Page 35 of Only for Tonight
I want her. I want her now.
“So,” Luca says around a mouthful of spring roll, “how was the rest of your day?”
Rebecca’s face lights up as she tells us about the signing, about what Isabelle said, and I find myself captivated by her enthusiasm. The way she talks with her hands. The brightness in her eyes.
“Tell us about Brett,” Luca says eventually, and I see her stiffen.
“Do we have to?”
“You don’t have to tell us anything,” I assure her. “But I’d like to know what kind of fool let you go.”
She’s quiet for a moment, pushing rice around her plate. Then she sighs. “He told me I was embarrassing. That reading romance novels at twenty-eight was childish. That I needed to grow up.” Her voice drops. “He suggested I join a gym. Said maybe then I’d be ‘really sexy’ instead of just okay.”
The fury that floods through me is instant. White-hot. Beside me, Luca goes still. Leo’s knuckles are white around his chopsticks.
Bastard. Fucking bastard.
“He said what?” Leo’s voice is deadly calm.
“It’s fine. He’s gone?—”
“It’s not fine,” I interrupt, setting down my plate with careful control. “Rebecca, look at me.”
She does, and I see the vulnerability there. The lingering hurt.
“That man is a fucking idiot. You are not embarrassing. Your passion for books is beautiful. And your body?” I let my gaze travel over her deliberately. “Your body is absolutely perfect. Every soft curve. Every inch. Do you understand me?”
“He’s right,” Luca adds. “You’re stunning, Bec. I’ve been thinking about those curves all day. About how perfect you feel.”
“You made me come so hard this morning I saw stars,” Leo says bluntly. “Because of this body. Because you’re soft and real and perfect.”
Her eyes shine with unshed tears. “You guys don’t have to?—”
“We’re not saying it to make you feel better,” I interrupt. “We’re saying it because it’s true.” I stand, moving closer. “That dress you wore today? I spent the entire afternoon thinking about peeling it off you. About putting my mouth on every inch of skin.”
The air shifts. Charges.
I’m standing beside her chair now, close enough to touch. Her breath catches as I lean down, my hand sliding into her hair.
“I think,” I say quietly, “that we’re done with dinner.”
“But we haven’t finished?—”
“I don’t give a damn about the food right now.” My voice comes out rougher than intended. “I’ve been patient all day, love. Watching you and wanting you. I’m done being patient.”
Her pupils dilate. “Okay.”
I pull her to her feet, claiming her mouth in a kiss that’s anything but gentle. She opens for me immediately, her hands fisting in my shirt.
Yes. Finally.
When I pull back, we’re both breathing hard.
“Clear the table,” I tell Leo and Luca.
They move immediately, grabbing containers and shoving them onto the side counter. Leo grabs two beers from the fridge, tossing one to Luca.
“What are you doing?” Rebecca asks, watching them settle back into their chairs.
