Page 14 of Stranded with My Mafia Boss

"Thank you." I raised the glass to my lips and took a tentative sip. The rich, bold flavor danced across my tongue, like a sultry tango between lovers. It was intoxicating, much like the man who now stood before me.

I wolfed down my sandwich, hungry despite the sensual tension in the air. Damien poured a second glass for us both as I set the plates to the side, now only crumbs on them.

"Shall we move on to a different game for the evening?" Damien asked as he took a seat beside me on the sofa. "Or would you prefer to bask in the glory of your victory a bit longer?"

"Another game?" I asked, trying to ignore the way my pulse quickened at his proximity. "What did you have in mind?"

"Truth or dare," he said simply, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Unless you're too afraid, of course."

"Me? Afraid?" I scoffed, my bravado a weak attempt to conceal my growing nerves. "You're on."

"You first," Damien said, his voice low and velvety as he leaned in closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off his body. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth," I said, my chest tightening with fear and not a small bit of excitement.

"Have you ever wanted someone so badly that it scared you?" he asked.

"Yes." A blush rose to my cheeks as I confessed. "But I'm not going to tell you who."

Like it wasn’t obvious.

"Fair enough." He nodded, his gaze like a caress against my skin. "My turn, then. Dare me."

"Kiss me." I shocked myself with my words as they tumbled from my lips like a prayer.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence, the air between us heavy with unspoken longing and unanswered questions. Then, for the first time, Damien truly smiled.

Katie

The heatfrom the fireplace licking my skin was nothing compared to the intensity of Damien's gaze on me. His piercing blue eyes burned right through me, sending shivers everywhere. They weren't from the cold. They were from anticipation.

He leaned forward, tipping my chin up with gentle but firm fingers.

No backing out now.

Then his lips were on mine, warm and demanding, and I melted into the kiss. His tongue touched my lips, and I opened them, letting him in. A passionate, all-consuming connection rushed through me and seared itself onto my very soul. I grabbed the expensive fabric of his shirt and hung on as if my life depended on it.

His strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me against him. As our tongues danced together, I mimicked him. The taste and smell of him filled my senses, making it impossible to think about anything else but the man in front of me. My body ached with a desire I'd never known before, and it terrified me just as much as it thrilled me.

"Mi angelo," he said when he pulled back, his voice deep and smooth like aged whiskey.

Holy freaking hell that was so hot.

His fingers brushed against my cheek, the touch butterfly soft, sending a jolt of electricity down my back. My breath hitched. I couldn’t deny the attraction I had for him, but at the same time, the situation terrified me.

Losing my virginity to a powerful and feared businessman, much less one involved in the Mafia, had never been a part of my career plan, but somehow, here I was. Possibly I should have experimented more with sex, but I’d never had time after Mother left when I was eighteen. I didn’t have the emotional tools to be casual about this.

"Damien, I—" He cut me off with a gentle finger on my lips.

"Shh." He kissed my cheek and worked his way down to my jaw. "Let's just be in this moment together."

Oh, man. His touch was so good. I gave up on gathering my scattered thoughts when he nipped my earlobe. I stroked his shoulder and chest—hefelt good too.

Turning my head, I lifted my lips so he kissed me again, with heat that belied all the ice I’d seen in him at work.

"Damien," I said against his lips, but he cut me off again by slipping his hand under my shirt and covering my breasts over my thin, lacy bra. He pulled back, brushing a stray lock of my hair back from my face. "Don’t be nervous about your job."

He’d misunderstood my misgivings. I didn’t know how to form the damn words to say, hey, dude, I’m a virgin! The words wouldn't come.

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