Page 71 of His UnBearable Touch

Chapter Sixteen

The Police Chief himself gave the order to break the locks on the old entrance doors to the subway station and directed the officers to hold back the press and curious onlookers as the Orsino Security SUV backed down into the pitch-dark passage. From there, their own security men took over.

Salvatore slid from the driver’s seat and picked up a bag from the back of the vehicle. Each of the brothers kept a bag in the back of all the company cars, changes of clothing, towels, cleansers. Just enough to make them passable on the street if they had to shift.

By the time Valerio carried Allegra to the main landing of the old subway station, he smiled at the sight before him. Leaning closer to Allegra he gently whispered into her ear. “Salvatore is here. He’s going to take us back home.”

She lifted her head from his shoulder. “The concert-”

“Has been postponed.” Valerio placed a kiss on her forehead.

“Essa sends his love and wants you to rest.” Salvatore’s normally gruff voice was carefully schooled, taking on a lighter tone. “I can set her in the car.”

Valerio felt Allegra tense in his arms.

“Sure,” she managed to keep her tone even, but he felt the tremor that shot through her body, “I can go with Salvatore if you have something to do.”

Valerio answered for himself, turning slightly to nuzzle his cheek against hers. “I’m not letting her go. Not until we’re home and safe.”

He felt Allegra’s shock and then he felt the way she relaxed against him, her arms tightening around his neck, pressing her closer to his chest. His bear agreed that this was much better than the alternative. Even his bear knew that Salvatore was family, but they’d come so close to losing her, that neither of them could part from her. Not for a moment. Not yet.

Salvatore set the bag back in the back of the car and shut the door. “I’ll stay here. We’ll handle the cleanup.”

Valerio moved to the side of the car and one of their security officers opened the door for him, a blanket draped over his arm. It was a thoughtful gesture for their mate and Valerio nodded at the man before turning his attention back to Salvatore. “Can you call Natale and ask her-”

“She’s taken care of everything. Allegra’s clothes are laid out, fresh towels and linens. Food when you’re hungry.”

Allegra’s tears trailed down the side of his neck and he held her closer. He could only nod to his brother before stepping into the car, his mate cuddled against him.

* * *

Allegra lifted her head when they entered the penthouse, listening to the room and finding it empty, her expression pinched into a confused frown.

Valerio knew what she was thinking. “Natale’s asleep. She took care of everything but knew that we’d need some time.”

Nodding, she leaned against him and sighed, feeling the tension draining from her shoulders. “I love your family, but yes, time alone… at least until tomorrow… sounds like heaven.”

“Our family loves you right back, Allegra. Remember that.” He only held her closer, not too tight, but securely against him.

She barely moved when he set her down on the bench inside the shower, leaning back against the cool tile and enjoyed the slight scratch of the sandy texture against the back of her dress. “I can’t imagine what would have happened to me today if I hadn’t met you.”

A soft series of beeps sounded as Valerio set the controls for the shower and she heard the soft hiss of a showerhead and listened to it run. A slight hum reached her ears and then another beep told her that he’d set the temperature for her. A soft smile touched her lips. “If you want to shower first, go ahead and make it hotter. I promise I won’t peek.”

There was a silence and then a soft chuckle. “You are so very brave, Allegra. You humble me.”

And his words, she decided, made her weak in the most delicious of ways.

“I want to bathe you, Allegra,” his words sounded more like a confession. “I need to touch you and know that you’re safe… whole… alive.”

The subtle, humid heat from the water made the air heavy, misting her skin with moisture. Sighing, she gave him a smile, realizing that he needed her just as much as she needed him.

“I want you to touch me, Valerio. I need you to wash away his touch.” She swallowed at the feelings that her own words brought back. “I need to feel alive under your hands… whole with you inside me… and alive and loved in your arms.”

She felt his hands on her face and leaned into him as he pressed his lips against hers and then slanted them over hers as his tongue sought entrance into her mouth. She welcomed him with a gasp, drinking in his heated breath, taking the air from his lungs.

As his tongue tangled with hers she lifted her hands to mirror his gentle hold, feeling the scratch of beard against her palms. The friction sent soft jolts of lightning through her body, making her skin tingle, the tips of her breasts tighten against the damp layer of her clothing.

She leaned into the kiss and his fingers traced the column of her neck, careful of the tender skin where she’d felt the painful squeeze of Lance’s hands less than an hour before. The thought only crossed her mind for a moment, because when the tips of his fingers feathered over her mark, a keening cry burst from her lips as the faint echo of an orgasm arced through her body pooling liquid heat between her legs.

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