Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Roman

Maddie tenses and I know I need to slow down.

It takes every ounce of my control, every atom of my desire to protect this woman, to ease back.

Instead, I kiss her, slowly, gentle, my brain screaming in protest.

She kisses me back, the palms of her hands sliding over my back. She relaxes at the slower pace, the soft kisses.

And even though I’m aching, dying to be inside her, there is a part of me that just enjoys.

She always tastes delicious. Apple and blossoms, crisp white wine, fresh dew. I drink her in, sliding my tongue along hers until her whole body opens to me.

Her legs relax, climbing higher on my hips.

I lower my pelvis again, nice and easy, the head of my cock sliding through her soaking-wet folds.

She doesn’t tense this time, but I still ask. “You all right, sweetheart?”

“I want to be yours, Roman,” she whispers back. “Make me yours.”

It’s all the encouragement I need as I push inside her, the head of my cock nestled in her tight heat.

My jaw clenches, the feel of her so fucking good, even as she goes rigid again. I slow my thrust, my arms shaking as I slide them under her back, pulling her tightly to my chest.

“It’s all right,” she whispers. “I’m good. I’m just...”

“Sweetheart,” I still, brushing my lips over her forehead. “We can stop. I’d never want to hurt you.”

Her arms tighten across my back. “Do it.”

I hear the strength in her tone, her muscles tensing in preparation. With a quick breath, I thrust inside, seating myself inside her, even as she cries out. This isn’t like her other screams.

I hear the pain in this one and I hate it.

I still again, allowing her to adjust. Fully seated inside her like this, she feels so good, I curl closer, dropping my face into the crook of her neck as I kiss her collarbone. “Just tell me when you’re ready, love.”

I want this to be as easy on her as possible. Maddie deserves that.

“I’m ready.”

I wait another second. Two. And then I start to slide back out of her before pushing in again.

My muscles are shaking again. Not just in my arms, but over my entire body. The effort to remain slow, steady, has my body as taut as a bow string, ready to break. But I keep it light, even, because this is the sweetest torture I’ve ever known.

I’m meant to be here, Maddie is meant to be in my arms.

Slowly, she relaxes, her body softening as I pick up the pace. and when her hips rise up to meet mine, I know I’m being rewarded for my patience and it makes this moment even more satisfying.

“Roman,” Maddie breathes out my name. “It feels so good. I…does it…”

I nip at her neck. “Just feel, baby.”

Her legs tighten around me, pressing her clit just where she needs it, her walls gripping me with such force that I can’t breathe, as pleasure makes me clench every muscle.

I’m spitting now, my hands gripped tight in her hair as I force myself to delay a little longer.

The effort not to cum has been herculean and my balls are so tight, I think I might explode.

Finally, Maddie lets out a scream of pleasure, her walls gripping my cock so tightly, I explode too.

Pumping my cum in her, I lift my face just enough to crash my mouth down on top of hers.

Sex, especially first time sex, should not be this good. It’s crazy and amazing, and I know I’m not going to want another woman for a very long time.

Hell. I can’t imagine ever.

My body is still spasming, the tremors shaking me as I collapse on top of her. I have this moment of clarity.

Maddie is mine. Maybe forever.

My eyes drift closed as my weight sinks down on her.

I try to slide to the side, worried that I’m crushing her, but she’s got me in a tight embrace of arms and legs and she isn’t letting me go. “Maddie.”

“Just another minute,” she says back.

“Can you even breathe?”

“I’m fine,” she gives a breathless laugh back that does not make me confident. “I don’t want this to end. It only ever gets to be my first time once.”

I lift up then. Looking down at her. “Was it what you hoped it would be?” Christ, I sound like an insecure teenager.

But she only gives me a glowing smile. “It was perfect.”

I know the power of good sex. And this was great sex. Amazing sex. The best.

I pull out of her, noting the blood. It’s on me, it’s all over her. “Fuck.”

Pulling myself together, I lift her in my arms and carry her to the bathroom.

She’s completely pliant in my embrace as I turn on the spray and gently wash her thighs, turning the shower head to it’s softest setting as I spray warm water between her legs to relieve any soreness.

“Oh, that feels so good,” she moans.

I cock a brow. “Sweetheart, you can’t?—”

She laughs. “I didn’t mean like that. The warm water is very soothing.”

I nod, but my cock still stirs. Any moan from Maddie gets the motor running.

Toweling her dry, I wrap her up as I carry her back to the bed.

She curls onto her side, and I slip in next to her. But I’m not staying. “I’ll let you fall asleep and then?—”

“You’re leaving me?” she asks, turning back to me, worry creasing her brow.

“I’ll be back, I promise. I’m going to lay on the couch for a while. Thomasina might need…” Am I being ridiculous? I don’t know.

But the cat has wormed her way into my heart. Caring for her today, it’s like my own form of emotional crack.

I feel responsible.

“That is so sweet. I’ll come with you.”

“Stay here.” I kiss her back. “I’ll wake you if we need you.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” I murmur against her lips. “I got this. You need your sleep.”

“But Roman,” she’s turning toward me. “This isn’t your job. You don’t need to sleep on the couch because I insisted on keeping the cat.”

I run my hand down her back. That cat is my fault. All my fault. But I don’t tell her that. “You want to know how I know the Vendettis?”

She turns back to me. “Wait? What?”

I suppose that does seem like a shift in story, but I’ll circle back to what the Vendettis have to do with Thomasina. “After my mother’s death, my father started a whirlwind affair with Vigo and Vincent’s aunt, Maria Carcetti.”

I’ve got Maddie’s full attention, her mouth falling open. “You’re serious?”

“My father did not try to operate on the right side of the law, but he wasn’t a major player. In fact, he worked for the Italians.” I close my eyes, drawing in a deep breath. “I don’t know if he planned for this to happen, but I think he fell in love with Maria. He couldn’t get enough of her. He spent nearly every penny he had lavishing gifts on her, as they very publicly carried on their affair. His boss, Toni Carcetti, was not pleased when he found out, and he killed my father and his wife.”

Maddie is silent in my arms, her hands running up and down my back.

“So understand,” I say, “that when I give up a few hours of sleep for Thomasina, that what you are asking of me is so small, Maddie?—”

I stop when she jolts in my arms. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” she shakes her head. “But I would like to point out that I come with my own problems. The Vendettis…”

“Nice try, the Vendettis were always my problem. You just got caught in the middle.”

“Oh.”

“Now, I want you to get some sleep. I’ll take care of Thomasina and her babies. Tomorrow, you should call Lucia and ask her if there is anything we’re missing.”

“That’s a wonderful idea.” Her arms are back around me, her lips finding mine.

I kiss her back, trying not to lose myself in that kiss. I could. Maddie feels so good but she’s way too new at this for another round and I really should get back to Thomasina. And because, Maddie and I have all the time in the world.

I knew when I left that inspector’s office that I’d made a choice. But the specifics of my choice are becoming clearer.

Maddie is meant to be mine.

And I intend to keep her for a very long time.