Page 31 of Unsettled
Snorting, Cristian nods his head. “I’ll join you with my men. They’d better have a good fucking excuse over this.”
I slide down to sit across from Cristian, keeping an eye on how he’s doing. I’m not happy with the sweat gathering at his temples. “Well, if I had to be kidnapped with someone, at least they chose someone I actually like.”
“I’m not sure if that’s really a compliment…”
I shrug, but it’s true. There are worse people to be kidnapped with. We’re forced to be with each other around the clock, and that could get annoying, depending on the company. “Do you think our Families are surviving each other?”
“They’d fucking better be.” Cristian scowls. He must be as thrilled as I am with the possibility of them working together for this long. It’s risky.
“You know…I have to ask. Why isn’t Carter the one taking over for you? I know you said it would be your son. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but where is Carter in the hierarchy?” I study my friend, hoping he’ll satisfy my curiosity.
“Carter didn’t want that—he gave me his birthright, after he stole it from Georgio, for a reason. He’s capable, and can be merciless when he wants to be, but his brother fucked him up in their youth; so much so, he prefers to stand in the background.
“I’ll never begrudge his position or wishes. He’s everything to me. If he wants to be what holds me up, he’s more than earned that right. And Roman has been training for this his whole life—he’s my heir after all.” Cristian cocks his head as he looks at me, and I give him a partial shrug.
“It was nothing other than curiosity. Do you enjoy being a father?”
“What the fuck is up with these questions?” Cristian stares at me in astonishment.
Huffing, I stretch my legs and put my palms up. “I’m fucking bored. Lio loves kids, and since I need an heir, I’ve been thinking about children. I had horrible parents though… Admittedly, I’m not enthused at the idea of failing a kid the way my parents failed me.”
Cristian purses his lips as he examines me closely. “You’re not the only one with a shitty upbringing. My uncle killed myparents because he wanted power. If it wasn’t for Tennant, my childhood would have been very different to what it was.
“As for liking being a parent… Roman is the single best thing I’ve ever done. Lui è la luce della mia vita. Fidati di te stesso, Amico Mio. It’s the fact you’re self-aware that would stop it. A good parent thinks of these things. Worry is good, so long as you’re not a slave to it. Your Lio won’t let you make the same mistakes. If nothing else, trust in that.”
Nodding, I let us lapse into silence, both of our minds going elsewhere. I’m glad he’s awake now, especially so my own life isn’t at risk. At least being kidnapped is giving me time to think, without so much on my to-do list.
Kids. I need to think about that more. I wonder what would be some good names…
Of everyone who’s painted my nails over the years, none of them have been as sweet as the man who is currently focusing so hard, I’m afraid he’s going to break the brush.
“Thank you,” I say softly, not wanting to ruin the…peaceful silence and comfort between us. After everything that’s happened lately, this tiny, carved out moment between us is needed.
Ignacio looks up at me, his chestnut eyes intense, but soft at the same time. The smile that curls his lips isn’t what one would expect from someone covered in tattoos, and named Chaos…but the entire package just seems to fit.
“You’re welcome. This is the least I’d do for you, Little One.”
My cheeks heat with a blush, as pleasure curls within me. Hell, I’m sure I redden further at just the thought of this sexy man seeing me fucking blush. That is not something I do.
Fucking hell, wanting soft and sweet isn’t me either, but with Ignacio…I like it. How he didn’t give in. Even when he fucked me hard, it wasn’t rough or demanding. It wasn’t just about chasing the high of a kill. Maybe it was at first, but as soon as he touched me? The way he kissed me, how he held me, the sureness of his touch… Everything about him screamedmore.
Even now, as he sets my hand down on the coffee table, and screws the lid back on the nail polish he bought me. Every single action is thoughtfully carried out, gentle in a way his looks and reputation would argue against. And I want more of it all.
Scooting closer to me on the floor—where we’ve been sitting, so he could paint my nails more easily—he cups my cheek in a calloused hand. His touch is soft, and my lips part at the warmth of his skin.
“Don’t treat me like I’m glass,” I whisper, staring into his eyes. “I may be small and cute, but I will cut you… Twice, if you make me mess up my nails in the process.”
He gives me a small smile. “I won't,” he says softly. “I made that mistake before, but I promise, Roman, when I look at you, I seeyou.”
My breath catches in my throat. “Kiss me,” I demand.
He lets out a quiet laugh, yet still he leans in and gives me what I’ve been craving for days now, but haven’t been able to have, because we’ve both been busy.
I itch to touch him, but I don’t want to mess up the nails he painstakingly painted for me. So I settle for kissing him with all I’m worth, hoping I can infuse as much want and need with my lips, tongue, and teeth, as I would with my grabby hands.
Ignacio pulls me around the waist and settles me in his lap. My tight pencil skirt gets pushed up to my hips as I settle over him.
I moan and throw my head back, draping my arms over his shoulders as he kisses down my throat. One hand moves up to hold my hair, while the other settles on my thigh, dangerously close to my now-exposed dick.
