Page 77 of Sweet Retribution

And kiss her until we both can barely breathe.

With more willpower than I ever believed I could have, I slow our kisses and drop my mouth to her neck.

“I’m a selfish bastard and have no right asking. Marry me, Gia. For real this time. Stay with me forever. We can move here to New York and settle down as vintners. Or we can live in Italy, or live the fuck wherever. I don’t care, as long as you’re in my bed so I can sink into you every night, and wake up with my arms wrapped around your body.”

She releases my ass from her clutches and lifts her shoulder, nudging me away from her neck. I lift my head and read her expression. There’s so much going on inside that fucking beautiful mind of hers.

“I need to know something first.”

First.That isn’t a no. I’ll do anything she wants to get her to say yes.

Gia brings her hands between us so they rest on my chest. With a shyness I haven’t seen in her in quite some time, she looks me square on. “Why did you leave me?”

I sigh and wipe her tears away with the pad of my thumb. I could tell her it was to help the authorities locate the girls and make sure they were safely returned home, as well as financially secure, but that only took a few days.

I don’t deserve her. I’ve hurt her, I’ve caused her to be in harms way more than once, and the best thing for her, was to leave. Only I couldn’t stay away. I came back because I’m a selfish prick.

“You had another panic attack. They scare the shit out of me.”

She tenses in my arms. “I can’t promise I won’t have another.”

“I know.” I kiss the now dry spot on her cheekbone. “You have them because of me. The danger I bring you. In your room the first night I brought you to Italy. Again, after you were tied and tortured by Rossi. By the look of your tear-stained cheeks, I assume you had one in the woods before I found you, and then again, on our last night together. I’ve brought fear and panic into your life.”

“The one I had the first night you kidnapped me, was out of fear for my mother’s life. It wasn’t because I feared you. When I learned she was okay, when you gave me opportunities to speak with her, I was fine. And all the others, Antonio is to blame, not you.”

I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment before opening them again. “I left you because...” I swallow the lump in my throat. I’m not an emotional man. Shit, I’m the least emotional person there is, but Gia has a way of bringing feelings I’ve suppressed for over a decade to the surface.

“Because of guilt. You thought by leaving me, I’d have a better life.”

“Safer.” She knows me too well. Better than I know myself.

“Rocco Stone Parlatore.” She pinches my earlobes between her fingers and drags my face closer to hers. “I’m safer with youinmy life, but that’s not why I love you.”

She loves me.My dick can’t help but puff out in pride. It’s primed and ready, as soon as Gia gives the word. I want to sink into her and never let her go.

“You’re kind and generous. You’re thoughtful and selfless.”

“Babe. The things I want to do to your body right now are one hundred fucking percent selfish.”

“Licking me? Kissing me in every erogenous spot on my body? Worshiping my body, kissing me, holding me close as you bring me to orgasm? I wouldn’t call that selfish at all.”

“Shit.” I adjust my stiff cock in my pants. “You can’t go talking like that and not expect me to react.”

Gia gives me a sly smile. “Youreactedthe second you walked into this room.”

“And we’re still both fully clothed.”

“It’s a record for Stone Parlatore, I’m sure.”

“Babe.” I sip her lips between mine. “I plan on setting a million fucking records with you.”

“Wait.” She pushes me away again. “Before we go any further, I want you to understand something.”

I deserve any ultimatum she fires at me. Any stipulations.

“You are deserving of love. If you ever ghost me again, I’ll not only cut off your dick, I’ll shove it down your throat as well.”

“Fuck.” I cup my family jewels.

---