Page 124 of Brutal Legacy

“The alternative being…”

“He doesn’t snitch on anyone. He pays for his wrongdoings with honor. He doesn’t put me in danger just to shave a little time off his sentence. He did things wrong; he should pay. He’s a cheater and a coward. He loves himself more than me,” she finished.

Ding-ding.

I took no pleasure in seeing Georgia finally realize what a reprehensible piece of shit her father was. Before she’d come into my life, I hadn’t taken pleasure in anything at all.

Now, my pleasure lived in her smile.

“It doesn’t matter what he does now. Salvatore wanted it taken care of so he could die gracefully. That mission has been accomplished.”

She nodded and bit her lip, holding her words inside until she couldn’t anymore.

“So, does that mean… you don’t need me anymore? Is the hostage situation over?”

I pinned her with a look. “Do you feel like a hostage?”

She shrugged. “I promised not to run away, but I can hardly call who I want or go for a walk if I want to. Sounds like being a hostage to me.”

“Forgive me for being cautious. The Ravellis did try to kill you last night. And may I remind you that you yourself threatened to kill me in my sleep only a few nights ago?” I quipped.

She rolled her eyes. “And you told me that I was nothing to you and nothing could tempt you to touch me… Seems like we’re both liars.”

“You think because of last night… You have some irresistible temptation over me?” I asked, arching an eyebrow at her.

Sparring with her was more enjoyable than I remembered, but I had to be rusty at it, as my words sent heat flooding to her cheeks. She pushed her chair back and stood.

“Whatever, I’d say there’s no need to be an asshole, but we both know that just comes naturally to you,” she snapped and made to stride away.

She didn’t get far. I stood, and in a fluid motion, pulled her to me, turning her so her back was to the table. Her eyes were bright and embarrassed. Her cheeks were red, the shame trailing down her neck. I’d left marks. It thrilled me to see that I’d left love bites on her skin.Good.

“You do.” I sank a hand into the hair at the nape of her neck and gripped the back of her head. “You win…topolina. You do tempt me. You do torment me… you always have. I’m tired of holding back. You’re not my hostage. You’re my wife, and I’ll treat you as such.”

I tipped her head back, forcing her lips to be presented to me, a feast for me and only me. Then I kissed her, hard and ruthlessly, softly and carefully. I kissed her all the ways I’d missed kissing her for so long.

I pulled my lips from hers as I lifted her on the table, pushing her knees wide so I could press my body in between.

I kissed her again and guided her back so she was supine on the polished wooden surface, her legs open, her hair a dark cloud around her head. Her eyes were fixed on me. Excited or scared, I couldn’t tell. I no longer cared.

“Everything comes to he who waits… and I have waited a lifetime for you, and I’m done. From now on… I will not hold back.”

Her breath hitched in her chest, her dark eyes full of excitement. “I’m not asking you to,” she told me.

I tugged her panties off, then balled them up and tucked them into my pocket.

“What are those for?” She raised an eyebrow at me.

“No one touches your panties but me,” I told her thickly, stoking a finger down her pussy. God, she was beautiful. “Not even the cleaning staff,” I added.

“You’re crazy,” she breathed as I leaned in and smelled her musky, sweet scent.

“Hmm, you seem to have that effect on me,” I agreed and then licked her.

My tongue worked her from her hole up to her clit, where I stayed. Licking and nibbling on it, I had to hold her hips down on the table to get her to stay still. Her hips danced.

Her hands sank into my hair, tugging at the short strands.

She was rising. If I weren’t such a jaded cynic, I’d almost believe that she hadn’t been with anyone in a long time, she was so responsive.

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