Page 44 of Craving Vengeance
A look of realization crossed Shannon’s face. “Oh my gosh. I almost forgot. Happy Birthday. Hold on a second, I’ll be right back,” Shannon said as she disappeared into her apartment and returned a moment later with a bottle of Peppermint Schnapps in one hand and a bag of specialty Irish Cream coffee in the other. She handed the bottle to Mrs. Finch and the bag to Mrs. Knight. Though the women looked and dressed the same, the choice of Shannon’s gifts to them made complete sense to Spinelli.
Spinelli stepped toward Mrs. Knight, leaned over, and gave her a little peck on the cheek, “Happy Birthday.” He stepped toward Mrs. Finch and did the same. “So how old are you lovely ladies now, fifty?”
Mrs. Finch reached up and placed her cold, frail, bony hand on his cheek and gave it a little pat. “Always a charmer.” She shifted her glance in Shannon’s direction. “A real keeper this one.” She turned her attention back to him. “And that would be ninety. A young ninety.”
He was shocked. He knew they were old, but he hadn’t realized exactly how old. “Ninety,” he repeated. “What’s your secret?”
She patted him on the cheek again. “Good clean living and a shot of Peppermint Schnapps over ice every night right before you go to bed.” She winked. “It keeps the pipes fresh.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle. Perhaps he should give it a try.
Mrs. Knight reached into her pocket, pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to Shannon. “Can you pick these up for us tomorrow?”
Spinelli caught a glimpse of the note. It was their grocery list. Shannon acted as their caretaker. The poor old ladies had no one else, but Shannon didn’t seem to mind. Her sweet, caring nature was just one of the many things he loved about her, proving once again she was just too good for him.
Shannon glanced at the list. “Absolutely. Not a problem.”
“Great,” Mrs. Knight replied before she reached over and tugged on her sister’s arm. “Come on Sister, it’s late. Time to let these kids get on with their Valentine’s evening.”
Spinelli wished the ladies goodnight before they headed back into their apartment. Then he turned toward Shannon. “This has been quite the day. You must be exhausted.”
She simply nodded. Her big green eyes grabbed hold of him. He couldn’t seem to move. He knew he needed to leave right this second. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be able to, and he’d just prolong the inevitable— the fact that he couldn’t burden her with himself. The thought made him sick, but he needed to be strong and do it for her. It was for the best.
His feet made a slight shift forward, almost as if they had a mind of their own. He willed them to stop. If he stepped any closer to her, he’d kiss her on her warm soft inviting lips. He loved her full lips, and her sweet tasting mouth, which over the past couple of months had become solely his for the taking, or so he’d thought.
He squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn’t think. He was a selfish man. He wanted her so bad. He took a step back and realigned his thoughts. He needed to go—now. He expelled a breath. “Get some rest. I’ll see you later.”
He turned quickly and took a step while he still had the strength. It worked until he heard his name roll off her sweet tongue. His feet froze in place. Her hand came to rest lightly on his shoulder. An electrical current whipped through his veins, nearly knocking him over. It was the same sensation he’d experienced the first time she’d ever touched him. He remembered it vividly.
Don’t turn around, Spinelli. Don’t do it. Stay strong for her. You’ve caused her too much grief. She’s too good for you. Be the bigger person here. Let her go.
He heard her sigh. “Nick, don’t do this. I know what you’re thinking, and it isn’t true. You’re not responsible for any of this. This was not your fault. Bethany did it. Not you.”
He didn’t budge. He tried, but his feet wouldn’t move. And he felt relieved that she didn’t know what he fully thought.
She squeezed his shoulder. “You’re a good person, Nick. No matter what you think, I want you to know right here and now that you are the finest person I know.”
Tears stung the back of his eyes. She had no idea what those words meant to him just now. Never in his life had anyone ever said anything like that to him. Having grown up on the wrong side of the tracks, nobody ever felt such things or stated them with such conviction.
He spun to face her. The sea of green staring back at him swallowed him whole. His heart fluttered. He was done. He reached toward her and pulled her to him. He pressed his lips to her soft moist mouth. Her arms wrapped around his neck. Her fingers wove through his hair. The soft touch of her fingertips sent his every nerve ending screaming for more attention. She parted her lips, inviting him into her gorgeous, full mouth. He slowly caressed her tongue, savoring her sweet taste and every moment as if it were his last.
He reached out and pushed her apartment door open and eased her inside without breaking contact. He was sure he wouldn’t be able to separate his lips from hers even if he’d tried. He kicked the door shut behind him and eased her backward through the living room, down the hall, and into her bedroom. His hungry mouth never leaving hers. His tongue exploring every inch of her mouth seeking out every last bit of her tantalizing flavor.
Finally, the magnetism of their lips lightened, and he pulled his lips from hers. She stood before him wearing nothing but red silk panties, a matching pushup bra, and her tall red boots. His heart skipped a beat. He loved her undergarments. They were nothing like the conservative clothing she wore on the outside; always so prim and proper at work.
He eyed her. She had the most beautiful body. Her pale skin contrasted to what little red clothing remained on her. His thoughts shifted to the purchase he’d made earlier in the day at Madam Layla’s Lingerie Shop. The package containing the hot pink fur-lined garment, wrist cuffs, and rose tipped whip lay on the seat of his truck. He examined her again. He didn’t need the package. All he needed was her.
He reached toward her and in one quick flick of his finger and thumb the soft silky garment holding her breasts in place flung open, releasing her pale-skinned, perky breasts. They bounced slightly. The small raspberry tips were already taut, waiting for his touch. His lips begged him to wrap them around the budded tips. His mouth watered copiously.
Almost as if she’d read his mind, she shrugged her shoulders free from the straps of her bra, and it floated to the floor then she reached up and pulled his head to her breast. He easily let her. His willing lips wrapped around her breast. His teeth tugged lightly at her nipple. He pushed his tongue against its stiff point. The rich fragrance coming off her skin intoxicated him. He needed more of her. His mouth drifted to her other breast and performed the same, slow, gratifying maneuver. A soft groan escaped her lips. His own pleasure grew from hers. His lips burned with delight.
He slowly worked his mouth upward until it reached the hollow of her throat. He ran his tongue over it. Her pulse fluttered against his tongue. He hadn’t thought it possible to become more turned on or to fall deeper in love with this green-eyed angel, but the incalculable depth of intensity that rushed through his veins as her pulse thudded against his tongue proved him wrong.
He skimmed his lips upward, over her jaw, not stopping until he found her luscious mouth. He took possession of it, kissing her hard and deep. He swallowed her soft sigh. If he hadn’t already been hard as a rock, the sound of her sigh stifled in his throat surely would have done the trick.
Shannon skimmed her small warm hands over his shoulders, down his back, and under the waistband of his boxers. The burning sensation that trailed her fingertips intensified with each passing moment. If she kept it up any longer, he’d probably burst into flames.
She pulled her lips from his, leaned over, and retrieved a condom from the drawer of her nightstand. He watched as her small fingers tore the package open. She’d better hurry.
