Page 14 of Blood & Loyalties
As I stepped out of the car and onto the cobblestone driveway, I rethought my decision about the shoes. My ankle wobbled on the second step I took as I hit the curve of one of the stones, and I knew instantly I was going down. I tried to catch myself, reaching out for the car, but somehow my heel caught on the dress. I completely lost my balance, stumbling toward the ground, instead.
I reached my hands down to bear the brunt of the fall, not wanting my shoulders or head to hit. Closing my eyes, I waited for impact, knowing there was no way to stop it from happening.
Strong arms gripped my body, pulling me away from the stony ground. My back was against a hard chest as my eyes flashed open. I breathed in deeply, smelling the most enticing cologne I had ever had the pleasure of inhaling. Hot breath tickled my ear, setting my arousal aflame.
“I’ve got you, beautiful.” It was the same deep voice that had sent chills down my spine the previous night. Jag.
Having the sudden urge to face him, I turned in his arms, and my hands reached for his strong, broad shoulders. I held on tight while I gained my footing. The denim eyes that penetrated me for only moments the night before were melting me. My knees gave out as his strong arm wrapped around my back and tugged me firmly against him, our bodies pressing together deliciously. It felt like hours, but was probably only minutes, but his eyes never wavered from mine. The moment was so intense I forgot I was supposed to breathe. The connection between us crackled like a live wire. Something was definitely happening between us.
I blinked, disconnecting from his penetrating stare, and somehow regained the use of my legs again. Our faces were so close all it would take was the barest movement, and our mouths would be on each other’s. I could smell the mint on his lips and wondered what it would taste like on my tongue. I bit my lip to muffle the small groan that tried to escape me.
“Catarina!” Scraper yelled, his heavy footsteps rapidly hitting the pavement behind me.
I sighed and turned away from the magic of Jag’s gaze long enough to speak, but when I did, my words came out breathless. “I’m fine, just a little slip.”
“You can let go of her now,” Scraper snapped at Jag.
I wanted to yell,No! Please don’t let go.To my surprise and excitement, Jag didn’t release me. He held me to him, ignoring Scraper altogether, making my blood pump harder.
“Are you okay, beautiful?” he asked, the rumble of his voice hitting me smack dab in my core.
I nodded because once again words didn’t seem to want to form in this man’s presence. It was as if I had just morphed back to some stupid teenager, lusting after the captain of the football team who was paying attention to me for the first time.
I mentally shook my head, pulling myself together, and then pulled slightly away. I was better than this. I knew that, and I owned it.
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for catching me.” I removed my hands and dropped them to my sides, instantly missing the heat from his body. He was like a damn oven—hot and ready.
“Anytime.” His grin could melt my underwear right off my body, leaving me in a big puddle on the ground. How could one man be that sexy?
My brother’s words rang in my head.He wasn’t staying and was only here for a short time. Stay away.Then another voice spoke up,He’s only here for a short time. Better make it count. I thought I might listen to the second one. What the hell; we only lived once, and if he wanted to play for a while, I wouldn’t be opposed.
“Maybe I’ll see ya in there.” I winked seductively as I picked up the bottom of my dress and walked into the party.
Jag moved faster, standing in front of me in a flash, and my eyes widened at his boldness. He looked absolutely delectable in his dark gray, tailored suit. With no tie and the top two buttons of his crisp lighter gray shirt underneath undone, it gave me a nice view of the dusting of his chest hair. He was sex on a stick. The scruff of his dark beard was calling to me, and I wondered what it would feel like on my skin. My lips parted as I sucked in a slow breath as thoughts of his lips overtook me.
“You will absolutely be seeing me again. A lot.” He reached for my hand, lifting it from my side and planting a soft kiss on the top.
The kiss had a direct link to my clit, setting it on fire. My entire body ached immediately just from his light touch and the softness of his kiss. I should be nervous, but really, it excited the shit out of me. His eyes were glowing in the light outside, making my insides quiver.
I nodded because that was the best I could do, once again at a loss of words. Scraper led me into the house, not saying anything about the encounter, but I knew he would tell my father. It wasn’t an issue, but having someone go back and tell my father everything all the time was another thing I needed to discuss with my family.
My eyes focused on Uncle Vino across the wide expanse of the decked-out room before I headed straight toward him. He looked so much like my father I swore they could have been twins instead of Vino being a year older. His salt and pepper hair was brushed back, and his tan skin radiated life. For a man in his late fifties, he was undoubtedly still as attractive as he had been in his twenties.
Uncle Vino and Aunt Marnie had been married for more than thirty years now, and I had never once seen a frown on that woman’s face. She always glowed, and Uncle Vino would do anything for her. That was the kind of love I wanted to have some day.
“Catarina!” Uncle Vino boomed loudly, cutting off my thoughts as heads turned from every direction. He set his drink down then opened his arms wide, and I walked to him and fell into them, wrapping mine around him. “You look beautiful tonight,” he whispered in my ear.
“Thank you,” I murmured into his shoulder.
With Uncle Vino and my father being so close in age and the fact that they had a great relationship, Uncle Vino was a second father to me. Meaning I not only had one set of father and brothers hounding me in life, but an entirely different set of them, as well. I was hoping my father would talk to Uncle Vino; however Vino was never easily persuaded.
“I am proud of you, my girl.” He pulled away and looked into my eyes, love and adoration pouring from them, and I blushed. Being his only niece, he had always made me feel unbelievably special.
“Yes, sir.” I smirked with an evil gleam to it. “He won’t mess with me again.”
“No, he will not.” His words turned icy, making me shake a bit.
That was the side of Uncle Vino that unnerved me. No one messed with him. No. One. Hell, I didn’t even think the president with all his secret service would if given the chance. He was ruthless and got what he wanted. To me, though, his love was what was important.
