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

by Cora Reilly

But with Romero I knew I would never have to worry that he’d take more than what I was willing to give.

but before I’d left I’d risked one more look at the man that had captured my heart and would never let it go: Romero. Soldier of the New York Famiglia.

I’d fantasized about our first kiss so often that the option of it never happening had never crossed my mind.

One day a man would be very lucky to be married to her.

I liked his calm protectiveness. It gave me a sense of safety I longed for.

“You only have this one life, Lily. Make the best of it. I wish I had done it and now it’s too late. I don’t want you to end like me, to look back at a life full of missed opportunities and lost dreams. Don’t let life pass you by. You are braver than me, brave enough to fight for your happiness.”

“Don’t let anyone stop you from achieving happiness.”

“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?

Watching Lily was something I could do all day.

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.

One moment Mother was there and the next she was gone. Just like that a life ended, and with it the dreams and hopes of that person.

I wanted to be there for Lily, wanted to console her, but I respected Aria’s wishes.

Maybe I wanted to hear crying so I could storm in and console her, be her knight in fucking armor.

In the safety of Romero’s arms I dared to give my sadness room, didn’t fear it would swallow me whole. I knew Romero wouldn’t let it.

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

You know me. I’m all for the naughty and forbidden. If you want to have a piece of Romero, then do it. Life is too short.”

And deep down I knew I was exactly like Gianna when it came to resisting temptation. I simply couldn’t.

I’d never understood the concept of wanting something so badly, it hurt; I did now.

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.

Even though she wasn’t really mine to protect, I still wanted to protect Lily, even from herself.

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.

“Every night I feel like darkness is swallowing me whole, like my life is spiraling out of control, like there’s nothing good in my life. But when I think of you those feelings disappear. I feel safe when I’m with you.”

“Lily, you are stunning. Of course I find you attractive. Look at you, you are too fucking beautiful for words.”

Romero kissed the back of my head. “Get some sleep. I’ll keep the nightmares away.”

imploringly. “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.”

Aria and Gianna always called me a chatterbox but with Romero words so often failed me.

I’d always wanted him and my sisters had often told me that feeling would cease with time, but my want had only grown. I didn’t think it would ever stop, not that I wanted it to.

“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.”

“Romero,” she said in wonder, and my fucking heart swelled at hearing my name from her lips.

I wanted Romero. I wanted Romero to be my first, wanted to share everything with him. Right in this moment, I wanted nothing more, and I knew that even if I’d come to regret it, that regret could never be as torturous as the one I’d feel if I didn’t do it,

Sometimes you had to risk something to live, and Romero was a risk I was willing to take.

There was no part in me that thought what we were doing was wrong, and that was all that mattered.

One day. One day, I’d really make her mine. I’d figure out a way.

I didn’t want Lily to have only the memory of our shared night for the rest of her days, I wanted to remind her of the pleasure I could give her every night, I wanted to taste her, smell her, feel her every fucking night. I wanted to have her fall asleep in my arms and wake up next to me in the morning. I wanted to make her mine for everyone to know,

“No, you did nothing wrong, honey.”

“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.”

“Mother told me to be happy shortly before she died. And Romero makes me happy. I want to be with him.”

“Aria, I don’t want to marry anyone else. I only want Romero. I mean it, I love him.”

“Would you stay away from her if I threatened to tell Luca?” Aria asked as she lowered her hands. “No,” I said without hesitation.

Yes, more than anything else. “It would mean war. You said it yourself.” “I don’t care. I would risk war for you.”

“I don’t care about the Famiglia, but I care about you.” “Don’t worry about me. I’ll gladly die if it means saving you from Benito Brasci.”

I loved him, loved him so much it hurt. I knew there would be no happiness for me without him.

“War has been inevitable for a while. I won’t end your life to postpone it for a few fucking months. We’ll stand together.”

The look in his eyes made me realize that it was worth it. Love was worth risking it all.

Aria and Gianna led Lily toward the sofa. A protest lay on the tip of my tongue. I still felt very protective of her after almost losing her and wanted her at my side at all times,

“Do you really think I care about things like that? When I lived in a huge house and had more money than I could possibly spend I was never happy, but when I’m with you, I am.”

okay. I loved spending the night in Romero’s arms without being afraid of getting caught. For the first time we could watch the sunrise together.”

Romero rubbed my arm lightly and brought his mouth down to my ear. “Nobody will take you away from me. I’ll fight a million wars if it means I can keep you.”

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?”

Every woman should be happy on her wedding day, should feel safe in the arms of her husband,