Page 103 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings
“Cool.” He moved over to the counter, pausing next to me as I coated the garlic knots with butter. “Rossi said she was going to stop by for dinner.”
Immediately, the flutters took over my stomach like they did any time I was around him. He could walk into the room and my train of thought would shift. Whenever I thought about that night in this very kitchen, it made me shudder and ache in a way that I couldn’t even describe. With my eyes trained on my task, I could feel his warm eyes drinking me in. The faint scent of his cologne was so damn intoxicating with his natural masculine pheromones.
“You need me to do anything?”
Lord! The rumble in his deep baritone did something to me. I thought about my answer, and it wasn’t pure as I simpered and lifted my eyes to examine his face.
“You lifted?” he asked, squinting and tilting his head.
“Maybe. I might have tested the swings out with Plum too. You judging me?” I angled my head in the opposite direction and studied his reaction.
“Nah, just didn’t figure you for a smoker. You and all your health shit.”
“Occasionally. Cannabis is actually good for you and can cure all kinds of things. Plum just left, and she always wants me to blow one with her. I didn’t smoke in the house, and I won’t ever smoke around your kids.”
“I appreciate that.”
He pressed his back against the counter and propped his hands behind him, still facing me.
“Something on your mind?” I glanced at him but continued to lather butter over the last of the garlic knots.
“Nah.” He shook his head like he was trying to move the thoughts out of it and pushed himself off the counter.
“Staten.” Sighing, I dropped the basting brush and reached out.
Somehow, his warm hand was in mine, which he looked down at.
“You can talk to me. We’re the only two adults in this house, so… I’m here if you need an ear,” I offered.
“That’s the fucking problem, Cambrie.” He stepped into my space, lacing our fingers together while pressing me into the counter.
His skin was on fire, and he’d robbed me of control over my breathing when he brought his face closer to mine. Slowly, my eyes shut, anticipating what he was going to do to me.
“I want more than an ear, mama,” he whispered, lips barely brushing against mine before stealing a hunger-filled kiss.
Bundling my fist into the fabric of his shirt and pulling him in, I submitted in his arms. Our tongues swiped hungrily against one another, and he released a soft groan into my mouth as his hand slid to my ass. When he squeezed my cheeks, I swear I almost came. There were a million reasons why this shouldn’t happen, but they were all flitting, and being in his embrace made it so none of them mattered.
“We said we couldn’t do this,” I panted between kisses, feeling his manhood grow against my thigh.
“Tell me you don’t want it,” he told me, lips lowering to my neck where he nuzzled and kissed, still holding my hand and stroking my back.
I had no words, only soft moans as he brought his mouth back to mine and smothered me. “You gotta say that shit, Cambrie, or I’m not stopping. A nigga can’t think straight ’cause you always on my mind. No matter what I do, or who I’m with, it’s you.” He pressed his forehead against mine, and my heart swelled.
“How is this supposed to work, Staten? I work for you. I don’t want to confuse these kids or cause any more problems in this house or with your family.”
“You let me worry about that.” He pressed his thumb against my lips. “I just need you. In my bed, mama, at night…” He pecked me again. “And in the morning.” His tongue eased back between my teeth.
“You’re crazy!” I laughed and tossed my head back.
“Crazy about you.” He tucked his bottom lip sexily between his teeth.
“What about the kids? What are we supposed to tell them? Oh, by the way, Cambrie isn’t just the nanny anymore. I mean, what am I to you?”
“Mine.” With his fingers digging into my back, he jerked me into him and dipped low for another kiss. “We’ll keep it quiet for now, until the kids can adjust, but I’m not putting this shit on hold. I can’t let this go because it might hurt a few people’s feelings.”
The vibration of his phone alerted us both to his phone in his pocket.
“It’s Brick. He needs me and Ivo for some emergency.” Staten frowned, studying the screen once he retrieved it from his sweats.
