Page 41 of Cruel Longing

Luka’s body covered mine. His heavy, sculpted muscles weighted me to the bed. He had fallen asleep with his arm slung across my chest and his leg, pinning my thigh beneath him. I tried to turn, but he only pulled me closer to his chest, creating a cocoon with our bodies. I relented, giving in to the luxury of lying in bed for a few more minutes. Twice this week I had slept longer than usual—both times because of him.

I wiggled against him. My back pressed to his chest. His breath was steady and slow. I wondered whether he was truly asleep. I loved the way his arms wrapped around my body, shielding me, protecting me, holding me. But I knew it was only temporary. There was no way to sustain the truce. We’d agree to anything for a few hours to fall into bed together just one more time.

The storm had lingered over the city all night. I listened for wind or rain, but it was quiet outside. Ciro had probably already assessed the damage. Any minute he would knock on the door and want to tell me what the most serious threats were. Heknew Luka had never left. It didn’t matter to him—he’d knock regardless of who was in my bed. Nothing happened on the manse’s grounds without Ciro’s knowledge. He was the most loyal and dedicated person I knew. He had proven his allegiance with a pledge to protect my life.

“Hey, you.” Luka’s voice vibrated against my neck.

“Good morning,” I answered. His fingers dug into my waist, rotating me to face him. My breasts rubbed against the planes of muscle. The friction felt good, like warm electricity. A slow hum buzzed between us.

“Some night.” He winked. “Do you think the power is back on?”

The candles had melted into puddles of wax that were now hardened trails all over the mantle and floor.

My heart raced. I needed to climb out of bed and start the shower. I had a full day of meetings. Two conference calls and a check-in with Victoria on the next vote in the senate. I definitely didn’t have free minutes to offer Luka. I knew better than to trust the words we said to each other last night. They were only words. We both knew how to lie to get what we wanted. Although, I couldn’t let him walk out without telling me about Enzo. I didn’t have my answers yet.

The rough side of his jaw grazed my cheek. His mouth moved to my ear. My spine tingled with sensation.

“Mmm,” I murmured, rolling on my back. I looked into obsidian eyes, surprised at how quickly I felt the consuming effect they had on me.

Luka pushed forward on his palms, flexing his biceps. Everything about this view was incredible. Did I dare let myselfthink I could have mornings like this? Waking up with this gorgeous man and his sexy body planted on top of mine.

“You’re quiet.”

I was afraid if I opened my mouth, I’d say the wrong thing. I wanted to be selfish a little while longer. Hold on to him. Pretend this could happen. That on the other side of the door was a world where Luka and I weren’t enemies.

“Just thinking.” It was a half-truth.

“What do you think about clearing your schedule for the morning?” he taunted. His hand coasted along my thigh, trailing the inside of my knee and maneuvering my leg so that there was room for his body between my legs.

I exhaled as I felt the hardness of his shaft press against me. Shit. He was solid, pulsing, a length so overwhelming I was intimidated every single time. Luka’s eyes flickered. I knew that devilish glance. I’d memorized how it started with temptation and ended with a promise.

My eyes darted toward the door when I heard a rap-tap-tap.

“Go away!” Luka yelled.

I giggled. “It’s Ciro. Storm report I think.”

“He can go to hell then,” he growled, wagging his eyebrows as he dove toward my throat, lashing at it with his tongue. I arched toward him. His cock nudged at my entrance. I whimpered.

“But, it could be important,” I argued weakly. There was no way either of us was going to answer the door.

The knocking continued. I thought I heard Ciro say my name, but I wasn’t sure. My head pounded with the rush of bloodcoursing through my veins. The adrenaline. The lust I had for Luka.

“Not as important as this.” Luka gripped my wrists, pinning them over my head. The hold was secure and commanding. I seized on a breath of air.

“I’m busy,” my voice squeaked when I called over Luka’s back. The knocking stopped. Footsteps faded in the hallway. “Better?” I asked.

But Luka was two steps ahead. He paused, sliding in, slowly. Reveling in the way it felt as my body adjusted to his. Loving the fire we made together. Anticipating the full thrust when he was about to fuck me. My hips jutted forward to meet his.

He grinned. “I thought so.”

My eyes narrowed, trying to articulate a comeback, but my mind went black when he slammed into me.

“Oh shit,” I hissed toward the ceiling. Luka hilted himself deep. Deeper. Sliding so far in I saw stars and the planets swirling. My vision was filled with glitter and flames.

He groaned. My eyes traveled over his torso, admiring the muscles and ridges along his abdomen. He kissed me, breaking my focus. Our tongues tangled. He bit at my lips and I began to think I could come from his kisses. It was the complete surrender. The way he claimed me. Loved me. His strokes hit my walls from all angles. It wasn’t long before I was begging him to let me come. I tugged against his hand, needing leverage. He had a firm clasp on my wrists. He buried himself inside me, dipping to kiss my neck.

His name was on my lips. I said it over and over as the climax surged through my body, spreading from my core to every limb. Coating my veins with heat until my toes curled, and I was blazing from the inside out.

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