by Jo Leigh
But then he kissed her again, harder this time, hard enough to make her whimper. The vibration from his guttural moan was so intimate and erotic she knew she wasn’t going to be the one to say no.
The next second Luca pulled back sharply, removing his hands, breaking all contact, leaving her empty and stunned.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice rough, low. “I have no business touching you. Not like this.”
She wanted to yank him back and continue where they left off, but he wasn’t hers. This wasn’t what they were to each other.
She lowered her gaze and turned just enough to let him know she agreed. That, no, they had no business doing this. Not when she couldn’t trust her own judgment.
* * *
LUCA GRABBED HIS jacket and got out of the apartment as quickly as he could. What the hell had he done? April was as vulnerable as a newborn kitten. Of course she’d kissed him back. Talk about transference. She was desperate to replace the bitter memories of what Wes had done to her with something tangible, someone who wouldn’t steal her money, her dignity.
But he was no better than Wes if he took advantage of her. She needed time to heal. To learn to be on her own, to trust her instincts again. How far had his greed set her back?
The pedestrian traffic on Mott Street was slow. A good thing, as he was barely looking where he was going. The cars were moving faster than earlier, when he’d been with Jillian.
Luca winced.
Goddamn it.
He’d called her April.
Jillian was a smart, beautiful woman. If she never spoke to him again he wouldn’t blame her. Because he sure as hell deserved it. Man, he didn’t want to think that he’d used her as a substitute for April, or have Jillian think so. But he wasn’t so sure that wasn’t exactly what he’d done.
He’d gone and fucked up all the way around, hadn’t he? He whipped his hair out of his eyes, letting the brisk fall air cool him down.
Jesus, he should have controlled himself better.
He liked April too much to make her feel as though she was being pressured into doing something she didn’t want to do. They were stuck in a weird situation and burdened with an imbalance of power. He had most of it, and April had, well, none really. And he’d taken advantage of her by kissing her.
Christ, he wasn’t that guy. He couldn’t have her thinking he was...
She’d probably be in a rush to leave now, and that had to be the best thing for both of them. He’d do what he could to help her find a place, even if he had to be sneaky about it. She must’ve said it a hundred times. She didn’t want charity.
Dammit. He was going to miss having her around. He admired her optimism and can-do attitude. Even after what Wes had done.
Most people in her circumstance would’ve crumbled on the spot. Her resilience was truly admirable. He just hoped his poor judgment hadn’t been the thing that finally did her in.
He glanced around, shocked at how far he’d walked in fifteen minutes. He wasn’t even in Little Italy anymore. Of course there wasn’t a cab in sight, so he turned around and really hustled.
It would serve him right if she was gone before he made it back. He sure as hell hoped she wasn’t. He not only owed her a huge apology, he also had to at least try to make things right. Convince her that she had nothing to worry about, at least as far as he was concerned.
12
SITTING IMPATIENTLY ON her bed, April heard the front door open and stopped jiggling her foot. Now that Luca was finally back she wasn’t sure if she should go downstairs or wait for him to come up. She decided to wait a few minutes. She had the advantage. He couldn’t lock her out of his room.
Thinking about how much she’d inconvenienced him made her want to weep. But that wasn’t the issue at the moment, so she needed to stay focused on what she wanted to tell him. She thought she heard him on the stairs and she stayed perfectly still. Then she started jiggling her foot again and stopped when Luca appeared in the doorway. He looked terrible.
“Well, I know you didn’t have enough time to go on a bender.”
“What?” he asked with an adorable frown.
“Never mind. We need to stay on point.”
He nodded, but he still looked confused.
“Luca, listen. I appreciate you so much. You letting me stay here and letting me work off some of my debt. Just being great about everything. But I don’t think you understand that although I may be in a vulnerable position, I’m not vulnerable.”
He opened his mouth, but she put up her hand to stop him. “I’m the one who decides what I want to do. Not you. I make my own decisions. Whether good or bad, they’re my responsibility.”
Luca still looked troubled, although it was a subtle tell that tipped her off. When he felt as if he’d overstepped or gotten something wrong, he developed a little crinkle above his nose. She wanted to smooth those worry lines away, assure him that he had nothing to be concerned about.
“I had no business kissing you,” he said. “That was on me. You’ve been jerked around enough for a lifetime—”
“Stop. Please. I willingly kissed you back. Or did you not notice my participation?”
“Of course I did...” His gaze lingered on her mouth as if he was remembering just how amazing their kiss had been.
“The only thing you should apologize for is running out on me, right when I was getting all revved up. I kissed you back because I liked it. I wanted it. I’d hoped for it.”
There were still questions in his eyes, and she couldn’t have that. She stood, taking a step toward him. “I’m twenty-six, Luca. A fully grown woman who knows her own mind. Whatever happened between Wes and me has nothing to do with us. We were done for a long time, months before he came out here. He knew it. I knew it. The only problem I foresaw before I arrived was having to sort out the sleeping arrangements, since I knew there was no way I’d get in the same bed as him.
“But I’m very interested in a sexual relationship with you. Sexual, not romantic, just so we’re clear. We have chemistry, which I admit is somewhat inconvenient, but that’s the way the cards fell, and I’m pretty sure you agree it’s mutual.”
Watching his jaw drop and knowing she’d shocked the stuffing out of him, she moved closer and tsked at his buttoned-up shirt. She’d have to do something about that right away, but first, just so he understood exactly what she meant, she put her hand around the nape of his neck and eased him into a kiss.
She wanted it to be clear that she was instigating this time.
Smart man that he was, he got the message loud and clear. His hands went to her back, causing her to flinch involuntarily.
He removed them in a shot, but she shook her head. “Cold, not unwelcome,” she said, her mouth so close to his that their lips brushed.
But he didn’t press forward. “Are you sure about this?” he asked. “I don’t want you to regret anything. We do have a unique situation here.”
She had to give him that. Without letting him go, she leaned back, but just a tiny bit. “I’m glad you brought that up. I want you to know that sex won’t change anything about how much longer I stay and what I owe you.” Something popped into her head that gave her a moment’s pause. “I do wish we’d settled on a day you want me out. We’ve postponed it twice now.”
Some of her bravado wavered, but Luca was looking at her intently, which made her feel better.
“How about we agree to revisit the situation next weekend?”
April nodded, trying hard not to show her relief. “And, of course, if I find someplace to live before then, I’ll be out of here. Because I actually do have a promising lead.”
“I’m confident we’ll work it out.”
“Agreed. Now, all you have to do is believe me when I say this is what I want, and I’m not concern
ed that we’ll mistake it for anything other than the fact that we’re hot for each other. Okay?”
His answer started with a grin that she’d remember forever, and then a kiss that nearly wiped her memory clean.
He kissed like he worked, thoughtfully, with assurance and a swagger that drove her crazy. When his hands went under her T-shirt again, they were warm as he pulled her close.
She felt his erection pulse when she moved her hips, making her wish they were lying down since he was so much taller.
Breaking the kiss wasn’t easy, but there was one more thing. “Wait, please.”
His panting was gratifying, so was the fact that he stopped immediately.
“My condoms are in the closet.”
“Mine are in my wallet.”
He kissed her again, and just as she was getting into a rhythm, he unhooked the back of her bra with one hand.
She returned the favor by tackling his buttons. Thankfully, they were easily undone and by the time she reached his belt, he was already working on removing her shorts.
She tugged his shirt out with both hands, which she also needed for his belt, but she fumbled, and he scratched her behind with his watch band. They both stopped, grinned, took one step back and proceeded to strip themselves.
She already knew what his top half looked like, but she stood rapt as he unzipped then pushed down his pants. He was wearing boxer briefs—navy blue, snug suckers that showed her that he was clearly very enthusiastic about this turn of events.
As he was pushing off his shoes, she couldn’t help it—she cupped his erection.
He almost fell but managed to stay on his feet by grabbing on to her hips. “Jesus.”
“Sorry. It was just so tempting.”
He straightened then picked her up as if she was one of the pillows on her bed. Sliding a hand beneath her knees and another across her back, he kissed her hard and hit the mattress with his knees.
“Ow. Shit. I thought it would be softer.”
She couldn’t help laughing. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. The bruises will be worth it.”
She let him set her down. The look in his eyes as he pulled off her T-shirt emboldened her even more. She slipped off her bra and tossed it away.
Luca stood at the foot of the bed, staring as if he was in some sort of trance.
“Uh...how about taking off the rest?”
“Okay,” he said. “Just give me a second.”
Giggling wasn’t something she did. Or hadn’t done since she was a teenager, but watching him get rid of his shoes, socks and finally his underwear, had her muffling her laughter behind both hands.
“It’s not that funny,” he said.
“Uh-huh.”
“Come on. Give me a break. I’m normally supersmooth. It’s your fault I’m behaving like an idiot.”
“My fault?”
He leaned closer. “I’ve wanted this, too, you know. Since, well, to be honest it started—Never mind.”
“What?” she cajoled. “Are you scared I’ll make fun of you if you’re honest?” She touched his cheek, his skin just barely showing a hint of stubble.
“Something like that,” Luca said, laughing. “I will say, after seeing that indomitable spirit of yours I was definitely interested. Can’t discount those damn wet T-shirts, though.”
She punched his chest gently, but he was so firm she doubted he’d felt it at all. “You’re one to talk. I’ve never known anyone who liked to take his shirt off so much. Jeez. Way to give a girl a heart attack.”
“I try,” he said. “But first, we need to get you out of these tiny little shorts.”
“Think you can handle it?”
“Watch me.”
She licked his bottom lip and lay back on the mattress. Then, in another move she wouldn’t have thought she had in her, she stretched her arms out like a Victoria’s Secret model, and gazed up at him with her best pouty-lipped smile.
It worked. He went slack-jawed again. A moment later he was pulling down her shorts and her panties, his strong hands careful not to tug too hard, even though his impatience was showing.
He leaned back on his knees and looked at her, all spread out for him. She was tempted to cup him again, but she didn’t want to break the spell. It felt too delicious, him eating her up with his hungry gaze. Although one peek showed her that he was very ready to move on, the tip of his cock weeping just enough to send a drop sliding down his shaft.
Keeping his eyes on her, he managed to retrieve the condom. He didn’t stop staring as he tore open the packet, but he let his eyes wander downward as he slipped the rubber on over his length, hissing as if it hurt so good.
For once she was grateful they hadn’t turned out the lights. Watching him, with that one stray lock of hair falling over his eye, his teeth biting down on his bottom lip as he sheathed himself, was astonishingly arousing—and he wasn’t the only one who was wet and ready.
“I feel like I’ve been waiting for this forever,” he said, running his hand down her thigh as he maneuvered himself between her legs. “You are stunning in every way. Look at you. My God.”
“You’re pretty amazing yourself.”
“I’m glad you approve,” he said. “But I’m going to stop talking now. I have better things to do with my mouth.”
She gasped as he bent forward, took a gentle nip as he passed her belly then spread her open with both thumbs. The first touch of his tongue was aimed so perfectly, she could hardly control herself.
Arching her back, she grabbed a handful of the bottom sheet and slid her other hand into his hair, that gorgeous, soft hair that had tantalized her from the first time she’d seen him.
He hummed as he explored her with his mouth, and when he sucked gently on her swollen clit she felt the vibrations all the way through her body. It was insane to be this turned on so quickly, but then, they’d had several days of foreplay, hadn’t they?
His hum turned into a moan—deep, guttural, desperate. A sound that made her writhe under him, wanting him to never stop and wanting him inside her now.
When he started flicking the pointed tip of his tongue, she knew she pulled his hair too hard. But his grunt didn’t stop his furious attention. She could feel the wave building, her climax rushing through her like a tsunami. Then he pushed two fingers deep inside her, and she came so hard she nearly bucked him off.
But he didn’t let go until her cry came to a gasping end. One moment later he filled her to her limit.
* * *
LUCA HAD TO still himself. Close his eyes and take a couple of deep breaths because, holy...she was driving him to an early climax, which he most definitely didn’t want.
If he could stretch this moment into a week, he’d do it in a heartbeat, but first, his rapid pulse would have to slow down so he could fully appreciate the woman in his arms.
He opened his eyes once more, and the sight of April still panting, her hair a wild halo on the pillow, her lips moist and parted, was enough to make his cock jerk inside her.
She was gorgeous. So responsive it had been like riding the Coney Island Cyclone, only a thousand times better. His arms trembled as he braced himself above her, their bodies joined perfectly, her right leg slung across his lower back, her left, rubbing against his thigh. More hands were definitely needed, but he had to move. Now.
Slowly, he pulled out until just the tip of his cock was inside her, and damn if she didn’t squeeze him hard enough to make him moan. The slide back into her hot, wet silk was the best feeling in the entire world, bar none.
“Oh, babe,” she whispered, her head restless as she stretched her hand to his chest, right over his heart. “You feel amazing.”
“Do me a favor,” he said. “Don’t tell me if this is me hallucinating. Th
is is so much better than I imagined...”
“I know,” she said, her eyes widening. “It is, isn’t it?” Her voice was wobbly and breathless. “I thought you’d be good, but wow. I’m thinking this could be one of the best decisions ever.”
Luca laughed but didn’t let it affect his rhythm. He kept moving his hips—sliding his erection out slowly, then plunging it in faster, but not too fast. Pacing was important, but hell, that smile of hers made him want to rush. To get all feral on her and shake the rafters until they were both empty and wrecked.
He bent his arms and stole a kiss from her while he was still filling her up, but when he withdrew it was faster than before, the friction urging him on.
Oh, yes, it was happening. His muscles were tensing in his back, his ass, his legs. He could feel his biceps contract and expand as his breathing grew more urgent.
Thank God he didn’t have to worry about neighbors on this floor, because he couldn’t be quiet. It surprised him, the loudness of his grunts. He felt like an animal, raw and untamed. Exactly where he belonged.
Soon, she was meeting every thrust; the leg that had been rubbing him had shifted so that her foot was flat on the mattress. Pushing into him, squeezing him as he retreated.
It was the most intense pressure, and the low heat was already beginning deep inside, his balls starting their inexorable climb.
“Too soon,” he said, more to himself than to her.
“No,” she said, her voice huskier than he remembered. “You’re hitting me exactly right. I’m going to come again.”
That nearly did him in. He rolled his head, stretched his neck, then thrust into her so hard he moved both their bodies.
“Again,” she said, gripping his upper arm with surprising strength.
He grunted as he did as she asked, every muscle straining as he finally crashed into her and then stilled as he came hard enough to make him see white flashes behind his eyes.
At some point he became aware of her voice, her trembling body, the rushing of blood past his ears slowing to a dull roar. And then he could see her. Beautiful, with a flush of pink across her chest and climbing up her neck to fill in her cheeks as if painted by a master.
