Page 4 of The Bodyguard's Vow

Apparently, my good deed didn’t earn me any favors with the saints because the scent that I loathed and coveted at the same time hit me square in the face.

My gaze locked with deep brown eyes that had flecks of gold in them…and tempted me to break all of my rules and betray the trust of my closest friend. My brother in every way except blood.

“Domenico,” she greeted me in a soft, breathy voice.

“Gabriella,” I grunted, trying not to wonder if that was what she would sound like when she was sated from a mind-blowing orgasm.Fuck!

The hallway suddenly felt very small, and the electricity that sparked between us sizzled all over my skin.

The oldest of Rafa’s younger sisters was a walking wet dream. Long, dark hair that begged to be wrapped around my fist while I pumped in and out of her tight pussy. A rounded face that made her eyes pop, a cute nose, and lips that would look perfect wrapped around my cock.

She was a little more than half a foot shorter than my six-foot four-inch height and had curves that made my mouth water. Next to my muscular build, she looked delicate, but I knew she wasn’t fragile. Gabriella was strong and feisty, full of fire, with a sharp tongue that made me laugh or want to strangle her.

She’d always been beautiful, but it wasn’t until she’d returned after being gone for a year that I noticed the incrediblewoman she’d grown into. My body had roared to life after being dormant for a very long time—before I’d even met her when I was in my early twenties. I’d soaked in the sight of all those luscious curves, and it had taken everything in me not to outwardly react.

I was known for my ruthless discipline, for keeping my emotions locked down. I was trusted by the head of the fucking Mafia, and people feared me because all they saw when they looked into my eyes was a cold-blooded killer.

My family saw another side of me, the person I was when I let my guard down and showed my affection for them. Even then, though, I was in control.

So I didn’t understand how the fuck this one woman could be my downfall. I wanted her—her laughter, her smiles, her screams of ecstasy. And I craved her. The feel of her body pressed to mine, the taste of honeysuckle and jasmine mixed with her sweet juices on my tongue, and the feel of her velvety walls squeezing my shaft as I slid inside her.

But Gabriella was off-fucking-limits.

Rafa would see it as a betrayal. We both knew I wasn’t good enough for her. Gabriella might have been raised in the midst of The Family, but she deserved a life that didn’t throw her right into the middle of it.

“You’ve been avoiding me all night,” she muttered, her pink lips pursed in annoyance.

I raised an eyebrow in silent question, afraid that if I spoke, the roughness of my voice would give away my struggle to keep my hands to myself.

Her eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer. “Every time I saw you, I would blink and you’d be gone.”

My brow furrowed, but I kept my expression neutral, giving nothing else away. “Why would you be looking for me? Aren’t you here with your…friend?”

Gabriella pouted, which should have made her look like a petulant child, but instead, it was cute and drew my attention back to her X-rated lips.

“Boyfriend,” she corrected archly.

Boyfriend.What a joke. Although, he was definitely a boy, not a man.

“He’s talking with Felix about interest rates on something or other.”

That made sense, since George did something with banking and Felix was our money guy. Though, I doubted George had any experience with the more unique aspects of the “banking” Felix did for The Family.

“Sounds fascinating,” I drawled. “So why were you looking for me?”

Gabriella crossed her arms over her chest, and I was immensely proud of myself for taking no more than a peek at her generous breasts.

“I wasn’t. You just happen to be standing in front of the bathroom.” She pointed to my left where I was blocking the door to a small powder room. “But since you were here, I figured I might as well find out why you were dodging me. Like you have been since I got home six months ago. But if you’re still determined to pretend there’s nothing between us, then go right ahead. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

She pointed at the door again, and I moved to the side, giving her just enough room to squeeze past me. Then I called myself ten kinds of idiot when our bodies brushed, and lust slammed into me.Son of a bitch. I knew better than to touch her, but I’d had a moment of weakness. I had to shut this shit down fast.

“Gabriella.”

She paused and twisted around, dropping her head back to look up at me.

“I wasn’t avoiding you.” I sent up a silent prayer for forgiveness toSanta Maria Gorettifor my lie. And for the one I was about to say. “I hadn’t noticed you were here.”

Gabriella’s face fell for a second, and then she put on a smile that was so fake that it chafed my nerves. “I see. Well, thanks for clearing that up. I better hurry. George is waiting on me.”

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