Bound by Temptation (Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles, #4)

by Cora Reilly

Sunrays cast her face in a soft glow. “This feels so good,” she said softly. I know so many things that feel even better. How would her face look in the throes of passion? It was something I’d probably never find out. I didn’t say anything, only watched her as she soaked in the sun.

There were many things I wanted, and now that I’d seen her in those tight jeans and shirt, most of them involved Lily naked in my bed.

the guy next door. Nice and kind.” “Lily, I’m a Made Man. Don’t make me into a hero that I’m not. I’m not kind or nice.” “You are to me,” she said lightly. Her blue eyes were far too trusting. She didn’t know the things I’d been thinking about her, most of them hadn’t been nice. I wanted to do so many dirty things to her, she wouldn’t even understand half of them, and that was why I needed to keep my distance. Maybe she looked grown up, but she was still too young, too innocent.

“Liliana kissed me but you could hardly call it that. Our lips barely touched and I pushed her away so you have nothing to worry about.” “Oh, but I have to worry considering the look of regret on your face when you said that your lips barely touched. You want her.” “Yes, I want her,”

“But I’m not going to act on it. I can control myself. I’d never do anything to hurt the Famiglia.”

The loneliness you felt when you were surrounded by people was the worst kind.

“You need to leave,” he murmured as he straightened. His fingers were still curled around my wrist. “Then let me go.” He released me instantly and took a step back. I stayed where I was. I wanted to touch him, wanted him to touch me in turn. He cursed and then he was upon me, one hand cradling the back of my head, the other on my hip, the touch hot, warning and promise. I could almost taste his lips they were so close. His touch made me feel more alive than anything ever had, and I wanted more of this feeling, wanted to drown in it. “Leave,” he rasped. “Leave before I break my oath.”

I almost chased after Liliana to drag her back into my room and have my way with her. Damn it. She’d wanted me. It had been written all over her face plain as day. The first moment I’d turned around and seen her standing there with huge blue eyes, I’d thought I was imagining it. After all, I’d been thinking about her during my shower. She was on my mind way too often.

her. I’d spent my life for others, always putting my own needs second. Would it really be so bad if I took what I wanted for once? Never in my life had I wanted anything more than the girl across from me. Why should I deny myself this?

“Lily, you are stunning. Of course I find you attractive. Look at you, you are too fucking beautiful for words.” My lips parted. That was more than I’d dared to hope for. I moved even closer and peered up at him. “Then why do you keep pushing me away?” “Because it’s the right thing to do, and because I know the risks.” “Isn’t it worth the risk?” Romero stared down at me with such intensity that I couldn’t help but shiver. He didn’t reply. He gripped my hips and pulled me against him before his lips came down on mine.

All the women in my life so far had been a nice distraction, but they’d never even come close to interfering with my duty. Lily was different. I wasn’t sure how she’d done it, but I couldn’t get her out of my freaking head.

“I don’t know. Maybe nothing. But I want you, Lily. I can’t get you out of my head. No matter what I do there’s always you.”

“What I want to do is take you into your bedroom and rip off your bikini, then taste every inch of your skin. I know you’ll taste absolutely perfect.” I hadn’t expected him to be so direct and my face exploded with heat. “Why don’t you find out?” My attempt at a seductive whisper came out breathless, almost shy.

“So innocent.”

“I don’t want to stay innocent, Romero.”

“You do taste as perfect as I thought.” I smiled. “You haven’t even tasted all of me.”

“I intend to, trust me.” I shivered. “You do?” “God yes.” He sighed, then took a step back. “But we need to be careful. This is a dangerous path we’re on.” “I know but I don’t care. I want this.” Romero kissed me again. He shook his head. “I don’t know how you did it but I can’t get you out of my fucking mind. And now this.” He gestured at my bikini. “You’re lucky you can’t read my mind, you’d be shocked.”

“I pride myself on my self-control, but I’m a man and not a good one either. So far I’ve tried to be a gentleman. I know you’re sad and lonely, and I didn’t want to take advantage of you. But if you go the next step and offer more, then you can’t expect me not to take you up on that offer.”

“I’ve been wanting to do this for so long. Fuck, I don’t care that it’s wrong, that it goes against my promise, I can’t resist you.”

“I am the one who should decide if I want you to stay away or not. It’s my body, my life.” “You know it’s not that easy,” he murmured, eyes so full of emotion my chest constricted with need and love. I curled my fingers tighter around his erection. “I know but I don’t care. And I know that you want me despite it all.” He released a harsh breath, then let out a quiet laugh. “You’ve got me in your hands in every possible way. That’s not how it’s supposed to be.”

“I love you.” And by God, it was the truth. I loved Lily, even though I knew our love was doomed. She sucked in a breath before whispering, “I love you too.” I was digging my grave and hers too, only because I couldn’t control my dick, my heart, and my mouth.

“You’re right,” I croaked. “I—” I choked and quickly hung up. Then I hid the phone in my travel bag again and curled up on my bed, letting sobs wrack my body until my muscles hurt, until my throat hurt, until everything hurt, but nothing as much as my heart. Was this it? The end of every dream I had?

“I won’t lose you, Lily. I won’t allow anyone to hurt you. I swear it.” “I know.” “I’ll call you once I’ve talked to Luca.” “Okay.”

“Of course. What’s the matter, Lily? I thought you wanted us to run away together.” “I did. I do. But you love the Famiglia, and you and Luca are like brothers. You’d lose all that if you ran away.” “You are worth it.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll gladly die if it means saving you from Benito Brasci.” That was exactly what I feared. “Don’t say that. My life isn’t worth more than yours. Marrying him isn’t a death sentence.”

“So what was this between us? An adventure for the summer? Curiosity about how it would be to fuck a common soldier?” Lily sucked in a deep breath and I regretted my harsh words, but I was too proud to take them back or apologize. “We can’t talk again,” she said quietly. Was she crying? “We should forget what happened.” “Don’t worry, I will,” I said, then I hung up. I flung my phone away. “Fuck!”

Soft footfalls made me turn and my gaze fell on Romero. He stood a few feet from me, watching me with an expression that felt like a stab to the heart. Despite everything I’d gone through and despite my best intention to mute my feelings for him, they seemed louder than ever.

“This was a mistake,” I whispered. Shock crossed Romero’s face, then it became emotionless. “A mistake.” “I’m going to marry Benito soon. We can’t do this again.” Romero gave a terse nod, then he turned on his heel and walked off.

I searched the room until my eyes settled on Romero. He was pointedly not looking at me. I loved him, loved him so much it hurt. I knew there would be no happiness for me without him.

I should have never come to Chicago. Watching Lily stride down the aisle toward Benito, I felt like someone was squashing my heart under a boot.

I glanced at Romero. All this because I loved a man I wasn’t supposed to love, and because I wanted to be with him. Was I a selfish bitch? Romero met my gaze. I wished I could say I wouldn’t do it again but looking at him now,

“Nobody will take you away from me. I’ll fight a million wars if it means I can keep you.”

Without warning, Romero dropped to his knees right in front of me and pulled a small satin box from his pants pocket. I froze as he held it out to me and opened it, revealing a beautiful diamond ring.

“I know you’ve been through a lot and your last wedding experience was horrible, but I hope you give it another chance. I want to be the husband you deserve. I want to make you happy and love you, if you let me. Will you marry me?” I flung myself into his arms, my knees colliding with the hard floor but I hardly felt it. “God yes.” I kissed him fiercely.

“I understand if you want to wait a bit before you marry me. You’re probably not in the mood to plan another wedding.” I shook my head quickly. “This is a wedding I want to plan. This time I will enjoy it. I can take Aria and Gianna wedding dress shopping with me and actually be excited about it.” He chuckled. “But I want you to meet my family first. That way we can tell them the good news.”

“God, you’re so damn beautiful. I can’t believe you’re finally mine.” “I’ve always been yours.”

Briefly, my thoughts drifted to Fabi, wondering what he was doing now. Without him and my sisters, I wouldn’t be lying beside Romero right now. They’d risked so much for my happiness, so had Romero. I would always be grateful for what they’d done. I’d try to make their sacrifices worth it. I’d try to live life to the fullest.

“I’m glad you’re back.” “I love you,” I whispered. Romero’s arms tightened around me and he kissed my temple. “And I love you.” Maybe things wouldn’t always be easy in the future, but I knew I’d never regret taking this risk. Love was worth every risk.