Page 126 of Craving Danger

I tilt my head back to look up at him. “Really?”

“Of course. They have to be incredible people for raising someone as strong, independent, and beautiful as you.”

“Aww…” I press a kiss to his jaw.

He rubs his palm up and down my bicep. “You didn’t tell them what happened.”

I shake my head. “They just think I broke up with Todd. I couldn’t break their hearts.”

Franco presses a kiss to my hair. “I hate that you had to deal with it on your own.”

I look up at him again. “Until you came along.”

The corner of his mouth lifts. “I’m glad I could help.” His expression grows serious, then he says, “You can’t tell them I’m one of the heads of the Cosa Nostra.”

I didn’t even think about that.

Sitting up straight, I meet Franco’s eyes. “They’d freak out.”

“That too.” He rubs his hand up and down my back. “It’s for their safety as well. The less they know, the better.”

I nod as I let out a sigh.

Franco’s eyes narrow on my face, “Why does your mother think you hated me?”

Giving him a playful look, I say, “Because I told her you were an insufferable asshole.”

When I walk toward the sliding doors, Franco grabs my forearm and yanks me backward. I fall onto his lap, and he locks me against his chest with his arms.

“I was an insufferable asshole because you gave me attitude,” he grumbles.

I wrap my arms around his neck. “I gave you attitude because you were rude and grumpy.”

He presses a kiss to the tip of my nose. “I was grumpy because I was attracted to a woman who tried to drive me insane on a daily basis.”

Leaning closer, I smile against his lips. “Yeah? Did you fantasize about spreading me over your desk?”

Fire ignites in his eyes. “I had many fantasies about spanking your ass.”

I pull back and scowl at him. “You didn’t think about having sex with me? At all?”

He lets out a chuckle. “Baby, I’ve imagined fucking you in every possible position too many times to count.”

A satisfied smile lights up my face. “Good. I like knowing you were sexually frustrated because of me.”

I snuggle against his chest and let my eyes drift over the manicured garden.

Franco’s tone is soft when he asks, “Am I really the one you want to spend the rest of your life with?”

I nod as I close my eyes, soaking in how good this moment between us feels.

“Move in with me,” he murmurs.

“I’ll think about it.”

He lets out a chuckle. “Don’t keep me in suspense for weeks again.”

Chapter 41

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