Page 87 of Phantom Mine

Raw hunger propels him forward. He closes the distance between us and jerks me roughly into his arms. His mouth is onmine before I have a chance to draw a breath, and he kisses me. His tongue shoves past my lips in a frenzied attack, intent on conquering instead of exploring. I’m lightheaded in moments, holding onto him with a desperation that matches his own.

When he pulls away, we’re both breathing heavily.

“What was that?” I squeak past swollen lips.

His gaze is fixed on my mouth, his voice hoarse. “I wanted to taste your laughter.”

I swallow hard. “And? What does it taste like?”

Heavy-lidded eyes meet mine. “You already know the answer to that question.”

Like mine.

Except I’m not his, am I? That’s his fian—

The car beeps behind me, shattering my rapidly spiraling thoughts. I’m thankful to be brought back to reality from… whatever that was. I turn on my heels and go to the car, getting in the passenger seat.

The door has barely closed behind me when it opens again and Matteo appears.

“What—?” He bends, scoops me into his arms and rips me out of the car. “Hey!”

Matteo sets me down on my feet beside him and closes the door with us on the other side of it.

“What the hell—”

He reopens it and inclines his head slightly as he motions with his hand for me to get in.

I stare at him. “Are you clinically unwell?”

“I’m the one who opens the door for you,” he answers easily. “Don’t try that again,cara.”

“You’re… you’re…” I sputter.

“Adorable?” he suggests helpfully.

“Overbearing.”

“All I heard was “bear” and they’re super cute. I knew it. Tell me I’m adorable right now.”

I can’t believe this man is second in line to run the Italian Mafia and be one of the kings of the Underworld.

Well, no.

Icanbelieve it because I’ve seen darker edges to him. The ruthless, take no prisoners side when he’s put his mind to something and is relentlessly pursuing it. The side that shows up every time he interacts with his brother.

But then there’s this version, one in complete opposition to everything I know and believe to be true about the Leones. One who just wants to open doors for me, and hold me, and protect me.

It wasn’t so long ago that we were trying to kill each other.

I get back in the car. “If you rip your stitches, I’m letting you bleed out this time. It’ll be slow and painful,” I snark.

His laughter is the last thing I hear before he closes the door. Then he’s sliding into the driver’s seat next to me.

“I could have sworn you said it was ‘just a graze’ a couple of hours ago.”

I cross my arms and look pointedly out the window as he navigates towards the exit. “Maybe it nicked an artery and you’re bleeding out internally.”

“Now that you mention it, I am feeling a little lightheaded.”

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