Page 26 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)

“It was fake, Lucy. I wanted to make sure they didn’t see us. I had to do something.”

“Fake.” I close my eyes because I don’t want him to see how much his words hurt. “You can go now. I’m in my room. And I’ll stay here forever if it means I never have to see you again.”

His head cocks to the side, and I don’t like how his dark eyes are assessing, scrutinizing, figuring out my inner turmoil.

Then he smirks. “Are you pissed because I didn’t give you a real kiss, Luce?” He stalks toward me. “You wanted more, is that the problem?”

“No.”Liar, my body says. I step away from his advancing steps until my back hits the wall.

“That’s it, isn’t it?” He leans in like he did earlier today. His lips brush over my jaw, and I betray my resolve by sucking in a quick breath.

My hand presses against his chest to push him away, or maybe to hold him close. His nearness, the way my body aches from it, makes it hard to think.

His lips trail along my jaw to my chin. He lifts his head for a moment. “That was just for show.” Then his mouth covers mine, firm, fierce, and my fingers grip his shirt as I feel my world spin away. This isn’t my first kiss. Dylan and I had many kisses. But this one, I feel an inferno is building, sparks flying, all the proverbial clichés about kissing I’ve ever read in books. It’s all that and more.

Need rolls through my body. All the reasons to push him away have vanished. All I want is this. His kiss.

Like he did before, he abruptly pulls back. I’m expecting his usual smirk, but instead I see desire.

He gives his head a quick shake and that irritating smirk is back. “In case you’re not clear, that was a real kiss.”

8

DONOVAN

I’m in serious trouble. I’ve just kissed Lucy and if I don’t get out now, I could just possibly rip her clothes off and fuck her right here against this wall. That is if she doesn’t slap me and scream, in which case, I’d be in serious shit with Niko for trying to fuck his fiancée’s sister. Lucy belongs to the Contis, so perhaps Luca would try to kill me.

I pull away, but her fingers clutch my shirt, tugging me back. Like a fucking magnet, my lips are on hers again, drinking in her luscious lips. If I have to die, this will be a good parting gift.

My hands tangle in her hair as the kiss burns like wildfire, untamed, out of control. She responds with a moan that vibrates through me, igniting something primal. The taste of her is intoxicating, a mix of sweet and spicy.

My hands roam over her curves, inventorying them, searing them into my memory. I find her tit, round and soft with a nipple as hard as steel. I rub my palm over it, loving how she shudders and moans at my touch. My other hand slides lower, gripping her ass, squeezing the firm flesh. She gasps and arches, her body pressing against my achingly hard cock. Her fingers clenchtighter on my shirt, nails grazing over my nipples, sending another jolt of need through me.

But then it hits, like a sucker punch to the gut—or the dick. I can’t do this. She’s not mine to have. Crossing the line and fucking Lucy could blow my life out of the water.

"Dammit." The curse is more for me than for her. I jerk back, and for a moment, she doesn't move. In her eyes, I see a storm of emotions that morph from desire, to confusion, to pain. Like a fucking coward, I can’t stand there and watch it. So I turn and walk away.

Fucking hell.

I can’t seem to get out of her room fast enough. I run my fingers through my hair as the taste of Lucy’s luscious lips lingers on my mouth, the sound of her moans echoes in my brain, the feel of her soft body burns against my skin. As I make my way down the hall, the memory of it all chases me. The way our bodies crashed together, fierce and demanding, blowing up every rational thought with insatiable hunger.

I’ve kissed a few women in my time. I’ve been carried away by lust before. But that… with Lucy… it wasn’t just a kiss. It was a detonation, rocking me to my core. Breaking away from Lucy was the hardest thing I think I’ve ever done. It took every ounce of willpower I possessed. Even now, as I head down the hall before I do something crazy, all I want to do is turn around and drown in Lucy. But I can’t. I know Niko still has questions about her. She’s Elena’s sister. Lucy’s married… or at least she was until recently. She’s like a forbidden fruit, and holy hell, do I want to take a bite.

I continue downstairs, trying to get my mind sorted before running into Niko.

"Damn.” I shake my head, trying to dispel the image of her pressed against me. Reminding myself that she isn’t mine and can’t be mine. Lucy is a complication in a world wherecomplications can cost you everything. Niko trusts me to protect her, not to give in to the desire that could jeopardize it all.

Lucy's safety is my responsibility. I can't afford distractions—not even ones that promise a sensual paradise.

"Check-in," I bark to one of the men standing in the foyer.

He jumps to attention. "All secure.”

“Garage? Perimeter?” I scan the area for anything out of place.

“All secure. I … I can go down?—”

“Call down. Have everyone report in. Anything suspicious, let me know.”