Page 56 of Fastest Kill

"Like what?"

"Like I'm something worth keeping."

Dario could hear the small tightening of her voice right at the end. She must have realized what she said, and her chin came up a fraction in automatic defiance.

"Don't tell me what to do." Dario cupped her face in both hands and kissed her again, slow and unhurried.

Frederica went still under his hands, then kissed him back with a fullness that felt like surrender, except that nothing she ever did was surrender.

Dario walked her back to the bed, and she sat down and looked up at him with those dark eyes and said, "I want you to actually look at me this time."

"I'm already looking at you."

"You know what I mean." Something in her voice made him still. "The last time was the job still in us, and it was hot, but it was hurried and⁠—"

"Don't worry, Spartana. I know what you are saying. I'll take care of you." Dario pulled her shirt over her head without rushing it, and when it was gone, he did exactly what she asked. He admired the long athletic lines of her, the muscle and the scars, the soft brown skin, the body that had survived everything her life had thrown at it—and she watched him do it with her spine straight and her chin up, like she was braced for a fight.

He ran his hand down her shoulder, her arm, her ribs. "You are so beautiful."

She snorted in response.

"You have a problem with that?" he asked.

"I have a problem with believing it."

"So I noticed." He leaned in and kissed her shoulder, her collarbone, the hollow of her throat. She tipped her head back, and he ran his stubble and lips up the column of her throat. "Maybe you need to work on taking a compliment."

"You are incredibly annoying," she said before grabbing his shirt by the hem and yanking at it. Dario took the hint, undid a few buttons, and pulled it over his head. He undid his belt and took off his pants.

Frederica pulled him down on top of her, her hands running over his shoulders and chest. "I really love how big you are."

"Do you?"

"Yeah. It makes me feel like I'm normal-sized for once."

Dario cupped her breast before dipping his head to suck one nipple into a tight little peak. "You are the perfect size, and I don't have to worry about accidentally hurting you."

Frederica's nails scratched down his back. "You won't, and if you do, it's because I want you to."

Dario glided his hand over her waist and cupped her pussy. She was so hot, he bit the inside of his cheek to keep from moaning. He stroked her with two fingers, found her already wet. He kissed and nipped his way to her other breast, as his slick fingertips ran over her clit.

"Fuck," she exhaled, her hands burying into his curls. Dario continued to cover her in kisses, his fingers working her pussy slowly. Like he had all the time in the world to get her off. He wanted to give her what she needed, and that was his time and sole focus.

Dario watched her face as the smooth lines of her body moved, her hips lifting, trying to get him to go faster. He glided his soaked fingers into her pussy, making her moan, and worked her gently, thrusting them in and out and stretching her to make room for him.

"You want to come, tesoro?" he asked, scraping his teeth on the underside of her breast. Her fingers tightened in his hair so he did it again.

"Yes… Oh, fuck, right there," Frederica panted.

He dragged her nipple into his mouth as he changed the angles of his fingers, finding that sweet little rough part inside of her. She came apart with a breathless, unguarded cry, her pussy clenching around his fingers. His dick was leaking against the sheets, but he needed to make sure she came good and hard first to take the edge off.

"You stay right here, and I'll find a condom, hmm?" Dario said, gently sliding his fingers free. He couldn't resist wrapping his hands over his cock, wiping her release on it.

"I told you in the hotel. I'm covered," Frederica said, watching him stroke himself with hungry eyes.

"I know. I just—" he began.

"Dario." She gave him a flat look. "Get inside of me right now before I change my mind."