Christian

I sighed and settled Mia against me a little more comfortably before leaning back into the chair. My voice was a tad muffled when I spoke again because I’d buried my face in her hair at the crook of her neck. Bloody hell, she smelled delicious. And, it only added to my growing need for her when I noticed my own scent still clinging to her.

“Mia, my separation from the family was entirely of my doing. I’m kept out of the loop as a sign of respect to those wishes, not because there is a lack of trust.” I grinned and winked at her. “I’m still a DeLuca, darling.”

Mia frowned and tried to get up, but I kept a firm hold on her hips. She stilled with a small glare directed at me. “Then you should understand. The work I do for the family is important, and I can’t just quit. I’m needed.”

I raised an eyebrow and shifted her on my lap so my erection pressed into her ass. “I need you more,” I said gruffly. “I may have made an exception for you and dipped my toe back into the murky waters of the family business, but I have no intention of wading in and putting our lives in danger.” I grasped her chin and locked my eyes with her. “The thought of losing you is—” I broke off and shook my head. “No, you’re done with this life, love.”

She threw her hands in the air and jumped from my lap. I reluctantly let her go and sat back, watching her pace and fume.

“This won’t work, Christian.”

A growl rumbled in my chest, but she rushed on before I could refute her statement.

“I don’t have it in me to be the good little wife who spends her days barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. My art is a part of me and if you want me, you have to accept the whole package.”

I cocked my head to the side, my expression quizzical. “I’m not asking you to give up your art, love. Wouldn’t you enjoy spending more time on your painting and mainstream art? Enzo showed me your other studio before we came down here. You are truly exceptional, Mia.”

Her face softened, and a pretty pink blush tinged her cheeks. “Thank you.” Then she shook it off and went back to scowling, drawing a sigh from me. “All or nothing, Christian.”

The next time she paced past me, I reached out and snagged her wrist. With a sharp tug, she tumbled back into my lap. My lips came down roughly on hers, and I poured every ounce of the passion I felt for her into the kiss.

When I finally lifted my head, she was pliant in my arms, her beautiful hazel eyes slightly unfocused and hazy with lust.

She might not have thought so, but I had listened to her arguments. As much as it pained me, I knew something had to give or I would lose her. “How about a compromise?”

At my words, Mia perked up and cautious hope shone from her eyes.

“You focus on your art and only step in occasionally, mostly to help the family in emergencies. Your name will be kept out of it and under no circumstances”—I narrowed my eyes in warning because this next part was non-negotiable—“are you ever to be a part of the exchange. I don’t want you put in jeopardy.”

Mia tapped a finger against her kiss swollen lips as she contemplated my conditions. I couldn’t fucking wait to see those wrapped around my cock. With a quick shake of my head, I tried to knock the image loose and focus on our conversation.

“Deal.” Mia smiled brightly and extended her hand for a shake.

“That’s not how we seal deals, love,” I growled with a naughty grin as I removed my glasses and set them on a table. Pulling her tight against me, I crushed our mouths together. My tongue plunged into her velvet mouth while my feet steered the rolling chair backwards. As soon as I hit a solid wall, I blindly reached out, feeling around until I found the lock on the door and flipped it.

My hands splayed across her back, then slid down to glide underneath and up. Our lips parted for only a second while I ripped her shirt over her head. After a few moments, we were forced to come up for air and I took the opportunity to admire my girl.

“You have the most gorgeous breasts, love,” I murmured as I palmed the full, round globes. Leaning down, I sucked on a nipple through the lace of her bra. Mia moaned and her hands tunneled into my hair. After switching to the opposite breast and leaving another wet spot on the fabric, I popped the catch on her bra and let it fall forward.

I groaned and attacked each breast with equal fervor. Mia’s hips rubbed against my hard cock restlessly until finally, I couldn’t hold back anymore. Hastily, I unfastened my pants and freed my thickness. Then I thanked every deity in existence that she was wearing a flirty, black skirt. With my index finger, I ran it up her center and circled her little bundle of nerves. Mia hissed and her hands clenched in my hair. The slight sting shot straight to my dick.

Slipping underneath her panties, I swiped up between her pussy lips. “Bloody soaked. Fuck.” My lips were kissing a path up her neck and before I landed on her lips again, I demanded, “Ride me, love.”

With one hand, I helped her raise up, and the other slipped her panties to the side so she could slowly descend on my cock. Once I was fully seated inside her, she threw her head back and cried out, her inner walls clamping around me. She began to ride me hard, her naked breasts bouncing enticingly in front of me. I feasted on them as she picked up her speed and began to lift and drop violently.

Her cries escalated, and I was relieved that we were in a former safe room as it was soundproofed. I didn’t like the idea of anyone hearing my woman in the throes of ecstasy.

It didn’t take long before Mia was hovering on the edge of her orgasm. I gathered her close to me as my hips pumped up furiously. “You are mine, Mia,” I grunted against her lips. “Tell me,” I commanded.

“Oh! I’m—oh yes!”

“Mia!” I snapped.

“I’m yours, Christian!”

“Damn straight.”

I slipped a finger between us and pushed her over the edge so she splintered apart. I followed right behind her, pouring myself into her womb.

After our heart-rates slowed and the shivers subsided, we sat in a slump of boneless limbs. Mia’s head rested on my chest and I managed to find the energy to dip my head and place a kiss on her crown.

“I’ve known you for barely twenty-four hours, and I can’t imagine living without you.” My whisper was filled with wonder.

Mia sighed and her head bobbed in agreement. “I don’t know how it’s possible,” she mumbled.

My arms surrounded her and I squeezed her in a gentle hug. “Come back to the hotel with me,” I requested.

She groaned. “I can’t. I was serious about my deadline. Nic needs these passports ASAP.”

I stifled my instinct to argue and simply nodded. Carefully, I helped her extricate herself from my lap, gritting my teeth at the rush of pleasure when my still semi-hard cock slid against her walls as I withdrew.

“I have a few errands anyway,” I told her as I grabbed some tissues to clean between her legs. I left a fair amount of my seed when I moved her underwear back into place though. I wanted her coated in me, and I wanted as much come as possible working its way inside her and planting my baby.

Once our clothes were straightened and we looked a little less “freshly fucked,” I gave her a tender, lingering kiss. “How about I pick you up at eight and take you to dinner?”

Mia’s smile was bright when she looked up into my face. “Sounds perfect. I think I’ll be done by then.”

I hated to leave her, but I hadn’t been lying when I’d said I had things to do. With one last kiss, I left her to her work. Camila was waiting for me when I reached the main level of the house. She was quite a bit smaller in stature than Mia and I almost laughed at her attempt to look intimidating. Until Enzo stepped behind her, obviously throwing her his support.

“If you hurt my sister, DeLuca or not, you’ll be fitted for some cement shoes and tossed in the East River,” she growled. A corner of Enzo’s mouth lifted in a tiny smile at her words, but he quickly returned to glowering at me in warning

“It would be your right,” I acquiesced.

“Glad we understand each other.” Camila stepped aside and opened the front door. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into,” she snickered quietly as I passed her. Before I could ask her what she meant, she’d shut the door in my face.

I had more important things to worry about, so I turned and jogged down the front steps. Pulling out my cell phone, I called Brandon as I walked to the nearest intersection.

“What up, bro?” he answered.

Several taxis approached, and I waved a hand to flag one down. “I need a realtor.”