Shadow Warrior, page 23
part #4 of Shadow Rider Series
Her eyes flew open. She wanted the chance to care for Vittorio Ferraro in the same way he cared for her. That didn’t mean making decisions she didn’t want to make. Or forcing herself to make demands in the bedroom. It meant seeing to the details that made him happy. Giving him whatever it was that made his life full and contented. If anyone was capable of doing just that, it was Grace Murphy.
“You ready to get out of there, bella?”
His voice cut through every doubt, if any lingered. She wanted to hear that voice for the rest of her life. She knew he only saw her. That tone was reserved only for her. She forgot about being embarrassed that she was naked. She knew he liked looking at her body and she didn’t mind in the least giving that to him—or tempting him.
“I’m ready.”
“I’ve got your clothes laid out. We’re going to eat on the back patio. I’ve set up a small table and the screens are in place so we’ll be insect-free.” He let the water out and reached for her, his hands around her waist.
She put one hand on his shoulder. He was in his casual clothes, this time soft drawstring pants and a thin button-up shirt he left unbuttoned. As usual in his home, he was barefoot. Her sex clenched and this time the heat moving through her seemed like lazy molasses that spread slowly, taking over her veins one by one until it reached her core, settling there like a smoldering fire waiting to flare.
“I love to sit out there and look at the water.” She did, it was her favorite place in the evening.
She stood still while he dried her off. He took his time, sliding the towel sensuously over her breasts and then stopping to suck her nipples into hard peaks before proceeding lower. He crouched, so she had to steady herself with one hand to his shoulder as the towel slid back and forth between her legs creating a terrible burn that kept building when his tongue drew a line up her thigh and then flicked her clit. His hair set fire to nerve endings and then he was standing.
“You could keep going. I wouldn’t mind.”
His eyes drifted over her, noting her color, her breathing, the peaked nipples, with satisfaction. “We’re going to talk, Grace.”
She knew there would be no swaying him, but she also knew her hunger for him was going to continue to grow as the evening progressed. She couldn’t be with him and not crave him. Now that she’d felt his hands and mouth on her, that craving had grown stronger.
On the bed was a filmy, very short gown. She looked at him but didn’t protest when he pulled the sleeveless hole over her injured arm up to her shoulder. With extreme gentleness, he slipped the gown over her head and then her other arm. He had to pull the forest green stretch lace over her breasts. It clung like a second skin, feeling so sexy her nipples peeked out through the open lace. He drew it down over her ribs and settled the fabric over her hips. The lace ended just under her bottom, barely covering her mound or her backside.
“I’ve sent everyone from the house,” he assured as he picked up a longer filmy robe that fell to the back of her thighs. “Do you feel the need to wear this? I would prefer not, but I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
The robe wouldn’t cover a thing, but she knew psychologically, it might give her more confidence. Vittorio was leaving it up to her, but he’d made his preference known. She had already made up her mind she was going to jump into their relationship with both feet. She wanted to make him happy, see to every detail she could, and this was a very small one. She loved the feel of the stretchy lace of the gown on her skin. It made her feel sexy. Mostly, she liked the way he looked at her.
“I don’t think I’ll need it.”
Grace was shocked at the amount of pleasure she got from watching his face. He was very pleased and the desire for her darkened in his eyes to a raw, hungry lust that made her press her thighs together. The burning between her legs increased.
“Dinner is going to get cold if we don’t get out there, and I want you to eat tonight.” He stepped back to let her walk just in front of him.
She had never considered that just walking in front of a man could make her feel sensual with every single step. It didn’t matter that her shoulder still felt a little heavy and awkward, she wasn’t even aware of it, because she found herself totally focused on Vittorio. Every breath she drew, every step she took, she was aware of him close to her. His hand found the small of her back, branding her there with his heat. The breath hissed out of her lungs in an excited rush.
His hand slipped lower, shaping the curve of her butt, resting there possessively so that deep inside that smoldering fire burst into flame. He stroked a caress from the top curve of her bottom to the dip between her cheek and thigh, tracing along that line briefly, and brought his hand back to claim her again. Her body went slick and hot.
Inside the room created by the fine mesh, candles were lit, so that light danced across the small table. He pulled out a high-backed chair with a wide seat and helped her into it. The lace pulled up nearly to the top of her hips, exposing her lower half. She glanced down to see liquid drops gleaming on the fiery curls at the junction between her legs. His hand dropped to her thigh, almost casually. She went very still, but she didn’t pull away, her heart beating fast.
His fingers slid into the curls, lower still to caress her clit and gather up the droplets. She couldn’t look away, mesmerized by the carnal look on his face. Her heart was nearly pounding out of her chest. She could actually feel blood pounding through her clit. He brought his fingers to his mouth.
“I’ve wanted to taste you from the moment I saw you leap out of the trunk.” His voice was that low, intimate husky growl that aroused her every time she heard it.
He licked his fingers slowly. Savoring the taste. Never taking his eyes from hers. It was the sexist thing she’d ever seen. Her entire body reacted. She could barely breathe, hot, aroused, completely under his spell.
He slipped into the chair across from her, but the table was so small, he could reach out and touch her. “I hope you’re hungry. Merry outdid herself. She knows you haven’t had much of an appetite lately, so she made certain this was very light fare.”
She suddenly had an appetite, but not necessarily for food. Vittorio had fallen silent, those dark indigo eyes fixed on her face. Waiting. She realized he was waiting for her to speak. “I’ll try.”
He sent her a small smile as he placed a tostada on her plate. “This is white bean with blackberry salsa, one of Merry’s favorites. Pumpkin dukkah with avocado slices, which are good for you and she says you are particularly fond of. Both the salsa and the dukkah are homemade. I think you’ll love them.”
He took the wrapping off a small bowl of salad. “This is tempeh salad with plum and charred artichoke hearts and bok choy. She went to a lot of trouble for us tonight.”
She touched her tongue to her upper lip as he poured red wine into glasses. “I chose the wine. I think you’ll like it. If not, we can choose something else. There’s an extensive wine cellar here and we should be able to find you something.”
Grace picked up her fork. The food did look delicious and sounded even better. She took a tentative taste of the salad, aware of Vittorio’s gaze on her. She sent him a small, embarrassed smile. “Are you going to keep watching me?”
“Yes. Why?”
“It’s a little unnerving. No one’s ever paid so much attention to me before.”
“I like looking at you, especially right now, in your lingerie. I knew that color would be especially beautiful on you. The candles play over your breasts perfectly and light up your skin as well as throw flames in your hair.”
The way he talked, so matter-of-factly, as if he was discussing the weather and not her body, made her hot all over again. He sounded as if he were stating facts, admiring a beautiful art object rather than a flesh and blood person.
“You’ll have to get used to me looking at you all the time, gattina, because I intend to indulge myself as often as possible.”
“You do?” She barely could croak out the question. Her voice didn’t sound like her own.
He nodded slowly. “Just knowing you’re here in my home with me pleases me, but knowing I can look at your body anytime I ask, and you’ll indulge me, arouses me. Thinking about that gives me great pleasure.” He ate two more bites while she stared at him a little helplessly. “You would indulge me, wouldn’t you, Grace?”
She knew she would. She knew she would be equally as aroused by giving him what he wanted. It was a powerful thing to be wanted with the kind of intensity Vittorio showered on her. She nodded. “Yes.” Her voice was very low, but to her astonishment, she sounded blatantly sexual. She felt sexy as hell sitting across from him when she’d never, not once, felt that way in her life. She knew he made her feel that way because he saw her that way.
“I like the idea of walking into a room and you’re there, naked, waiting for me. Just waiting quietly.” He looked around him. “This house is all about peace. I like it quiet. I meditate often. Do you meditate?”
“I’ve tried. I thought it might help me cope better with the stress of Haydon. I tried to learn from reading books.”
“I rise early as a rule.” His gaze drifted over her, dwelling on her breasts and then sliding lower. The glass tabletop enabled him to look at the green lace pulled up to her hips.
She pushed her thighs together almost involuntarily, her face burning. Her body was slick with need and with the candlelight playing over her, it would be impossible for him not to notice.
“Don’t do that. Widen your thighs, Grace.” He spoke in that same low tone, the one that got to her, but also was more of a command than a statement.
She found herself obeying and the moment she did, her sex clenched hotly, and more liquid slipped along her upper thighs.
“So beautiful. I could eat you for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You’ve set up a craving that is never going away.” He leaned across the small table. “I would very much like another taste, bella.”
She froze, uncertain what he meant her to do. He didn’t help her out at all, rather he lifted his wineglass to his fantastic mouth that she was now fantasizing over, and drank the red liquid, his eyes on her face.
More than anything, Grace wanted to meet his every expectation, because every look, every gesture, every suggestion was so sexual, so intimate, she was more aroused by the moment. She wanted to feel beautiful, desirable, but it was more than that. He made her feel as if she belonged to him. That every single part of her belonged to him. She’d always wanted something different and more complex than she knew most people had in their relationships, but she hadn’t known what it was. Now she did.
Vittorio didn’t ask again. He remained silent, but he set his glass down, his eyes on her face. Very slowly, Grace put down her fork, her gaze locking with his. Her hand moved to her neck, fingers feeling the pulse beating so frantically there. Her fingertips traveled down her body, between the curves of her breasts, lower along her belly, absently traced her belly button.
The heat in his eyes flared. Smoldered. Lust was stark and raw. His gaze followed the movement of her hand as it slid over the green lace and then into the damp, fiery curls. He waited. Unmoving. Daringly, just to please him, because she knew that was what he wanted, she stroked her clit and then curled one finger inside the damp heat of her body.
Her breath hitched as electricity sizzled through every nerve ending. His breath hitched as well, and she saw his face darken, lines of lust cut deep. He looked like sin itself—the devil tempting her when she was doing her best to tempt him.
“All the way for me, Grace.” His voice was a little husky, but as commanding as ever.
She pushed her finger deeper and then turned it, making certain to coat the digit with her liquid heat. She pulled it out slowly and held it out to him. The liquid glistened as the candlelight played over it.
“Mia bella ragazza, sei cosi coraggioso. I never thought it would ever be possible to find you.” He circled her wrist with his hand to steady her arm. “In all honesty, I didn’t think there was a woman in the world for me. You couldn’t be more perfect.” He leaned closer and took the tip of her finger between his lips, his eyes on hers as he slowly sucked it deeper into the hot cavern of his mouth.
The bottom of her stomach seemed to drop to the floor. She really was afraid she might spontaneously combust.
He sank back into his chair and once again picked up his fork. “You have to eat, gattina, and we really have to talk.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Vittorio watched the frustrated sexual need build in Grace’s eyes. He reached across the table to take her fork when she just sat there looking at him, a little dazed and as adorable as she could be. He forked a bite off her plate and held it to her lips until she opened. She could have been stubborn, but that wasn’t his woman. She tried for him.
He’d made up his mind years earlier that he would never have the life he wanted or even needed. He would do his duty as a rider and he’d be faithful in a loveless marriage. That was a matter of honor. He had a code he lived by and he wouldn’t break it because he wasn’t happy.
Now there was Grace. An unexpected gift. She was far more than he’d ever fantasized or dreamt about. She was courageous and beautiful. Intelligent and no pushover. He wanted a woman who could stimulate him intellectually. One who would run his home and see to those details. He also wanted a woman willing to follow him and, in their home, give over control to him. He had thought such a woman probably didn’t exist.
“Before we take our relationship any further, Grace, I’d like to clarify a few things. I don’t want you to think I’m just controlling things in my household because I can. There are things that I’ve come to know I need in order to function. This isn’t about me imposing my will on you. It’s about me living in an environment I can handle, do my work and survive intact.”
Just revealing that much could get him in trouble. He rubbed at the faint shadowing along his jaw. No matter how often he shaved, it was always there. Her gaze followed the motion of his fingers, but she took another bite of her tostada. He didn’t want her to question him too much about his work, but like most people, she bought into the fact that the family owned many businesses and those businesses had to be overseen.
The fact was—he was virtually an assassin. Riders meted out justice, but at the end of the day, they were still sent out to kill—and they did. The safeguards were in place, several of them, to ensure no mistakes were made but, even knowing whomever they were sent after had committed horrendous crimes and gotten away with it, they had to live with the fact that they killed. Over and over. They had to be apart from the rest of the world. They had to live a lie.
“I need a certain balance in my world. My preference would be that my woman would want to adhere to my lifestyle. I want her by my side as much as possible. I’m not a man who would get tired of my woman because she was with me too much. There isn’t a ‘too much’ for me. When I get up in the morning to meditate, I would need my woman to also get up to meditate with me. I want her to eat breakfast with me. I want her to exercise when I do.”
Grace’s expression didn’t change to one of alarm as he’d feared. She was listening, and he could see she was carefully thinking over everything he was telling her. He felt a little as if he was holding his breath. He already knew she was a match for him sexually. She’d just proved to him that she was. She sat wearing what he’d asked her, giving him everything he asked without question. She was a natural for him, as if she’d been made for him. Now he was asking even more of her. He couldn’t imagine that any woman would want to be with a man with his kind of needs, but she wasn’t running.
“In other words, you would prefer that we do everything together.”
He took a bite of his food before answering. “As much as possible, yes.” He barely tasted the tostada, and blackberry salsa was one of his favorites. He had years of practice keeping his expression blank. Although he felt as if he couldn’t keep his breath, it never showed on his body. If someone had taken his pulse, it would have been steady. He sounded matter-of-fact, but this was one of the most important conversations he’d ever have in his life.
She nodded. “I have to admit, I would want a close relationship as well. I honestly didn’t think men and women wanted to spend time together once they were committed. The people I’ve talked to seem to think they have more to talk about if they go their separate ways.”
“That could be, but it won’t work for me. I hope it doesn’t for you.”
“And if we have children and I’m exhausted from staying up all night?”
“We’re exhausted. You won’t be taking care of our children alone. Clearly things will change, but we’ll talk it over and manage the differences as they arise.”
She smiled and tried the salad. “Merry is amazing.”
“She is,” he agreed. “There’s more, Grace, and it’s important that you really think about what I’m asking of you before you commit to me. I’d rather lose you now than later, after we’re so entangled it’s a nightmare to separate. I don’t believe in divorce. It isn’t something my family easily does. If we take a vow, it means something. The consequences would be . . . brutal.” He knew she would think, as most people would, that he meant dividing their assets and if they had children, sorting that out.
“I would never go into a relationship with the idea that I can easily get out,” Grace told him, putting her fork on the table in order to pick up her wineglass. Her hand was a little unsteady as she brought the glass to her lips.
“When we’re alone in this house, and that will be most of the time, I would expect my woman to do as I ask her.” He watched her closely.
