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WHEN I MAKE MY WAY inside the penthouse, I halt all of a sudden. Fallon’s standing in front of the sofa, looking absolutely gorgeous in a simple black dress with spaghetti straps that flares at her hips. However, when she holds up the menu, I cock my head, taking off my suit jacket and flinging it onto a bar stool.

“Did you know that they reprinted these because they forgot that the desserts were supposed to be printed on them too?”

“No, but I wondered why you didn’t mention anything yesterday...” I reply.

“Because the Dolcezza dessert isn’t on the menu you showed me. Brielle told me.” She clutches the menu, inching forward. “That’s so sweet!” At last, she initiates intimacy and goes on her tiptoes to press her mouth to mine.

Cupping the back of her head, I deepen our kiss before she pulls back. “See, I always think about you. You possess my mind.”

“You possess my mind too, so we have to get past this, Luca. Ever since we had the babies and that first incident occurred on New Year’s, you’ve become overbearing. You can’t control every little aspect when there are four people involved. Maybe that was possible when you were alone, but you need to trust my strong points too. I told you over and over that I’m not a naïve civilian anymore. I survived a lot to get to the truth, to protect us – what you always feel the need to do as well – why couldn’t you understand that?”

“You’re right,” I respond, causing her amber eyes to widen. “I’m so sorry. Just seeing Noah hurt unbalanced me, and then when everything got strange, I didn’t know how to handle it.”

I lie and scheme to shelter her and the twins as well. In hindsight, I made the mistake of losing control; she didn’t. So I own up to it because I won’t allow my wife to distance herself from me. As she cradles my cheek, I turn into her palm and kiss it.

“I know you didn’t know how to handle it. But always remember that I’m not that girl you stalked at the coffee shop when we first met anymore. I’m the woman who understands your violent mind. I’m also the mother of your children. We have to let each other back in.”

“I’ve already decided that but wanted to give you time, dolcezza. Because I deserved this punishment.”

She sends me a sad smile while I nuzzle her nose.

“And I lost it because I drank. I promise on our children that I’ll never drink again, and I’ll never underestimate you.”

Her astonished gaze shoots up as she lets out a relieved sigh. “I’m so glad you’re acknowledging that.”

“You were right about everything, and I’ve seen how strong you are. You don’t need me to protect you, but I need you to protect me.”

“No, we protect each other. We’re in this together forever, like you promised,” she whispers.

“Per sempre, dolcezza.” Forever, sweetheart.

Palming her ass, I pull her into me. “Mi sei mancato così tanto.” I’ve missed you so much.

Then I crash my lips down onto hers. My tongue darts into her mouth, impatiently tasting home. I groan when her back bows into our kiss, and her body yields to my touch as she forgives me, at last.

Picking Fallon up by her hips, I set her on the arm of the ivory couch and wedge myself between her legs. Her warm hands on my neck give me a sense of familiarity that’s been lost for weeks. She kisses me with the same hunger I feel in my soul. Dragging my mouth down her throat, I take a hardened nipple in my mouth, biting the soft skin on the curve of her breast through the fabric of her dress. She tugs hard at my hair, creating an arousing mix of sensual promise.

Fallon’s flustered and out of breath as I grind my pelvis against her, and her nails mark a trail along my jawline. I weave my fingers through her long hair while hooking her right leg around my hip and tip her head back roughly to plunge my tongue inside her mouth again.

“All. I. Want. Is. You.” I grind the straining erection in my dress slacks against her.

Fallon stiffens suddenly, and then her entire body sags against me. “The kids could wake at any second. They’re in the bedroom.” She attempts to push me away with her hands flat against my chest.

Releasing a deep sigh, I pull back slightly and catch her lust-filled eyes. “Well, they’re asleep now, and I need to be inside you.”

She clutches the front of my shirt and smirks, ready to refuse me, but I’m not going to let her overthink this, so I kiss her hungrily, demanding her to open her mouth. And the second she welcomes my tongue and returns my kiss, I fist her hair as I continue to taste her.

Stepping back only an inch, I unbuckle my belt as she yanks my white dress shirt out of my pants. She unbuttons and pushes down my slacks as I pick her up with one hand on her ass and the other still palming her head.

I smile against her mouth because it feels good to have her under my spell. To know that she wants me as much as I want her. This woman makes me whole and she needs a reminder that she’ll always belong to me.

I practically shove us onto the floor right beside the couch and quickly hike up her dress as she moans and grips my hair. Hooking my thumb in her lace panties, I rip them off in one swift move, and after I push my boxers down to free my cock, I press my raging hard-on against her and circle a few times. When her hips jerk up and invite me in, I drive into her roughly, looping my arm under her knee and holding her head so that she’s forced to kiss me.

“Fuck, I missed you,” I whisper, growling as I thrust in and out a few times, reveling in the feel of her tightening core. She’s so wet for me.

I roll her over and pull her hips up, giving her a sharp bite and a hard slap on her ass, and I rub the pink flesh before pushing back in from behind. Her back arches, and I own her again as I steady her hips to take control while she’s trying to move at her own tempo. She’s spurring me on, and I’m enjoying reconquering her, so I spank and grope the swell of her ass, and she lets out a gratifying moan.

When I pull out, she immediately shoves me back and straddles me, kissing me hard while biting my lip. She’s fucking stunning when she slides onto me with her fingers wrapped around the base of my erection and takes me in deep.

I bunch up her dress in my hands to watch her move up and down. Then I drop my head back and close my eyes, the pleasure that only she can give me building as I dig my fingers into her hips and let her ride me.

Opening my eyes, I watch Fallon racing to her orgasm. A trickle of sweat slides into her cleavage, so I wrench her dress down to wipe it away and cover her breast with one hand. My other hand trails down and circles her soft spot under her dress until she’s panting loudly, then I stop and she looks directly at me with a lazy grin.

Rolling us over again without pulling out, I possess her, adjusting my angle as her legs lock around my waist.

“Look at me,” I order, and her amber irises meet mine, the look of adoration she used to give me returning to her gaze.

I rub her hard to make her come, and I smother her whimper with my mouth as she releases with the most satisfying moan. My own orgasm isn’t far behind, and as Fallon milks me, my balls tighten and I pour into her, never taking my eyes off her for one millisecond. I growl and we grind into each other, prolonging our release.

As my head begins to clear, I remain on top of her and she clutches my nape, so I comb her bangs from her face, whispering, “Ti amo.” I love you.

She’s dazed, still coming down from her high, yet her words heal my killer’s soul. “I love you so much.”