Page 17 of King of Obsession

‘Lift me,’ I rasped.

Somehow, she managed to help me to my feet, her arm encircling my waist.

‘Don’t try a fuckin’ thing,’ I warned.

My gun hand wrapped over her neck as we staggered down the slight incline to my vehicle, where she helped me into the back seat.

She didn’t respond apart from a deep inhale.

‘The fob is in my back pocket,’ I growled when we got to the car, and she set me against its back wheel.

I lifted my ass so she’d rummage through my backside.

Her so close, so visceral, so sexy, her tits in my direct line of sight sent a bolt of need straight to my cock.

She inhaled as her fingers located the keys and pulled them out.

She turned, refusing to meet my eyes.

I kept my Sig in my clasp, resting on my chest, as she rummaged in my SUV. She found my first aid kit and went to work.

She was efficient and knew what she was doing.

She cleaned and dressed the wound with practiced efficiency.

While giving me furtive little glances, the pulse in her neck jumping, her breath hitching.

I was having a severe effect on her.

As she was on me.

‘Cleo -.’

Her name fell from my lips like a prayer.

She glanced up, her eyes meeting mine.

In their depths, I tagged a flicker of fear.

But there was something else - a vulnerability, a rawness that twisted my guts.

‘What?’ she growled.

‘I’ll have you know that if I pass out, you can’t leave me here to bleed out.’

‘And why not?’ she murmured, soft, not raising her voice. Yet it was edged with steel like she was considering the idea.

‘One name,’ I grated, hating myself as I rasped the words.

‘Whose?’

‘Guilia.’

Her whisper fell lower. ‘Who?’

‘Your Nonna. ’

She jolted, her eyes flying up to meet mine, hands stilling.

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