Page 55 of Depths of Desire
“I don’t know,vita mia. You’ll have to get by me.”
He’s not a man. He’s a vampire. I chant the mantra in my head again, hoping to dispel the flutter in my chest caused by his endearment. But it does nothing. As I try to step around him, he wraps one arm around me and swoops in, claiming my mouth with a kiss.
It’s fierce. Hot. All-consuming.
My hands betray me, sliding up his chest and curling around his neck like they have a will of their own. I melt into him, the towel slipping lower on my body as I surrender to the heat that pulses between us. What is it about this creature that makes me feel this way?
The sound of a polite cough breaks through the haze.
Nico lifts his head but doesn’t release me. “What is it, Carson?”
“There’s a phone call for you, sir.”
Nico sighs and rests his forehead against mine, then drops a soft kiss on the bridge of my nose. “I must deal with this. But I look forward to picking up right back here.” He nudges his hips against mine.
With one last wicked grin, he releases me and strides down the hallway, following in Carson’s wake. I sag against the door jamb, my knees shaky. If this doesn’t prove to me that I must get away, nothing will. If I don’t, I won’t be able to leave. I understand what happened to Mia and Pippa now. It’s like a drug. Being with them—these vampires—is addictive.
And the worst part? The sex only made me feel more connected to Nico.
I hurry down the hallway and find the clothing he mentioned laid out neatly on the bed. The moment I see it, resentment spikes. Of course he picked it out. But damn it, the jeans fit perfectly. The white tank top and sand-colored boatneck sweater are soft and effortlessly stylish. I glance at myself in the mirror. I look good. Nico has exquisite taste—even when he’s being a controlling asshole.
I grab the phone I left beside the bed and check the screen. My heart leaps. It has the name of the marina. The name of the yacht. And the slip number where I can find it. I text Pippa back immediately.Is there any chance you can come visit me?I need help. I wait, breath held tight in my lungs.
I’ll see what I can do,she replies.
I want to do a dance of joy. If Pippa can help me get out, then I’ll be fine. I know I will. I’m not sure if I believe it, but I don’t have a choice. There’s no way in hell I’m marrying Malrick. Besides, with my parents’ betrayal, it’s not like there is anything left for me here. My friends are both married tola famiglia. They’ve chosen that life. I don’t want that. Not at all. I want out. I want to walk down any street in the world and not be terrified that some gangster is going to come at me because of something my family did. I want the freedom to make my own choices, my own mistakes. That’s what escaping means. Being on my own. As terrifying as that is, it’s also exhilarating. I want a chance to find out who I am and what I want without the influence of my family orla famiglia.
I brush out my hair and then stare at myself in the mirror. This is it, my chance to build a whole new life. No matter what happens, it will be worth it, I promise myself. It will. I just have to find a way to make it happen.
I only wish I knew why that thought makes me queasy.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Aphone call? Really?I say to my brother telepathically.
I hear Renzo’s snort in my mind.Well, I tried reaching out. You ignored me.
I was a little busy.
I’m sure,he replies, dry as ever.But this is important.
I try not to sigh.What is it, Renzo?
I’ve sent you a guy.
A guy?My suspicion rises.Guy for what?
If you shut up and let me finish...
Sorry,I mutter.
He’s a vampire. Also a priest. He should arrive at your location in a few hours.
I still, the implication hitting me like a well-aimed bullet.So that’s how long I have.
Exactly. That’s the time you’ve got to convince Luna to marry you.
What makes you think Luna doesn’t want to marry me?I demand. But secretly, I’ve been worried about the same thing.
