Page 9 of Hot for Her Italian Mafia

“You’re out here on your own and need someone to protect you,” he growls.

“And who decided it’s you?” I tease him and can’t stop a giggle from spilling out. I knew I found my courage, but who’d have thought it would manifest in the middle of the street?

“My fearless protector,” I say. “You deserve a prize for your valiant service, don’t you think?”

There’s no time like the present. How long will it be before I get another chance at him if I let this moment pass? I reach out and walk my fingers across Luca’s chest. His head tilts to inspect my digits traversing his rock-hard pecs.

“You don’t know what you’re inviting,” he says. “You’d be wise to go home and forget about this.”

I stop my fingers on his shoulder, allowing only the tip of my index to stroke his ear. Luca keeps his eyes on my hand. A powerful grumble rips through his chest, rumbling his entire body.

I glide my hand around his neck and pull his head down to me.

Luca gives no resistance. I stop when our faces are mere inches apart. I get a deep lungful of his musky aroma. Cologne, old leather, and sandalwood cling to him like a natural aphrodisiac.

“It’s the first time I’m happy I’m not smart.”

This is actually happening. He’s going to kiss me. He’s powerless in my grip and can’t control himself.

“Kiss me,” I say.

Two little words send Luca over the edge. He wraps his hands around my waist and hoists me into the air. His lips smack against mine. I can taste the burning ferocity on his lips. The same beast that possessed him to kick the guy’s ass takes over again. There’s no logical thought left in him, only an animalistic desire to claim what he so desperately desires.

I wrap both arms around his neck and lose myself in his embrace. We’ve kept ourselves wanting and waiting for so long, and it’s culminated in a lustful explosion of soaking-wet desire. We’re magnetized, two bodies uniting as one.

All it took was one horrible night.

And as fast as Luca threw himself into me, he puts me on the ground and steps aside. He hides his face in the crook of his elbow and pants against it like an animal in heat.

“We can’t do this,” he says.

“Why not?” I launch into him again. His body doesn’t turn to meet mine, and my heart sinks into my belly.

“I’m no good.”

“But you are. You want to protect me.” My brow scrunches, and tears form in my eyelids. “Did protect me,” I correct.

“Not for pure reasons.”

“Who says I want it to be pure?”

“You don’t know what you want, but it isn’t me.” A deep growl emits from the back of Luca’s throat. “Go home, Josie.”

His words shatter my heart into a thousand tiny pieces.

“But—”

“No buts.” Luca grabs my arm and leads me to my door.

“Are you going to come back tomorrow?” I sound weak. Desperate. He’s doing everything in his power to push me away, and I’m throwing myself at his feet begging for more.

“Go inside,” Luca orders, ignoring my question.

“I don’t want to.”

“Fucking hell. Do I need to drag you everywhere?”

“You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” I’m in too deep. Played my hand too fast, and Luca isn’t budging. I might as well go all in and see if it brings him back to that monster who kissed me.

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