Page 100 of Extradition (Mobsters + Billionaires 1)
“You know, we should role-play that one of these days.”
“I like it. Answer the question.”
Smiling, I wrap my arms around his neck. “How do I feel about you?”
He nods.
“Ooh. All sorts of boyfriend-y things.”
“What kind of boyfriend-y things?” he asks, kissing my nose.
“I dunno. I think that living together makes it feel like we’ve already been together six months, so I’m already sorta, kinda…smitten-ish.”
Joe sucks his lips in, trying not to laugh, and I poke his ribs. “Stop being mean.”
“No, no. I’m not being mean. It’s cute. You’re a cute billionaire. Who’s apparently smitten-ish over me.”
“Ah, jeez. I’m going to regret telling you that, aren’t I? You’re totally going to use it against me.”
“Maybe.”
“Whatever. You’re smitten-ish too. Don’t try to deny it.”
He gathers me in his arms, his dark eyes pretty and intense in the low light of backstage. “No, baby. There’s nothing ish about how I feel about you.”
“Ooh, are you full-on smitten?”
Joe shakes his head, his expression serious. “I’m way, way past smitten.”
I gulp. “Yeah?”
He palms my jaw, bringing me in for another secretive kiss. “Yeah. Mi sono innamorato di te.”
My heart pounds in my chest. Innamorato is a love word. “Did you say that you’re falling in love with me?”
“Fallen. Past tense. I know it’s too soon, but—”
I touch my fingers to his lips, smiling so wide it almost hurts. “I’m past tense with you too.”
Laughing, he pulls me into another kiss, and we lose ourselves in it. I feel surrounded by him, like I’m drowning and flying, and I can’t believe no one told me love could feel this good.
Another parade of catering staff interrupts our curtain time, and we pull away from one another.
I look down at my watch, and a slightly mischievous notion spins up. Joe up-nods me. “What’s this look?”
“You’ve done your speech. I’ve shaken the hands I needed to shake. What do you say we get out of here?”
“Doesn’t the marketing team want me to stay around to glad-hand for a while longer?”
“Fuck it,” I say, grinning when he raises his brow at the language. “Be mysterious. Disappear. Leave them talking about you. I want you to make love to me.”
Joe’s answering kiss is deep and powerful enough to knock me off balance all over again. “You’re the boss, mio amato. Let’s get out of here.”
I laugh, dizzy and high from our furtive declarations. Grinning as he grabs my hand, Joe pulls up his phone, sending a quick message to our driver and security team. Everyone checks in, and we start making our way out.
There’s a secure pickup zone in the back, so we hold hands as James escorts us through the grand museum. We get a little lost in small touches and pointing out pieces to each other, and James sends us a small grin.
Finally, we make our way out to a loading dock, and while the smelly dumpster leaves something to be desired, at least there aren’t any photographers. The driver pulls up, and James strides forward to open the door for us.
