Sexy Scoundrel: A Cocky Hero Club Novel

by Greywood, Raisa

  Leaning down, he gave me the sweetest, softest kiss I’d ever experienced. “I am sorry about your kitchen, but right at this moment, the only thing in the world that will stop me from making love to you is your refusal.”

  Those two words. He’d called it making love. I wanted that so badly. Maybe I only had a little time with him, but I was going to take whatever I could get.

  “Please,” I whispered, reaching for a condom. “Make love to me. I don’t want to wait.”

  “I love hearing you say that.”

  Pushing his hands into my hair, he kissed me, nipping at my lower lip to make me open my mouth. I whimpered and wrapped my arms around him, desperate for more. I stroked his muscular back, moving my hands upward to his gorgeous hair. In the weeks I’d lived in his guest room, he’d let it grow. Thick and long, his wavy hair entranced me, and all I wanted was to spend my days with it trailing over my body.

  God, his kisses. They were slow and gentle, like he had all the time in the world. His tongue tangled with mine, and he groaned into my mouth while he tugged on my hair.

  He moved those delicious lips to the sweet spot under my ear, and I whined softly. “Please, Gio, I can’t wait any longer.”

  I wanted to take the words back. Shortening his name implied a relationship we weren’t going to have. It was what Antonio called him, a diminutive born of affection and love. I didn’t have the right. Yet when he lifted his head and smiled, I couldn’t do it. He looked so happy.

  “Carli,” he whispered. Sitting up, he fisted his thick cock. “Are you ready?”

  I scrabbled for the condom and tore it open with my teeth. “Let me, please.”

  When Giorgio nodded, I stroked the condom down his shaft, relishing the feel of him in my hands. His head fell backward and he breathed through his nose, gritting his teeth. I loved making him look like that.

  I loved… No. I couldn’t reach that far. Like Icarus, the wax holding my feathers in place would melt and the fall would destroy me.

  He leaned down and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his hard body. He’d teased me to madness last night, making me come so hard I saw stars. I wanted slow and gentle this time and I wanted it right now.

  I reached between our bodies and centered his thick cock where I most needed him to be.

  Letting out a soft hiss, he eased himself inside me. I wanted to die at the pleasure of the stinging stretch and moved my hands to his hard ass.

  “Jesus, Carli, you feel like heaven.”

  “So do you,” I said, nibbling at the tendon under his ear. “Fuck me like you mean it, cowboy.”

  Giorgio choked out a laugh and thrust inside me, his hips flexing so nicely under my hands. I wrapped a leg around his waist, pulling him against me.

  He kissed me, his lips and tongue claiming my mouth almost brutally, but I welcomed it. I needed something hard to counteract the sweet sensation of him making love to me.

  “I want you to come for me,” he said, pushing his hand between our bodies. “Let me feel that sweet pussy clench around me.”

  He pinched my clit gently and swallowed my pleasured cry with another kiss as he thrust deep inside me. I clenched down, desperate to hold back the orgasm growing in my core, but it felt so damned good.

  “Come for me, Carli,” he hissed. “Let go. I want to watch you explode.”

  “God, you feel so good.” I lifted my hips, desperate for more. My breath tore in my throat and I let out a soft cry as my body seized. I dug my nails into his ass, holding him in place as I surged against him. He gave as good as he got and met my thrust with one of his own.

  Sweat slicked our bodies, the heat overwhelming me. The air around us grew thick with the scent of our passion and I spasmed, black tendrils crossing my vision. I couldn’t stop it. Too hard, too fast, I shattered with a tearing scream. He swelled inside me until I thought he was touching my soul. Teeth bared, he lifted his head and stiffened, his thick cock throbbing inside me as he came.

  Lowering his head, he rested against my chest, breathing hard while he shuddered. He didn’t let me fly apart. Instead, he held me, his arms banded tight around my body. Closing my eyes, I luxuriated in his possessive grasp. I never wanted to leave, yet it wouldn’t last. Although I tried to tell myself it was okay, I knew I was lying.

  Giorgio

  I rolled off Carli, not wanting to crush her, but unwilling to let her leave my embrace. Trying not to disturb her too much, I removed the condom and knotted it, then wrapped it in a tissue and tossed it into the wastebasket. She muttered softly, and I kissed her forehead. “Go to sleep, baby.”

  Burying her face in my chest, she relaxed and drifted into slumber, her long eyelashes resting against her cheeks. I petted her, loving the feel of her tawny skin. She was so fucking soft.

  I wanted this forever. She was still skittish, but The Katie Project would show her what kind of man I was. I just had to be patient and bide my time until construction started. Closing my eyes, I dozed off, listening to the sound of her breathing.

  When the alarm on her phone chirped, I groaned, knowing we had to get up. I stroked Carli’s thick hair away from her face. It felt good to call her the name my brother used. Well, everyone called her Carli, except for me. Maybe I inadvertently kept her at a distance when I used her full name. Well, no more. She would be Carli from now on.

  Letting out a soft grumble, she sat up and stretched, holding the sheet against her chest. “What time is it?” she asked, her voice husky with sleep.

  “It’s five o’clock. The timer on your phone went off.”

  “I guess that means supper is ready.” She dropped the sheet and stood, then collected her clothes from the floor and got dressed.

  I did the same, hurrying with my shirt so I didn’t miss the view. I loved watching Carli dress. Well, I liked watching her undress more, but any chance to look at her was a good time.

  When she finished, she used a scarf to tie her hair into a messy bun, leaving the free ends to trail down her back. “I’m going to wash up. If you don’t mind, could you pull the casserole out of the oven?”

  It seemed Carli was still a bit shy. I considered pushing her, but let it go. I went to her and cupped the back of her head, then kissed her. “Sure thing. I’ll wake Antonio, too.”

  “Thanks. He’ll be up all night if he sleeps too long.”

  Giving her a wink, I said, “Can’t have that. I have plans for you tonight.”

  Red flared in her cheeks and she snorted. “Filthy man,” she muttered. “Go on. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

  I left her alone, shutting the door behind me. To my surprise, Antonio was awake and watching cartoons with Leonard.

  When he saw me, he gave me a huge grin and hugged my calves. “I’m so glad you’re not being yucky to Carli anymore. When will you ask her to be my sister for real?”

  I held my finger to my lips. “Come into the kitchen. I want to tell you a secret before she comes in.”

  He frowned and pushed Leonard off his lap, then followed me. “I don’t like secrets, Gio. They make people sad.”

  “No, this is more like a present.” Grabbing potholders, I pulled the casserole from the oven and set it on a trivet, my mouth watering at the scents rising from the dish. “I’m building a place for special people like you. It’s also going to have room for animals like Leonard that need homes.”

  “That sounds good. Carli will like that,” he replied. “Why is it a secret?”

  “I’m calling it The Katie Project.”

  His eyes widened and he leaped at me, pulling me into a tight hug. “That’s going to make her so happy! Why can’t we tell her?”

  “It isn’t built yet,” I replied. “I don’t want to tell her until I can show her the new building, and if things work out between us, I’ll ask her to be your sister.”

  “For real?” He rocked back and forth on his heels, the familiar motion letting me know he was delighted.

  “For real. But we have to
keep the secret so it’s a surprise, okay?”

  He drew a finger across his lips, then said, “Pinky promise.”

  “What’s the surprise?” Carli asked, startling me.

  “Nothing big,” I said, facing her. I hoped she hadn’t heard too much. “I was just telling Antonio that I found someone to make Leonard a custom harness and leash that will fit him better.”

  She grabbed plates from the cupboard. “That sounds nice. Thanks for thinking of it. Are you ready to eat?”

  “Always,” I said, sidestepping Leonard as I carried the dish to the table. “I will never turn down your food.”

  “Antonio, will you slice that baguette for us?” she asked.

  “Okay.” He pulled a knife from the block and got to work on the bread. “Is that the chicken stew you taught me to make a few weeks ago?”

  Antonio didn’t even bat an eye at my fib.

  After supper, I helped her clean up while Antonio walked Leonard. She’d been quiet during the meal and it worried me. As I opened my mouth to engage her in conversation, my phone rang. Pulling it from my pocket, I saw the number and scowled. What the hell did Sara Miller want? This was the third time in two days she’d tried to reach me, yet she hadn’t left any messages.

  “Who was that?” Carli asked.

  “Nobody important.” I silenced my phone and put it back in my pocket. I put the last plate in the dishwasher and set it to run overnight.

  “Sorry, it’s not any of my business.” She wiped her hands on a towel, then picked at a loose thread on the hem to avoid looking at me. “I don’t know why I asked.”

  I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and tipped up her chin, then kissed her. “It was a woman I dated for a few weeks. She broke up with me the night I saw you in La Panache. I don’t know why she’s calling, but I have no desire to talk to her.”

  “You didn’t have to tell me that,” she said, her voice soft.

  “Yes, I really did. She’s my most recent girlfriend. I already know about Mark, so it’s only fair that you know about Sara. And I meant what I said. She isn’t important to me.”

  Eyes widening, she said, “Wow, that’s been over six months! You haven’t dated anyone?”

  “I told you in the hospital. You’re the only one I want.” I kissed the tip of her nose and took her hand. “Come on. It sounds like Antonio is starting The Princess Bride without us.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Carlina

  Despite being warm, comfortable, and wrapped in Giorgio’s arms, I couldn’t get my mind to stop working long enough to watch my favorite movie. I wasn’t sure which way was up anymore.

  Part of me wanted to believe what he’d said in the kitchen about Sara. A big part. I wasn’t sure though. I mean, I was the woman who got left when something better came along. In all fairness, Mark had been the only one to do that, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to risk a repeat, especially with someone I was growing to like more than I should.

  Actions spoke louder than words though, and Giorgio had been amazing since the moment I landed in the hospital after the fire.

  The credits rolled and I sat up, extricating myself from Giorgio’s possessive embrace. “What did you think of the movie, Antonio?”

  He rolled to his side on the floor, making Leonard grumble and resettle himself. “It was the best movie I ever saw! Can we watch it again?”

  “Maybe next week,” Giorgio replied. “It’s time for bed now.”

  “I also have the book on my tablet. You can read it if you want,” I added.

  “Is it really a book? Can you read it to me like the grandfather did?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “Sure, but not tonight, okay?”

  He yawned widely and stood, rubbing his face. “I’ll take Leonard out first. Don’t wait up for me.”

  “Thanks, Antonio.” I got to my feet and kissed his cheek. “Sleep well, sweetie. Love you.”

  Why was that so easy to say to Antonio, but the thought of saying it to Giorgio made me want to throw up?

  Leonard groaned as he got up, reminding me of his age. Although he was in much better condition than he had been, lions didn’t live forever. We were all going to miss him when his time came.

  “Ready for bed?” Giorgio asked.

  Pasting a smile on my face, I said, “Your place or mine?”

  “Mine will have a lion in it shortly.” He peered at me, a half grin on his face. “I’m surprised he doesn’t sleep with you.”

  “I shut my door at night. Besides, you have that handy ramp already set up for him.”

  “Imp.”

  “Face it, honey. You spoil that cat like crazy. I think you’re worse than Julie.”

  He made a halfhearted grab for my arm and I darted out of his reach, laughing when he chased me into my bedroom and locked the door behind us.

  I almost made it to the safety of the bathroom when he caught me. He slung me over his shoulder and slapped my ass. “That’s for being a brat, and for seducing me instead of taking your nap today.”

  “Ouch! That hurt!” So did my ribs, but the promise of more orgasms had me ignoring the twinge of pain. I wasn’t about to stop him because I was being a baby about a few broken bones.

  “Hmm.” He let me slide down his body, keeping his arms around me. “Did it really?”

  “You took that nap with me,” I said, refusing to answer his question. No way was I going to tell him how the sting from his spank turned into tingling warmth between my legs.

  “So I did.” He untied the scarf from my hair and laid it aside. “Undress for me, Carli.”

  “Aren’t we supposed to go to sleep?” I asked, pulling my shirt off.

  He sat on the bed and leaned back against the headboard. “We will later. Keep going.”

  Even with most of my clothes on, I felt strangely exposed. Although he’d seen me naked before, it was different when he was fully dressed and watching me. He made me feel beautiful.

  Instead of rushing, I moved slowly, easing my jeans over my hips before I let them slide to the floor. I played with the front clasp of my bra until he leaned forward and growled.

  “You’re teasing me.”

  “Do you like it?”

  “Very much.”

  “Good.” I released the clasp and let my bra slide off my shoulders. I loved the way he looked at me, like I was the most important thing in his world. I wasn’t, but it was nice to pretend for a night.

  “Beautiful,” he said, tracing the curve of my hip with a gentle fingertip. “Come here.”

  I took a step back, then slid my hands up my ribs to cup my breasts. “I think I’d rather tease you more.”

  “I think I’d like to spank you more,” he said, his voice deepening to a low growl.

  Damn. Impossible to believe book boyfriends had nothing on Giorgio Acardi. “Do I need to call you sir?”

  “No,” he said, getting to his feet to drop his clothes in a pile. “All I want to hear is you screaming my name.”

  He lunged at me and I bit back a squeal of delight when he caught me around the waist and dragged me into bed. Antonio would be in the house any minute. I didn’t mind him knowing I was with Giorgio, but I wasn’t about to let him listen to our raunchy sex all night.

  Falling to his back, Giorgio pulled me on top of him, surprising me. “No games tonight?”

  Cupping my cheeks, he lifted his head to kiss me, as usual, making every brain cell I had misfire and go offline. “No. Tonight it’s just us, making love until dawn. No toys or spankings, or anything else.”

  “Condoms,” I replied breathlessly. “We need condoms.”

  Grimacing, he reached into my nightstand. “I almost forgot last night too. You steal my brain, woman.”

  “I was just thinking the same thing, except the other way around.”

  “You think I steal your brain?”

  “Every time you kiss me,” I replied, nibbling at his collarbone.

  “Good. I’m glad I’m not th
e only one.” He pulled me close, rubbing his hands up and down my back until I moaned softly.

  The back door slammed and I flinched with surprise. Giorgio laid a finger over my lips. “Shh,” he whispered.

  We heard the sound of padding feet and the slam of another door, then Antonio said, “Good night Carli and Gio! Love you.”

  “Love you too,” I called. “Sleep well.”

  Giorgio smirked, then pulled me in for another kiss and I wasn’t embarrassed at all.

  Giorgio

  Carli was a bed hog. She sprawled on her stomach, limbs akimbo across the sheets, with her beautiful curls spread out like a fan across the pillow. Whatever the hairdresser had done to straighten it for the Chamber of Commerce ball had gone away when she washed it and I was glad. She had the most gorgeous hair and I loved the natural curls. They were bouncy and soft and twisted themselves around my fingers like they were trying to hold on to me.

  I snorted softly and told myself to stop thinking about her hair. I’d been so busy watching her, I hadn’t gotten any sleep and it was almost four in the morning. At this point, it was hardly worth the effort when I’d have to be up in just a few hours. Pushing myself up on an elbow, I kissed her shoulder and got out of bed, careful not to wake her.

  Although my cock thought it was an excellent idea to wake her, neither of us had gotten enough sleep for the last two nights. She hadn’t complained, but I knew her ribs still bothered her and she needed the rest.

  My phone chirped and I grabbed it and my pants before hurrying from the room. Blinking at the display, I accepted the call, wondering why Graham Morgan would be calling at this time of day.

  “Acardi here,” I whispered, hurrying toward my office.

  “Good morning, Giorgio. I wanted to touch base with you and see how things are going with our project. Are we on schedule for groundbreaking?”

  “Graham, get off the phone! Do you have any idea what time it is in California?”

  I smiled, then said, “Tell your lovely wife hello for me. I was already awake, so there’s no harm done.”