Page 32 of Dagger in the Sea

Stop thinking, just do. Do what you want. Jump off that plane.

I took his hand and led him to the inner lounge where it wasn’t so crowded, darker and shadowy, the muted glow of candles in a number of wooden lanterns on the tables, larger ones hanging from the ceiling.

I wrapped my hands around his waist beneath his jacket and his lean torso tensed, his breath cut off. I pressed against him, andyes, there…evidence of his hard arousal for me.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Indulging.”

I moved toward him, but he lifted my chin, holding it firmly in his grip. My breath burned in my lungs as I held his hard gaze. Was he offended? Not interested? Was he going to push me away?

A warm hand slid around my neck pulling me close, and he slanted his head over mine. His tongue flicked at my lips, and I opened up to him, my tongue reveling in its slide against his. He took my mouth. The taste of his wine filled me with unbearable heat—a sudden rush of desire, fiery and wild threaded through me and pulled tight in the very center of me, knotting, threatening to explode. Startling. Deliciously shocking.

Dangerous.

Yes, he was dangerous. And I was on the edge of that danger with just this kiss. This amazing kiss.

His other hand stole down my hip to my rear, pressing there. “Tell me, Adriana…”

That deep voice rolled out my name like a dare. The heat of his closeness overwhelmed me, the musk in the shadow of the citrus scent coming off his throat whipped my senses into a riot.

“Yes?” my voice shook.

“Did you like that?” he breathed.

Ach, I like it all.I kissed him in reply, and his eyes flared. He nipped at my already swollen lower lip, his forehead sinking against mine. A new rush of warmth enveloped me, cocooning us.

What would it be like to have sex with this man?Intense, animal-like. And something told me that if he gave a damn about the woman in his bed, his attentions would be exacting, blistering, soul squeezing. He was discerning. He would know precisely what to offer and take his time doing it, relishing it.

A shiver raced through me.

I’d never initiated anything with any man ever before. I’d never felt this sort of bold reaction to a man before. Evenhim. This was beyond the alcohol, the coke. It was Turo who intoxicated me. This stranger I’d just met.

He was a tourist on a short visit. Was that what was so appealing about this? All the more reason to—

A small, ominous noise unfurled in his throat, and his tongue commanded I deepen the kiss. I did, and hefuckedmy mouth. There was no other description for it. Carnal. Ruthless. The dynamite he’d set along my veins sparked and lit as he molded our bodies together with his hands, the press of his hard form against mine. I was all sensation. Need.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

A slight groan from his lips vibrated against mine. Was he surprised by his own response? Was he as overwhelmed as I was?

Give in, indecent Turo. Give in as I am.

“Adri.” A familiar Italian accented voice sliced through our sensual fog, and I flinched.

Turo tore his lips from mine, his brow furrowed, his grip on my waist tightened possessively, his fingers digging into my flesh. He swung his head sharply to reprimand whoever had interrupted us. His body went rigid at the sight of Alessio.

Cinderella’s midnight bell had tolled.

11

Turo

Alessio Aliberti stood there,shooting me a hard look. My fingers only dug deeper into Adriana’s waist.

He sniffed in air, his chin lifting at Adriana. “Tu viene?”Are you coming?he asked her.

What. The. Fuck.

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