Prologue

“Wake up, sweetheart.”

What the—?

Soft lips skim down my neck to my collarbone, making me moan and arch my back. A strong hand pulls me from my side to my back and those lips slide back up my neck to that spot right behind my ear that makes every nerve in my body come alive.

“What are you doing?” My fingers find their way into his thick, dark hair as I feel him grin against my skin. My nipples pucker almost painfully. His body is deliciously firm and warm next to me. I manage to open my heavy eyes to find Dominic smiling down at me, those ice blue eyes of his glowing in the moonlight.

“I think it’s pretty obvious what I’m doing, bella.” He cups my face in his large hands and lowers his lips to mine, kissing me gently at first, his lips sliding back and forth across mine, and then he settles against me, one leg planted between both of my thighs, his hard thigh pressing against the center of my universe with just enough pressure to make my hips tilt up against him, and he lays the sexiest kiss I’ve ever had on me. He tastes like wine and mint and sexy man. He’s devouring me in the most delicious way.

I knew Dominic Salvatore would be an excellent kisser.

My hands roam from his soft hair down to his shoulders and arms…his impossibly chiseled, strong arms.

“Don’t tell me no, bella.” His voice is rough as he kisses his way down my chest to one breast where he pulls my nipple into his mouth and tugs gently, making me rub my core against his naked thigh again. “Please. I need you.”

“This is crazy.” But I don’t push him away. Instead I plunge my fingers into his hair again and drag him up for another long, deep, hungry kiss. God, I can’t get enough of his mouth.

He shifts, settling his pelvis against mine. His cock is long and thick and moves easily between my slick folds, the head massaging my clit in a mind-numbing staccato.

“You’re so wet,” he whispers harshly. “Open your eyes.”

It’s not a request.

He’s staring down at me with an intensity I’ve never seen from anyone before. God, he feels so good. I drag my hands down his back to his ass and grip him firmly as I raise my knees high against his sides, opening myself up to him.

“I wasn’t going to do this with you.”

He clenches his eyes shut and tilts his forehead against mine.

“I can’t stay away from you. I’ve tried, bella.”

I can hear Italy in his voice. His body is tight with yearning, but he’s holding himself steady, waiting for my decision. Every muscle is pulled tight. He’s trembling.

How can I say no to this?

I don’t want to say no to this!

“Dom?”

“Anything. Anything you want.”

I circle my hips. A slow smile spreads over my lips, as his jaw clenches and he mutters an Italian curse word through gritted teeth.

“Yes.” I whisper.

His hand palms my breast; his thumb circles my tight nipple.

“Are you sure?” His hand glides down my side and around to my ass, pulling me more tightly against him.

“Yes.”

“You’re so damn wet, Alecia.”

“I know.”

He grins down at me, pulls his hips back, and then slides inside me in one smooth motion, filling me completely.

We both gasp, eyes locked, as he stills, buried inside me, and I swear to God, buried in the very heart of me.

Except, I don’t do hearts and flowers.

“Don’t make me fall in love with you,” I plead. His eyes soften, but he doesn’t reply, he just pulls out all the way, looks down between us and pushes back inside me and repeats the motion twice more.

“Faster,” I beg.

“No.”

I glare up at him, but he simply smiles back at me before kissing my forehead, linking his fingers with mine and pinning my hand above my head. And then he begins to really move those hips, setting up a punishing rhythm. His pubis nudges my clit with every thrust of his hips, pushing me closer to the edge.

“Do you know how badly I’ve wanted you, Alecia?” he whispers against my ear as his free hand continues to cup my ass and he controls the speed and depth of his thrusts.

“No.”

He kisses my ear, my cheek, my nose, and finally my lips as he picks up speed, fucking me harder, faster, making me squirm and moan and pant.

Jesus fucking Christ I can’t take it.

My hand grips his harder and my toes curl.

“You’re going to come, bella.”

“Yes.”

“Let go. Do it.”

I’m almost there. I’m just on the edge. Fuck me, if he keeps hitting my clit just like that…

BEEP BEEP BEEP!!

I sit up, sweaty, panting, and every nerve in my body on fire, eyes wildly searching my bedroom. Everything is normal. Except all of the covers have been pushed onto the floor, my tank and panties are gone, and I’m on the brink of the most explosive orgasm of my life.

And very alone.

I slap my hand on the snooze button, swearing long and loud. Seriously?

Seriously?!

He’s in every daydream I have, and now he’s invading my sleep too? And I’m about to come without him even touching me.

Son. Of. A. Bitch.

Chapter One

I’m late. I’m never late. I don’t do late.

It’s Dominic Salvatore’s fault.

Okay, maybe that’s far-fetched, even to me, but seriously, does he have to infiltrate every thought? Even my dreams? Dreams that leave me sweaty and panting and…and…damn it.

I stare at myself in the mirror and shake my head.

Get it together.

I don’t have time for this. I don’t have time for him. I have a day packed full of meetings and appointments with potential clients. No time to dwell on the hot Italian that I can’t seem to shake from my subconscious.

My hair doesn’t want to cooperate as I twist it up into its usual knot and secure it with bobby pins. What’s up with my hair today? I do my best to smooth it out and try again, but at just past 7:30 in the morning, my day seems to already be in the crapper.

I blow a wayward lock of hair off my forehead with a deep sigh and prop my hands on my hips, glaring at my hair. I wear it up every day. Every. Day. It’s professional.

I’m not wearing it down today.

So I do my best, then dress in my favorite pink summer suit—maybe it’ll improve my luck today—with pink Jimmy Choo heels and turn back to brush on my makeup and dash out the door. But just after I finish with my mascara, I sneeze, leaving black marks on my cheeks from the wet makeup.