ASantiniinLoveMelissa Schroeder Read online

  Truth was, though; he didn’t want it to be for only one night. He wanted more. Contrary to what he told her, he was going to do his damnedest to get in her bedroom. What bothered him was that he knew that wasn’t all he wanted. He was a man who rarely had long relationships. His job hadn’t afforded that. Dante had a bad feeling he had been bitten by the Santini curse. They all knew when they met their mates, or so the legend said. He had always belittled the idea, thinking he would be the one to escape the insanity.

  At the moment, he couldn’t see why he had wanted to escape.

  She pulled into her carport as he parked on the street. Jack waved at both of them. He approached Madison as Dante walked up the path to the front door. The perplexed look on the Marine’s face told Dante they would not get away with an easy explanation.

  “Hey, there, Dante. What are you doing here?”

  “My house got trashed last night. Madison was nice enough to let me stay on her couch.”

  Jack’s eyes danced with laughter, but he didn’t comment on that.

  “And,” Madison said, “I saw something very disturbing last night. After dropping Dante off—”

  “Dropping you off? I thought you went out with your friend?” Jack asked.

  “I did, but guess who ended up at the same place with my sister?”

  Jack chuckled. “Okay, so you dropped the drunk off, you saw something?”

  “I thought I saw a woman get shot.”

  “You did see a woman get shot.”

  They explained to Jack what had happened, who took it all in stride.

  “And you think if the guy can find her real address, she’d been in trouble?”

  Dante nodded. “So, make sure you keep an eye out for any suspicious characters, Jack.”

  “Will do,” he said.

  He talked over a few things with Jack, but Madison had had enough apparently. She was walking up to the door when he caught up to her. He took the keys from her and she gave him a disgruntled look.

  “I can open my own door,” she said in a crisp tone.

  “And I thought it might be best if I was the first person through the door.”

  “Why?”

  He shrugged. “Because I’m a Marine.”

  “I was a Marine too.”

  “Are,” he said walking to the door and ignoring her.

  She didn’t follow right away. “What?”

  “You are a Marine.”

  There was a beat of silence then she strode closer. “And so I should open the door.”

  Damn, he stepped right into that one. He fell back on the one important thing that separated them.

  “I’m a guy.”

  A string of cuss words fell from her lips that would embarrass even Anthony, who had the worst mouth of the lot of them.

  “Madison Baker! I’m embarrassed by your use of the English language. Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?”

  She settled her hands on her hips and gave him a suggestion that was anatomically impossible. He shook his head and tsked as he unlocked the door and stepped into the house. He walked through. He knew she came in behind him because he saw the front hallway light turn on and off then heard her shut the door and do the same thing with the deadbolt.

  He went from room to room, making sure nothing had been disturbed. If it had been, the intruder had left no sign of it. Nothing had been touched. When he returned to the foyer, she was standing with her arms crossed. She was tapping her foot. Charlie was sitting by her giving him a doggie look of sympathy. Damn, when the dog was showing him pity, he knew he was in trouble.

  “You’re a guy? That’s your argument?”

  He should be formulating some kind of escape from the fight she was itching to have with him, but he couldn’t.

  “Yeah.”

  Brilliant, Santini. Just brilliant.

  “Seriously? That’s all you have to say?”

  “What do you want me to say? That I think you need someone to take care of you? I do.”

  “I don’t need anyone.”

  “Oh, sure, you’re a freaking island,” he said.

  Dante didn’t understand where his irritation was coming from, but it was boiling beneath the surface. He didn’t often show his temper, but when he did, everyone avoided him. On an intellectual level, he understood she could take care of herself. She was a fucking Marine and had seen combat. The PTSD might give people a problem, but not him. She was still fucking tough.

  On some other level, the one that involved his heart and his soul, he wanted her to want his protection. Her reluctance caused his anger to surge. It made him feel like a Neanderthal, but he didn’t give a damn.

  “What that’s supposed to mean?”

  He shoved his hands through his hair trying to calm himself. He still didn’t understand why he was acting like this or why he wanted to yell at her.

  When he spoke, he couldn’t hide the frustration he was feeling. “It means that every now and then, can’t you just give in?”

  Confusion flittered over her features. She truly didn’t comprehend what was clawing at him. Hell, he didn’t understand it. It was overwhelming his every rational thought and action. From the moment he heard her voice again, something had been humming in his blood. He wanted her…but worse, he needed her. Needed to feel her flesh against his, to taste her desire, and to experience the way her body gave way as he sunk his cock deep within her hot core.

  Dante didn’t understand his feelings, and he really didn’t give a flying fuck at the moment. He just knew that at this point, this woman was whom he needed.

  So, he did the one thing he’d been dreaming to do since the last time he had kissed her. He stepped forward and grabbed her. She was tall, but she seemed so dainty in his hands. Her eyes widened when he jerked her against his body and slammed his mouth down on hers.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  For a moment, Madison didn’t know what to do. The sensual onslaught from Dante had her entire body lighting up like the Fourth of July. How did a woman react to that?

  She was melting. Her brain, her resistance…her heart. Dante backed her up against the wall as he slanted his mouth over hers, deepening the kiss. He thrust his tongue between her lips. He pressed his entire body against hers. It was hard to mistake the heavy erection against her stomach. She moaned.

  He shuddered as she slipped her arms over his shoulders and sucked his tongue. Madison knew it was stupid and dangerous, but at the moment, she just didn’t give a damn. He enticed her with his mouth and hard body. She wanted to surrender, to feel, to just jump in and enjoy the ride.

  He took both her arms and pulled them away, looping his fingers around both wrists. Lifting them above her head, he pinned them to the wall. Then, he pulled back from the kiss and shifted his weight. She opened her eyes to find him skimming his hand down and over her neck and collarbone, only pausing to press it against her pulse.

  Dante had barely touched her, but it was sensual, erotic. There was a connection there that scared her…and thrilled her. The confusing emotions had her heart beating out of control, her head spinning.

  His fingers slipped further down, over her breast. He cupped her breast and teased her nipple through the fabric. Almost immediately, her nipple hardened. Her breasts ached from his touch. It had been so long since she’d had this rush of anxiety and pleasure. But, even now, though, she knew it was different than anything else she had experienced.

  He was different.

  “Ahh, you like that,” he said. His voice was rough with need. The sound of it danced over her nerve endings as he continued to torture her. The slow easy movement had her body screaming and he had barely touched her.

  He looked up at her then, and the breath backed up in her lungs. Fear and desire twisted within her chest. Passion shown from his eyes and added a flush to his golden skin. It scared her. It excited her.

  She was a damned mess, but she couldn’t look away.
She knew he was daring her, pushing her just a bit to see how much she would be able to take. Madison refused to look away. After a few long, teasing moments, Dante’s mouth curved. Oh, damn. He looked like a freaking pirate. Then, he pulled back and picked her up by the waist.

  “Wrap your legs around me.”

  She wanted to tell him she could walk to her room, but she didn’t. Instead, she did as he ordered and he walked them down the hall. Then, he pushed the door to her bedroom open and strode over to the bed. He tumbled them onto the bed. Normally, she would probably be pissed, as he never really asked for permission. But, instead, she loved the feel of his body heavy against hers, pressing her into the mattress. He gave her no time to think. Instead, he was kissing her again.

  Within moments they were both clawing at the other’s clothes. Need was bubbling over them both, controlling them, and she didn’t care. Apparently, neither did Dante. He worked faster than she did. He stood by the bed, then pulled her top off. She grabbed the bottom of his shirt and tugged, sighing at the male beauty on display. She got his shirt off, then skimmed her hand up over the ripped abs and amazing chest.

  “Holy hell,” Madison muttered.

  Dante laughed. “I guess that’s a good expression.”

  She glanced up at him, but then returned her gaze to his chest and abs. “You know, I saw you when we were in school, but damn, Santini.”

  With delight, Madison moved both hands over his hard flesh. She couldn’t resist. She leaned forward and pressed her mouth against his stomach. He groaned as she worked her way up, kissing and nipping with her teeth. When she reached his chest, she ran her teeth over his nipple then kissed her way over to the other to give it the same treatment.

  Soon, she wanted more though. She wanted him naked. With ease, she had his jeans undone. They fell down, revealing a pair of knit boxers that did nothing to hide his massive erection.

  Damn.

  She reached out and brushed her fingers over the fabric. Again Dante shuddered. When Madison looked up at him, he was watching her. No, he was watching her fingers. She slipped the boxers down. His erection bobbed up against his stomach.

  Madison couldn’t resist. She wrapped her hand around it and stroked him. He groaned and tipped his head back. Soon he was moving his hips in time with her hand. She leaned forward wanting a taste, just a little one, but he stopped her.

  Frowning, she looked up at him, but he was shaking his head.

  “Woman, I’m barely able to control myself right now. That definitely would push me over the edge.”

  She wanted to argue with him, but he undid her bra, then slipped her out of the rest of her clothes. He grabbed a condom from his wallet before throwing it on top of the scatter of clothes on the floor. He urged her back onto the bed.

  She thought he was ready, that it would be fast and hard. In fact, she usually liked it that way. It had been so long and she needed to feel that flash, but apparently, Dante had other ideas. He settled on top of her, but he rose up to rest his weight on one elbow. He set the condom on the bed beside them, then apparently decided to kill her with sensual teasing. He bent his head and took one of her nipples into his mouth. As he did, he moved his hips and rubbed his cock against her slit, without entering. Each time he pushed against her, she was sure he would enter her, but he didn’t.

  Anticipation built, twisted inside her. Tension knotted in her stomach then slipped further down to her sex.

  He switched from one nipple to the other. Need built as she grew damp…then damper still.

  “Dante.”

  He looked up at her. She could see he was barely able to hold himself back.

  She cupped his face. “Please.”

  Again, he shuddered, this time she knew he would surrender. He grabbed the condom, ripped open the package, and rolled it on. He entered her, slowly, inch by inch until she was clawing at his back begging him to hurry. The masculine chuckle should have irritated her, but instead, his confidence pushed her arousal higher. Soon, he was deeply seated inside of her and she sighed with satisfaction. She knew he was far from over teasing her, but having this connection, it was as if something clicked inside of her.

  He started to move, pulling out of her almost all the way, then surging back inside of her. Each movement was designed to push her far enough but not over into pleasure. He lifted himself to his hands, then he bent to kiss her. He rested his forehead on hers as his thrusts sped up. Her headboard was bounced against the wall, and she clung tight to him as she felt her orgasm slam through her. She shattered, convulsing with the power of her release. Dante soon followed, thrusting one last time into her and groaning her name.

  He collapsed on top of her. Their harsh breathing was the only sound in the room. His heart was still hammering, as was hers. Again, she would normally complain, but at that point, she wanted this. His body on top of hers, connected, fulfilled.

  It was her last thought before drifting off to sleep.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Dante watched her sleep. It had only been an hour and he wanted her again. After snoozing a little, he had gotten up; cleaned up, then let Charlie out before returning to bed to snuggle.

  He brushed a strand of her hair away from her face. She made sweet little noises, moving this way and that until she found a comfortable position. The sigh of contentment drew a smile from Dante. Hell, she sounded like a satisfied kitten. The fact that he was trying to keep himself from waking her up and taking her again so soon was a testament to the woman and his feelings for her. It was all happening so fast, but he could no longer scoff at his father, uncles, or even his cousins.

  He was lost to the Santini curse.

  The memories of their encounters over the years played through his mind. That first glimpse of her and the fights that followed. Then, the rush at the sound of her voice just a few nights earlier.

  Had he been avoiding her for all those years because his subconscious knew what she was to him? He shook his head. No. The woman he knew at Annapolis was so different, so unshakable. This woman, the one who had moaned his name as he slipped inside her, was vulnerable. It didn’t make her weaker, although he was sure she would disagree. She probably thought the perfect competitor in school was a better woman. She was one of the strongest women he knew.

  He slipped his fingers down her spine, smiling when a grunt of irritation slipped from between her lips. She wasn’t a pushover that was for sure. He loved that about her. It irritated him a little that she didn’t want to need his help. But, he wanted a woman who could stand up to him. It was just better for the both of them if she didn’t hesitate to box his ears when he deserved it.

  Dante let his hand slide further down, past her lower back, to that great, tight ass of hers. Man, there was something to be said for yoga. She was amazingly agile.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” she asked, her voice thick with sleep.

  He looked up and smiled. “Admiring all your hard work.”

  She grunted again and closed her eyes. He assumed he had permission to play. So he did.

  First, he drew circles over the small of her back, then did the same to her taut buttocks. She squirmed and he gave her rear a play slap.

  “Watch it, Santini,” she said, but there was no heat in her voice.

  He said nothing as he traced the seam between her buttocks. She squirmed. Dante decided to add his mouth to the teasing. He pressed it to her spine and smiled against her flesh when she moaned.

  “So sensitive,” he said, teasing her.

  “It had been a very long time for me.”

  That made him pause. “How long?”

  She shrugged and he didn’t like that. The evasion bothered him when it normally wouldn’t.

  “Baker, you better tell me.”

  She answered him by turning her head so he couldn’t see her face. He grabbed her by her waist and flipped her over. She screamed, which brought Charlie running down the hall bark
ing. But she was giggling when he covered her body with his own. Charlie gave them both a look of disgust then trotted off.

  “Now, Ms. Baker, I think I need a direct answer to my question.”

  She smiled up at him, her eyes twinkling; he felt his heart turn over. Seeing her happiness, being part of the reason she looked like that, made him feel so damned happy.

  “Tell me, or I will punish you.”

  She pursed her lips. “What kind of punishment?”

  He wiggled his eyebrows, but said nothing as he pressed his mouth against her jaw. He kissed his way down her body, nipping at her soft skin. By the time he settled between her legs, she was already trying to beg for mercy. He had never had a woman react so fast. It was as if they were in perfect harmony.

  “Dante,” she said, struggling to raise up on her elbows.

  He ignored her. Instead, he set his mouth against her sex. The scent of her arousal hit him the moment before he tasted it on his tongue. Over and over, he thrust his tongue inside her, teasing her clit each time. Finally, she surrendered.

  “Before Afghanistan. Alright? God, just...”

  When he got her answer, he slipped his tongue inside of her again, then pressed the bundle of nerves to send her flying over the edge. She screamed his name, bucking up against him as she came. He held her down and continued his assault. Over and over, he propelled her over the edge. By the time he moved back up her body, his entire body shook with the need to thrust inside of her and lose himself.

  He grabbed another condom, and then cursed when he realized his hands were shaking so badly, he could barely open it. This time, she took charge. She grabbed it from him and tore it open. She pushed him, urging him on his back. Straddling his hips, she scooted down. With ease, she wrapped one hand around his erection and rolled the condom down his length, slowly. Her fingers danced over his flesh and brushed over his sac.

  Holy Christ, she was going to kill him.