Page 117 of Capo

My heart speaks the truth and I force it past my lips. “Yes and no. Why am I here?”

“Did you really want to leave?” He frowns as he steps closer, shielding me from the wind.

I pull my coat tighter around me, hugging myself, trying to hold myself together, then I shake my head. “No,” I whisper.

“Chloe,” he says as he reaches out and puts a strand of hair behind my ear. “I need you by my side. I don’t know how to show you how I feel. I don’t have the words and I’ve never—I’ve never wanted this before. I want to shower you in luxury. You won’t have to work another day in your life. I don’t want your hands calloused, I want them soft and on me. I don’t want your mind troubled. I want your smile, your passion, your compassion.”

I inhale to say that living means worried frowns, that nothing works the way he portrays it, but he puts a finger to my lips.

“I want you naked, bent over the edge of my bed as I fuck you hard night after night. I want you to be my queen when the sun is up and my whore at night. I’ll rip apart any man who even looks at you the wrong way. You’re mine. Come back. Stay with me. I tried to wait you out, thinking you’d come back, but you’re too fucking stubborn and knowing you, I’d have to wait forever. Life is short. People die. We have something and I know you feel it too.”

I lick my lips and inhale shakily. I want to scream yes, but there is shit to sort out. If it doesn’t happen now, we’ll never be equals, there’ll never be an equilibrium.

“Luciano, you tore my world to pieces. You kidnapped me, forced yourself on me, treated me like I was dirt. You’ve beaten me, and worst of all: you’ve lied. How the fuck do you expect me to want to be with you?”

He freezes up, his face falling. “Is that a no, then?”

“Did it truly never occur to you to mention that Kerry had returned?”

“It truly didn’t. Christian came back, but I didn’t see any reason telling you that. You’re not overly fond of the man, I’ve just made sure you don’t stumble across him. And with Kerry… No, I didn’t think of the connection.”

“What else aren’t you telling me?”

He throws out his hands. “Ask me. I have no idea what else you want me to say. Ask and I’ll answer.”

I clench my hands into fists, then I slap him. I’m not really that mad. I’m not mad at all. I just felt like it was long overdue. Also, I really need to touch him. His hand shoots up and grabs my wrist before I have time to pull away. My heart darts to my throat as I wait for retaliation. Luciano holds my hand, my palm still on his cheek.

“I probably deserved that.”

“You did.” I cup his other cheek, pulling him to me. “Come here you motherfucking capo piece of shit.”

He flinches and narrows his eyes.

I pull him closer, my forehead to his. “I have a lot of pent up rage,” I mutter.

His lips touch mine, his breath hot and ragged. “Really now? Well, let me fuck that right out of you.”

“Here?” It’s getting hard to breathe as the air between us thickens.

“Yes, here.”

In the next moment, he has kicked my legs out from under me and has me pinned to the ground. I rip up the hem of his shirt and find soft, warm skin. My hands find their way up along his chest, my fingers threading through the rich carpet of hair that I know is black with strands of silver. Luci groans, tears off his gloves and pushes a hand between my thighs, up under my skirt. He’s not gentle about it. He wants me with a desperation that steals my breath away. Sitting up, he pushes my skirt to my hips and pulls down my thong to my ankles.

“Spread your legs for me.”

I swallow hard, holding his gaze as I pull up my knees and then let them fall apart. Sudden apprehension makes me glance around us. We’re outside for fuck’s sake.

A low, seductive murmur, rumbles through his chest as he lowers his gaze, caressing down my chest, belly and then landing on my pussy. The heat in his eyes makes a tingle spread from between my legs, to my stomach, to my breasts, peaking my nipples.

“Our driver is blocking off the road. No one’s getting here. We’re alone.”

A rush of need runs through me at his possessiveness. “You planned this,” I gasp. “You bastard.”

Luciano smirks. “I already told you, you need better insults.”

“Asshat.”

He pulls open his belt and unzips his pants, pulling out his already thick cock. Stroking it in his large hand, he still far from engulfs it. I’m transfixed by his display of strength and power.