Page 56 of Under His Watch

Then I wondered what else she’d want to offer next time. Because it would only get better and better if the deep, contented sigh she exhaled was anything to go by.

I kissed the top of her head, holding her close and knowing I was the luckiest man alive to be able to share such deep intimacy with her.

“Thank you,” she mumbled, sleepily but conscious.

“For what?” I asked, still rubbing her back. If anyone should express thanks, it should’ve been me.

“Showing me how much… better it can be.”

I chuckled and hugged her closer. “Are you saying it was bad the first time?”

Her cheek lifted in a smile against my chest. “No. Never. I enjoyed it then. But this was… more intense.”

I kissed her temple. “What if I promised you that it could be even better?”

She shivered slightly and exhaled a long breath. “Then I would hold you to that promise. And look forward to when it could happen.”

Fuck. You’re perfect.

I tipped her face up and kissed her, sealing this moment with all the love I could ever have held in my cold, dark heart.

22

TESSA

Afew days after I dared to tell Romeo to show me what he wanted, I headed over to the mansion where Dante and Nina lived. I was glad to be able to go somewhere, because after the nonstop days of having sex with Romeo and sleeping in his bed, I felt like I needed a reality check.

He showed me how hard he liked it. I let him test how much I could take with bondage. While it was likely a tame introduction to the kinky things he preferred, I was loving every second. He was patient but firm—always in control—and I was convinced that I had to pinch myself and know that it was real. That this was actually my life.

Seeing Nina was a treat, and when I saw that Eva was available as well, I looked forward to some honest-to-God girl talk while the men had their meeting.

“What do they need to talk about?” Eva asked as we watched them head to the patio. It seemed they preferred the table to the right. While it was a bit cooler, it wasn’t too chilly to lounge out there.

We three set up in the great room, lying back on chairs and the couch.

“I think more about the bikers and Giovannis,” Nina said with a shrug. “Always so much going on.”

“Do you feel guilty?” I asked her. Since she was the catalyst to the bikers targeting the Constella Family, I had to wonder. When Dante pretended to be her boyfriend and thwarted Nina from going to Reaper, he started a hell of a fight.

“No. I did, but Dante likes to remind me that it wasn’t my fault in the first place. It was Ricky’s.”

Eva waved at Nina. “And it’s not like Stefan wasn’t already causing trouble with my uncle.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s never really been that trustworthy. Not since he stood with the Domino Family before the MC tore them down.”

I shook my head, wondering how Stefan Giovanni lived with himself. Befriending and allying one group, then after they were killed and ruined, teaming up with the enemy they fought? It sounded like an epic case of two-timing, and I didn’t blame Dante and Romeo for not wanting to deal with the Giovannis.

“Enough about that.” Eva set her wineglass down. “What’s going on with you and my cousin?”

I blinked at her blunt question.

“Yeah.” Nina grinned. “I’ve never seen him so…”

“Loose?” Eva guessed.

“Yeah.” Nina looked pensive as she nodded. “More at peace, I guess.”

“Because he’s getting laid?” Eva guessed, glancing at me suggestively.

“Well…” My cheeks heated up, and I smiled as I looked at my water glass. “Yeah. Heisgetting laid.”

---