All the Way Read Free Page A

“I’m not going to hurt you.”
    He pinned his body against hers and waited until she exhausted herself. He worried his large frame would crush her if she didn’t stop struggling. She wore a cream-colored nightgown, and he could feel every one of her dips and curves crash against his body. She twisted her hips, and his thigh slipped between her legs against the cushion of her soft thighs. Things below his waist awoke with a lazy yawn, but keen interest soon followed.
    â€œGet off !” she shouted before collapsing.
    â€œHave you had enough?”
    She didn’t answer. She breathed heavily, her breasts thrusting above the laced bodice of her gown.
    Adriano lowered his face inches from hers in the semidarkness to see her features clearly. Her beauty was shockingly unexpected. Arched eyebrows over large brown eyes, flawless golden skin, and a sharp jaw line with prominent cheekbones. Her skin was silky soft, and, underneath him, her petite body cushioned his muscular frame. He fit into her grooves perfectly. She was flower petals, wicked cars, and perfumed sheets made sweaty by the twisting of lovers’ bodies. Add her fiery spirit, and she was his next wet dream. Every one of his senses keyed in on her, his body’s response so fierce it took him a long moment to speak.
    â€œWell,” he inhaled deeply, “it looks like I’ve been captured by an angel.”
    The woman’s breathing slowed, her body lost its rigidity, and she stopped trying to wiggle away from him. He released one of her wrists, testing her reaction.
    The woman whimpered. Fear distorted the beautiful features of her face.
    She needed protecting.
    â€œI’m going to let you up. No funny stuff.” He cautiously lifted his body from hers.
    She sat up and adjusted the crisscross straps of her gown.
    Brushing his tongue over his top lip, Adriano appraised her. “You certainly don’t look like any thug I’ve ever met. Why don’t you explain to me what’s going on?”
    The woman’s body remained still, but her eyes darted around, searching for a way out.
    He pulled the door closed behind him. “Or I could turn you in to the police.”
    â€œNo!”
    â€œFinally, a reaction. Why don’t you tell me why you jumped in my car and took me hostage?”
    â€œSomeone’s after me.”
    â€œThe police?”
    â€œNo.”
    Adriano studied the arching of her eyebrows as she rattled on. Completely unnerved, this woman was still gorgeous.
    â€œI’m sorry. I don’t know why I did something this stupid. If you could let me out—”
    â€œHold up. Who’s after you?”
    The woman dropped her head. “If I tell you, it’ll put your life in danger.”
    â€œI live for danger.”
    â€œThis isn’t a game.”
    The Land Cruiser jerked forward with a loud crashing sound, accentuating her point. Adriano turned to see headlights advancing on them again. The woman screamed hysterically. The SUV suffered another hit. Someone was trying to push them over the embankment. Thinking quickly, he jumped over the seat and started the engine. The SUV jerked forward a third time.
    â€œHold on.” Adriano pulled onto the dark highway. He hit the gas, and the SUV zoomed off with a screech of tires. He navigated with expertise. They bumped and bounced down the dark road. The woman hid behind his seat, yelling. He crossed terrain the other car could not handle, and he pressed the gas, propelling the SUV to dangerous speeds. The Land Cruiser gave him the power he needed to accelerate and escape the unidentified headlights following them.
    Adriano’s heart pumped wildly as he tried to decide if the noise he’d just heard was a car backfire or gunfire. The woman’s shrill screams must have prohibited his clear interpretation, he tried to convince himself. He turned down the first abandoned, dirt-covered road he could find, losing the