Page 67 of Maddest Temptation

“No pills, Cassio,” her big eyes pleaded.

I nodded. I hoped from the bottom of my heart that this meant she had stopped using. I knew it would be hard, but I needed her to stop. I needed her to get better.

Because I couldn’t help myself, I caressed her cheek, careful not to hurt her. Francesca breathed in deeply, closed her eyes and leaned into my touch.

“Who, Francesca? Give me a name.”

19

FRANCESCA

It was a simple question. The name was on the tip of my tongue, and I had a feeling Cassio knew exactly who it was.

Yet I couldn’t say it.

All I wanted was for Cassio to put a bullet through Donato’s head. I didn’t care what it made me, but if I told Cassio the truth, he was going to leave me. It was foolish, but I was desperate for closeness. Just the thought of him leaving me alone made my stomach twist.

“Francesca,” he called me back to reality, and I opened my eyes to find him staring. There was a fire in his eyes that I hadn’t noticed before. “Who did this to you?”

This time his entire hand rested against my skin. Cassio was warm, almost blazing, and like a cat, I leaned into it, seeking his comfort. Yearning for his touch. I pretended nothing had ever happened between us. Pretended it was just Cassio and me. The past was forgotten.

I didn’t answer.

“One name.”

“I can’t,” I whispered.

His hand left my face, and my make-believe moment was severed, the bubble burst, making me shiver. My body weighed a ton and all I wanted to do was wrap myself in a cocoon and sleep forever.

There was no reason to remain here in his apartment. He had come when I called, and I was thankful for that. Cassio had saved me yet again.

“Why can’t you give me an answer, Francesca?” He sounded angrier now.

Both of his hands cupped my cheeks as he came to stand between my legs, his mouth inches from mine. I inhaled him—his scent was addictive, and I breathed again.

I acted before I could think. I closed the distance between us and smashed my lips against his. The kiss was shy and awkward, and I realized I was the only one kissing. Then, finally, his lips moved, and the kiss wasn’t gentle anymore. His grip on my face tightened and I flinched slightly.

“Shit,” he took a step back letting go of me as if I burned him. “Francesca.” He shook his head.

I pulled his shirt to bring him closer and kissed him again. This time it was hungrier, he didn’t hesitate. I matched his pace, kissing Cassio with my entire being. Lips, tongue, and soul. I was desperate for him. For his intoxicating taste. I bit his lip and pulled it slightly. Cassio groaned deep in his throat. One of his hands slipped to my neck and he pulled my hair, changing the angle of our kiss.

He consumed me, heat traveled through my body and settled between my legs. I had never felt this kind of pleasure before, my body had never been so out of control.

Cassio kissed my lips, then my jaw, and nibbled my ear, breathing me in. “You’re playing with fire, Principessa,” he groaned low in his throat.

“Then I’ll gladly burn.” I closed my eyes as he sucked on a particularly sensitive spot, leaving another mark on my skin. “Cassio,” I moaned as pleasure boiled my blood.

Cassio pressed in closer and used both hands to pull me flush against him. I could sense his heartbeat. It was fast and violent—he wanted me. His hand slipped beneath my shirt and gripped my waist. Electricity coursed through my veins, causing my skin to tighten and my nipples to pebble. My breasts grew heavy, and my core tightened.

Cassio massaged my skin and kissed me, slowly he trailed upward until his thumb caressed one of my aching nipples. I sucked in a deep breath as pleasure shot through my body. He grinned like a feral cat, but then he looked at my face and let go.

He took a step back then another, until he had put a good distance between us. Cassio shook his head and then wiped his lips like he needed to remove my taste from his mouth.

“No.” He raised his finger and pointed at me. He looked at the ceiling and then at me again like he was fighting an inner battle. “I’m not doing this,” he announced.

My heart skipped a beat and my jaw almost dropped to the floor. I was mortified. Ashamed. Embarrassed, but mostly I was starting to regret what I did.

“You don’t want me,” he said, running his fingers through his hair. “You just don’t want to be alone. You’re confused,” Cassio stated. “I’m not a good man, but I don’t take advantage of women.”

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