Page 57 of Ruthless King
My traitorous heart trips on a beat before I smack some sense into it. “Mmhmm,” I mumble.
“Then hold on like a good girl.”
My arms encircle his waist, and my body instinctively leans into his. I’m not sure where exactly to put my hands so I hover them just above his navel.
He threads my fingers together, presses my palm against his rock-hard abs, then clamps his hand over mine. “Tight. Like this.”
“Got it,” I rasp out.
With his free hand, he pulls my thighs in tighter around his. “And I want these legs glued to mine, understand? Like I’m buried balls deep inside you, and you’re clinging onto my hips like your fucking orgasm depends on it.”
I gasp at his wicked tongue, and a dark chuckle vibrates Luca’s whole body, reverberating across my own.
“Get ready for the ride of your life, princess.”
CHAPTER27
A GRAND GESTURE
Stella
The roar of the motorcycle engine cuts off, and I peel my body from Luca’s. My arms are sore from holding him so tight and still, I find it hard to pull away. He’s parked the bike in front of a sprawling empty lot in an upscale part of Eastchester. Only thirty minutes outside the city and already I can breathe better.
“What are we doing here?” I tug off my helmet and eye the stretch of green over his shoulder.
“Just needed a change of scenery.” He hooks his helmet on the handle and jumps off before offering me his hand.
I slide off and my legs are still buzzing from the engine’s vibrations, my knees shaky. I wobble a little, and Luca’s arm laces around my waist as naturally as if it belonged there. He holds me for an endless moment, eyes pinned to mine. The leader of the Kings is a complete enigma, a monster one minute and a chivalrous gentleman the next. A few hours ago, he was devouring me like an animal, and now the gentleness in his touch has my heart pinching.
“Come on.” He tugs on my hand and breaks the spell that dark gaze casts over me.
“Um, isn’t this trespassing?” I ask as he weaves us through the towering evergreens scattered across the property.
“Trust me, princess, trespassing is the least of my sins.” The corner of his lip hitches up, that mischievous smirk more tempting than one of Mrs. D’s cannoli.
I can’t decide what I want more: to kiss that smile off his face or just bask in its beauty. I should be satisfied with myself for forcing him to break one of his precious rules, but now that I’ve had a taste of those lips, I only want more. Would he let me have it? Or would he really make me beg?
As we reach the edge of the property, the woods thicken. Already, my breaths are coming hard and fast from our jog across the clearing. Luca must notice because he slows and throws a concerned gaze in my direction. “Almost there,” he murmurs.
The gnarled, climbing trees part and reveal a small clearing beside a rippling pond with a rickety old dock. A red-and-white checkered blanket is spread out on the grass and a cute wicker basket sits beside a champagne bottle immersed in an ice bucket. Next to it, is a bouquet of pure white calla lilies.
My breath catches, and this time my asthma has nothing to do with it. “You did this?” I rasp out.
He shrugs, and a flash of crimson coats his cheeks.Dio, I didn’t think it was possible. The mafia boss blushes? Andcazzo, it only makes him more gorgeous. Waving a nonchalant hand, he mutters, “I had Tony pick up a few things.”
The idea of Luca’s righthand man setting up a picnic sends a fit of the giggles cramping my belly. I do my best to suppress the laughter, but I finally buckle over as a laugh escapes.
Luca’s cheeks burn brighter and damn it, he’s so beautiful my heart reels. “What’s so funny?” He’s trying his best to hold in a smile, but the amusement sparks across his dark eyes.
“I’m sorry, but the idea of big, tough Tony setting all of this up is just hysterical.”
“I’ll be sure to tell him you laughed at his grand gesture.”
“Hisgrand gesture?”
Luca rocks back on his heels and drags his palm down the back of his neck. “Or mine, whatever.”
I take a step closer. “Is this all part of our business arrangement?”
