Page 114 of Unholy Vows (Original Sin)

She stood under the spray for a moment, letting it soak her through. I was already barefoot, in just a T-shirt and loose pants. I stepped under the spray to help her.

Washing her hair was easy. Soaping her body was difficult. Despite the bruises and cuts, touching the slopes of her belly and curves of her hips and ass made me hard as hell. I felt an inappropriate and undeniable need to fill this woman up. I wanted to sink deep inside her and reassure myself that she was here, in my arms, alive and well. She didn’t complain about how the soap must have stung. She didn’t complain about anything.

“Turn,” I instructed gruffly.

Her tight curves and wet skin were tormenting me. The bruises and cuts filled me with fury. I washed her carefully, like she was spun glass. She held on to me, staring at my chest.

“You’re all wet.” Her voice wasn’t as tired as I’d thought it would be.

“I don’t care.”

She looked up at me and pressed up on her toes and kissed me softly.

“I can’t get it all out of my mind,” she murmured. “I want to forget.”

She was so beautiful and precious, standing there in the rain falling from the shower. I’d nearly lost her.

I cupped her face gently and kissed her, careful of her lip, and moved my lips downward. She leaned against the heated wall and watched me as I knelt at her feet, my T-shirt and pants soaked through, my gaze fixed on her eyes. I could read her desires there, just like mine.Make me forget.

“Leave that to me,bambina.”

39

CHARLIE

The next day, I got up early, ready to go to my classes.

I needed to take my mind off the last forty-eight hours, and there was no better cure for a low mood than being busy.

I’d half expected Renato to argue with me about that when I headed downstairs, backpack in hand, and announced I was going out — bruised ribs, black and blue jaw and all. Sonny had jumped out of his chair, looking worried, and Carmella had immediately disagreed.

Renato had only nodded, a smile playing on his lips. He was completely unsurprised by my stubborn refusal to let the whole thing interfere with my life.

“Answer my calls, and don’t leave Sonny’s side.”

“I won’t.”

“Good girl,” he said with a smirk that sent heat flushing through me.

This man could turn me on and distract me completely with one well-placed comment.

His hands gripped my hips, and I had to wrench myself away and then fight the urge to go back.

“What are you doing today?” I asked him as he walked me out to the car.

“Meeting my attorney, and then later, an old friend. I’ll be home for dinner, though.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Be on my placemat, pantiless, legs spread, in time for me to come home and eat.”

Just like that, my wicked husband sat me in the backseat of the car and shut the door.

I was still blushing by the time Sonny got into the driver’s seat.

We drove to campus.Snow had fallen, and everything looked fresh and new. I groaned as I pushed myself out of the car.

“You should have stayed home for the rest of the week, Mrs. D,” Sonny complained, coming around the car to take my arm.

“And do what? Cry in my pillow while I fall behind right before exams?”

He tutted. “The boss was right.”

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