Fire Bound (Sea Haven Sisters)(37)

“My uncle can’t find out about us,” she reiterated. “He would be upset. I don’t honestly know what he’d do, but I don’t want to chance anything going wrong.”



“He won’t find out. You can go back to your room before everyone wakes up. We both know where the cameras are and we can avoid them.”



That was true. She could move all over the house and never be seen.



“Why didn’t your uncle take care of the problem?” Casimir persisted. “And more to the point, why did the Porcelli family leave him alone? Your uncle had to have been the one to teach you your skills.”



She bought a little time by deftly braiding the long length of her hair and tying the braid into a knot on top of her head. “Yes. Tio Luigi taught me the necessary skills to bring justice to those who murdered my parents. The Porcelli family was – and is – too powerful for the court justice system to work. They own half the police and judges.”



“That doesn’t tell me why Luigi didn’t go after them himself.” Casimir took her hand and helped her step over the side of the tub into the steaming water.

Lissa sank into the water, not realizing until that moment that she was shivering. She wrapped her arms around her middle and leaned back against the curved porcelain, watching him carefully. He was a beautiful man. Gorgeous. All rippling muscle. Very, very dangerous. She had known who he was on some level ever since she’d been around him. He had the same shape eyes and that watchful stillness and the confidence and graceful movements of his brothers. She hadn’t caught it on the plane, and he’d been seated right next to her, annoying her every moment. She was going to have to get him back for that.



“Giacinta.”



His voice was a gentle caress, playing over her skin and sinking into her cells until she felt him inside her. His voice was a weapon, just like everything else about him. She knew, from hearing what her sisters had told her, that the schools had including seduction and sexual training.



Casimir sank into the water and reached out a hand for her, spreading his legs wide. “Come here, malyshka.”



She was already in so deep with him. She’d given herself to him. She’d trusted him, and by doing so, she’d put him in danger. Not just him, but her uncle as well. Luigi would never stand for this. Never. He wouldn’t understand. He wouldn’t even try. She shook her head.



“This was my mistake, Casimir. I wanted you so much, I wanted to feel real and I knew, with you, I could.” It was only fair to give him the truth. “I didn’t expect to have all the emotions I’m feeling right now toward you, but because I do, I have to tell you, we can’t see each other again as long as I’m under this roof.”



“Malyshka, I need you to come here to me.” His eyes stayed steady on her face. His voice remained as gentle as ever. Gentle, but there was steel in it. He was a man who always got his way.



Lissa sighed and scooted around in the hot water until her back was against Casimir’s chest and she was settled firmly between his legs. He wrapped his arms around her ribs, just under her breasts.



“Trust me to do what I have to do to take care of this. To take care of you. I’ve been alone my entire life, Lissa. Since I was a child. After a while, I couldn’t even dream of having a life with a woman. You’ve handed me the most precious gift in the world. Do you really think I would screw that up?”



Lissa didn’t reply. He’d handed her something equally precious. He’d seen past the mask she wore to her. He was the only person in her life… well… maybe his brother Gavriil had seen the real Lissa as well.

She let herself relax against Casimir’s chest, and the instant she did, he buried his face against her neck, his teeth scraping back and forth against her sensitive skin. She was so susceptible to him, just that small action sent little darts of fire streaking like bullets through her body, straight to her core.



Lissa put both hands over his and let herself melt against him, surrounded by the steaming hot water. He touched a button and the jets activated, whirling bubbles around so that they popped and fizzed against their skin. Her body felt like a thousand tongues were teasing her.



“Tell me why your uncle didn’t go after the Porcelli family.”



He whispered the question against her ear, his lips brushing her lobe. Kissing the sensitive skin behind her ear. She felt his tongue stroke, tasting her, and she closed her eyes. He was a seducer, all right. She felt weak with wanting him – wanting to please him. “You wouldn’t ever have to torture a woman for information. You could just hold her like this, in your strong arms, your mouth against her skin, and she’d blurt out every secret.”