Chasing Paradise (Chasing Series #3) (2 page)

Wrath was upon them and I wouldn’t capitulate until I held the last person in my hands, dead and gone.

I did say I would never fail to protect her and I wouldn’t, until my last breath—the last beat of my pulse—I would make sure she was safe.

Love was a complex madness.

It was also a primitive madness I felt for Sienna.

“
Love is a portion of the soul itself, and it is of the same nature as the celestial breathing of the atmosphere of paradise.”

-
Victor Hugo

One

Sienna

The early signs of morning had just broken through the cracked slits of the curtains and I was wide-awake without an ounce of desire to be in bed any longer.

I had halted taking the strong pain medication last night. My body was still healing and there was pain around the area where I had cracked my rib, but it was manageable. I didn’t want to be drowsy any longer.

I wanted to start living again.

Apart from that horrendously terrifying incident that occurred a week ago, everything in my life had been great, especially with Blake. Not once had he left my side since the accident. He’d been such an excellent companion, nursing me like I was about to drop dead any day now. Even though I was being smothered by his incessant attention, my love for him quadrupled to infinity.

I was on my side, staring at the man who’d stolen my heart and held it with no ransom. Reaching out, I softly grazed my fingertips across the growing stubble around his chiseled jaw, making my skin tingle at the first contact.

My heart swelled as I admired his sculpted beauty. Beautiful inside and out, however when he was pushed too far, the man was arctic cold; the polar opposite of his passionate nature. I’d seen both and, frankly, it was petrifying. That particular side of him was out, skating about, waiting for the right time to strike as he waited for any news about the culprit who’d pushed me in the stairwell at The Savoy.

Blake moaned, breaking my train of thought, as he smiled with his eyes closed. “Good morning, cara mia.”

“
Good morning,” I greeted the sleepy man, leaning over and connecting his lips to mine.

Blake cupped my face before he pulled away, eyeing me with great scrutiny, gold bursts standing out amidst the midnight blue. “How are you with pain today? Do you need to see a doctor? I can summon my zio’s physician. He’s brilliant.”

There he went again, always worrying like I was going to crumble into a heap. “I’m fine. So much so that I’m dying to see, taste and experience Rome. We’ve been hiding here for three days now. I’m ready to go out and have some Italian fun,” I said, trying to convince him to lower his guard.

“
Poppet, I’m not too sure about that. It could still be dangerous.” He exhaled, thumping his head back on the white, goose-down pillow, thinking aloud. “They’re still out there. Who bloody knows when they’ll strike again? The thought itself turns me cold.”

Every night, I dreamt of the accident. It never ceased to replay in my head as if it had only happened yesterday, but I couldn’t for the life of me live in a hideout forever. If I had a day, a month or a year before they succeed with their mission, then I would live whatever time left to the fullest. How many bullies did I have to tackle before I was set free? Cowering surely wasn’t a valid option for me. Whatever happened in the future, I would be happy to know that I had lived each day without regret, without the dark past hindering me from moving forward, without giving a flying fuck about what those blasted people had in mind for me. I wasn’t going down like some dim-witted fool because they had to catch me first before I got to that bitch who’d pushed me. I was going to get my revenge, my fucking way.

“
Oh, come on! It’s not like someone’s going to shoot me while I’m walking around Rome. You act like I’m so darn fragile. I’m doing okay. Please, I beg of you to take me out, just you and me. I’ve missed you.”

“
I can promise to take you out for lunch, but that would be all.”

“
Well, what’s the point of staying here then? Might as well go to Marbella now instead of next week. At least there I’ll have friends around.”

Blake sat up, exposing the contoured expanse of his back, hard and sculpted. “You’re right. We can head out to Marbella tomorrow, or even today, if you wish it.”

Man, this man knew how to make me happy sometimes. Marbella had Chad and Toby, and I needed those boogers with me. “Really? We can leave today? I’d rather do that than wait for tomorrow.”

“
Your wish is my command. I’ll go ahead and make some calls.” He held my hand, stroking the inside with his thumb. This was a habit I loved about him. Blake wanted to be connected to me in all aspects; always. “What would you like for breakfast? I’m sure Zia and Zio are already waiting for us to join them.”

His Uncle Luciano and Aunt Seraphina were lovely people and I would hate to leave too soon after they’d gotten all excited that we were staying here for a while. However, as much as I liked them, I needed to be around people who I could easily confide in.

They weren’t upset with us at all, though, the couple made us promise to come back for Lent and spend a weekend there then. “We’ll definitely be back. I’m not sure when it’ll be knowing Blake’s schedule.” I smiled at Seraphina.

Her bright green eyes twinkled at me. “When you get married, promise me you’ll have it here in Italy. Blake is the closest thing I have to a son after I lost my own sweet boy. I’m very happy that he has you in his life. The power of love is powerful, si?”

Wedding? Maybe in the next few years,
I thought with wry amusement. “When the time comes, you’ll be the first person I’ll call to help me arrange everything.”

Seraphina gleefully clapped her hands before she gave me a big hug. “Yes! That would be perfect. Hurry and get married soon. We want lots of bambinos and bambinas.” She kissed both of my cheeks, making me promise her that I’d seek her out in the garden before we left for the airport.

Blake and I were on our way back into our room to change and shower when I leaned closer, needing more warmth and affection. “Make love to me,” I murmured the second we entered our room, making him pause and eye me cautiously. Damn, he was going to decline me again. “Save it. I don’t want to hear anymore excuses,” I muttered under my breath, walking away and heading towards the closet, feeling more than dejected.

After five minutes, I heard him behind me and then he pulled me close so I could face him. “Poppet, stop sulking.” Blake looked concerned as his fingers brushed my cheeks, caressingly. “I ran you a bath. Come on, my love.”

A bath, how thoughtful
, I thought bitingly as I followed him into the bathroom. Slowly peeling off my clothes, I was careful not to move too quickly since the pain was still there. Now fully naked, I looked at him. “Aren’t you going to join me?”

Blake shook his head. “No, I have some reports to go over. Do call out my name when you’re done.” He came over and tilted my head to look closely into his eyes. “I love you, Sienna.”

Dammit, I knew he did. That’s why it was impossible to be angry with him for long. “I love you, too.” Sigh.

Two

Blake

We boarded my private jet in Ciampino airport before noon, heading to Marbella.

Sienna was still a bit miffed over reasons I kept telling myself were the right thing to do. Sex in her delicate state would be too much. Not only was I worried, but I was also scared I would hurt her more. My sexual urges were toned down from taking care of it myself, which was profoundly lacking. As much as I loved making love to Sienna, kissing her or touching her would lead me into a frenzied state. I had to refrain from it all.

My messages had been quite impossible for me to go through over the last few hours. Working away from the office was difficult enough, add on the stress of Sienna’s safety and now her mood swings, all of it combined was seriously pushing me mental. My inbox beeped again, indicating a fresh message.

Camilla.
We need to talk. Call me when you’re back in town.

What the bloody hell did she want now? The last time we parted, I was crystal clear about whom I had chosen to be with and it was definitely not
her
.

My glance flickered to the woman who sat across from me, pouting as she read, engrossed in her novel with her brows furrowing. “Do you need anything, poppet?” I asked kindly, knowing I wasn’t her favorite person at the moment.

Sienna looked up, giving me a death stare before her eyes went back to her book. “Yes, fucking fire that bitch you’ve fucked before. God help me if you lay a finger on her during this damn flight to Spain.”

She was sexually frustrated, I got that, but I didn’t trust myself yet. I simply couldn’t manage right now. As for her jibe, unfortunately, Ivanna was one of the stewardesses in flight with us. Although, I had already been thinking of having her reassigned somewhere else, I wasn’t going to fire her merely because Sienna was unhappy.

I was about to say something in regards to that subject when Sienna carefully stood up, sighing as she walked past and headed towards the bedroom.

My eyes checked the time on my laptop screen, timing how long it would take me to come after her. Five? Ten? Okay, fifteen minutes would be the safest bet. She needed to breathe for a little bit. When the time came, I closed the lid of my laptop and slowly stood up, pushing my black, cashmere sleeves up passed my elbows as I walked towards the end of the cabin. Not bothering to knock, I gently pushed the handle, opening the door and carefully closing it behind me.

I was dumbstruck to find her on her back, only with her bra with the support belt wrapped around her rib area and nothing else. The shocking part was my woman was touching herself while watching porn on her tablet device.

Inching closer, I sat next to her, caressing her soft calves. “Do you need any help?”

“
Nope! Been doing quite well on my own,” she immediately responded, not looking at me.

Feeling like an insensitive jerk for not catering to her needs, I slowly slid my hand on her thighs, stroking them mildly. Not bothering to pry her legs wider, my face immediately looked at the lovely prize before I stuck my tongue out, slowly tasting her.
Fuck
, I thought as her flavor coated my tongue, lighting me on fire as my body craved more of her. Moving my tongue in slow, agonizing circles before slowly sucking her juices that had secreted from my ministrations. She gave me her approval by opening her legs wider, moaning with want. “You feel so good, babe. Don’t stop.”

I wouldn’t. If I could make her come a few times, perhaps she could go on a few more days without any physical intercourse. I was a sinner and I knew that. If I had to face her sweet pussy a few times a day, resisting it would never come to mind. When it came to Sienna’s hot, tight channel, I become an adolescent boy who couldn’t control his urges. It was rather pathetic, really, yet that was the truth.