by Anna Hackett
She frowned. “What’s going on, Lorenzo?”
A cool look crossed his face and she knew she was talking to the Keeper of the Winds, not the man. “Over time, when the powers of the Tempest Winds have built to critical levels, they try to escape. I will stop them, just as every Keeper has before me.”
“It’s more than that.”
His hand on the table fisted. “Yes. My father was the Warrior of the North Wind. The Tempest Winds killed him.”
Riley closed her eyes. She wanted to pull him close. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’ve taken my revenge and kept those bastards imprisoned since then.”
“And you became the Keeper and your life ceased to be your own.”
“When I accepted my duty, I traded pain for power.” He spread his arms. “Anger for the wind.”
“You’ve lived with your pain a long time. I can still see it in your eyes. I feel it when I touch you.”
He shook his head. “When I became the Keeper, I left all that behind.”
“And dedicated your life to protecting others.”
“I’ve been protecting myself!” The words flew out of him.
She leaned closer, their faces a whisper apart. “What do you mean?”
His chest heaved. “Every time I use the power of the wind, it washes away my feelings. It leaves me in control.”
Riley brushed a finger across his cheekbone. “But it’s still there. I know better than anyone revenge isn’t very good at taking away the pain.”
And she could feel Lorenzo’s pain throbbing off him.
“Why are you doing this?” he ground out. “You told me you don’t want other people’s suffering. You don’t want to be your mother.”
“I don’t know why.” Her smile was wry. “I just know I can’t seem to stop.”
“I can’t be that devastated child again.”
“He’s inside you, Lorenzo. Until you confront him, he’ll always be there.”
He sucked in a shuddering breath. “Why did you come to my island?” He stared up at her. “Before you, I’d never felt like this.”
She shifted closer. “Don’t you want to live again?”
“Like you?” He raised a dark brow. “Wallow in the anger? Burn up with it?”
Oh, ouch. “Touché. You’re right. I’ve let it rule me too long.”
“So, it is best you leave.” A muscle ticked in his jaw.
Stubborn, surly man. She slid her hands over his and leaned forward until her lips brushed his. She heard him suck in a quick breath. “Maybe together we can find something else.”
“There’s nothing else.” He pulled back. A deliberate move to put space between them. “You should go back to bed.”
Luckily Riley was as stubborn as he was. “Only if you come with me.”
“I don’t have time for this or you.”
Oh, she bet many a woman had been cut by his cool, careless rejection. Not her. It was really lucky she had Irish blood in her veins. “I’ve wanted you since I first laid eyes on you, Lorenzo. You were scowling, grumpy about being in a meeting, and you were so damn sexy. Everyone was in a suit, but you were wearing jeans that showed off a fine ass, and a white shirt that looked good against your tanned skin. I wanted to kiss you so badly.”
“I don’t like forward women who push and don’t listen,” he growled.
She slid into his lap, straddling him. “Then you really aren’t going to like this.” She pressed her lips to his stubbled jaw. “But I’d prefer you enjoy it, because I really want you to touch me.”
***
Lorenzo gripped Riley’s arms. He saw the flutter of her pulse in her throat.
Life. She was filled with it. Heat, vitality, soul—all the things he’d pushed away and lived without for so long.
He knew he should send her to bed—alone. The top few buttons of her shirt were open, and unable to stop himself, he shifted his hand to press against her warm skin. Against his will, his finger moved in a caress along her collarbone.
Her breath hitched. “Touch me, Lorenzo.” Her words were low and thick. “I need you to touch me.”
Aroused and angry, he tried to make her listen. “Get up and walk away, Riley.”
“Make me.”
Her husky challenge charged through him. He slid a hand into her hair, tugging her head back. “I knew you were trouble.”
She laughed, her breath coming fast. “I need you to chase away the anger. Show me that there’s something else.”
Lorenzo’s control snapped. He lowered his mouth to her vulnerable throat, scraping his teeth across her rocketing pulse. She jerked against him, rubbing over his hardening cock. “And I need you to make me feel again.”
He slammed his mouth down on hers. She tasted so good. More exhilarating than the strongest drug.
She moaned and he hauled her closer, until her breasts were plastered against his chest. He hated the clothes separating them. Closer. He needed her closer. He slid one hand down her back, tracing her spine. Her head dropped back and he moved his lips down her throat again. He nipped at her skin and she groaned. He wanted to claim her, own her.
“You’ll give me everything I want,” he growled against her throat. “Everything.”
“Yes.”
Desire coiled, hot and hard, and his cock throbbed. He hadn’t known he could feel this desperate for a woman.
She made a hungry sound and with a swift move, she knocked him back on the padded bench so Lorenzo fell flat on his back.
When Riley resettled on his hips, her thighs tightened on him, and she shot him a siren smile. He smiled back. Now there was a pretty sight he could get very used to.
She gripped the bottom of her shirt. His eyes were drawn like a magnet to her hands. As she slowly dragged it up, baring her flat stomach, he savored the fire in her eyes. Another inch, and every muscle in his body went tight.
She pulled the shirt off, and then she grabbed his hands and pressed them to her breasts. “Touch me.”
He lifted the weight of her breasts, flicked a finger over one nipple, then the other. She closed her eyes, her hips undulating against him.
“You have no idea how beautiful you are, Riley.”
She leaned down and ran her tongue over his chest. Dio. She was driving him out of his mind. She scraped her nails over his skin, studying each scar, sliding her body lower until her lips met denim.
“You have such a gorgeous body, Lorenzo. Lean but strong. Masculine but sexy.” She flicked open the button on his jeans. “You don’t know how many times I’ve fantasized about it.”
“Tell me.”
She grinned. “In a few of those boring business meetings, I imagined what you’d do if I slid to my knees in front of you—”
Lorenzo cursed. “Funny. I imagined spreading you out on the conference table and—”
“Lorenzo.” Her voice was husky. With shaking fingers, she worked the zipper of his jeans down.
His gut clenched and he hissed. “Careful. If you go too far, my control might get shaky.”
She shot him a smile. “Do you promise?”
His cock sprang into her waiting hands, and she stroked him. Dio, that felt good.
“Goddess,” she breathed. “You’re big.”
With long, slow strokes, she set to work on tormenting him. Lorenzo heard the groans torn from him. Then she scooted back and lowered her head.
“I want to taste you.”
He muttered a curse. When she licked the head of his cock, then sucked him into her mouth, his hips bucked up. He tangled a hand in her hair, and fought not to tug or direct. He moved her hair to the side so he could watch. He swallowed a groan. The sight of her lips wrapped around him…
Riley sucked him harder and his hips jerked, driving his cock further into her mouth. He almost spilled down her throat. “Riley.”
“I love driving you wild,” she said, voice husky.
“I love watching your pretty mouth stretched around m
y cock.” He gently tugged on her hair. “Riley, the first time, I want to come inside you.”
She rose and shimmied out of her pants. He watched her, feeling like that stallion had earlier. Desperate. He had Riley Donovan naked and he wanted to memorize every moment.
She fished something out of her pocket and held up a small foil packet.
He sat up and together, they removed his jeans and he kicked them away. She looked at him and he grabbed her hand, pulling it to him. As she rolled the condom over him, he gritted his teeth. Then he pulled her back until she straddled him again.
They were chest to chest, face to face, the damp heat of her brushing his cock. They both groaned and he gripped her hips.
“I’m going to fuck you, Lorenzo.” Her hands clamped on his shoulders. “And I promise you’ll love it.”
He stared at his tanned hands resting against the paleness of her skin. “I know I will.”
She lifted her hips.
The broad head of his cock prodded at her. Riley pressed one hand to his shoulder and used it for balance as she lowered herself onto him. He felt her warmth envelop him as his cock breached her.
She gasped. “You’re stretching me.”
“Cazzo.” The word shuddered out of him, followed by a groan.
Inch by inch, she lowered herself onto him. She was hot and tight and wet. He gritted his teeth and willed himself not to move.
Soon, he was fully lodged inside her. His gaze clashed with hers. Her face was strained, hunger etched on it. “How’s it feel, Riley?”
Her hands flexed on his skin. “Good. So good.”
“I want you to ride me until we both go crazy.”
“Yes.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hard, her tongue sliding against his.
Then she rose up, his aching cock sliding out of her. He sank his hands into the flesh of her ass, then pushed her down.
“Oh,” she gasped.
Dio, it felt so good. He was deep inside her and she clenched around him like a glove. She rose up, then down again.
His hands dug into her skin. “You’re killing me.”
“I’m not done yet.” She started to ride.
He urged her on and she found her pace. As Riley drove herself onto his thick cock, perspiration coated his skin.
Her deep moans made his gut clench. He felt like he was in a fast, hot race. Flesh slapped against flesh, and Lorenzo felt pushed to his limits.
“Riley, what do you want?”
“Fuck me, Lorenzo. Make me come.”
He bucked his hips up to meet her, driving deep inside her. She cried out, her nails scratching his skin.
This wouldn’t be enough. One time with this woman would only leave him wanting more. One day, one week, one year—none of them would cool his need.
Her thighs gripped him and her fingers clutched at his slick skin. Unbearable need tore through him.
“Lorenzo!”
“I’ve got you.” He ran his hand down her belly and between her legs. He found the swollen nub of her clit and rubbed. Riley screamed.
Her climax hit, her back arching and driving him deeper.
“Si, come on my cock, Riley.”
She did, grinding down on him. He held her tight as she convulsed. “Lorenzo!”
Chapter Six
Riley’s body went limp. Lorenzo was holding her safe and tight in his arms, his big body vibrating with tension beneath her.
She slumped forward, nestling her face against his neck. His skin was warm now and glossy with perspiration. But he hadn’t come yet.
She lifted her head. His face was stark with desire, and his dark eyes glittered. “That was…” Hot and cold chills washed over her. So much more than she’d ever dreamed possible.
His hand slid into her hair. “I know.”
“Why haven’t you…?” She trailed off again and moved her hips. His hard erection was still lodged inside her. “Why haven’t you come?”
“Are you okay if I take the top this time?”
She nodded.
His fingers flexed on her skin. “You have to be sure. It’s going to be hard. And rough.”
Oh. Her heart thudded against her ribs. “I’m sure. Really sure.”
He made a growling sound and rose, carrying her with him, and keeping his cock lodged deep in her body. She gasped.
He turned and set her down on the wide table. The wood was cool on her bare skin. God, they were both buck naked in Lorenzo’s kitchen. He pushed her back, his eyes hot as they traced over her breasts, her belly, and down to where his thick cock speared into her.
Then he pushed forward, sinking fully inside her. Riley closed her eyes, her husky cry echoing around them.
He pulled back, his cock sliding over sensitive parts of her. “Eyes, Riley. Look at me.”
She did, and saw scorching desire stamped on his face. He surged forward. Riley gripped the table and wrapped her legs around his waist.
“I’ve never been a gentle man,” Lorenzo ground out as he started thrusting into her. “I wish I could keep this tender—”
“I don’t want tender, I want you. Fuck me, Lorenzo.”
It was like she’d tossed the reins away. He started driving into her, harsh breaths escaping him with each thrust.
Riley cried out, raking her hands over his shoulders. She reached up and gripped his hair, pulling his mouth to hers for a raw kiss. She lifted her hips, meeting each one of his thrusts.
He continued driving into her. This man understood what seethed inside her, understood what it was to hold power. Understood how it felt to live with the agony of loss.
But then all that slipped away and there was only the two of them.
She squeezed down on him and he hammered into her. Sensations broke in Riley and she came again, sinking her teeth into his shoulder.
With a groan, Lorenzo thrust one last time, holding himself deep. He spilled himself inside her and groaned her name.
***
The sound of the wind still roared outside the villa. The sound of their heavy breathing filled the inside.
Lorenzo pressed his face against Riley’s neck, loving the feel of her arms wrapped around him. The smell of her mixed with the scent of sex.
A shadow moved through his contentment. He couldn’t keep her. His duty was to his role as the Keeper of the Winds. He couldn’t leave the island, and Riley’s life was in Virginia. He also knew she loved to travel.
He had to let her go.
She shifted and he pulled back to sit on the bench. “I’ll be back,” he told her. He made a quick trip to the downstairs bathroom to deal with the condom.
When he walked back to her, she didn’t do anything to hide her bold gaze as she took in his naked body. When he sat down, she instantly resettled in his lap.
Those pretty gray eyes focused on him and a sexy smile curved her lips. “I can hear you thinking.”
He could do this. He had to. “There can never be anything between us, Riley. You know that.”
Her smile disappeared. “No. I don’t.”
“My duty must always come first—”
“I’m planning on falling in love with you.”
He sucked in a breath. Her words were a sharp, twisting knife to the gut. He shook his head. “No.”
When he tried to move her off him, she gripped his arms and stayed in place. “I think I started falling the first time you looked at me and scowled. You were this big grumpy bear with shadows in your beautiful brown eyes. I asked Luca that day what the Italian word for bear was.”
She was tearing him open. “Riley…don’t do this.”
“Are you falling in love with me?”
He closed his eyes. “I don’t know what love is. I love my brothers, but my mother died when we were young and my father…”
She sighed, and cupped his cheeks. “Let me show you. Let me show you how I feel.”
“Riley—”
She shifted her hips until his cock was
once again nudging between her thighs.
“Condom?” he rasped.
“I’m out.” Her voice was stricken.
“I have some upstairs.” He surged to his feet, carrying her with him. He navigated the house in the dark and soon shouldered into his room. It was better this way because he wanted her in his bed. He would have to show her they had no future, but for now, she was his.
He lowered them to the sheets, moonlight spilling over them.
It took him seconds to grab a foil pack from the bedside table and sheath himself. Once he was sheathed, she lowered herself down with exquisite slowness. Then he was sliding inside her and she moaned.
Sensation tore through him. Dio, he couldn’t resist this small woman.
This time the loving was slow. Desire ebbed and flowed, igniting every nerve. Her hands ran over his back, like she couldn’t get enough of the feel of him.
No one had ever been like this with him. He had a bond with his brothers, would do anything for them, but it wasn’t the same as being linked to one person. Knowing that someone wanted only him, the man, not the Keeper. Now with Riley, he was just a man being loved by a woman.
They were face to face, chest to chest, as close as they could be. He continued to move his hips, continued to slide his cock inside her tight warmth.
He was falling hard for her and he didn’t want to stop.
Suddenly, he felt her skin turn burning hot. Wide, panicked eyes met his. “Lorenzo, my power…I can’t control it.”
“It’s okay, bella.”
“No, quickly, get away from me.” She struggled against him.
He held her tighter, wanted every part of her. He kept thrusting inside her. “It’s okay, Riley. Let it come.”
When she found her release, his climax hit him hard, his cock jetting inside her. He groaned through it.
Then just as he was coming down, the blazing heat of her power poured into him.
His body erupted, pain pouring into his soul. She’d warned him that healing hurt and she hadn’t lied. He groaned and rode the maelstrom down into a dark abyss.
***
Riley held Lorenzo, her chest filled with a mix of heady pleasure, and the strength of his pain.
He convulsed in her arms and she saw every one of his dark memories of his father’s death, suffered every degree of his breath-stealing pain.
