Page 87 of Weaponized

“It would be much more than a safety net,” he’d replied in his deep voice. That seemed to please my mother immensely.

Now, I am sitting alone in my living room while Luca cooks dinner. My mother is asleep on the big couch in my TV room. I’ve heard Luca answer his phone twice, give a few grunts and one-word responses. Still, he remains at my apartment.

I walk into my kitchen to find Luca bent over my oven, sliding a tray of something inside. He straightens and turns to me. “Do you need something? Water? Wine? This needs about half an hour to heat.”

I smile at him. A genuine smile. My first of the day. Despite everything that has happened today and over these past couple of weeks, this is nice. Seeing him in my kitchen again. Apparently, I’ve dumbfounded him, because he’s just staring at me.

“I do need something, baby,” I tell him and walk over to press against him, wrap my arms around his neck. He makes a low sound in his throat. I give him a soft peck on the lips, and I am now one hundred percent certain of what I need to feel whole again. “I want you to come with me.” I drop my arms so I can thread my fingers through his.

I lead him to my bedroom, shutting the TV room door on the way.I close my bedroom door behind us. Lock it.

“Angel,” he says unsteadily. “I—uh—you—I don’t want to take advantage of you. You’re probably not thinking straight. It’s been a difficult day.” His cheeks are flushed with color. It’s kind of adorable, watching this big guy look so sheepish. I’m still in awe of how, earlier, he said I’m a beautiful person. Not simply that I look beautiful. He has no idea what that means to me, that he sees more than the veneer.

I move my hands to the hem of my shirt, and his eyes follow the motion. I slowly take my shirt off, and I know what he sees. White lacy bra that cups and lifts my breasts. He sucks in a breath. He tries again.

“I think maybe we should talk,” he says roughly. “I know I didn’t treat you well—” He stops abruptly when I snake my hand under his shirt, run my fingers across his abs. His breathing has picked up.

“Take it off, baby,” I say to him in a whisper. He hesitates. I move my hands to my waistline, push down the long skirt I have on. I’m now standing before him in just my lacy underwear. I know I have lost a little weight, but Luca doesn’t seem to mind. His blue eyes have gone almost midnight black.

I move so I’m pressed against him again. His arms automatically go around my waist. It’s instinct. Habit. I run my hands up his chiseled chest, which, unfortunately, is still covered by his Henley. I go up on my tiptoes to kiss the corner of his mouth.

I kiss the underside of his jaw, my breasts rubbing against him with the motion, when he stutters, “We—Do you want to—I know you must have a lot to say to me, Angel. I—uh—you can let it out. It’s okay.” He is trying to talk through things,or maybe he wants me to yell at him. I’m not sure. But regardless, I don’t think words will be able to communicate how I feel. Except for maybe the one sentence I need him to hear.

“I forgive you,” I breathe against him. His big body shudders. “I need you, baby. Please. I need you to show me that you still love me.” He hasn’t said it to me. He apologized, but hasn’t said the words I really want to hear. He remains quiet, trembling in my arms. “Do you, Luca? Is it possible that you still could love me?” I know how vulnerable I sound.

“Angel—God, I love you so much. I know I don’t deserve you,” he breathes out in a rush. “You shouldn’t forgive me so easily,” he says in a strained voice.

I cup his cheek. “Of course I forgive you. I love you, Luca. I never stopped,” I tell him honestly. “Ineedyou, baby. You don’t know how much I missed you.”

His mouth covers mine in the next heartbeat. He takes his time, tasting me. Our tongues slide against each other, slowly, sinuously. I begin to rub against him because I need to be closer. His hands drop to my ass, squeezing lightly. The kissing goes on. And on. He refuses to take things faster.

Finally, I pull back to see him breathing heavily, watching me. I sit back on the bed, at his waist level, and begin to undo his pants. He grunts and pulls his shirt over his head in one fluid motion. When he’s in just his boxer briefs, he pushes me gently back onto my bed and covers me with his big body. He feels so solid, warm.

“You’re mine,” I whisper in his ear, running my hands along his bulging biceps, along the muscular planes of his back. I need to know it’s still true.

“Yes,” he growls in response, “and you are mine.”

“Always.”

He kisses his way down my body, stopping to lavish my breasts with his tongue before moving down to kiss my belly button. He slowly continues his descent, pulling my panties down my legs, before kissing his way back up my calf, my thigh.

“Baby,” I breathe in a needy whine. He shuffles to remove his underwear before he returns to cover me. I can feel the underside of his cock brush against my wet clit and I gasp. I pull his mouth back to mine.

“Make love to me, Luca,” I beg him softly. I need to feel the connection with him. I cup his face, gaze into his eyes, which have turned soft.

Wordlessly, he moves between my thighs. He enters me slowly. So slowly.

“I won’t break,” I assure him breathlessly.

He presses his forehead to mine as he moves a little deeper inside me. “Just let me love you,” he answers in a soft voice.

I hum and run my fingers through the soft hair at the nape of his neck. I suck in a breath when he is fully sheathed.

“You are my world, Angel,” he murmurs as he begins to move. “I was in hell without you.” His mouth covers mine and he kisses me deeply. Unhurried. He moves to kiss my neck as he continues the slow, steady motion of his hips. I whimper a little when he hits the right spot inside me. “I won’t lose you again, beautiful. Can’t do it.” He nips my earlobe. “Do you understand? Tell me you understand we’re forever.” His voice is sandpaper.

I want to answer him but my throat is too tight with emotion. Tears are running down my face. He feels so perfect and it’s all too much sensation. He pulls his head back to look at me and then kisses my teardrops.His hands cradle my face, and he uses his thumbs to wipe the rest away. All the while, he thrusts in a slow, gentle motion. Savoring. Feeling every push and pull. It’s so good. So, so good.

“Angel.”

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