Dio, pioggia, that scared the hell out of me.”
Blood pounded through him, leaving him lightheaded. He didn’t think he’d ever forget that moment of watching her fall over the edge.
A sudden, loud clang sounded above them.
Yanking her close to his side, they both looked up.
Caecius had slammed the top of the cage down. He balanced on top, watching them with a smile.
“Well, my little trap worked perfectly.” His smile widened.
Trap? Luca frowned, dread blooming in his gut.
“Women are a distraction, Venti. And your tireless need to do good makes you predictable. I knew exactly what she was the moment I saw her above the flames of your burning hotel.” Caecius banged a fist on the cage’s roof. “Enjoy your new home. I’m off to watch Venice descend into chaos.” He bent his knees and using the wind, leaped upward and was gone.