CHAPTER TWENTY

brAXTON

T he Baldassare guard opens the front door for us, and I guide Gianna outside with my hand in the small of her back toward my Ferrari.

Well, it's mine as far as she knows.

It beeps and I open the deep passenger door.

" Grazie, " she says, and I suppress a curse as her long leg appears through the split of her skirt when she settles into the dark leather seat.

Fuck, she's gorgeous.

All tanned olive skin and long dark lashes.

Naughty eyes lift to mine. She knew I'd look, and I love that she plays with me like this.

Circling around the vehicle, I spot James and the second guard climb into the black SUV. They will follow us tonight and remain downstairs as we attend the dinner party.

I was surprised by the news but see it as a breather and opportunity to speak to the other Marines.

Which I need.

I'm also interested in observing Gianna again outside the Baldassare world. It might help me to see things more clearly. Both our emotions—while unspoken—are getting out of hand.

It's just sex.

I keep telling myself this, but I know it's a lie.

I am hoping none of the men tonight will pick up on it. They already warned me not to confuse fact with fiction as an undercover operative. I did listen.

This feels...real.

But fuck, I'm not even sure myself.

Jesus.

Here I am again, thinking about this shit.

She's not mine.

I do not want to be linked to the fucking mafia by marriage, even if it was an option.

But you want her.

I'm just going to pretend my cock now has an inner voice, because that is not true.

I close the door and start the engine. It roars to life powerfully as my eyes drop to Gianna. I slide my hand between her legs, bunching the material, lying to myself that I'm doing it to keep up my cover.

"Brax, my father might see." She gasps.

"Then he shouldn't be watching," I growl, giving the Ferrari a pump of gas.

"And this will teach you not to tease me." I guide the car along the driveway as I nudge her legs apart. I find the lace and slide under it. "Legs apart. Now."

Like a rubber band, they snap open.

I let out a low growl as I find her soft, wet folds and watch the gates to her family estate slowly open. I feel powerful. I feel dominant and I'm taking every inch of this woman while I still have her.

Twisting in my seat, I grasp her chin and slam my mouth down on hers, then shove two fingers inside her pussy.

Gianna cries out against my lips, arching off the seat like the greedy sexual goddess she is. "Oh, god."

I smirk darkly. "Remember who is in charge, Gianna. Now you will ache for me all night until we get home."

As I drive through the gates of the Baldassare crime family estate, I slide my fingers into my mouth and let out a fuck you to the mob boss.

I'm fucking your daughter, asshole. Using her and fucking her. How do you feel about that?

That will teach you for taking a member of my family.

I have taken yours.

If only it were that black and white.

If only Gianna didn't taste so fucking delicious.

As we head toward Manhattan, Gianna places her hand on my cock and strokes me over the fabric. I pretend for a moment that this was my real life. That she worked in marketing or was a fucking teacher or nurse, and I was an active Marine.

If all of this with her was real, I might be a happy man.

But it's not.

I am playing a very dangerous game.