Page 10 of King of Manhattan

But I've never been a patient man, especially when it comes to things I want. And God help me, I want Emily Bennett more than I've ever wanted anything in my life. The women I’ve known before couldn’t hold a candle to this one. I’ve never wanted more than a one night stand. But with her? I already know I want so much more.

The rest of the evening passes in a blur of small talk and meaningful glances. I make the rounds, shaking hands and making connections, always keeping one eye on Emily. She does the same, working the room with a grace and charm that makes everyone she meets fall in love with her.

Finally, as the crowd begins to thin, I make my way back to her side. "Ready to get out of here?" I murmur, my hand finding its place on her lower back once more.

She leans into me, a small smile playing at her lips. "I thought you'd never ask."

The ride to my penthouse is charged with unspoken tension. Emily's hand rests on my thigh, a seemingly innocent gesture that sets my blood on fire. I want nothing more than to pull her into my lap, to claim her mouth with mine, but I force myself to wait. The payoff will be worth it.

As soon as we're through the door of my penthouse, I have her pressed against the wall, my mouth descending on hers with a hunger that surprises even me. Emily responds with equal hunger, her fingers tangling in my hair as she pulls me closer.

"Vince," she gasps as I trail kisses down her neck. "Wait... we should talk..."

I pull back slightly, studying her face. "Talk about what, Emily? About how much I want to taste every inch of you? About how crazy this is? Or about how neither of us seems able to stay away despite knowing better?"

She swallows hard, her eyes dark with desire and conflict. "All of it," she whispers. "This thing between us... it's dangerous."

"I know," I say, cupping her face in my hands. "But tell me you don't feel it too. Tell me you don't lie awake at night thinking about me, about us, about what could be."

As my words linger in the air, the tension between us thickens, almost tangible. The dim light of the penthouse casts shadows across the room, but all I can focus on is Emily—her rapid breathing, the rise and fall of her chest beneath that gown, the look in her eyes, a mix of desire and vulnerability that stirs something deep within me.

I don’t wait for her to respond. Instead, I close the distance between us, capturing her mouth with mine in a kiss that's all heat and urgency. Emily responds instantly, her body arching into me, her fingers clutching at my shoulders like she’s holding on for dear life. My hands move slowly, deliberately, tracing the curves I’ve been longing to touch all night. The gown that clings to her like a second skin is suddenly nothing but an obstacle, something that needs to be removed.

With a quick, practiced motion, I slide the straps off her shoulders, watching as the fabric pools around her waist. My gaze lingers on her exposed skin, the creamy expanse of it practically begging to be touched, tasted. I kiss along her collarbone, savoring the way her body shivers under my touch, the way her breath catches when I reach that sensitive spot at the base of her neck.

"Vince..." She breathes my name, her voice a soft plea that only fuels the fire raging inside me. But whatever doubts she has, I silence them with another kiss, one that tells her everything I’m feeling, everything words can’t convey.

I lift her effortlessly, carrying her the rest of the way to the bedroom. The bed awaits us, the sheets cool against her heated skin as I lay her down, my weight pressing into her, grounding us both. For a moment, I pause, my eyes locked on hers, searching for something—permission, reassurance, maybe even a sign that she wants this as much as I do.

Emily’s hands cup my face, her thumbs brushing over my cheekbones as she pulls me down to her, answering my unspoken question with another searing kiss. The tension that's been building between us for so long finally snaps as our bodies come together, all urgency and need.

My hands roam her body, exploring every curve, every inch of her that I’ve been dying to touch. I trail kisses down her neck, across her chest, savoring every little sound she makes, every shiver that courses through her. When I finally reach her thighs, I take my time, kissing a path down her body, relishing the way she trembles beneath me.

When my mouth reaches her core, I pause for just a second, meeting her gaze. The look in her eyes—anticipation, desire, trust—nearly undoes me. Then I give us both what we want, what we need, my mouth working to drive her closer to the edge.

The first touch of my tongue against her clit sends a jolt through her body, her hands fisting the sheets as she tries to stay grounded. She tastes amazing, like vanilla and honey. Greedily I lap her up, working her with my tongue. I slip a finger inside her, then another, and pump them in and out while swirling my tongue against her clit. She’s so fucking tight, I can’t wait to be inside her.

Usually I’m selfish in bed, only caring about my own needs. Tonight, all I want is to hear her moan in pleasure. She whimpers as I increase the speed of my thrusts and arches her back again. But I don’t let up, don’t stop until she’s crying out my name, until her body is shuddering with the force of her release. I keep going, drawing out her pleasure until she’s trembling beneath me, spent and satisfied.

Only then do I move back up her body, capturing her lips in a kiss that’s both possessive and tender. "You’re mine, Emily," I murmur against her lips, my voice rough with desire and the promise of more. "You belong to me now."

Her response is immediate, her arms wrapping around my neck, pulling me closer, needing me as much as I need her. "I’m yours."

Afterward, as we lay tangled in the sheets, Emily's head resting on my chest, I allow myself a moment of vulnerability. "Stay," I murmur into her hair. "Stay with me tonight."

She's quiet for so long I think she might have fallen asleep. Finally, she tilts her head up to look at me. "Vince," she says softly, "what are we doing?"

It's a loaded question, one I'm not sure I have the answer to. "Living," I say finally. "Feeling. Isn't that enough for now?"

Emily sighs, snuggling closer to me. "For now," she agrees.

As I hold her close, listening to her breathing even out as she drifts off to sleep, I can't shake the feeling that everything is about to change. The world I've built, the empire I've created, suddenly seems insignificant compared to the woman in my arms.

For the first time in my life, I'm afraid. Not of my enemies, not of the law, but of the power Emily Bennett holds over me. Because I know, with bone-deep certainty, that I would burn it all down for her. And that terrifies me more than anything.

Chapter 6

Emily

---