Page 64 of Victorious Vice

She wraps her hand around my wrist. “You have a date. I have?—”

“A bodyguard. I know.”

“He’s been watching me with eagle eyes all night.” She cranes her neck over her left shoulder. “He’ll know you dragged me in here.”

“I know.” I narrow my eyes at her. “I’ve locked the door, Raven.”

She raises her eyebrows—she has eyebrows now, and she’s so damned beautiful. “He’ll consider you a threat.”

I bore my gaze into her. “And you, Raven? Doyouconsider me a threat?”

I crush my lips to hers once more.

Her eyes flicker with a mixture of fear, surprise, and desire as she pushes me away again. “Vinnie…” she whispers against my mouth, but this time her voice trails off into silence, uncertainty clouding her usually fiery eyes.

“Do you?” I press again, my voice husky, but I don’t give her the chance to respond. Instead, I seize her in my arms once more and press my lips against hers.

This time, she doesn’t pull away.

My heart pounds as she clutches at the sleeves of my jacket. I’m lost in her, drowning in the taste of tequila on her tongue and the feeling of her body pressed against mine.

But then reality intrudes. The sound of heavy footsteps outside the door brings us back to earth.

“He’s coming,” Raven breathes against my mouth.

“Let him,” I growl. I have her in my arms, and I’ll be damned if anyone takes her from me now.

She shakes her head, pulling away from me with visible regret. “Vinnie, we can’t. Not here, and not now.”

I drop my hands to her waist, anchoring her to me as the footsteps draw closer. “Then when, Raven? I need you.”

Before she can answer, a loud knock sounds on the door. Raven flinches at the noise, her eyes fluttering shut as if she’s bracing for a blow.

One final glance into those dark eyes and I pull her back to me again, stealing one last kiss like a thief in the night. The taste of tequila and cream lingers on my lips as I pull away.

She trembles slightly as she entwines her fingers with mine, a silent plea shimmering within her gaze.

The knock on the door grows more insistent, a gruff voice following it. “Raven? Everything all right in there?”

“Stay,” I whisper against her lips, my eyes locked onto hers.

She gives me a small nod before stepping away and straightening her dress as she moves toward the door. Her glance back at me is full of promises and unspoken words.

She opens the door, revealing her burly bodyguard. “I’m fine. Please. Let me be.” Before he can protest, she closes the door and locks it again.

“I’m yours, Vinnie,” she says. “Please. I need you too.”

I pull her back into my embrace, pressing my lips onto hers. This time there’s no fear in her eyes, only a burning desire that matches my own. Our bodies meld together as if they were two pieces of a puzzle that have finally clicked together.

The world outside the door doesn’t exist for us right now. It’s just us, breathing each other’s air.

But then she pulls away again and looks at me with those dark eyes that speak volumes. “Vinnie,” she whispers, her voice shaky. “Promise me this isn’t just tonight.”

I cup her face in my hands and gaze into her eyes, wishing I could grant her wish.

I want nothing more than to be with this woman forever.

But not until I can guarantee her safety.

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