Page 308 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

“Chella,” I murmur.

He furrows his brow and I smile.

“Because we’re friends.”

He dips his head lower and takes my lower lip between his teeth, gently tugging it. “I think I like being friends with you.”

“Same.”

He brushes his fingertips down the side of my face, leaving a trail of kisses where the tears streamed down my cheeks. “Listen, I don’t want you to worry about Frankie,” he says. “I’m gonna take care of it, okay?”

I nod, another sob threatening to choke me. “Thank you.”

I sit up, swiping my eyes and flashing him a watery smile. “I, um, guess I should go. I don’t want Bella to wake up and get scared. She’s been through enough.” I grab the t-shirt that landed next to the bed and slide it on, running my hand through my sexed-up hair before I throw my legs over the side of the bed and stand up.

“You don’t have to go back alone.”

I can’t see his face at this point because my back is to him. I did that on purpose because I knew he’d see it on my face and in my gaze…how much I want to stay.

How much I don’t want to leave him.

I slowly turn in his direction, the irony of the situation not lost on me.

The guy who kidnapped me and stole my freedom now wants me to spend the night with him.

I tilt my head to the side. “Oh? And do you want to join me?”

His full lips lift and the dimple in his cheek appears.

Oh boy. The tingles are back in full force now.

“I do. Is that okay?”

I nod, a rush of heat flowing into my cheeks. “Yes,” I whisper.

He gets up, pulls on his boxer briefs, and laces his fingers with mine, leading me back to me room.

This has got to be some kind of alternate reality because in what lifetime would I even consider doing all of that with a guy like Roman Villani? A man who holds a hell of a lot of power right now — over me, over my brother.

I needed a distraction.

Yes, Chella. Keep reminding yourself of that! See how far it gets you!

It may have started as a distraction, but it’s quickly become more.

More.

But really, how much more can it possibly become?

This little fantasy bubble we’re living in right now is just that! He’s going to manipulate my brother to get what he wants and then he’ll let me go. We’ll both go our separate ways, in worlds which are galaxies apart. Neither one of us would have any clue how to exist in each other’s lives now.

Still…

It feels so nice to have his muscular arms snaked around my front, my body spooning with his and Bella cuddled against my neck.

I haven’t felt this safe or comforted in a long time.

Maybe ever.

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