Page 57 of Mafia Beast

Bad things might happen. Well, it’s life, so bad things are sure to come. But I’m not willing to live my life without him, in fear that one day I might lose him.

I’m going to decide that the curse is broken. Living my life thinking there’s a dark cloud over me that puts every man I love in danger is no way to live. I stare up at his handsome face, and I let the idea of the curse waft away like a puff of smoke.

My little she-devil reminds me of what used to be my favorite Walt Whitman quote, when I was younger and filled with hope.Remember this one,she says.‘Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. I’m proud of her, finally thinking with something other than her libido.

I’m going to live by that quote, maybe even cross-stitch it for my wall.

My little she-devil breaks away from her sentimental moment.Who are you kidding? You’re going to be too busy sexing your man to be doing any damn cross-stitching.

“You are so very right.” I lean up, stealing a kiss from Nikolaos.

He accepts the kiss, then gives me a curious look. “So very right that you’re ready to go?”

Oops…I was talking out loud to my little she-devil. I flick my hand along my shoulder, sending her flying. I let her go.

Forever.

“So,” I say, changing subjects to cover up the fact I was actually talking to myself, “where are we headed?”

The smile that breaks out over his face is one I’ll keep with me for the rest of my life. He leans down, planting a sweet kiss on my forehead. “To the most beautiful place in the world. First, we need to go to your place to pack.”

It’s strange, having him here at my place. He’s never been here before. I take him up to the living room.

He spies the blanket he gives as takeaway gifts to visitors. It’s folded neatly over the back of my sofa, showing off the photo of the castle. “You kept the blanket.”

“And the chocolates.” I lift one of the half-eaten boxes from the sofa side table. “Want one?”

“I’m good. Got all the sugar I need.” He leans down to kiss me. The kiss starts slowly but grows into something more passionate, reminding me we’re here alone. He kisses my earlobe, tickling my skin with his words. “I want to see the vibrator. The one you used on yourself that night I called you on the phone.”

“You do, do you?” He doesn’t give me any room for privacy as far as sex goes, does he? I lean into his kiss, loving the warm, tickling feel of his lips against my skin. “Then you’ll have to come up to the bedroom.”

I feel shy, taking his hand and leading him up to my bedroom. One I’ve never shared with a man. It’s strange being here with him, but exciting too. Part of me just wants him to scoop me up and take me to his castle. The other part knows that we’re going to be spending the night here at my townhouse together, so I should enjoy it.

Hopefully, this will be my little farewell party to the townhouse. I’m ready to move on with my life.

It’s time for Charlie 2.0 to start her new life. And my first challenge? Opening that nightstand drawer and handing him the little pink vibrator, not knowing what he’ll do with it. My palms feel a little sweaty as I go to the nightstand.

It sits in the drawer, looking innocent enough, but I know when he gets his hands on something, he can turn it into a pleasure-torture device. I take a deep breath, and no longer needing my she-devil’s encouragement, I pick it up on my own.

He stands in my bedroom, looking massive and masculine beside the antique frame of my queen-sized bed. He has that sexy smile on his handsome face. He holds out his hand to me.

I stare at his empty palm.

“Come on. Gimme.” He beckons with a curl of his fingers.

I put the vibrator in his hand, my heart racing as I seal my fate.

He turns it over in his fingers. “Nice. It’s cute.”

“It was fun, that night on the phone,” I say, still feeling shy.

“I have something to tell you about that night.”

The way his eyes lock on mine makes my stomach drop. What could he have to tell me? “Just say it.”

He glances down at the little toy, flipping it over in his hand. “That night after I got off the phone with you, I knew I was in love with you. I decided I was going to come and get you. But my plans got delayed.”

“Oh my gosh, was that the night you got hurt?”

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