The gate, which had been securely locked, stood open in welcome. Everything seemed to be welcoming him. A sense of peace began to steal into his heart. A part of him wanted to sit on one of the benches and soak in the atmosphere.
Ashe couldn’t help the way her heart beat faster. Danger. Why did she find herself running right toward it all the time? What was it about adrenaline that made her such an addict? She wanted to feel this way, exhilarated, alive and not quite safe. It was playing with fire, and she knew better.
It means you’re family. A woman takes me on, she’s family to the club. All the way in. She’s mine. All the way in. Whatever it takes to work it out.
Well, Sara.” He said it very softly. “Are you going to save me?
That fantasy mouth smiled. The kind of smile that could melt the panties off a nun. Holy Cow.
Unfortunately, I’m not the greatest catch. None of us are. We’re outcasts for a reason.
Deep inside where he was hard and cold and carved of stone, he felt a curious shifting, melting, a softening he couldn’t explain, and it scared the hell out of him.
Stefano’s the oldest. He has four brothers, equally hot. One sister, totally beautiful. When they walk around together, people just stare at them. That’s how hot they are. Each one is supercool as well, which makes them scorching hot. I’m a little in love with them, including their sister. That’s how totally gorgeous they are.
He stared down into her eyes, holding her there like he could, just with his gaze, mesmerizing her. Keeping her captive, under his spell. A slow smile transformed the hard edges of his handsome face. He was so beautiful to her. A gorgeous man and she was falling more and more in love with him.
It was as if he wore a mask and whatever went on behind it wasn’t for the world – or her – to see. And she wanted to. She wanted to be that woman, the one who knew him inside and out.
Her mouth was perfect under his, her taste wrapping him up in addiction. He craved her the way others might drugs. The depth of his feelings shook him. The passion and love mixed together inside him, welling up like a volcano, consumed him.
She’d never had a breakdown before. That had been scary, to cry without the ability to stop it. Crying on Draden should have been humiliating, but it had been comforting.
The air was hot and humid. Sultry. Her body seemed to have caught some of the intensity of the storm. She felt a little wild and out of sorts. Edgy. On the verge of something big.
Her eyes caught him first thing. They were almost too big for her face. A very light brown, amber really, like a fine whiskey you spipped at night when you just wanted to lay it all down.
He pulled out of her mind abruptly. She knew because she felt bereft. Starkly alone. The feeling was raw and ugly after having him there with her. She wanted him back, and that wasn’t an intelligent response.
Every moment I’m with you, bambina, I fall harder. It’s difficult for mr to believe you’re real. You aren’t the only one a little terrified.
Draden. Who knew there were men like him in the world? He made it exciting to wake up in the morning. She looked forward to the day. To their shared laughter. Their conversations. The intense attraction between them. Who wouldn’t fall in love with him?
Keep making fun of my name and every time you order a drink, I’m going to put something in it you aren’t going to like,” Ashe muttered under her breath.
He presented a mask of indifference to the rest of the world, but for her – and their future children – he would be different. He would share fun and laughter.
There was a sense of comfort being wrapped up in his arms. He was calm in the middle of a terrifying experience. He was a rock she could cling to.