18. Take What You Need

EIGHTEEN

Take What You Need

MILANA

T he low whispering voices, just loud enough for me to hear outside the bedroom door, wake me.

"Wait until morning." That's Alessio.

"I want to wake up in our home and in our bed. Our lives start tomorrow in our home. I want normalcy, and Milana needs normalcy. The threat is gone, and unless you need me to stay—" Julian is saying before he's interrupted.

"Go. I'll have your car waiting at the front, but as an extra precaution, I'm having a couple of men standing guard until we have our discussion tomorrow," Alessio says.

"Discussion?"

"Tomorrow. My office in town at eleven. I've made some decisions, and it's time we make changes," Alessio responds. The sound of footsteps walking away and the creak of the door opening has me sitting up and turning on the bedside lamp.

"You're awake," Julian says. The room is dimly lit, but I can see the weariness on his face. I scan his body. He's in one piece and is back with me, just like he said he would be.

I get out of bed and come to stand before him, cupping his cheeks with my palms. "I'm so happy you're home." I press my lips lightly to kiss. He returns my kiss, but pulls back quickly.

"I want to fuck you more than anything, but first, I want to go to our home," he says, touching his forehead to mine. "It's over, miele mia. Anton is on his way to Marco Moretti to do with him as he pleases, and he'll soon be dust."

I should be horrified knowing that a man is going to be tortured and murdered, but I'm not, and that frightens me even more.

"Am I a horrible person? I don't care what happens to him. He's a human being, and I want him dead," I say quietly.

"It's survival, baby. He wasn't going to stop. It was always going to come to this. It's his life or ours. I choose us. You're not a horrible person, but you are accepting that this is part of what happens in our world." He looks past me at the overnight bag sitting on the chair. "Pack. I want to start the day in our house."

I glance at the clock sitting by the table. It's almost midnight. I let him go and slip out of my nightie, tossing it into the bag and grabbing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt to wear. I hurry up, absently throwing our things into the bag. I have it all packed in no time at all, Julian helping to speed up the process.

"I should leave a note for Josie. She's been so wonderful," I murmur.

"Alessio will explain, and we can have them over once we settle in," Julian responds, urging me out the door, down the stairs to his car, tucking me into the front passenger seat, and driving off and toward our house.

The cottage is the newly renovated home for Barry. He comes out at the sound of the car nearing. Barry smiles when he sees it's me and Julian.

"All good, Barry. It's late. We'll catch you up in the morning," Julian tells him. Barry gives him a two-finger salute and makes his way back inside. He gives us one last glance, and I blow him a kiss, causing him to grin before shutting the door. Julian and I climb up the three steps to the entrance, where he opens the door, then sweeps me up in his arms and carries me across the threshold. I noticed him wince in pain, but that doesn't stop him from walking us through the hall and down into the master bedroom. He sets me down by the bed.

Julian slips off his jacket, and I can see through his shirt that his shoulder is bandaged, and a pink stain is seeping through. I gasp. "You're hurt," I exclaim.

"Minor injury. Doc stitched it. I'm fine, baby," he replies. I look at his face and see that his eyes are burning with desire. "I want you." His tone is a low, rumbling growl, and it sends shivers down my spine. I want him just as badly.

I slip off my shoes and grab the hem of my shirt, then take it off. I didn't bother with a bra when we were leaving, and I scramble to shimmy out of my jeans and panties. I stand naked before him, and for a minute, shyness overcomes me, and I move to cover myself with my hands.

"Don't!" he orders sharply, then softens his tone and says, "You're beautiful. I want to take you all in." I let my arms drop to my sides and watch as he peruses my body. He licks his lips, and his breath grows rapid. I meet his gaze, but he remains perfectly still. I take a step forward, and he says, "Stop. I want you so badly, if you touch me, this is going to go rough and fast."

I tilt my head to one side and murmur, "You won't hurt me." I take another step forward.

"Babe—" he warns.

"Let me help you." I summon my inner sex goddess and walk right to him. I go for the buttons on his shirt, keeping my eyes on my task, unbuttoning them one by one, then sliding his shirt over his shoulders and down his arms until it falls away and onto the floor. I press my lips to his bandage and kiss him lightly. His hands fist tightly by his sides.

I move to unbuckle his belt. His hand grips my waist.

"Milana—" His ragged voice is sexy as sin.

I move my lips to his ear. "You can't sleep with your clothes on." I nip at his lobe, all the while unzipping his pants, pushing them down over his hips, and dropping them to the carpet. Julian steps out of them. I drop to my knees, looking up at him. The muscles in his arms, chest, and abs are taut, and his eyes close as I tug down his boxers, exposing his very hard, thick cock.

I have no experience, but my desire to please Julian spurs me onward. I close my lips over the tip of his cock. Julian emits a hiss, his hand coming to the back of my head. I let him go and whisper, "Teach me."

His eyes lock with mine. "Open for me. Take me in as far as you can. No teeth, baby," he says. I do as he says and watch his face as it contorts with pleasure. I begin to bob my head, moving over his cock. His hand fists into my hair, pulling it back so he can watch as his cock disappears into my mouth.

Suddenly, Julian pulls away. He drags me to my feet, then shoves me backward onto the bed. I push my hair out of my face to find Julian hovering over me, with his hand between my thighs. I'm soaked for him.

"Thank fuck!" he swears. "Christ, baby, you're so fucking wet. This is going to go too fast."

"Take what you need, honey," I tell him. I need it too. I need him inside me; I need him desperately and prove it to him by dragging his mouth down to mine and kissing him ardently, with all that I have, with tongue, teeth, and lips, until I feel him surge inside my core.

Frenzied, desperate, and so fucking hot. He rocks his hips, spreading my legs wider and thrusting harder and faster. His hold on my hips is going to leave a mark, but I don't care because every movement brings me closer and closer to my climax. I'm so close, my nails scraping down his back, my spine arching, as I hover on the precipice.

"Get there, baby," he commands. And I do. His mouth smothers my cries of pleasure and his own. His lips soften, and our kisses become sweet and delicate. Slowly, he lifts himself from me and lies next to me, tucking me into his side. His fingers play with my tresses as his breathing returns to normal. "I love you, miele mia."

"I love you more." I turn my face up to his. "I can't imagine a day without you in it." He kisses my nose.

"You won't have to," he says quietly. "Sleep, baby. Tomorrow is a brand-new day."

He held me all night, and I slept like a baby in his arms.