Page 68 of Wild Ace

Vinny takes a spoonful of pie and then pulls his phone out. “He’s been taken into custody.”

“He has? I didn’t hear any sirens.”

“Carthwright’s discrete.”

“I see why you chose him to work for you.”

“He doesn’t work for me, per se. He’s just a trusted detective that I can go to for information when needed.”

“That’s a nice way of putting it.”

“It is, isn’t it?” he grins, spooning the rest of the mousse pie into his mouth.

Pulling out his wallet, Vinny tosses a couple hundreds on the table and stands, holding his hand out for me to take. “I’m ready for my second dessert. See? I have a nice way of putting a lot things.” He winks.

I take his hand and stand. “I know you do.” Leaning up on my toes, I kiss his cheek and whisper in his ear, “But you know I don’t like when you’re too nice.”

Vinny wraps his arm around my waist and practically drags me out of there. “You love teasing me when I can’t have you right away, don’t you?”

“Maybe I like seeing you get all wound up and brutish.”

“Baby, I’ll be a brute all you want. I’d love to lift you up and toss you around how I want you.”

“Go ahead,” I challenge, and he gives me a feral grin – an animal ready to catch its prey.

“Get in the car, Alexis,” he orders, holding the door open for me.

Vinny drives as fast as he can back to The Aces, and when we park in the garage, he rushes around to my side and opens my door. “Come on, baby,” he says in a deep, sexy voice.

I take his hand and he pulls me out, only to drop down and lift me over his shoulder. “Ah! Vinny!”

He slaps my ass. “You told me not to be too nice. You can’t take it back now.”

I bounce on his shoulder as he walks to the elevator, and I grip the bottom of his jacket to keep steady.

“These jeans are painted on you,” he murmurs, rubbing his palm over the globe of my ass. “But I wish you were wearing something more accessible for me.” He runs his hand down the back of my thigh and up between my legs. “I could’ve gotten started early.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

He slaps my ass again and I choke out a little yelp. That one stung, but it pools between my legs and I bite my lip. I wish he had easier access, too.

When we get inside his apartment, it’s déjà vu from last night. He hurries down the hall, this time tossing me on top of his bed – all gentleness gone.

The air is whooshed out of me and Vinny smiles, that sexy predator/prey look back in his eyes.

He grabs my ankles and drags me back towards him. He’s not gentle in the way he tugs and tears at my clothes until I’m naked and he’s looking down at me still fully clothed.

“I want to see you, too,” I tell him, propping myself up on my elbows. “You get to look at me like this,” I say, sliding my left foot up towards me and then letting my leg fall to the side. “But I only get a few seconds to admire you before you’re on me.”

“That’s the best part, dolcezza.” He smirks. “But, of course, if you want to look, I’ll let you look.”

Vinny takes his clothes off, and my eyes eat up every inch of skin he gives me until he’s standing there like a museum piece I can study.

I bite my lip and take my time going over him. I lift my finger and make a circle motion in the air for him to turn around. He smiles and does as I wish.

Damn, he’s got a nice ass.

And that back? Holy shit.