Page 38 of Room Seven

It’s a hard game of tug of war I don’t want to play. If I could have my way, I would fall between their knees, but if I do they win. All three of them will know they can hurt me, yet always have a way back in. So no. If I don’t stand up for myself now, then there will be no hope for something more with them. Given I can untangle myself from my father’s crushing grip. There’s still that can of rot to deal with.

“Sei bella come una stella cadente e come intoccabile.”

I used to love it when Mirsha spoke his family’s language to me. Even after all this time, the roll of Italian off his tongue sends my pulse racing.

Sitting fully up, I tuck my bare legs close to my chest and wrap my arms around my knees. “You have a beautiful voice. What does it mean?”

“He said you are as beautiful as a shooting star. And just as untouchable.”

Luther’s shirt hangs open when he moves from the sitting area toward me. Graceful movements reveal a nice view of all those dark dips and contours of a well-maintained physique.

Fucking. Lickable.

Finely tailored pants move with his steps and cling in just the right spots to tease me with what is underneath the expensive material. He’s elegant in a word. But it’s the way his belt buckle hangs free that has my finger balling into fists. If he comes closer, I don’t trust myself to keep my hands where they belong.

Viper and Mirsha’s eyes don’t leave me as I take Luther’s outstretched hand.

So much for keeping my hands to myself.

He pulls me to my knees. Warm skin glides beneath my palms as I slip my hands beneath the lapels of his open shirt.

Smooth. Warm. I want to run my tongue over every inch of him and then scream,MINE.

“Mm, I’ve missed your touch,” he groans. It’s a sexy sound so deep and rugged I want the world to melt away until it is just him and me. For a while. And then the other two can join.

Like honey over sun-kissed skin, I pour into his arms. My curves easily mold against him and it feels like we’ve been lovers forever.

“I’ve always loved you.” I’ve been dying to tell them all those words. Circumstance and luck has Luther being the first to hear them.

My godfather tucks a finger beneath my chin. A little pressure and he has my gaze on his.

Taking my hands in his, he kisses the backs reverently. Almost like he is ashamed of what is about to happen. “And I’ve known for a long time this moment is inevitable.”

Maybe. “I signed the contract,” I confess before I can stop myself and run for the nearest door. “I am not as touchable as you think. Not anymore.” I hold Magnolia’s words of wisdom with both hands and hope they don’t reject me again.

“I saw your signature.”

“Luther, I’m scared.” God, please help me survive tonight. If they walk again, I will become a shell.

“The only thing to fear is living another day without tasting you.” His lips turn hungry against mine. Nipping, licking, and taking the plump flesh between his teeth.

Unrelenting fingers sink into my hair as my godfather takes what he needs from me.

And I do the same to him. Our tongues clash, fight and then caress.

“Mm,” I groan into his mouth.

“Jesus fucking Christ, woman.” I hear him, but I am too busy with the rest of him to pay much attention to his rumble of words.

Solid heat meets my palms when I dip my hands back into the open sides of his shirt. His hard pecs and smooth skin are irresistible, so I don’t try.

Fusion of hunger and desire mix in the icy depths of Luther’s blue eyes. Viper is bold and takes, but Luther has you wanting him so badly the sensation lingers for days after his touch.

Mirsha comes to the foot of the bed and holds a hand out. I fall to all fours and crawl across the bed to him. I don’t breathe in until his arms are around me and his heartbeat is in my ear. Large, calloused hands roam the expanse of my back. He holds me to him and for the first time in a very long time, I don’t hurt.

“Thousands of dollars in therapy wasted,” I murmur against his chest. Skin on skin. Body heat against body heat.Theyare my cure.

Viper takes me from his friend. “Didn’t I tell you a long time ago to let the energy of our connection pull us back together? Did I not?” His hand comes around the back of my neck. Our long hair spills around us. Tucked behind the curtains of black he kisses me. Slow and like it’s our first time.

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