Page 33 of Mafia Handbook

Milena melted into the kiss, ignoring the warning bells blaring inside her head. She craved his warmth, the imperfections on his skin, and the way his touch shouted his need for her.

“We can’t do this,” Milena pushed hard at Bash’s chest. “I can’t do this to Gretchen.”

Refusing to release her, “While I appreciate your loyalty to a woman who doesn’t deserve it, there is nothing going on between Gretchen and I.”

Shifting her eyes between Bash’s, Milena looked for any hint of a lie. “But I called her your girlfriend, and you didn’t deny it.”

Sucking in a deep breath, “You’re right, I didn’t.” Bash could count on one hand the number of times he’d regretted something. Allowing a lie to fester and create an air of truth was the worst.

“Why? Why would you allow her to have that impression?”

“Trust me, Milena. Women like Gretchen are after one thing, and it isn’t a fancy title.”

Milena was no stranger to the lengths women would go to in order to snare a particular man, and in some instances, his fortune. “Something had to have transpired between the two of you in order for her to accept the implication…”

Milena’s words died off as reality struck her. Gretchen Lewis was a self-made woman, possessing the ability to gain the favor of any man she desired to warm her bed. With no need for Bash’s money, Gretchen’s attention must have been snared by his ability to please her sexually.

Bash dragged his thumb across her bottom lip, “I was with her before I knew you existed.” Placing a soft kiss to her lips, “She wants more, and I want you.”

Dropping her gaze, Milena stared at the tattoo of script letters peeking out from the waistband of his jeans. She couldn’t deny how much she wanted him too.

Bash felt a wave of relief wash over him as the truth settled between them.

“I won’t deny I feel something for you, too.” Lifting her eyes to his, “I also won’t deny I worry your feelings end where mine begin.” Milena learned from watching her sister how fickle men could be, blanketing a woman in lies camouflaged with empty promises and sweet vows they have no intention of honoring.

Placing his lips to hers, “I’d love the opportunity to prove you wrong, Sweetness.” Bash feared Milena turning him down more than the foreign feeling building inside of him.

“Okay,” Milena affirmed, before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down, sealing her lips to his. Milena ignored the tiny voice echoing inside her head, the touch of his tongue to hers stilling the words, what if you’re right?

---