Page 52 of Wicked Truths
I take a step closer, closing the distance between us. “We can make this work.”
She softens, her shoulders sagging in defeat.
“How can we?” She runs a hand through her hair, eyes softening now as she waits for an answer.
“It will blow over,” I insist, gripping her shoulders gently to steady her.
She shakes me off and spins away, exasperation radiating from every pore. “You’re so cavalier about this! How can you be so calm when I’m terrified that he will kill you?”
Ipull her to me, cupping her face in my hands. My heart races as our lips collide in a passionate kiss. The world outside fades; it’s just us wrapped in this moment of reckless abandon.
But then I pull away, breathing heavily. “I’m not giving you up.”
She smiles softly, though concern still lingers in her eyes. “What are we supposed to do, then?”
“Dom won’t be around for too much longer.” I let the words slip out before I can catch them.
“Why did you say that?” Her gaze sharpens, scanning my face for answers.
“I’m his best friend, but I’m not stupid,” I drawl. “He’s mafia, Amara. They don’t have long lives—none of them do.”
Her brow furrows as she absorbs my words. “How long, though? How long do we pretend? We can’t wait until his life...” She can’t finish what she wants to say.
I exhale. “Give me six months. When Poppy leaves for America... Like I told you, I’ll take you away from here.”
“Six months,” she murmurs thoughtfully, as if rolling the idea around in her mind. “We might not have six months.”
“We will, and I’m not letting you go. You know that?” With courage surging through me, I lift her effortlessly into my arms. The fear in her eyes has ignited something primal in me—a need to claim what feels like mine, to create something real amid all the danger.
As I carry her into my bedroom, I kiss her again, savoring every moment, pushing away thoughts of Dom and his threats.
“I’ll look after you,” I promise as I lay her gently on the bed.
“I have to tell you something,” she says suddenly, breaking the spell that surrounds us.
I watch her face, the way the light catches in her eyes, and the soft glow of her skin beneath the dim lamps.
The quiet of the room envelops us, a sanctuary from the chaos outside.
“Caleb,” she whispers, breaking the silence. Her voice trembles slightly as if she’s revealing a secret.
“What is it?” My pulse quickens with anticipation.
“I’m still a virgin.” She bites her lip, eyes darting away like she’s bracing for impact.
I blink in shock, my body freezing momentarily as I process her words. “You’re on that website and you’ve never...?” Confusion churns in my gut, mixed with an unexpected surge of tenderness. This beautiful woman with all that allure and fire hasn’t gone further than brief kisses—and she’s chosen me.
“Apart from you, I stick to the website,” she admits softly, as if sharing a precious treasure.
A rush of warmth floods my chest. I lean back slightly, teasing her to lighten the mood. “You’ve savedyourself for me?”
Her cheeks flush as she meets my gaze. “I kissed a couple of frogs to get my prince.”
I laugh hard; the sound echoing off the walls, but it quickly morphs into something deeper—an intense need that grips me. The realization that she’s chosen me above all others fills me with a primal possessiveness I’ve never experienced before.
“Come here,” I whisper, pulling her into my arms.
Her body melts against mine, soft and warm. I cradle her face in my hands, tracing her cheekbones with my thumbs before capturing her lips with mine. The kiss starts tender but quickly deepens as she responds, and her body arches toward mine.
