Chapter 1

Strauss

I t's soothing inside her shelter. The only thing that calms the raging fire burning inside of me. Her dousing waters quell the embers of my ire. She's always been that for me. Peace.

"You're close."

She moans her affirmation, panting warm breaths on my cheek. Lacing her fingers through my hair, her sunset eyes grow heavy as she comes through a muffled scream. Her pussy squeezes my cock in a tight embrace, and I grin at a job well done.

It's rare we kiss, but she slowly raises her seductive gaze to my lips, then pulls me in for a passionate one. "I love you." She breaks away long enough to speak between her tongue flicking with mine. My abs tighten with wanton desire at her declaration, her olive skin flushed with pink from her orgasm.

Her taste is familiar, not that I know any other's. She's the only woman I will ever need.

"And I love you," I say, brushing her chocolate-covered hair away from her forehead.

"Here. Lay back and I'll ride you."

With a satisfied smile, I do just as she says, kicking the sheets off the bed as I get into position. She knows I love to watch her curves bounce with the grace her body holds. Her years of dancing come in handy as she slides onto my firm length. It won't be long until I explode. I only hope that she'll let me keep it inside her when I do.

Gripping my face, she whispers, "Let me know if you get close, baby."

Maybe this time I won't.

Every down stroke, her hips meet mine, and I join them firmly with a thrust. She leans forward enough for me to snatch a nipple between my teeth, and, on instinct, I suck. Pull and tug on it, hoping for that sweet nectar to fill me forever.

My balls hum with a familiar tingle and I know I'm ready to burst. But this time, I think I'll hold off until I can't. See how far I can push it. Maybe grip her waist and hold myself there. "I want to come inside you."

She huffs out halting breaths and scans my face with a question. Whether it's for me or the universe, I'll never know. "We shouldn't. I-I want you to, but baby, no."

"You want me to? Then why shouldn't I?"

Biting her thick bottom lip, she writhes on my lap, testing the waters just as much as me. Answering her uncertainty with a devilish smile, I shove my cock deep inside, against her womb, and spray my pleasures within her. "Oh, fuck, yes!"

This is it. Everything I've been wanting. Releasing all that I am into her until we meet as one. The sensation is more than I could have hoped, the pleasure so intense, my back stiffens with the ecstasy surging along my spine. Grabbing her around the waist, I pull her tight to me, but she squirms away, sitting up with an expression of horror.

"Baby…" she warns, but I'm too far gone to care.

She loves me, and I love her, and that's all that matters now.

A loud boom hits the still air when my bedroom door swings open with a force so powerful, it bounces off the wall and almost shuts again. My heart stops for a beat and I hold my breath. On the bedside table lies my pistol, but it's too far away when my fingers reach out for it.

" Vicenzo …" Her voice is desperate, fragile. Afraid. And I hate that she feels that way all the time now.

Clutching her hips, I glance up at her face. It looks strange, contorted with panic. Confusion mottles my mind. A large black spot covers her forehead.

Drops of red ooze from the hole and dribble onto my bare chest.

Her slack body falls forward as I hug her tightly, trying to surround her with everything I am.

No. No.

I cannot accept this.

Shifting my gaze to the doorway, my father stands in his suit, a shadow in the morning light. A cloud of smoke wafts from his gun as he points it at the ground before he silently turns his broad back to me and walks away down the hall.

As if I took the bullet myself, pain surges through me as a wail rips from my lungs and out of my mouth as I latch it onto hers. Forcing my air into her, I pant screams of anguish.

It's no use.

Hot tears sear my eyes as I cry, "Mother! Mother!"

But she doesn't answer.