Page 66 of Playing for Keeps

Vinny’s apartment.

His bedroom.

In his bed.

The weight lifted, Vinny’s hand settling on my hip as he pressed a kiss to my earlobe. “You fell asleep.”

A smile tilted my lips. I stretched, then shifted until I was facing him. “I’m glad I stayed.”

Vinny bundled me up in his arms as a chuckle rumbled deep in his chest, pulling me as close as he could. “Mmm, me too.”

His kiss warmed me from my head to my toes, the heavy prod of him against my stomach setting me on fire. I lifted my leg to wrap around his hip, and the man reached down to help me out.

“Dammit.” His hand smoothed along the fine silk of my dress, fumbling and yanking at the fabric as he pulled it up.

“Careful,” I warned. “Vivian will kill me if I ruin her dress.”

“Vivian doesn’t get a say in this.”

Vinny pushed me onto my back, his hand sliding up my thigh, those pale blue eyes of his locking on me. “Let me make you feel good.”

The fear that had gripped me as Vinny undressed flickered at the edges of my mind. Fear and regret that trickled into my memories like a pair of dark-colored eyes. But as Vinny knelt between my legs, waiting for me to say no, the love I felt for him pushed all the fear away.

He didn’t accept my nod the way he might have in the past. He eyed me warily as his hand smoothed up my thigh, watching me as if I might push him away. His long fingers slipped beneath the silky fabric of my thong, pulling until he’d slid it off my legs. And when those fingers returned, they were gentle, not harsh, trailing over my skin as if I were a treasure to be worshipped.

He lifted the skirt of my dress, gave me a wink, then disappeared underneath. The laughter that bubbled up in my chest was swept away the moment his tongue lashed out.

“Vinny!” With long swipes of his tongue, the man worked me up. With quick flicks against my clit, he had me ready to break. His teeth nipped at me, his tongue soothed the pain. But when his fingers curled inside of me and his lips locked around my clit in a hard suck, my body lifted off the bed as my mind rocketed to the stars.

I was lost to oblivion, lost to the power this man wielded over me like a gracious curse. Before I even made it back down to earth, I knew the one and only truth.

I was meant for this man, and he was meant for me.

“You’re beautiful when you come,” Vinny murmured, face so close to mine. His fingers played with the end of my hair as he hovered over me. “All those sounds you make. The way you move. Watching your skin flush. You’re the most mesmerizing creature in this world, love.”

“Vinny.” I wanted to hide my face, my cheeks I could feel rushing with blood. He allowed me to turn my head, but his hands worked to expose me even more.

The silky fabric of my dress slid down my arms, uncovering my bare breasts and leaving them on display. He kept tugging, sliding the dress down my body, helping me out of it before he tossed it aside.

“You’re beautiful,” he told me, pale blue eyes meeting mine. “Every inch of you, inside and out.”

“Stop,” I whispered, grabbing at his collar and tugging him close.

“I can’t,” he promised. “Just like I can’t stop loving you.”

Vinny’s lips brushed mine, so gently that I wanted to cry. His teasing kisses left me on edge, making me wish for so much more. The tantalizing nudge of his tongue against mine had me chasing him until we could finally connect.

The musky taste of my body coated his tongue and lips, and I reveled in it. Basked in the knowledge that this man could bring me so much joy.

This was right. Being with him. Holding him. Loving him.

I was wrong for ever thinking otherwise.

My fingers trailed over Vinny’s shoulders. Down his arms and across his chest. He didn’t object when I lifted his shirt, but he also didn’t help. “I want you,” I murmured against his lips, and he paused our kiss long enough to rip off his shirt. He lowered his naked chest to mine, the hard ridge of his dick pressing into my hip, yet he made no move to undress.

“Vin, please,” I whimpered, my body screaming for more. More of his touch, more of his taste, more of his naked body rocking against mine. My fingers snaked between us, running along that ridge before working through the button and the zipper on his pants.

He let out a groan, lifting his body just enough for me to slide his pants down his hips. He kicked them off, then lowered himself down, pinning me to the bed as he kissed me once more. Another whimper broke free from my throat, and the man lifted off me, eyes finding mine.