Page 42 of Tease

I pressed my lips to the top of her head.

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about that now, but next time, send me a text, okay?”

“Okay… I w-will.”

She let out a breath and her hand relaxed. Then she slipped it under my t-shirt and pressed her palm to my back.

“Are you going to tell me why you’re upset?”

For a moment she was silent, then she pulled back and looked up at me. Her grey eyes were full of sadness. Seeing her misery cut me deeply. I wanted to take all of her pain away.

“I-I-I knewPapáw-w-wasn’t innocent in this l-l-life, but it’s d-d-difficult for m-m-me knowing he killed that f-family b-by accident. It must’ve eaten away at him. I-I-I can’t imagine how a-alone he felt.”

“So you’re not upset he killed people?”

“No. You’ve killed, and I’m n-not upset with you over it. J-just because I don’t agree w-with it, doesn’t mean I j-judge anyone f-for it.”

She wasn’t wrong. I had, but only when it was necessary.

“I didn’t think you were judging me, but I appreciate it all the same.”

She looked down as her fingertips brushed along my bare back. The gesture made me shiver.

“I don’t care what y-you do, Arlo. If you make me h-h-happy, what does it matter?”

“And do I?”

She nodded, her eyes darting up to mine again.

“Very.”

I stroked her cheek before tangling my fingers in her dark hair.

“We might not know why yourpapádid it, but it’s clear whatever happened between him and Gennaro after was the reason he broke away from the mafia. Why he kept you and your sisters out of it. Remember, while he carried that burden alone, he still had all of you. He kept you safe.”

She rubbed her face against her t-shirt.

“You’re right. It d-d-doesn’t change who he was to me. I j-j-just think I understand him b-better now.”

I leaned closer, brushing my nose along hers.

“One way or another, we’ll find the whole truth, okay? We won’t stop until we do and until you’re safe from the person targeting you, who I’m beginning to think is the kid who escaped with his life and his aunt.”

She nodded.

“I think so t-t-too.”

Rina stared at me when we fell silent. Her fingers were growing more insistent, stroking over my skin. My hand left her hair. I spread my fingers over her back, running my hand down her spine. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Fuck, she was beautiful. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else but right here with her.

“Ti senti come a casa, mia preziosa.”

Being next to her felt right. Like I’d come home after years of being alone.

“K-k-kiss me.”

Pressing my mouth to hers, I felt her need for me bubbling to the surface. Her nails dug into my back as I parted her lips with my tongue. Rina had quite the appetite. I was more than willing to feed it, meeting her with my own intense desire to be as close to her as possible. It felt so good to let go after all this time longing for her.

Rina pushed me over onto my back and straddled my hips, her hands steadying her by my head as she continued to kiss me. I gripped her thighs, wanting to let her set the pace this time. If she needed to get lost in me, then I’d give that to her. This woman’s pleasure was my only goal. My only focus.

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