Page 38 of Mob Boss's Second Chance

“Here’s the truth,” I say when a stab of an idea occurs to me. “You have to come closer, though. I can only whisper it.”

He looks like he’s going to believe me one second and then bares his teeth the next. “You’re messing with me. You won’t be pulling any of those tricks when I’m done with you.”

My brain is working overtime, filling me with a list of all the things Ethan Cross could possibly do to me—and get away with. He’s a billionaire. He could make me disappear, ruin my career, or worse, and I’m just… a person.

I give up.

“Fine!” I yell, my voice echoing off the walls. “You want the truth? Here it is. I’m nobody! I’m a desperate nobody who couldn’t believe her luck when she got a contract with Mr. Cross!”

His eyes narrow, but I’m too far gone to care.

“I was even happier when I got a second call back. Do you know why?” I glare at him, my voice shaking now, the emotions pouring out unchecked. “Because I’ve worked hard for it! I’ve spent years proving myself, so yeah, maybe I am around Anthony a lot, but do you know why? Because I put in more effort than anyone else! I gave everything. More than he asked for. That’s why.”

I pause, breathing heavily as my words hang in the air. His expression doesn’t change, and it only fuels my anger.

“And you—you think that makes me a spy?” I scoff, throwing the accusation right back at him. “Then you might as well suspect everyone in this country! Because working hard isn’t a crime!”

My chest heaves as I stare him down, daring him to say something, anything, that’ll make me regret opening my mouth.

But I’m done holding it all in. If this is how it ends, so be it.

Maybe I was screaming too loud—I couldn’t tell over the sound of my heart pounding—but he let me go. I don’t expect it as I try to breakfree, so I stumble. I’m faced with a reenactment of the kitchen scene, but this time, Ethan catches me.

He holds me in his arms, and I lean against his body, needing a pillar for a moment. The pillar turns out to be warm and firm, making me reluctant to let go.

I lift my head to look at him and find myself staring into eyes that now hold curiosity and depth beyond anything I’ve ever seen him express.

It lasts a moment, and then he kisses me.

God.

It knocks me off my feet. Figuratively and literally.

I go weak in the knees when his teeth nip my bottom lip before swallowing me whole, and my brain swims when his tongue thrusts into my mouth, reaching places I have never had another lover touch.

My hands find a hold around his neck, but I’m unable to keep them there as his hands ravage every inch of my body. My apron is the first to leave.

The hem of my shirt—the waistband of my jeans, the hook of my bra that comes off easily… Ethan touches me until I’m begging.

With the back of my knees pressed against the desk and my concern for the food going out the window, I cling to Ethan,wantingandholdingon at the same time. My hands run down his shirt, finding the buttons and undoing the rest.

His shirt opens, and I touch his chest, sighing at the firm muscles that bunch under my palm. He exhales as I drag my fingers down, intentionally scraping across his nipples to see how he reacts.

With this knowledge, I dip my head and bring my tongue to the tip. The briefest of touches and his fingers sink into my arms, pulling me closer and pushing me away at the same time.

I wrap my arms around his waist, running my tongue over andover,repeatedly licking his nipples until his groans echo off the walls and his hips are tiltingwildly.I can feel it—the evidence of his arousal, his length pressed against his pants’ crotch, brushing against my work pants.

Ethan reaches behind him and pushes everything to the floor—the crash of books and clatter of plates. I gasp, remembering the food.

“I—”

He presses his hand to my mouth. “I’ll deal with it later.”

I’m hoisted on the desk, and he nudges my legs apart, stepping into the space between my thighs. The heat radiating from him, the barely concealed restraint, melts into my skin, and it burns.

It always did, but this is different. Almost unbearable.

Ethan cradles my face, and his fingers dig into my hair as he closes the space between our faces once more, drawing me into a long,dirtykiss with his tongue. My tongue slips into his mouth, and his hands ride lower, gripping my waist possessively.

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