Empire (Eagle Elite Book 7) by Rachel van Dyken Page B

ran into a trash can and nearly tumbled against the wall when strong arms came around me and pulled me into one of the theaters that wasn’t showing a movie.
    Darkness engulfed us.
    And an electrical charge that warned me to run, yet again, filled the air.
    But it was Sergio.
    So I stayed.
    Because I was that stupid girl.
    The one who believed that everyone had something good — right?
    “Look at me,” Sergio’s whisper was urgent, harsh, as he held my face between his hands. “Val, look at me.”
    I shook my head. “I think — I’ll just… not.”
    “You’ll just not,” he repeated softly. “Val, please.”
    Slowly, I lifted my eyes to his, unable to stop the fact that the longer I stared at him, the more they filled with big, fat, ugly tears.
    “Damn me to hell,” he muttered and then pulled me in for a tight hug, one that felt safe, even though I knew better now. I knew better.
    I tried to pull away.
    But he wouldn’t let me.
    So I turned my face into his chest.
    It was hard to breathe.
    But at least he wouldn’t think I was trying to kiss him.
    Even though the car ride hadn’t gone that way, if anything, he’d leaned forward like he was going to kiss me, I’d simply reacted to his reaction.
    Cause and effect.
    Not that I’d argue it.
    “Val…” His words went from English to Italian then back again as he cursed himself and this life. “I’m sorry.”
    “For?”
    “Stupidity doesn’t work on you.” He sighed. “And I mean that as a compliment… but for your sake, I’ll say it.” He pulled back so that his face was inches from mine. “I’m sorry for threatening you in the cab, but most of all, I’m sorry for making you feel like you aren’t safe with me, when the exact opposite is true. I would die for you. Val, a gun is all I know…” He shook his head. “Knew. It was all I knew until someone showed me more… sometimes, it’s just easier to revert to old habits. It’s easier not to think.”
    “Okay.” I tried to pull away. Needed to get away.
    “Val, you’re not even listening to me.”
    “Heard you loud and clear.” I tried to look convincing. “You’re sorry, and I shouldn’t be scared. Got it!” I made a beeline for the door.
    Well, I tried, but he was freakishly strong and kept me paralyzed against the frame of his huge body.
    “You may have heard, but you don’t understand.” He cursed again. “Words… were never my strong suit.”
    “No?” I laughed nervously, still trying to peel myself away from him. “Because you were pretty clear about your intentions the other night.”
    He frowned. “I’ve literally never had a woman pull away from me. Ever. I’m also not used to doing things… delicately.”
    “Kinda caught that,” I said mouth dry.
    “Shit.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “A little help here.”
    The screen in the empty theater lit up with a preview, who knew they still showed the movie even if nobody was in there?
    A girl ran across the screen in the rain and then she turned back to the guy and yelled. “A kiss to make it better?”
    Sergio’s eyes widened a bit as he glanced from the screen back to me.
    And without hesitation.
    Placed his mouth across mine.
     

Lovers to bed, ‘tis almost fairy time —A Midsummer Night’s Dream
     
    Sergio
     
    HER LIPS WERE soft.
    It was her first kiss.
    It had to be.
    Because she wasn’t doing anything.
    At all.
    It was like kissing a soft wall.
    One that smelled really good — too good.
    Memories assaulted me, and then finally, I licked the seam of her lips. With a gasp, her mouth opened. I hadn’t planned on kissing her at all, let alone kissing her the way I was.
    But, damn it, she wasn’t kissing me back.
    And I was proving a point.
    And she was ruining it by not responding.
    Her soft moan was all I needed to hear and, when she pressed her fingertips into my biceps, I knew she was enjoying herself. Kissing another woman wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be.
    It felt