Page 81 of Captivated

“I love you, too, Nico,” I blurt out, and for a second, I think he stops breathing.

“Say it again,” he growls, pulling back to look into my eyes.

“I love you, Nico.” I barely finish getting his name out before his lips are back on mine, even more intensely now. His tongue delves into my mouth and tangles with mine in the hottest, messiest kiss of my life that has my body igniting and my panties flooding.

Nico pulls away again, and I grunt my protest a second time. His ragged breathing makes me feel a thousand feet tall, in that I can make this man weak for me.

“I didn’t expect you to say it back,” he admits. “I didn’t need you to say it back. I just needed to tell you, and I would’ve loved you hard enough for the both of us until you were ready to tell me.”

I didn’t think my heart could take any more, and then Nico goes and says that. It’s going to explode in my chest if he’s not careful.

I reach up and wrap my arms around him, burying my face in his neck. I kiss his exposed skin above the collar of his shirt and murmur against him, “I hate that you think I wouldn’t say it. That I don’t feel it.”

“No, baby.” He brings my face back in front of him. “I know how you feel. I see it in your eyes. I just thought you’d need more time to letyourselffeel it and know it’s true enough to tell me.”

“You’re too kind and understanding to be real. How do you know me so well when it hasn’t even been that long?”

He gives me one of his sexy smiles. “I don’t know. I fucking love it, though.”

“I guess that just proves you’re my missing piece.”

“Fuck yeah, I am,piccante.” Nico kisses me hard and fast, and then steps back, leaving me off kilter. “We shouldn’t keep my family waiting any longer.” He smirks, and my cheeks heat.

“You made me forget why we were here.” I quickly run my fingers through my hair and swipe at my lips and under my eyes to make sure my makeup is still in place.

“You look perfect.” He takes my hand. “Let’s go.”

Walking into the conference room hand-in-hand with Nico while all eyes are on us feels empowering. Like I’m on stage again.

And holy Jesus, this family has good genes. Every man at the table has the air of power and dominance, with faces that could bring any woman they want to their knees.

I should know. Nico has had me ready to drop to my knees from the start.

“Cassie, meet Leo, Luca, Stefano, Marco, and Gabriel.” He points to each of them around the table. “Guys, this is CassandraConnelly. She’s mine.” I look up to see his little boy grin, and shake my head, rolling my eyes.

“Hi, everyone,” I greet with a little wave. “Thank you for helping me and my brother. I know we’re not your problem, and I appreciate it.”

“We always help family,” Leo says, and the others nod their agreement.

“I’m not family,” I say, and Nico squeezes my hand.

“What did we just talk about not five minutes ago,piccante?” he asks quietly. “You’re family now.”

“Okay,” I say shyly, my eyes going from his to the floor so everyone in the room doesn’t see how crazy I am for Nico, and how much I want him to take me up to his apartment and fuck me senseless.

“The money is ready to go,” Marco says, pushing a duffel bag across the table towards us.

“And I’ll monitor you from here,” Stefano tells us. He’s the one Nico wrote in his note compiled the packet for me. Which means he’s also the one who dug into my life for Nico.

The resident tech guy, I assume.

I don’t shy away from him, and instead look him dead in the eyes so he’s the one who’s uncomfortable and looks away, clearing his throat.

“You’ll kill him with those eyes, Cassie,” Nico says, nudging my shoulder playfully. “Give him a break. He was doing his job.”

“You carry a lot of secrets, don’t you?” I ask him.

“I do,” Stefano confirms. “And they stay with me.”

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