Page 17 of Corso DeLuca

She crinkles her nose. “I don’t eat sea creatures with more legs than me.”

I raise a brow. “Why is that?”

“Never tried lobster and don’t want to.”

She can’t be serious? How could she live in this city and not appreciate food? DC is the home to some of the most creative chefs in the country.

“That’s such a cop answer. Try it.”

Like a little kid refusing anchovies, she presses her lips into a firm line. “Ah… nope I don’t want a sea creature in my mouth.”

“The flavor is exquisite. Sure I can’t tempt you?”

Lifting her red wine glass, she takes a sip. “Not if it involves putting it in my mouth.”

Reaching out towards her, I tug her chair closer. “I have a solution.”

Eyes fixed on hers, I watch her expression shift from confusion to complete understanding. When I lean forward, she meets me halfway.

“So, you do want to kiss me?”

“Dying to kiss you,” I murmur, gliding my tongue across her lower lip. Jessie sighs, allowing me entry. “Hmm, I like that sound. Do it again.”

“Hmm,” she sighs.

For once, she doesn’t argue, and I feel like the luckiest man in the world. This bold, beautiful, confident woman surrenders to me. The power of her giving is more potent than if I were to take her mouth. Parting her lips, I sweep my tongue inside. The tip of her tongue touches mine. The taste of fine wine mixes with her natural sweetness. She groans, and the sound warms me, a ray of sunlight heating the dark shadows inside. Everything outside the hunger only she can satisfy is forgotten. I want to lose myself in her scent, her flavor. Gently, I suck on her tongue. She responds by angling her head, deepening our kiss, sealing us together. There’s a tremor as her mouth moves over mine. Good. I like knowing she’s experiencing the same sensory overload I am.

She treads her fingers through my hair, pulling. The strain on my scalp draws a surprise groan from my throat.

“My sweet Jessie,” I breathe out. “Driving me insane.”

“We’re both crazy,” she pants, reaching for my shirt button.

Not here, a voice echoes in my head. I break contact on a strangled grunt.

I push back from the table, standing. Jessie looks at me, her eyes sleepy and relaxed. Offering her my hand, I say, “Come with me.”

She gestures to the empty dishes. “What about our mess?”

“Leave it.”

Tugging, I lead her through the central living area, across the music room, past the arcade in the wing that I occupy when in town.

Jessie giggles. “An arcade. What are you… ten?”

Her smile is slow and absolutely devastating. Lust sweeps through me, my loins aching to satisfy with a need for Jessie.

“I like vanquishing my enemies on a daily basis. Keeps the mind sharp.”

“How big is this place?”

I give a twisted grin. “Over ten thousand square feet.”

“Damn, this is a man cave on steroids,” she says, dragging her feet.

“Glad you approve.”

I like that she’s impressed with my home. It’s my sanctuary, and few are ever welcomed here. Many of my associates have never entered my private quarters within The Governor. Instead, I conduct my business in one of the other wings, in case someone decides to make the mistake of planting a listening device or cameras.