Page 56 of Ruthless King
I screw my lips into a pout. “Why would I be happy?”
“Because I broke another rule for you.”
“You call that a kiss?” I cry.
The cocky mob boss looks genuinely insulted, and I’m practically giddy. “Our lips touched, didn’t they?”
“I had better kisses in middle school.” I wrench my hand free from his and march out of the bedroom.
He follows behind me, the slap of his approaching footfalls speeding up my own. I’m sprinting, and a laugh bubbles up my chest by the time I reach the elevator, my breaths coming in uneven pants. I jab my finger at the button, but the damned thing crawls up the ninety-plus levels.
When Luca reaches me, he traps me against the elevator doors, pinning me against the cool metal. He runs his nose up my neck, then nips at my earlobe. “Just for that, you won’t get another kiss until you beg for it.”
I let out a shaky laugh, his warm breath spilling across the sensitive shell of my ear. “I’ll never beg you for anything, Luca Valentino,” I rasp out.
“We’ll see about that, princess.”
The elevator doors slide open, and I stagger back, but a firm arm snakes around my waist keeping me upright. He holds me like that until we reach the parking garage, and the doors open again, revealing the mysterious Albie.
Does the man live in the garage down here? The elevator pit bull seems to be eternally fixed to his post.
“Signor Valentino.” He dips his head at the boss then offers me a tight smile.
“Is everything ready as I requested?” Luca asks.
“Yes,signore.” Albie steps to the side, revealing a tomato red Ducati with two helmets atop the seat.
“We’re going on that?” I tug on the frayed edges of my jean shorts, fully aware I’ll be flashing my ass cheeks to anyone behind us.
“You’re not scared, are you?” A twinkle of mischief lights up that dark gaze.
A whisper of a memory sparks to the surface. The wind in my hair, my thundering pulse as we weave across crowded city streets, a smile plastered on my face. I blink, and the images are gone, but the odd sensation tightening my chest remains.
“Stella?” Luca ducks to meet my eyes, his thumb and forefinger closing around my chin. “You used to—” His jaw clamps shut, and that cold mask I hate slips into place. “If you don’t want to ride it, we can just take one of the cars.”
I step closer to the sleek beast and run my hand over the glossy metal. “No, I want to.”
A panty-dropping smile splits his lips, and I understand very well why women accept only one night with the C.E.O. There’s just something about being in his overwhelming presence.Dioknows I lose all my sanity when I’m around him. I’m still supposed to be pissed about his callous remark, his stupid rules ….
Luca reaches for the smaller helmet and slips it over my head. I try not to focus on the countless other women who have likely worn it before me. I really ampazzaso I sniff the helmet once it’s on in search of female perfume. Surprisingly, it smells brand new.
He must notice because his mouth puckers as he regards me. “You don’t like new helmet smell?”
A stupid laugh bursts out. “Is that like new car smell?”
“Only ten times better.” He grins, and for an instant he looks younger, not the hardened mafia boss or the shrewd businessman. He’s just Luca. A soft smile curves his lips, and I’m gripped with the desire to press my mouth to his. Only now I can’t because he’d expect me to beg.
And I refuse. I had to keep at least an ounce of dignity intact.
After securing his own helmet, Luca elegantly drapes his long leg over the seat and grips the handles, so the motorcycle roars to life. Then he offers me his hand. I wipe my sweaty palm on my jean shorts before accepting, and he swings me onto the seat behind him.
Our bodies touch in at least a hundred places, and I can feel each and every one acutely. I inch back to place a little much-needed space between us, but his hands clamp around my thighs and a sharp hiss escapes my lips.
“Arms around my waist, princess.”
“Do I have to?” I grumble.
“Do you value your life as much as I do?”
