Page 19 of Unworthy Ties
Just as his hand was about to slide under my dress, a server appeared suddenly at our table, breaking the spell. Rocco leaned back smoothly, as if nothing had happened, while I struggled to compose myself.
“Your first course, sir and madam,” the server announced, placing two small plates before us. The delicate aroma of truffle and herbs wafted up, but I could barely focus on the food. My skin still tingled where Rocco had touched me, and my heart raced. I took a large gulp of water, trying to cool the heat that had spread through my body.
Rocco seemed unperturbed, casually picking up his fork as if he hadn’t just set my nerves on fire. I watched him take a bite, the way his jaw worked as he chewed. When had I started noticing these things about him?
I’d obsessed over Felix for ten years, but I had never taken the time to notice the intricacies of Rocco. Suddenly, everything he did caught my attention.
“Eat,” Rocco commanded softly, his eyes never leaving mine. “The food is delicious.”
I startled, realizing I’d been staring. Flustered, I picked up my fork and took a bite of the exquisite dish before me. The flavors exploded on my tongue, a symphony of tastes that momentarily distracted me from the tension crackling between us. I savored each bite, aware of Rocco’s gaze on me as I ate.
We got through our meal in a charged silence, the only sounds being the clink of silverware and the gentle lapping of waves against the yacht.
I needed to say something, anything, to break this silence.
“That was really good,” I managed to say as we finished dessert.
“Mhm. Let’s go out onto the top deck and enjoy the view.”
Rocco helped me out of my chair with practiced grace that felt more like a claim than courtesy, his palm searing through silk as it settled against my lower back. Night air kissed my flushed skin as we emerged onto the deserted upper deck, salt and danger mingling in every breath.
He leaned against the polished railing like a panther surveying conquered territory, moonlight gilding the wicked angles of his face. “Still pretending you don’t like this?” The question slithered across my nape as his thumb found the frantic pulse beneath my jaw.
I opened my mouth to protest—to resurrect some shred of self-preservation—but his other hand slid beneath my hair, fingertips tracing constellations down my spine that unraveled every coherent thought. The harbor lights blurred as he tilted my chin up, our shared breath fogging the crisp air.
His mouth crashed over mine with the violence of a storm breaking—a claiming masquerading as a kiss. I gripped his shoulders to steady myself as his teeth caught my lower lip, a punishment and a promise fused into one. The world narrowed to the scrape of his stubble against my cheek, the possessivearch of his body caging me against chilled metal as waves roared beneath us.
He swallowed my gasp when his hands dropped to my hips, lifting me onto the railing like an offering to whatever gods watched over fools and ruined things. My thighs instinctively clamped around him as he stepped between them, our bodies slotting together with damning precision.
“Still,” he growled against my collarbone as I shuddered, “pretending you don’t belong to me?”
I dug fingers into his hair, torn between pushing him into oblivion or pulling him closer. I had spent ten years longing for his brother, but Felix’s name turned to ash on my tongue when Rocco bit down where my pulse throbbed—a sharp sting blooming into liquid heat that pooled low in my belly.
His knee pressed higher between my thighs as distant music swelled from the deck below, some waltz meant for real lovers. Gold cufflinks bit into my palms when I yanked him closer, my body betraying every lie I’d told myself about him.
The railing groaned beneath us as he leaned into the abyss—nothing at my back but hungry waves and his grip keeping me from falling. I arched into danger’s teeth and tasted sin on his tongue. The world spun dizzyingly as he pulled back just enough to rasp, “Say it. Tell me you want this.”
“I…” I started, but before I could finish, a large wave lurched the boat to the side.
The sudden motion sent us careening sideways, my grip on Rocco’s shirt the only thing keeping me from plummeting into the churning waters below. His arm shot out, wrapping around my waist and yanking me against his chest as we stumbled away from the railing.
We crashed onto the deck, a tangle of limbs and ragged breaths. Rocco’s body cushioned my fall, his arms still locked around me as if he feared I might slip away like sea foam.
The wave had also washed the moment away; the two of us no longer caught up in one another. For a heartbeat, we lay there, stunned and silent. The distant music had stopped, replaced by shouts of alarm from the deck below. Rocco’s chest heaved beneath me, his heart thundering against my palm.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice rough with concern.
“Yes,” I responded, rolling off of him and standing up.
Even though the wave had almost dragged me out to sea, I was secretly grateful for it. I had no idea how to answer Rocco’s question—did I want this?
Chapter 10
Rocco
Gabriella had been on my mind 24/7 since our date two nights ago. Now that I had gotten a taste of her, I was addicted and I needed more.
It was probably a good thing my schedule hadn’t let me run into her while she was awake. If we saw each other, she would definitely be naked on our bed, crying out my name as I thrust into her.
