Enrico hissed when she touched him with her mouth, a sound somewhere between surprise and pleasure. He could hardly believe this was happening; he’d never had a woman do that before. He’d seen it done in videos, of course, but Toni had felt the act was sinful; she couldn’t bring herself to do it, and he’d felt bad for pressing her. When Fiammetta had learned of his interest, she’d tried to use it as a bargaining chip, promising him such a pleasure after they were married. As if that would have changed his mind.
But now that he was experiencing this wonder, maybe it would have, if Fiammetta had given him a preview. No, that wasn’t true. The wonderful part wasn’t the act itself; it was the idea that Kate cared about his enjoyment as much as he cared about hers. Perhaps even, she enjoyed it as well. Was it possible?
Letting go of such thoughts, he surrendered himself to pure sensation, wanting to remember every second. The feel of Kate’s tongue was heavenly. She swirled it around the head of his cock, then flattened it and stroked it up and down the vein that ran in a ridge along the underside of the shaft. When she hit the sensitive spot just under the head, he nearly came. She pulled back for a second, then he felt her warm breath above the tip. He looked down, and the sight of his cock disappearing between her lips was entirely too much. He wanted her to keep going, wanted to savor the experience, but it was proving overwhelming in his current state. He had to have her. Now. If he waited, it would be too late. He pulled out of her mouth, and she gave him a puzzled look. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Not at all. But I am not going to last much longer.” He reached down and tugged her up, flipping her under him with a quick movement. Using his knee, he parted her thighs, then he grabbed her left leg and pushed it up in the air so he could get in deep on the first thrust. His weeping cock had just touched her entrance, he was just about to push in, when he remembered. “Do we need anything?” he asked, looking up at her, hoping the answer was no. He didn’t want to stop.
She hesitated at the question, abruptly thrust back into the real world by his concern. Was this really such a good idea? Maybe they should stop.
She stared at him for a second. There was such warmth, such tenderness on his face, she had to close her eyes. Had Vince ever looked at her that way? In the beginning maybe. They’d been happy once, hadn’t they? Tears gathered behind her eyelids. Enrico must have seen what was happening to her, because he lowered her leg and eased off her. She opened her eyes and seized his arm. “No.”
“Are you sure?”
She looked away for a moment. Memories of Vince intruded again. Their first date. The first time he kissed her. When he proposed. Then the menace on his face when he hit her in the office, when he pulled out the switchblade.
Her time with Vince was over. Done. There was no going back.
“Kate?”
Turning her head, she met his gaze. “Make me forget,” she whispered.
He stroked the side of her face, his fingers lingering over her cheekbone, then sliding down to her lips. “We should stop.”
Her throat closed up. His voice was so soft, so gentle, yet tinged with wistfulness. His tone told her that he wanted her but that doing right by her was more important to him.
Vince had never put her first. Ever.
She pulled Enrico close, kissing him. “No. I’m not letting him take over my life.”
Enrico cupped her cheeks in his hands, searching her face. “You are angry. Perhaps you are not thinking clearly.”
She put her hands over his, making her voice fierce. “I’m thinking more clearly than I have in a long time. I rationalized too much of his behavior. I let him make the decisions. I let him control my life. I’m not letting him ruin this too.”
He raised his brows. “You are certain?”
“As death and taxes.”
He smiled, then his lips descended on hers. The kiss was demanding, and she let out a low sound, which he echoed with a groan. He pushed her down on the bed, his mouth on her breasts, one hand between her legs, his stiff cock pressing into her thigh. He suckled her breasts for a few moments, then kissed up her neck. He stopped, breathing in her ear. “Do we need a condom?” he asked, his voice thick with urgency.
Since she’d managed to take her birth control pill that morning, she should be okay, at least until she could get more. His cock nudged at her thigh and she reached down between them to stroke it. “It’s okay. Don’t worry.”
“Grazie a Dio.” He parted her legs, then surged forward, burying his cock inside her. Gasping, she moved underneath him, widening her legs, forcing herself to relax so she could accommodate him. He felt so damn good inside her, stretching her, filling her up. She clenched her internal muscles experimentally, flexing herself around him, and he let out a loud groan. “That feels wonderful,” he panted. “But you must stop or I will not last.”
“As you wish.” She smiled, pleased that she could torture him a bit too.
He rose up on his knees, pushing her legs up toward her chest, almost bending her double as he started thrusting in and out, long vigorous strokes. Good God, he was in even deeper, if that was possible. His cock stroked something delightful inside her, again and again.
He did his best to hold off, listening to her breathing, trying to gauge how close she was. Dio, she felt good. So tight, so wet. So hot around him, clutching his cock like a fist. With a groan, he forced himself to concentrate. He wanted her to come again before he did.
After a time, her breathing turned more ragged, and soon she was keening, the noise getting higher and higher. When her cries peaked, a warm gush bathed his cock, and that throaty sound, that extra wetness, was all it took to send him over the edge right after her. He continued thrusting until his cock stopped pulsing, until she caught her breath and her quivers subsided.
Collapsing next to her on the bed, he inhaled deeply, trying to slow down his breathing. He rolled over to look at her. She nestled up against him, still breathing fast. “That was amazing,” she said.
He kissed her lightly. “So were you.” He lay back, putting his arm around her, pulling her close. Would it be mad to ask her to stay with him once this mess was settled?
Of course it would be. She was still married. And he was all but promised to Delfina.
On top of that, Kate didn’t know who he actually was. And if she did, how would she ever accept him? And then there were the Andrettis, circling them like jackals.
If he hadn’t already lost his head, he was about to.
CHAPTER 9
The morning after. Kate looked over her shoulder at Enrico. He was still asleep, one arm slung around her waist, his body snug against hers.
Even though they’d made love twice that night, he was ready again. She wriggled back against him, his erection a delightful hardness. She heard the change in his breathing as he woke, and then she felt the change in how he was touching her. His grip on her waist tightened and he pulled her to him possessively.
“Good morning,” he murmured, kissing the side of her neck, his voice hoarse from sleep.
She turned her head to look at him again and he stretched to kiss her lips, the contact gentle and brief, but it stirred something in her. She rolled over in his arms and he pulled her flush to his chest.
God she loved kissing him. His early morning stubble rasped against her skin, a light scratching, but it felt good. He took her mouth slowly, his tongue exploring; he wasn’t rough and demanding the way some men were. The way Vince was. Enrico didn’t try to have it all with his kisses. They were just a prelude to the main course, a delightful tease.
His fingers caressed the hair from her face. “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to touch you like this,” he said, running his fingers through the strands.
Kate smiled and reached up, brushing his hair back off his forehead. His black hair was thick and wavy, soft beneath her fingers. She remembered wanting to touch it, and now she was. He looked at her solemnly. “You’re awfully serious about something,” sh
e said.
He was about to open his mouth when she stopped him, her fingers pressing into his lips. “Before you say anything, I want you to know I’m not going to stay for long. I don’t expect anything from you. As soon as I can, I’m going back to the States, and I’m going to stay as far away from men as possible.”
His brow furrowed. “Then what are we doing here?”
“Having a good time?”
“Kate, this, you, mean something to me. I don’t sleep with many women.”
“I like you, Enrico. A lot. But I’m not sure it goes further than that. I barely know you.” And you still love your wife.
He took her face in his hands. “I’d like to get to know you, to see if we can have a future together.”
She couldn’t meet his eyes. If he knew why she’d slept with him, he’d be hurt. The band of his wedding ring pressed into her cheek, and she reached up, tapping it with her fingernail. The ting of her nail against the metal seemed loud. “How can you say that when you’re still wearing this?” She searched his face, seeing him wince.
He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs, his brown eyes turbulent. “Maybe you’re right,” he finally said, his voice thick.
She leaned forward and kissed him lightly. “Let’s think of this as a fling, okay?”
“Can we leave it open?” he asked. “Just entertain the possibility there could be more?”
She sighed and dropped her head back onto the pillow. “Let’s enjoy each other, and when the time comes, let’s not make it difficult.”
“Just consider it. Per favore?”
His eyes were unguarded, naked, vulnerable. Saying no would be a slap in the face. “Okay. But I’m not making promises. Do not misunderstand me.”
He smiled broadly, his face relaxing. “I understand.”
The joy on his face made her bury her worries in a smile. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. Not after what he’d done for her. But she’d been clear. When she decided to go, he’d have to accept it.
They enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in the dining room, trading sections of the newspaper like an old married couple. Kate looked over at Enrico, his dark eyes roving over the business section as he sipped a cappuccino. Vince didn’t like to read the paper, but they’d shared plenty of breakfasts together, many of them like this one, quietly companionable ones where little needed to be said. Some little part of her missed Vince and thought it strange she was here with this other man, a man who was definitely not her husband. “Excuse me,” she said to Enrico, folding up her napkin and setting it beside her plate. “There’s something I need to do.”
Her voice must have betrayed her somehow. He looked at her for a moment, concern in his eyes. “Is there a problem?”
“No. I just need to check my voice mail.”
“Ah.” His face tightened, and she left before he could say anything. It really was none of his business.
Kate retrieved the phone from her purse. She’d been dreading hearing from Vince, but maybe he’d calmed down and seen how he’d overreacted. Maybe he’d agree to let her leave and get a quick divorce. Of course, if he knew what she’d done last night…. But there was no video after all.
She turned on the phone as she walked out to the terrace behind the house, trying to enjoy the view of the garden, the rolling lawns that led down to the lake. What a gorgeous day, she thought, with the sky clear and blue, the sun glittering on the water, the craggy peaks of the Alps rising high around her. But her stomach filled with butterflies as she waited for the phone to come to life.
A beep told her she had voice mail. No surprise. She pressed the button to check it, and sure enough, Vince’s voice greeted her. “You fucking cunt,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “I’m gonna slit your throat.”
She deleted the message, her fingers trembling as she pressed the buttons. There was another from him; she deleted it too as soon as she heard the anger in his voice.
So much for the quick divorce. What the hell was she going to do? She couldn’t stay with Enrico forever. She shouldn’t be staying with Enrico at all. Not if she knew what was good for her.
She had to get the hell out of Dodge. This minute.
Kate found Enrico typing on the laptop in his study. He was so absorbed she had to cough to get his attention. He started to smile but stopped. “Kate, what is wrong?”
She fidgeted for a second, not sure she wanted to ask him for help. “Vince called.”
“What did he say?”
Her heart started pounding. “He threatened to kill me.”
Enrico’s eyes sharpened. “What exactly did he say?”
Her throat closed up, strangling her next words. “He said he was going to slit my throat.” Her knees turned to jelly and she collapsed onto the chair in front of his desk.
Enrico jumped up and came around to her. He sank down on his heels, taking her hands in both of his. “Everything will be all right.”
She shook her head, grateful for the warmth of his touch, the strength of his fingers around hers. She tried to keep herself calm, but a tide of worry overwhelmed her. “What am I going to do? Where am I going to go? How am I going to live?” She pulled a hand from his grasp, covering her mouth as tears spilled down her cheeks. Her eyes swam and blurred; she could barely breathe.
“Try not to jump ahead.” Enrico’s voice was low and soothing, and he rubbed his palms up and down her thighs. “There is no sense worrying.”
“How can I not worry?”
His hands stilled and he looked at her closely. “I know it is difficult. But when did worry ever solve anything?” He paused, then squeezed her knees. “You need to keep your head, Kate. Panic never helps. I am here; I will help you. You can count on me.”
She took a deep breath, then expelled it slowly. “Thanks. I needed to hear that.”
He leaned forward and kissed her, one of his fingers tracing the line of her jaw. “Anytime you need me, I will be there.” His voice was almost a whisper.
Such promise in those words, enough to send nervous flutters through her. Could he really live up to them? There was one way to find out. “I need to get away from here. Somewhere Vince can’t find me. I don’t want my parents to worry, so I can’t tell them about Vince or ask them for money—”
“Say no more. I do not want you to go, but if that is your wish, I will help you.”
“I don’t want to owe you.”
“You will not.” After a moment, he added, “Your rings should yield more than enough to cover your expenses for quite some time.” He cocked his head and looked at her. “You do not like depending on anyone.”
“After Vince, do you blame me?”
“Not all men are bad.”
She stared at him without comment, then said, “How soon can I leave?”
Enrico straightened, then sat on the edge of his desk, crossing his arms. “Your husband has someone watching the house.”
Fear spiked through her, leaving her chilled. “He does? How do you know?”
“There is a man watching the front drive. No doubt there is another watching the dock to make sure you do not leave by boat either.”
“Oh God.” Kate rubbed her arms. “He sounded so horrible on the phone. He scared me, but I was hoping it was just posturing.”
Enrico frowned. “We would be fools to dismiss him.”
She looked up into his eyes. “I can’t stay here forever.”
“It would be best to wait a few days. Let them get bored. Then we leave at night by boat, no motor, travel up the shore a ways, meet a car.” He paused, then continued. “I am not sure it is wise to take my private jet, in case your husband has staked out the airstrip, but there is no paper trail if we do. At least, not one that cannot easily be faked.”
She looked at him, considering. “You’ve done this before.”
“Not exactly. But it is best to think about these matters beforehand.”
“You really are afraid of them, aren’t you?”
<
br /> “Not afraid. Cautious.”
“I don’t believe you. Who wouldn’t be afraid of the Mob?”
Suspicion ruled Kate’s gaze. Of course. The only people who wouldn’t be afraid of the Mafia were people in the Mafia. “Okay. I am a little afraid,” Enrico said.
“Only a little?” she teased.
He smiled, just a slight curving of the mouth. “Maybe more than a little.”
“Good.”
His brows shot up. “Good?”
“Now I know you’re not crazy. Or one of them.”
He was careful to hold her eyes. “If I was one of them, would we be having this conversation? Would I not have left you to your fate?”
She studied him for a second. “Perhaps. Still, you’re way too good at this.”
He grinned. “I am a businessman. I have to lie to people all the time. It is the way of things.”
She leaned back in the chair and crossed her arms, not breaking eye contact. “You should know now I hate lying. More than anything.”
Enrico felt a tremor in his gut. Her words implied a possible future for them at the same time that they damned one. “I will never lie to you about anything of consequence.” He regretted the words as soon as he said them, wished he could take them back, could tell her there and then who he was. But she’d bolt.
“You’d better mean that.”
“Every word.” Dio, please forgive me.
“We do it your way then.” He started to turn away from her, when her voice, a brutal punch to the ribs, stopped him. “If I ever find out you’re lying to me, I will never forgive you.”
He kept his face still, twisted half away from hers. When he thought he could keep his dismay inside, he turned to her. “I know.”
“Then we understand each other.”
Killer Romances Page 11