Page 96 of Mafia And Maid
“Me?” I stutter.
“Yes, you. I don’t see anyone else here I’ve kissed, do you? I mean, I haven’t kissed Mr. Dog Breath over there, thank God,” he says, jerking his chin in the direction of where the animal is slumbering.
I can’t help a small smile, and I shake my head. But it doesn’t make sense. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why can’t you forget it? Why me?” His heat washes over me. His lips are just a hair’s breadth away. It’s so tempting. All it’ll take is for me to rise on my tiptoes to press my lips to his. To claim them as boldly as he claimed mine.
“Because it was single-handedly the best kiss I’ve ever had.”
“But…” I start as his thumb brushes across my bottom lip, his eyes tracking the movement. My cheeks heat, and my body trembles as anticipation flares to life within me.
“But nothing. You, Rosa.Youhave consumed every thought I’ve had for fucking weeks now. There’s no one who haunts my dreams like youdo.” He presses closer, trapping me against the island. “I’ve had a taste, and I’m not about to let you go. I’m addicted. Don’t make me forget you. Don’t make me pretend. I won’t be able to do it.”
My fingers grip the fabric of his shirt to keep me from swaying. His sleeves are rolled up as usual, and I can’t help my fingers from tracing up the muscles and ink on his beautiful forearms. Please don’t let this be a cruel joke. Please don’t let him shove me away and shatter the fragile shell of hope that’s blossoming in my chest.
Beneath my fist, his heart races, mirroring my own. “I’m not that strong of a man, Rosa.”
I can’t find my voice, but I nod. The way he looks at me, the devotion and hunger that shine in his eyes, makes me shiver with excitement. No one has ever looked at me like this before.
“That’s my good girl,” he breathes. The praise in his words ignites something in me, coiling in my lower stomach. His thumb brushes my cheek again before he consumes my lips, sealing whatever bargain we’ve just struck.
He steps back, breathing just as ragged as mine.
The air is stifling now, crackling to life with electricity.
The smile on his face swirls my stomach, making it flutter and swoop with a myriad of emotions.
Once more, his fingers drift up to my lips, and I feel them pull into a stunned grin.
He wants me…
CHAPTER 23
CAMILLO
It's still early when I walk into the lounge, the sun just starting to come up. I'm on my way to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water before I work out, and I’m definitely not expecting anyone else to be up yet, so I'm surprised when I hear the faint sound of music.
Getting closer to the kitchen, I recognize the tune—it’s Gilded Shelter, a band whose music I always seem to hear whenever I switch on my car radio. The music gets louder the nearer I get, and I see something unexpected as I reach the doorway.
Rosa is up earlier than normal, and she's moving around the kitchen with a relaxed and carefree rhythm. She doesn't spot me as I stand there, so I just stand back and rake my gaze over her, realizing that she’s actually a really good dancer.
As I'm watching her dance like nobody’s watching, I can’t help the grin that tugs up the corners of my lips because she seems different like this—there’s a lightness about her right now.
I stand in the doorway, not wanting to disturb her as she dances across the kitchen, collecting things for what I'm assuming is breakfast. She’s multitasking and making it look effortless—chopping mushrooms and stirring a pot on the stove, all while keeping in perfect time with the music.
With some reluctance, I clear my throat quietly. She stutters to a stop in the middle of a spin, her eyes widening as she realizes she’s been caught, and for a few moments, she looks mortified, and her cheeks flush a deep pink.
“Don’t stop,” I say softly with a smile as I step into the room. “You’ve got some moves there.”
“I didn’t realize anyone was awake,” she blurts out. “I sometimes dance while I work because it makes the chores go by faster…”
“It’s fine, Rosa,” I reassure her. “More than fine, actually—I like seeing you dance.”
She smiles shyly. “They’re my favorite band. I couldn’t help myself when their latest song came on.”
After collecting my water and giving her a long, lingering kiss on her lips, I head for the gym, thinking how this woman makes me so happy every single fucking second of the day.