Page 81 of Painting Her Fate

I wiggle in my seat, “I can’t take it.” He chuckles again at my impatience.

“Okay. Here.” He opens the box revealing a dark brown dusting on top of cream and lady fingers, the contents barely fitting in the container.

My eyes go wide at the dessert, “Tiramisu?” He nods and gestures for me to dig in. “This has to be the best dessert ever created, how did you know that it’s my favorite? Did Tamara tell you?” I take a fork full and bring it to my lips, groaning when the mascarpone cheese, coffee-soaked lady fingers, and spice envelops around my taste buds. I close my eyes and savor the deliciousness.

Almost better than sex;almost.

“This just so happens to be my favorite dessert. I found the best mom and pop shop; they make it from scratch, along with the dinner we had tonight.” I open my eyes as he stabs it with his fork and brings it to his lips. I look over his shoulder with wide eyes and point in a random direction, acting like something is behind him.

“Oi! what is that over there?!” I shriek, he snaps his head in the direction I pointed, the distraction costing him. I snatch the container from his grasp and hold it tightly near my face, taking another substantial size bite. “Hey!” His shock apparent, that smile of his full, and devious.

“I’m not sure where your piece is, this one’s mine. Get your own.” His sadness is playful, in yet, it has me unable to keep it from him. I let out a sigh, “Fine, I suppose I will share.” I slice off a tiny portion and offer it to him.

He can’t hold in his laughter as he leans in to take a bite. His lips linger on my fork as our eyes lock. I pull my hand back, allowing the metal to slide free. My gaze falls to his lips, those smooth, tempting lips. I grab his chin and lean in, licking a spot near his lips that held a dab of cream. I linger there, taking in his delightful musky, woodsy man scent. He growls deep in his chest.

I grin wickedly, “Hold on to those naughty thoughts I know you’re having. One dessert at a time, mister.”

“I do love desert.” Zander places a light kiss on my lips then pulls away.

We feed one another, the air crackling with sexual tension. He doesn’t try anything, instead, grabs for the remote to resume the film, and take a sip of wine. The crashes and explosions from the television sound dull when in the presence of him. The conversation earlier with Tamara resonates through my head.

Might the explosions trigger something for him? Will he have a

break? He doesn’t seem tense, he looks instead like he is ready to pounce.

When the film is roughly three parts the way through and the tiramisu is obliterated, I finish off my glass of wine, feeling the heat in my cheeks. I do not drink much of the reds, but this one I have to say was excellent. The sexual tension simmering in the air makes me want to strip naked and do him right here.

That gives me an idea.

I clear my throat and stand, “I need to use the lav.” I walk around his back, brushing my fingers along his shoulders as I pass. He gives me a heated glance as I go. “I’ll be right back.”

Making my way to the bedroom, I relieve myself, then strip to nothing but my lilac purple lace lingerie set. This is not the wine making me bold, it’s been on my mind all damned day, the thought of Alexander knowing the true Liliana Hayes has me empowered.You can do this. Trust him, Lili.I open the door and stride out to the brightly lit main room, my pulse pounding in my ears, my heart feeling as if it would leap from my throat.

He straightens when catching sight of me, more attentive to the new piece in the room. I let my arms fall to my sides and he sucks in a breath of air.

“Lili.” He whispers, saying nothing more, just staring into my eyes, not roaming all over my body like I thought he would. He stands, holding his hand for me to take, but I shake my head.

“I want you to see me, touch me, know me.” I pause and before I could say more, he wraps an arm around my waist and draws me into his side, asking me to wrap my leg around him. My scarred and tattooed side on full display now, if only he would just look down. That was the whole point of all this.

God, I’m such a cunt. This was bad idea. He doesn’t want this.Why did I think he could handle seeing me this way?

He lingers on my eyes, a slight crease in his brow, “You are beautiful

Lili. Like your name states, pure and innocent. That is how I see you.” He cups my neck then brushes a thumb over my cheek repeatedly, continuing on,

“Your skin is soft, and glows like the sun in late spring. A battle rages inside me every time I have to let go.”

Tears begin welling in my eyes, my heart slamming against my chest. His lips touch mine in a wispy caress before pulling away.

“Nothing can compare to how sweet and wholesome you are. I can’t get enough. I plead for more of you when you’re not with me. You are the siren filling my head with your sweet songs, the peace I never thought would be possible –”

I crash my lips to his in a ferocious kiss, my hands flying into his hair as I climb his body, trying to be as close to him as possible, my tears streaming as I give into this man.

He strips off his shirt as my hands hastily work to undo his jeans. I reach inside, I stroke him over the material of his boxer briefs, coaxing a throaty groan from him. Our tongues dance together while his hands unclasp my bra, sending shivers over me where his fingers glide. I moan into our conjoined mouths when a hand cups my breast, fondling and pinching my tight bud. He leans down, a gasp escaping me when his mouth sucks and bites the other nipple.

“Yes.”

“Let me have you Lili.”

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