“Show me how well you can take my cock,” he roared behind me.

I cried out as he thrust harder, this time sending pleasure exploding through me. I rocked back into him as he smacked into me from behind.

This was what I’d wanted. What I needed. I’d waited for too long, but this was worth the wait.

It was worth everything.

He pressed his lips all over my body, and I devoured each sensation. I basked in the touches and heated pleasure his thrusts brought. The pain of his ministrations morphed fully into something hardier and more refined. The pleasure swam deeper inside of me than ever before. There was no stopping it as he pulled back on my hair again and thrust hard.

My release exploded through me in an instant, and I screamed out in satisfaction as it filled every corner of my consciousness.

“God, you sound amazing,” he praised me, his voice as hoarse as mine.

I cried out louder.

“You feel so fucking good,” he growled as his thrusts quickened. “Fuck.”

I felt as he came right alongside me, his seed oozing out of me as he pulled himself free. His breathing filled the room. Our breathing filled it. I rested my head on the cool tabletop as he leaned over me, both hands planting themselves on either side of my head.

“Jesus,” I whispered, trying to catch my breath.

“You’re like a drug, Lili,” he responded against my skin. “The way you smell. The way you look. The way you feel.”

I felt the same way. Everything about Matteo called to me. The only reason I’d ever considered letting him go was to stay away from the mafia, but now, I was here. The only thing that held me back previously was now the sole thing that insisted we be together.

I’d wanted physical, but I’d gotten something much more than that. I’d fallen for the mob boss.

There wasn’t a damn thing I could do to stop the feelings.

Now, all that remained was the truth that I’d been keeping from him. It was the only thing that was holding us apart. He knew everything else about me and my life. He knew me better than anyone.

The war I waged within myself made my life feel incomplete. All the reasons I’d kept Matteo in the dark were valid, but I couldn’t imagine keeping all the pieces of my life separate any longer. I couldn’t have Matteo entirely if he didn’t know about Callum.

But the danger of the mafia life still had me hesitating.

It didn’t matter now as much as it had in the past, though. By coming home—by swearing myself to the mafia—I’d taken away that safety net. I had to stay now, and the only piece that remained was telling Matteo about Callum.

It wouldn’t impact Callum’s safety any more than I already had by staying.

Hell, there was no black-and-white answer. Not in this life. His safety was my first priority, but it seemed like diving into this world headfirst was the best way to ensure that safety. At least then, I’d have armies of people protecting him.

I’d have Matteo protecting him.

“Matteo,” I muttered, pulling myself up. He removed his weight from me and took in my expression.

His eyes went wild as he saw my inner turmoil. “Did I hurt you?”

I shook my head adamantly. “No, you couldn’t,” I assured, placing a hand atop his. “You didn’t. It’s just—”

I cut myself off, trying to figure out the best way to tell him the truth about our connection. It wasn’t just a physical or emotional one. We were connected by a human being, and he deserved to know. I should have told him weeks ago, but I’d been too afraid.

He reached to my cheek and stroked it gently.

“What’s wrong?” he asked again.

The words felt like they sat on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t push them out. It was time to stop hiding the truth of Callum’s lineage from him, but I knew it would hurt him. How could it not? I’d been hiding his child from him for years. Would Matteo ever be able to forgive me once I told him the truth?

But if I didn’t…everything moving forward would be a lie. The longer I waited to tell him the truth, the worse his reaction would become. I couldn’t hurt him more than I already had to by waiting.