Page 178 of Sin & Sapphire

I drew out the meal as long as I could, but she eventually asked me to take her home so she could sleep.

Guilt wormed through my heart. I’d exhausted her so I could selfishly enjoy the pleasure of her company for a little bit longer.

“Just one more bite,” I exhorted her.

“And if I don’t?”

I didn’t dignify that with a response. “What happens to sweet angels who don’t do what they’re told?”

Ana laughed, the sound joyous and beautiful, cutting through the tangles in my soul. “Not a fucking thing, Angelo. Not anymore.”

68

ANA

By the timeAngelo walked me to my bedroom door, I’d made my decision. If I didn’t force him, he’d never admit how he felt, and time was ticking. Eventually, the mafia families of Yorkfield would end the ceasefire Sofia Russo wrought when she murdered my father and begin the cycle of violence anew as they fought for my hand.

I’d die before I’d allow a single death in my name.

“Angel?” Angelo questioned against my lips.

“Shut up and kiss me,” I answered, twining my arms around his neck and pressing closer to him, as if I squeezed my body against his tightly enough, I could do the same to our souls, making it impossible for me to leave him ever again.

Angelo whirled around, pressing his back against the door and holding me by the hips. “Don’t fucking tease me, Ana,” he growled. “Don’t give me this and then snatch it away again because you don’t know what you want.”

“I want you,” I breathed. “I need you,” I continued. “Like fucking life itself.” I yanked his head back by his hair, lifting his lips from mine. “But not as your toy.”

Angelo blinked, desire turning his stormy eyes dark and his gaze hooded. “All right, angel. Tell me what you need.”

“You.”

His lips tilted in a crooked smile, and he nuzzled his cheek against mine, his beard gently scratching at my skin, as comforting as it was arousing. I tugged him back so I could watch his eyes as he answered.

“Please don’t change your mind,mia cara,” he begged, vulnerability shining in his eyes for a second before he ruthlessly repressed it, lust taking its place.

“I won’t.”

“Angel,” he rasped, tugging my hair so he could angle my mouth better for him to devour me.

“No, stop,” I said and pulled away.

“Angel, you promised?—”

“I haven’t changed my mind,” I reassured him quickly, “but I need—” Fuck! How could I articulate how I needed this to go?

I wrapped my fingers in the fabric of his button-down shirt then turned, dragging him down the hallway and into my bedroom. His eyes never strayed from me, as if our surroundings didn’t matter, only me.

“Kneel,” I commanded, lifting my chin.

Angelo sank to his knees, never taking his eyes from mine. “I’ll give you anything you need, angel. I swear it.”

When I propped my sneaker in the center of his chest, he didn’t flinch, just waited silently with his hands on his knees, as though he were unable to move without a command.

“Take off my shoes.”

Reverently, Angelo stroked his hands up my calf, digging his fingers into muscles I hadn’t realized were sore until he massaged the ache from them, then worked his way down. He untied my shoe and slid it off, lifting my foot so he could kiss my ankle before placing it back on his chest. Lust careened through my veins, wild and out of control at the thought of commanding this powerful man.

I set my left foot on the ground and planted my right foot in its place. His eyes flicked between his task and my face before wrapping around my ankle so he could brush his lips over the top of my foot when he finished.

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