Now there was Grace. An unexpected gift. She was far more than he'd ever fantasized about. She was courageous and beautiful. Intelligent and no pushover.
He preferred curves to supermodel thin. He didn't understand why women were so hard on themselves. Francesca was beautiful and he didn't want a single pound to go away.
Every moment I'm with you, bambina, I fall harder. It's difficult for mr to believe you're real. You aren't the only one a little terrified.
She didn't want to be that girl, the one curled up in a little ball. The one under the covers in the fetal position. She'd been there hundreds of times and every single time she'd told herself to stan...
I was always in danger. Always. I felt every minute of the day that I was walking a tightrope and any moment I was going to fall. Part of me just wanted it over.
Her wild imagination immediately interpreted his statement as him claiming her, making her his, letting her know no matter what, he would stand for her.
Could she give herself to him? She knew two things about him. He was a man with a strict code of honor, and he was a very dangerous man capable of swift violence.
As she'd grown, she moved through life in silence, hoping not to be noticed, afraid of drawing attention to herself.
You make me feel alive, Grace. Every cell in my body wakes up around you. My heart. Who knew it was even possible?
You know me, gattina, you're just conditioned to think you can't trust anyone. He did that to you. Don't let him interfere with us. You have the right to live your life, Grace.
She probably should have been afraid of him, but he brought her such a sense of well-being that fearing him was impossible.
Once he was set on a task, once he made up his mind, he was relentless.
It had been hard to tell him. Very hard. She'd learned not to trust anyone, but more importantly, she knew not to get close to anyone.
His smile was warm, impossible to ignore, and did something to her insides, making her feel happy. Happiness wasn't something she was used to feeling and it shocked her a little.
He was a complete stranger to her, but he knew that connection between them had started there in the parking lot, their shadows touching coiling together, their eyes meeting.
Are you certain she's the one? Emme whispered. Do you just know it, Vittorio? In your soul, where you live, do you just know?
Are you absolutely certain that Grace is yours? She's not just a woman who would be suitable because she carries the genetic code we need? Francesca is my world. Your woman needs to be yours.Grace is...
I want you to be mine completely. I need you to give yourself to me the way you kiss me. More importantly, I need to be your man. The one who shelters you, protects you, gives you everything.
Claiming her as his. He was rough, demanding and possessive. He wanted her to feel his brand of love. Complete. Encompassing. Reverent. Carnal.
Standing in the mouth of the tube, he needed a few seconds for his body to feel as if it had come back together. There was always the sick feeling that came with fast travel, with being pulled apart a...