Page 57 of Dagger in the Sea

She raised her glass in return, a small smile brightening her features.

I poured out the last of the wine for us, and we took our glasses and stood at the railing taking in the busy seashore in the distance. Her shoulder brushed my arm, the scent of her perfume mixed with the suntan spray. A concoction of oranges and vanilla, a hint of coconut, maybe cinnamon too. Full of warmth and sunlight, enticing me to touch her, taste her. Be in that warmth with her.

I kept my eyes trained on the busy shoreline. “How long have you and Alessio been seeing each other?”

“Almost two years, off and on.”

“How off? More off than on?” my voice demanded a little more harsher than I’d expected.

She glanced at me. “He lives in Italy, I don’t.” Her tone was casual, her voice drifted off. A verbal shrug.

I knew better, and I wasn’t going to leave it there. “Why did you kiss me last night at the club, Adri?”

She raised herself up from the railing, arms long and stiff. “Should I apologize for it? Did I offend you?”

“No, you didn’t. I liked it. Very much.”

Her lips wavered under my silent scrutiny.

I said, “I don’t want to offend Alessio.”

“You didn’t. You aren’t.”

“Why not?” I shot back.

“Why all the questions?”

“Because I want to fuck you,” I clipped, leaning into her. “But I’d also like to keep my dick intact and all my other limbs. My head, too. That would be my priority no matter the insistence of my lust.”

She burst out into laughter, wine shooting from her mouth, warm wet landing on my skin. I wiped at the side of my face.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Her fingers brushed at my cheek, my chest. I grabbed her hand and pulled her to me. A breath apart, a breath together. Her eyes flared, jaw tightening. She was steeling herself againstnotkissing me.

“Why did you laugh at me?” I asked.

“I’ve had many men tell me they want to fuck me in many different ways. But you? There’s no art or artifice to your language, no pretentiousness. No bullshit, no pretty words, pretend emotions, or enchanting promises. Just your bloody intensity and that grim honesty of yours.”

“Grim?”

“Oh yes. Then your dark sense of hum—”

I kissed her. She stiffened, pushed at me, a grunt rising in her throat. I tossed my wine glass into the sea, grabbed hers from her hand and threw it overboard.

My fingers gripped the sides of her face tightly. “Kiss. Me.”

“Why?” she breathed against my lips.

“You liked my kisses last night, you begged for them. You—”

Her tongue lashed at my lips, breasts smashing into my chest, warm hands sliding around my neck.

Hell yes.

I took what she offered and took more. Wine, honey, heat, sea salt. Her tongue slid against mine, fueling my desire for her. I wrapped my hands around her bare waist, pressing into her sleek flesh, pulling her close against me.

The scream of an engine grew loud. Another roar and grind swerved past. I tore my lips from hers and shoved her behind me.

“Turo?” her voice breathless, her fingernails dug into my sides.

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