Page 78 of Dirty Hot Valentine
“How about now? What if he went crazy and cornered you like this? What if it wasn’t Leo at all?” I whispered, savoring every squirm, every shudder. Then I decided to push even further. Her mind was the only thing of hers I could fuck right now. “What if it washim?”
Tears clouded her beseeching eyes. “Please stop.”
“That’s what you’re going to do? Cry and beg him to stop like the little girl you are? Would you even try to stop him at all?”
“You’re an asshole.”
“An asshole that doesn’t want any sick fuck around you taking what’s not his. An asshole that will kill to protect you because you have no skill whatsoever to protect yourself.”
She pushed against him, against the wool of my coat, one hand holding the violin and bow, the other a fist, over and over. Her attempts were futile. Her strength was nothing compared to mine, but it was so fucking amusing to watch her try.
I let go of her knees only to grab her parka again. Her close warmth made my tongue betray me again. I wanted her. I wanted what was mine. She was mine. Her music. Her heart. Her soul. Her mind. Her body.
All mine.
She seemed to like it when I darted my tongue and licked my lip. The quivering long breath seeping out of her lips was enough proof. To know and see and feel how much she burned for me did things to me that were dangerous. I couldn’t hold the nonchalant act any longer. Another second and I was done. “You’re a beautiful girl. You drive men crazy. If you’re not careful, you’re going to pay a terrible price.” I zipped up her parka and stepped back with a warning stare.
She was fighting her tears as she spun to leave. My mind said I should let her go, but my hand grabbed her wrist, as if I couldn’t bear her staying away. Not for one fucking second. She darted an angry gaze at me over her shoulder, blaming me.
I didn’t give a shit. I was her protector, even when it was me I should be protecting her from. I pulled her into my embrace and printed a soft kiss on her forehead.
In my arms, her body and tears surrendered. I waited it out, as always, and then I met her gaze with a smile. “Did you hear what I said when I first came in?”
She blinked. “We’re having dinner at Leo’s?”
“Yes. It’s Valentine’s Day.” She’d never been on a date on Valentine’s Day, and I’d vowed to be her first everything. I’d given her first kiss, now I’d give her her first date.
She stared at me, confusion glistening in her eyes.
“I want you to play at Leo’s as a part of the restaurant celebration.” Of course, I couldn’t tell her straight it was a date.
“Oh. Wow.”
“Is that okay?”
“I…I’d love to. My first gig outside school…and a free meal at Leo’s. The food is excellent there. I… The Halloween special you have there is… Wow. Thank you, Tino.”
God, the way she stammered… She really thought I was going to plain ask her out. My naughty girl. “Prego. Eight O’clock sharp. I’ll be in charge of your wardrobe, undergarments included.” I’d be damned if I let her show off any part of her body to the audience at the restaurant. I’d paint Valentine’s Day blood red if any stranger did as much as look at her in any way other than what a simple fan of her music would.
Her jaw twisted, and I was dying to see if she’d protest and disobey. I so much wanted her to disobey.
“Fine.” My Angel seemed to have learned her lesson, though.
I smirked. Let’s see if she was really going to behave all night. “Also Leo will be there for that meeting you asked for.”
“Oh. Okay.” She nodded pensively.
“Are you going to be prepared?”
“For the gig? Yeah, sure. Anything in particular you want me to play?”
My eyes narrowed at her. “I meant for Leo.”
Her silence wasn’t the answer I was looking for at all.I’ll have to make her find the right answer.
2. Tino
“Mr. Bellomo, you’re here,” Nicole said as I entered Angel’s room, as if I’d just come down and hadn’t been lurking outside, listening to the sisters’ entire conversation.
