Page 103 of Lies like Rubies, Part One

I grinned at Dante. “You really gonna bring that cage over here?”

“Fuck yes.”

I drewthe short straw and spent the rest of the night on Sofia’s agonizingly small couch, while the other men decamped to their beds. Worth it, though, to see her brilliant smile when she walked out of the bedroom to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and pastry delivery.

“A woman could get used to being spoiled like this,” she said, brushing her lips across mine as she collected her coffee from the tray.

I dragged her in for a deeper kiss, shoving down my ambivalence about the path we were about to embark on where she couldn’t see it. “There are clothes for you on the table.”

Dante had dropped by with packages for Lizzie and Sofia around three o’clock this morning, his eyes tired for the first time since I’d met him.

She took her coffee from me and rifled through the bags, a smile teasing at her lips. “A man picked these out.”

“Dante,” I confirmed.

She snatched the bags and disappeared for a shower.

When she reemerged, amusement danced in her eyes. “Dante bought this?” she asked. She wore a breezy summer dress that hit mid-calf and kitten heels.

“Yes,” I affirmed.

“He neglected to buy me panties.”

My cock jumped in my pants as I ran my eyes up and down her figure, like I could tell if she wore them under the sea-green dress.

“We can stop by a department store on the way to your classes today.”

She chuckled softly and sat at the dining table, sipping a coffee, her fingers flying over her phone. It buzzed a moment later. She held it up to me.

Dante

If you behave, I’ll give you panties at lunch.

Sofia

I have class.

Dante

Send me a selfie.

She held the phone up above her face and snapped one.

“No, I have a better idea. Nick, come here,” she said, motioning for me to come closer.

She yanked the top of her dress down to reveal her nipple. I swore softly as she tugged my face toward her breast.

“Sofia, your daughter—”

“My daughter is still fast asleep,” she snapped. “Help me regain a little bit of power in my relationship with Dante. Please.”

I took her nipple in my mouth, teasing her with my tongue before sucking hard. She groaned and tangled her fingers into my hair, yanking until it stung. “Yes, Nick,” she breathed, then snapped a photo.

As I nipped and licked at the taut bud, she moaned. When I popped her other breast out of her dress to knead it, she gasped and threw her head back, holding onto me for balance as I suckled her.

I worked my way up her throat to press my mouth against hers. “Sofia,” I groaned, “You taste so fucking good.” I could kiss this woman for hours, but she apparently had other ideas. She worked her hands down my chest to my belt. I jerked away.

Her eyes jolted to mine, confusion and hurt brimming over. I brought my mouth down to hers, brushing them over her plump lips as electricity crackled between us.

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