Page 85 of Contempt

Her tongue snuck out to wet her bottom lip. “Ren …”

“I think about that all the time, you know? Drives me fucking crazy.”

“No one is telling me when you’re not,” she said softly, her eyes lifting to meet his again. “You ruined me back then, and I’m still fucking ruined now. It’s only ever been you.”

Good.

He liked that too much.

“That makes two of us, then,” he murmured, stepping closer to her.

Lucia laughed, and tipped her head down. He slid in beside her, and dropped a kiss to the corner of her mouth. He felt her smile grow all over again, and then she moved her head to the side just enough to catch his lips with her own in a slow, burning kiss. Her lips worked against his, and he felt that hunger growing.

Like a monster in a cage beating at the bars.

Fuck.

He loved this woman.

Loved her messy.

Loved her crazy.

Loved her best.

Renzo didn’t care what anyone had to say about it—they couldn’t possibly understand the way he felt for this woman.

All too soon, Lucia pulled away from the kiss, but her fingers came up, and the tips drifted across his jawline.

“What?” he asked.

“I just …”

“Yeah, baby?”

“I just want to be close to you, maybe, but I don’t like when it hurts in here,” she admitted, clenching a fist over her heart.

“I’m sorry for that.”

“Don’t be. I still want to be close.”

“Then, do that, Lucia.” Renzo reached out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Tonight, even. No expectations—once we leave, you come with me. We’ll figure it out, and it’s on you. Whatever you want, baby.”

Lucia laughed. “I’m sure I know how it’ll end.”

Yeah, probably.

“I don’t see the issue.”

She shook her head. “Let’s get back out there. Diego wants to spend time with you.”

“You got it.”

Like he said …

Whatever she wanted.

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