Page 22 of His Broken Queen

I rolled her on her back, and hovered over her. Gliding my hand down her neck, and to her breasts. I kissed her harder than before, trying to push back the lust building inside me, but when she gazed at me with those desperate eyes, I couldn’t deny her request.

“You’re sure?” I circled my finger over her nipple. “We don’t have to.”

“I want to.” She guided my hand under her dress and to her panties. “I need to feel something other than hurt.”

I had never comforted someone with sex before, but then I’d never been in love before. I would do anything for her. If being close to me was what she needed, I would give her that.

She tugged my pants over my hips as I slid her panties down her legs and to her ankles. She kicked out of them so I could hitch her legs around my waist. I pressed my tip against her wet opening, taking my time to ease into her.

She inhaled as I inched inside her. “Romero.” She gripped my shoulders as she spread her legs, allowing me full access to her.

Once I was sheathed in her heat, she wrapped her legs around me and moved with me. Slow and steady, in and out. We created a perfect rhythm, taking our time to feel one another, to appreciate the bond we had created.

When I kissed her, the tears that had dampened her cheeks transferred onto my skin. She took my face between her hands, staring at me with grief-stricken eyes. The sight of her shattered my heart into a million pieces.

“Do you want me to stop?” I asked.

“No.” She clasped her legs tighter around my waist. “I need us.”

I moved my hands along her sides, gently touching her, taking her soft skin in my firm hold. We continued to progress at a slow pace, pleasing one another quietly, tenderly.

After a few minutes, both of us stopped advancing, taking in the moment. We kissed, touched, and gazed into one another’s eyes. The room was silent with the exception of our labored breaths. I thrust one final time, granting each of us the release we so desperately needed. Our simultaneous climaxes were quiet and soft. No thrashing, no screaming, and no mutual nods of bliss. It was fitting for the moment.

I wiped her tears away before rolling off her. I rested onto my side and pulled her back to my chest, holding her close to me. She quietly wept as she trembled against me. How was I ever going to make her whole again?

“I’m sorry, Lu.” I didn’t know what else to say.

“I don’t blame you.”

Her admission made my chest ache with sorrow and regret. For the first time since my mother died, I allowed the grief to pour out of me. My heart rate increased and I had trouble taking a deep breath. I closed my eyes, trying to get it together. I couldn’t allow myself to fall apart now. I let out a slow breath, wishing I had consumed more vodka to take this pain away.

“Romero,” she whispered. “Stella doesn’t blame you either.”

Fuck!I touched my face with my fingertips, wiping the tears that had fallen from my eyes. I would allow myself this moment of weakness, but after tonight, I would show no mercy to my enemies.

Ruthless didn’t begin to describe me.

Chapter 7

Luciana

I had showered, changed into a fresh pair of yoga pants and a gray t-shirt, and managed to make my way downstairs. I glanced around at the massive space, squinting as the sun poured in from the large windows that surrounded the living room.

This was Romero’s life before he married me. This was where he came when he learned that I had betrayed him. He brought me here to shelter me from what had happened to Stella. This was his safe place. A refuge from his brutal world.

“Lu.” Romero stood at the bottom of the stairs. “What are you doing out of bed?”

“I can’t stay in bed forever.” I took the last few steps and joined him. “We’ve been here for two days and I haven’t left the bedroom.”

“You need to rest.” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “I can get you whatever you want.”

“You keep leaving me.” Not leaving the bedroom for a few days would be intriguing if we were making love all day, but that wasn’t the case. “I don’t want to be alone.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve been working.”

Did that mean he was looking for the men who killed Stella? Did I want to know?

“How are things going?”

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