"Fuck me. Yes. Fuck me!" Her cries floated around us, her desire consuming both of us.
I kept the pace, slamming her savagely against the marble, driving deep. When she stretched out her arms, clasping her hands around mine, I lowered my head, biting down on her neck.
Brutal.
Unforgiving.
Taking.
When I was ready to explode, I pulled out, lifting her until she was forced to slap her feet against the wall. Then I claimed her ass, sliding in with ease.
She shuddered, her mouth slack as she panted, clawing at me. Everything about this was primal, our combined hungers off the rail. Nothing mattered but the two of us, our carnal needs being fulfilled. Then I stopped thinking, shoving in harder and faster until I could hold back no longer.
Tossing my head, I roared, the sound like an angry beast filling his mate with seed.
I held her for some time, languishing under the shower, my face pressed against hers. There were so many things I wanted to say to her, events of my life that needed to be shared, but I had no idea where to begin. Hell, I had no idea what wouldn't compromise our relationship.
She folded her arms over mine, clinging to me as our breathing calmed. When I finally released her, she didn't seem surprised, merely tipping her head and offering a sad yet respectful nod. Perhaps she'd learned when to leave the brooding beast alone.
I left her in the bathroom, dressing quickly and grabbing my phone. Once again, an emptiness filled my heart. Even remorse. There'd been no calls, no emails that would indicate any major disturbances in the middle of the night. The quiet was as disconcerting as the events of the day before.
Even the freshly brewed coffee tasted bitter. I poured the cup into the drain, glaring at the morning light.
"A pensive man."
I snickered, watching the reflection in the glass as she walked in. "I have a lot on my mind."
"Such as the explosion?"
"Yes. That and other aspects of business."
"That you still won't tell me about."
As she moved to find a mug, pouring herself a cup of coffee, I shook my head. "We have legitimate businesses such as the casinos and other real estate development."
"You also have others that are directly related to crimes," she said quietly, no condemnation, simply a statement.
"I'm not going to insult your intelligence. We are into various aspects that are considered criminal activity, but by and large, the family is legitimate."
"And you're talking over one day."
I laughed, thinking about my siblings. "I have two brothers, both of which are capable but who refuse to have anything to do with the... operation. One lives out West on a ranch. He has a wife and two kids. The other is currently sailing the world at the moment."
"Smart men. They want to live their life in an honest fashion."
The words would normally rile me, but they were more truthful than I cared to hear. I turned to face her, nodding once. "What they never realized is that they were born into this family and by that I mean the Borgata. We are Italian, our heritage in settling in America was about forging a new life."
"That didn't have to include murdering people." She dared to inch closer to me, her wet hair framing her face in such a sexy fashion. The robe was far too seductive, drawing my mind in other more nefarious locations.
"We do what has to be done, Caroline. Sometimes that includes eliminating problems. We also don't talk about certain aspects of business in this house." I kept my voice low.
"You talk in code as if I'm wearing a wire. I think you know better." Her eyes flashed.
"But anyone could be listening. I'm certainly not immune to the law. The Feds have tried for years to take down my family for accusations that simply aren't true. I can't allow that to happen so I'm careful in everything I do."
"Except with me." She took a sip of coffee, her eyelashes fluttering as she lifted her gaze.
"No. Not with you."
"Are you saying that this house is bugged, that everything we're saying is on record? No wonder your brothers bailed. This isn't the kind of life to live."
"As I said, anything is possible." Sighing, I folded my arms, trying to keep my distance. "You can't run from who you are. Even you should know that. My brothers have no choice about who they are. My father never pushed them, allowing them to make a choice, but that doesn't mean they aren't required to protect our family. Every member."
"Including me?"
The question drove a stake through my heart. "Including anyone I care about."
"Hmmm..." She looked away. "Are you ever going to tell me about my mother?"
Once again, the question caught me off guard. I inched closer. "Why would your father lie to you about her death?"
"Honestly, I have no idea. They didn't get along, but he never abused her in any manner."
"Did she find out about his methods of business?"
She looked me directly in the eyes. "My mother was formidable, refusing to back down to him and he hated it. There was never a time that I didn't see them arguing. I honestly have no idea why they stayed married. Perhaps they were in love once, but from the time I was a small child, I never saw any kind of adoration. As far as business, he never talked to her about it in my presence. And before you ask, if she'd known about his sick desires, she would have taken me and left."
"Did your mother have secrets of her own?" There was a possibility she found out about his kinky needs, but I couldn't imagine that would be the impetus to lock her away. There was a missing piece.