Chest heaving, I brace myself against the sink. But the release does nothing to quench the dark hunger Dana has ignited inside me. I want her—all of her.

And I won't stop until that sexy, stubborn woman is mine.

Over the next few days, I watch Dana like a hawk, my desire growing with every passing moment. She's so natural with Matteo, her gentle laugh ringing through the house as she plays with him. The way her eyes sparkle with warmth and affection for my nephew twists something deep inside me.

But it's the glimpses of her lush curves as she moves, the elegant line of her neck, the subtle sway of her hips that keep me in a constant state of painful arousal.

I find myself engineering excuses to check on her. Each fleeting glimpse is a sweet torment. I have to bite my cheek to keep from pulling her into my arms, from taking that rosebud mouth in a brutal, claiming kiss.

It's maddening, this relentless need. My balls ache and my cock throbs, straining against my zipper every time she's near. I'm like a horny fucking teenager, running off to jack off three, four times a day. Her scent, her voice, the way she looks at me from under those long lashes—it all winds me tighter and tighter until I'm ready to snap.

In the dark solitude of my bedroom, I wrap my hand around my rigid length, imagining it's her silky fingers stroking me. I picture throwing her down on my bed, ripping off those prim skirts and cardigans to reveal the tempting curves hidden underneath. I'd worship every inch of her soft skin until she's writhing and begging, then bury myself to the hilt in her wet heat. The image of her lush tits bouncing as I pound into her is enough to send me over the edge embarrassingly fast every single time.

But it's not enough. It's never enough. This insatiable hunger is clawing at my insides, demanding I make Dana mine in every way. I want to taste her, touch her, claim her so completely that she forgets any other man exists. I want to make her scream my name as I give her pleasure she's never known before.

I don't just want her body. I want everything—her mind, her heart, her very soul. And I won't rest until all of her belongs to me.

The urge to simply take what I desire is a living, breathing thing inside me. It prowls through my veins, growing more feral and harder to control by the second. My infamous restraint is eroding, my darkest instincts howling to be let loose.

I know it's wrong. I know I should keep my distance. But with every smile, every laugh, every goddamn maddening sway of her hips, Dana is breaking down my defenses. She has no idea that she's playing with fire, dancing closer and closer to an inferno that will consume us both.

I don't know how much longer I can hold back the beast clawing to break free. But there's one thing I do know as I watch her, my heart pounding and my body coiled with barely leashed need.

Come hell or high water, I will make Dana mine.

I scowl as I realize I’ve been sitting at my desk for an hour thinking about her. Madonn', what this woman is doing to me. I should be focused on revenge—not on how to get into the nanny’s panties.

I bark out a curse and rise abruptly from my chair, stalking over to the window. The sprawling grounds of the estate stretch out before me but I don't see them. All I can see is Dana—laughing with Matteo, sunlight catching the hints of gold in her chestnut hair, her ripe curves swaying as she walks.

She's under my skin, burrowing deeper with every passing second. I feel like a junkie, craving my next hit. Except my drug of choice is five-foot-four, with piercing green eyes and an ass that makes my cock salivate.

I lean my forehead against the cool glass, trying to regain some semblance of control. But it's no use. My mind keeps conjuring up the sound of her husky laugh, the fullness of her lips, the way her hips sway as she walks away from me. I'm hard as a fucking rock just thinking about her.

I fist my hands on the windowseal.

I need to get a grip. I'm Luca Romano, for Christ's sake. I run the most powerful mafia family on the East Coast. Men tremble when I walk into a room. I take what I want, when I want it.

But with Dana, it's different. For the first time, I find myself hesitating, questioning my next move. I want her so badly it's like a physical ache, but something holds me back.

Maybe it's the way she looks at Matteo, with such tenderness and care. The way she's thrown herself into this new role, determined to give him the love and stability he needs. It stirs something foreign in my chest, something dangerously close to admiration. Respect.

I shake my head with a growl of frustration.

I can't afford to go soft, not now, not ever. Not in this world I've chosen, where any weakness is a liability that can get you killed. I've fought too hard, sacrificed too much to let a pair of green eyes and a sweet ass throw me off my game.

But damn if Dana doesn't make me want to throw out every rule I've ever made for myself. The need to possess her, body and soul, is like a fever in my blood. I want to lock her away from the world and keep her all for myself.

I curse under my breath and stalk out of my office, determined to put the curvy fucking nanny out of my mind.

four

. . .

Dana

I pause outside Luca's study, which is cracked open. I haven’t spoken to him since our last charged interaction, though I still can’t get it out of my mind.

That domineering glint in his piercing blue eyes as he pulled me close, his powerful body pressing against my curves...No. I shake my head. The further I stay away from the notorious mafia king, the better.