Shadow Reaper (Shadow #2)(117)

Mariko drew back when he pushed it across the short distance. For a moment, she continued to look at his face, and then her gaze dropped to the ring. His cousin was a renowned jeweler, his designs so sought-after, celebrities, multimillionaires and kings and queens from other countries went to him for a personal piece of jewelry.



His cousin Damian had a gift. He could design the perfect piece of jewelry that suited an individual. His wedding rings were so sought-after that you had to go to him years in advance to get an individual piece. Each one of the Ferraros had gone to him when they turned twenty-five, knowing they would have to marry whether or not they found the love of their lives. It was a tradition in their family.



       
         
       
        



In truth, he'd been upset when he saw the rings Damian had designed for him. He watched as Mariko slowly picked up the box and stared down at the rings. Both were bands. The engagement ring was wider than the wedding band. The wide band had two Japanese swords carved into the metal. They were exquisitely detailed, the hilts ornate. Twisted into the hilts of both swords was the Ferraro family crest. Inside had been carved Sempre la vostra spada e scudo. Always your sword and shield.



He'd thought his cousin was insane and he'd locked the rings away, never showing them to his family. Now he understood why everyone thought Damian was such a genius. His gift was to know exactly what his client needed long before the client did. Ricco knew he would always be both a sword and a shield for Mariko. He would always be her samurai warrior. Always.



"Do you understand?" He'd had to apologize to Damian when he'd sent the ring to be sized. "I've made mistakes, Mariko, far too many. I'm no saint and I never will be. I like sex, lots of it. I'm not going to pretend I don't, but my entire focus is on you."



Deliberately he moved her hand to his cock, wrapping her fingers around the thick, very hard shaft. She didn't try to pull her hand away, rather she gripped him tightly. His hand around hers kept her there. It was heaven and hell all rolled into one. Her palm burned like a brand. He wanted her with every breath he took, but he forced himself to be still. It was Mariko who started the slow glide. She moved her thumb over the broad head of his cock, smearing the leaking drops so that the glide was smooth as she pumped up and down almost lazily. It was enough to kill any man.



"What if you get tired of me, Ricco? You know that's a possibility. One woman isn't going to satisfy you for the rest of your life, and I'm not a woman to cheat on. Nor would I want you miserable."



"I can understand your fears, Mariko." Dio, how could he think when her fingers were dancing up and down his shaft, and then her fist squeezed him so tightly it robbed him of breath. "But truly, really listen to the answer. You hear truth. I can't lie to you, nor would I have a reason to do so. I want only you. I fell in love with you almost from the moment you walked into the interview. Every moment spent in your company has deepened what I felt until I know with absolute certainty that I love you and you are the only woman I want in my life."



Her hand stopped moving, although her fist remained tight. Her eyes stared directly into his. "You never told me you loved me."



"I did. In a thousand ways. With my ropes." 



Her eyes widened and her hand tightened. He held his breath. He needed her to move that hand. Every cell in his body was tuned to that one body part. He could count his heartbeats there. He knew she could, too.



"You never told me in words."



"I laid myself bare to you, Mariko." He said it quietly. She couldn't deny it. He had.



"The Lacey twins? Two women at one time?"



He said nothing because he was guilty as hell and he couldn't take it back. He could try to explain the need to run all the time, to get rid of the rage in him. How he needed the adrenaline rush every moment of his existence to just live. He'd lived and played hard. He'd done so in the spotlight. There was nothing he could do about it now.



"I don't share well with others," she whispered.



"Neither do I. I can't change my past, Mariko, but I can promise you my future. My word is good."



She began that slow pump again, moving her tight fist up and down, sending waves of heat rushing through his body to his veins, spreading it like a slow drug through his entire system.



"Are you going to marry me?" His fingers bunched in the sheet. Dio, he was already as hard as a rock.



"Probably." She was no longer looking at him, but at his cock.