Vengeance Aside (Wanted Men 0.5)(29)

Her hands had curled into fists and a yearning he could almost feel glowed in her eyes. But, naturally, she blocked it when she parted her lips and took the food from his hand. As she chewed, his cock filled. He would have to have her after this. It was getting late, but she didn’t seem the least bit tired. He fed her an olive and two more slices of meat before reaching for something behind her. As she drank her wine, he placed the small rack down then drizzled some olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the tomatoes. Stabbing one with the fork supplied on the side of the tray, he then added a slice of mozzarella before offering it.

“I don’t have allergies,” she murmured before accepting the food.

“I know.” He placed his free hand on her hip and petted her, wondering what she’d be like when she wasn’t in defense mode.

“You’re not disgusted because I’m sitting on your counter?” she asked after swallowing.

“No.” He pressed his lips to the edge of her jaw. Her skin was flawless.

Her fingers drifted down his abs. “I thought you were a self-indulgent hot-head.”

He remained silent.

“I’m not thrilled to find out that you’re not. Well, right now you’re not. You’re surprisingly gentle and kind of generous, and…really too attractive for your own good.”

He chuckled and ate a few bites himself. After washing the food down with a drink of wine, he kissed her as a reward for her honesty.

“Samuel would disagree when using the word gentle to describe me.”

“He’s probably jealous of you.”

“Jealous? Why?”

“I don’t know. Because you have so much game.” Her forehead puckered before smoothing out. “You’re siblings. Aren’t same-sex siblings always jealous of each other?”

He tore a piece of bread in half and fed her the soft part while he ate the crust. “Not in our case.”

“Of course, not.”

“That makes you sad?”

She straightened from the slouch she’d settled into. “What makes you think I’m sad?” A challenge presented in the angle of her chin.

“You’re right in front of me, and I can see perfectly, Magdalena.”

She pulled a face and buried her nose in her wine glass again. He took that as a sign she didn’t like how well he’d read her. Problem was, he could see how she felt when she mentioned siblings, but because she wouldn’t talk, he didn’t know why. Because she didn’t have any? Had she had one or more at some point in her life? Had they moved out of town, and she missed them?

He was about to ask when his phone went off. The sound had him shifting from pleasure to business with a jarring speed. He pulled it out and answered.

“Son?”

His heart hit his ribs with a thump he was sure had been heard around the world. “Papa? Are you okay?”

Dale slowly lowered her glass.

“Fine. I…needed to talk to you.”

“Of course. Is Yuri with you?”

“Yes. I’m fine, Lukas. I…dreamed of your mother. I thought she was…I thought I…she’s gone. Yes?”

Emotion rose up to thicken his throat. “Yes, she’s been gone for a long time now,” he forced out as he held Dale’s clear emerald stare. “It must be the injury and meds screwing with you.”

“I could have sworn she was real.”

He turned away and stuck his finger and thumb into his eyes sockets. Was this what he was setting himself up for by so easily accepting what was happening with Dale? A painful, lonely existence if she was ever taken from him?

“Maybe she came back to visit with you, Papa. God knows she must miss you as much as you miss her.”

“Yes. She would.”

Lukas saw Dale slip off the counter through the reflection in the window. “I was going to tell you to forget it and get some rest, but, maybe you should close your eyes and see if she returns.”

A staggering comfort was delivered when he felt hesitant arms slip around his waist. After the briefest hesitation, Dale rested her head between his shoulder blades. Her fingers stroked his chest as she held him.

“Papa? Do you think you can stay awake for a while?” he asked, following a sudden urge.

“Yes, I…think so.” He sounded distracted.

“I’d like to bring Dale to meet you now. Do you feel up to that?” He felt her stiffen at his back as a gruff sigh came through the phone.

“It would be my pleasure to meet your woman, Lukas. You know this.”

“We’ll be there shortly.”

“I’ll be waiting.” Didn’t sound so distracted anymore.

Lukas hung up. “I know you must be tired, but—”

“This is the end of a workday for me. I’m cool.” She came around to his front without letting go of him completely. She kept her head down, denying him a glimpse of her face. “I don’t have anything to wear to meet this soft-hearted mafia boss you talk to so sweetly.”

He’d just learned more about her. She was the generous one, and courageous.

“You have a closet full of clothes. Let’s go find something. I don’t want to keep him waiting.”

He took her hand, and she didn’t complain once about the speed with which he brought them up to his—now their—bedroom.