Page 90 of King of Obsession

I huffed in a timbered growl against her lips,then let my mouth skate over hers.

My hands found her waist, pulling her close as I deepened the kiss, losing myself in savoring her.

Cleo responded with a soft moan that sent a shock of electricity straight to my cock, her fingers tangling in my hair as she pressed herself to me.

The world around us faded away, leaving only the heat of our bodies and the intensity of our desire. Every nerve ending was alive and buzzing with need, aching for more of her touch.

When we finally broke apart, breathless and flushed, I rested my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath. Cleo glanced up at me with eyes darkened with longing, a small smile on her lips.

‘I want you,’ she whispered, her voice husky with longing. ‘Like really freakin’ want you.’

I raised an eyebrow and quirked my mouth. ‘Woman, two days ago, you couldn’t stand the sight of me.’

She stuck her tongue in her cheek. ‘Do you always have to ruin the moment?’

When I blanched, she laughed.

‘I sometimes don’t do myself a service, do I?’ I growled.

She arched her brow this time.

‘Don’t get me fucking wrong. I’ve never wanted anything, anyone more. You’re fast becoming my life obsession.’

‘Then show me,’ she whispered, her eyes dilating with need. ‘Fuck me, baby. It’s been so long.’

I bit my lip, caught up in all of her, welcoming how she spoke out her need.

I stroked her cheek. ‘Woman, I want this too -.’

‘But -?’

I huffed. ‘Do you know of the phrasel’uomoe cacciatore?’

She shook her pretty head. ‘No, I do not.’

‘It means the man is the hunter. Italian men are expected to pursue a woman over an extended period, months, even during which time women are obliged to rebuff their advances.’

Her brows canted in disbelief. ‘Is this why you’re taking us slow?’

My mouth curled.

‘What a fuckin’ sexist, self-defeating practice.’

‘But mia sola, it’s molto romantico,’ I growled, leaning in. ‘I happen to like delayed gratification because the payoff is always mind-blowing.’

‘Then you’re a sucker for punishment,’ she teased, her lips wandering in the soft light of dawn, seeking my neck and nape in a leisurely and sensual dance.

I growled at her wanton seduction. ‘I want you too, mia sola, so bad. Mi ecciti, you’re turning me on. Like you always have since I first met you. But I want to take it slow with you. To ease into it till your sadness disappears, to rock you to sleep in my arms until you forget. Because I need you to be ready for my brand of loving, it’s wild, raw, untamed, and hot, and you must be freakin’ primed for it, carissima.’

I struggled to maintain control as the primal urge to claim her consumed me.

I bent and pressed my lips to the corner of hers. ‘Then I’ll take you high, I’ll kiss you senseless, I’ll lick you, fill you, fuckin’ plug you.’

Her eyes were limpid in wonder as she caught on to my meaning.

‘Anytime, anyplace, I’ll be ready,’ she breathed.

My heart warmed at her lack of shame.

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