Page 96 of Liberated By Sin
I moved in slowly and circled her waist, trying not to startle her with my sudden presence, especially after what she’d been through. Amara’s hands came up over mine, and I nuzzled her slightly dampened hair. The sweet scent of her shampoo filled my senses, and I sighed against her curls, relieved she was safe.
As much as I had wanted to remain by her side, I’d let her settle in and relax from the adrenaline high of the night without a single question about what had gone down in that apartment. But it was time for details and a plan of action.
“Talk to me.”
She leaned into my chest.
“Physically, I’m okay. And I wasn’t afraid of Luca…just caught off guard.”
“Then what happened? Why were you so shaken up? Did he try to—”
“No, I never let him get that close.” She twisted around. “But he has Cambri, or maybe she’s already dead. And I don’t know what to do, Santi. We need to find her. I can’t just leave her to whatever fate he’scondemned her to. I owe her my life.”
Where one would expect tears and traces of emotion in her voice, there was instead anger and an unwavering determination to find her friend. While that lack of fear was commendable, it filled me with anguish to know of her false sense of invincibility. She was flesh and bone, not steel. And most of all, she meant everything in the world to me.
“I’m working on it. I’ve made phone calls. But Luca has been off the radar since the night with Andretti. Was there anything he said that could be helpful?”
Maybe she hadn’t meant to, but my question triggered a reaction. Amara stiffened and averted her gaze, hands clenching my shirt.
“No,” she nearly whispered.
I lifted her chin with the tip of my finger, forcing her gorgeous eyes to find mine. “You can tell me anything. You know that.”
She shook her head. “There’s nothing to tell. This is about us—his way of getting back at you through me. Just like you said.”
I wanted to believe her, to believe she wouldn’t omit information that could potentially put her life in danger, but it was evident that something had affected her to the core. Whatever that something was most likely dealt with her past, as it was the only subject that caused her to recoil inside herself. But after what she’d been through tonight, I’d let her sleep on it and press her in the morning.
“We’re going to find her,preziosa. I promise. But in the meantime, are you hungry?”
The lines of despair on her face softened, whether it was at the mention of food, the change in subject, or both, and she nodded.
“A little.”
I chuckled and picked her up, a plump ass cheek in each hand. “You up for some panna cotta. It’s a dessert, and it’s almost as sweet as you. Almost.”
Her fingernails raked the back of my nape, sending goosebumps and electric pulses down to my cock, nearly causing me to make a detour to the bedroom instead of the kitchen. But I’d have my favorite dessertsoon enough. For now, I wanted to introduce Amara to the one that had just been demoted.
After setting her on the countertop, I pulled open the refrigerator doors and scoured the shelves until I found what I was looking for.
“Giada keeps these stocked for me.”
“Looks like cream.”
“Precisely. Only tastier.” I brought a spoon to her mouth, and she opened up for me.
“It’s delicious.”
I understood the state of her emotions, so I wasn’t disappointed by her lack of enthusiasm. Just sharing this part of me with her was enough.
I set the spoon down, not wanting to push her, but she reached for it and scooped more of the dessert.
“Giada makes the best coffee and dessert?” she asked, taking another spoonful and bringing it to my mouth, and I didn’t hesitate. “Tell her it’s exquisite.”
“You can tell her yourself in the morning. She’ll be happy to meet you.”
Amara leaned in and swiped her tongue over my bottom lip, savoring the bit of cream she’d licked off. “You had a little something.”
A grin spread across my face as I framed hers and tugged her closer. “I think you do, too.”