Page 29 of Ink

“That was really smart, Matteo. I wouldn’t have thought of that.” She chuckled. “But then, these worlds are all new to me.”

Part of me was glad she seemed to be in full acceptance of everything I’d told her, but the other part…

“I hate that you’re being exposed to such ugliness,” I admitted. “But it’s my life, and I’m too selfish to let you go. I promise to shield you as much as I possibly can, though.”

Annika frowned and placed a palm on my cheek. “I know there are plenty of things I can’t know, but I don’t want you to treat me like some angel on a pedestal. I want to be your partner. For you to be able to be vulnerable and honest with me, just like you asked me to be with you.”

“You’re so fucking incredible.” Sighing, I rested my forehead against hers and closed my eyes. “How did I get so damn lucky?”

“You must have done something redeemable,” she teased with a giggle.

My body was on fire, and my gaze was heated when I raised my head and met her gaze. “Maybe, but wicked is all that’s left, baby.”

I surged to my feet and tossed her on the bed, then proceeded to prove just how sinful I could be before we fell asleep in an exhausted heap.

When I woke up from our nap, Annika’s warm, soft body was pressed against me, and I buried my face in her silky, dark blond tresses.Damn, she was amazing.

It seemed impossible that she had accepted me for who I was and wanted to be with me despite knowing that my hands would often be dirty with more than just tattooing ink.

Even though it had only been a few days, I couldn’t imagine going to bed without her in my arms. Annika was the shining spot in a life filled with a lot of darkness. She had already become more vital to me than oxygen. She was the love of my life, and I was gonna make that official the second we’d taken care of the shit hanging over us because of her bastard uncle.

However, considering I hadn’t used protection even once since I popped her cherry, I could already have accomplished one of my goals. Still, I should up my chances…and even after it happened, we’d need plenty of practice for the next one.

My arms closed even tighter around Annika, cuddling her incredible curves closer to me. I fucking loved that she wasn’t so tiny that I felt like I might break her. She was soft and strong at the same time. And fuck, her tits, hips, and ass were sexier than I’d ever imagined a woman could be. I practically walked around with a permanent semi because she was never far from my thoughts.

She stirred in my arms and shifted around to face me. Her lids lifted slowly and she looked up at me with adorable, sleepy eyes. Her pale blue orbs looked like ice, but they were filled with warmth.

“Ciao, dolcezza,” I mumbled before burying my face in her neck and taking a deep breath. Something about her sweet scent soothed me every time I inhaled it. I glided one hand up from her hip to rest just below her tits as I placed tiny kisses on the sensitive skin of her throat. She shivered, and I grinned, loving how much I affected her.

“Ciao,” she replied in a shy, breathy tone.

I brought my head back up and gazed down into her face. “I get it,” I told her as I stared at her perfect mouth.

“Get what?”

“Why you think it’s so fucking sexy when I speak to you in Italian.”

A pretty blush stole across her cheeks, and she giggled. “You’ll have to teach me more.”

“Happy to, baby. As long as you promise to never speak Italian in front of another man.”

She laughed, but it trailed off when she clocked my serious expression. “Never?”

I shook my head. “They’d try to steal you, and I’ll kill anyone who tries to take you away from me.”

“But what if?—”

“Annika,” I growled. “I’m warning you, baby. That would be the fastest way to earn yourself a cherry-red ass.”

When her expression turned intrigued, I groaned. “The threat is ruined if you’re hoping for a spanking,dolcezza.”

She flushed and smiled at me sheepishly.

Unable to help it, I laughed and kissed her softly. I’d meant it to be quick, but heat exploded between us, sizzling over my skin and sending streaks of desire straight to the big, thick rod poking her in the stomach.

I rolled her to her back before covering her curvy body with my own. Electricity sparked wherever we touched. My groin nestled into hers, pressing my hard erection into the heat of her pussy. She was fucking drenched, and my cock easily slid between her folds as I shifted to settle more fully against her. She arched her back and moaned, causing my dick to swell impossibly bigger.

Lazily, I rocked against her, gliding through her juices again, making sure to rub over her clit with each pass. Her needy little noises drove me out of my fucking mind.

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