“Scusi mia bella*, but it runs in the blood of all Italians to be skillful lovers. So you have to get used to this.”

“Forget everything that surrounds you. Think that there’s just you and me in this wide world.”

“I don’t want you to leave. I want you to stay.”

“I swear I won’t touch you even with a finger until you ask me yourself.”

“A brave girl! And a unique one. The best that I have ever met in my life.”

“The words of men cannot be trusted, especially men like you!”

“You’re very naive and innocent, and don’t understand a lot of things yet.”

“I cannot believe that you’re still a girl. Your kisses don’t seem that innocent. They are driving me crazy.”

“It draws you in and you feel involved as if you’re watching. – Barbara Bailey”

“Buy a girl a beer?”“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” It wasn’t even in the same hemisphere as a good idea.Gillie stepped closer and raised herself up to her tiptoes, brushing her tits across his chest and bringing her full lips within kissing distance of his earlobe. “From what I remember you liked bad ideas.”

“Ruining the life of little innocent girls goes against my principles, my dear Snow White.”

“She was so light; he could hold her all night without a problem.”

“Oh heaven and hell, stop with the tears. Given the day Sarah had just had, the tears were logical. But watching her face crumple, hearing the gut-deep harsh sobs, filled Rukh with an irrational need to pull her into his arms, wrap her in a hug.As soon as the urge had gelled into conscious thought, his essence hardened into visibility and his arms slid up around her shivering, wet body.Sarah’s eyes popped open and she staggered back with a yell.His arms tightened around her, steadying her, keeping her close. Well, shit. At least, she’d stoppedcrying.Fear-bright green eyes stared at him instead.Given he was an assassin, sent to kill her, her response was natural, even intelligent. Yet, bitterness churned in his gut at the thought of her fearing him. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “You’re safe.”“Am I hallucinating?” Her question came out as a croak.“Yes, yes you are.” That seemed a much better answer than the truth.She pinned him with her dark, direct gaze. “You’re just a figment of my imagination. A fantasy?”“Yes.” He didn’t dare move.“Then why are you still wearing clothes?”

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy to be your morning lollipop, but I need to eat, too.”

“Slut. I’m a dirty-The sound of a hand hitting flesh was simultaneous with the shocking sting on her bottom. “Ow!”“You don’t think those nasty thoughts about my sumisita, Kimberly.”