Becoming Mrs DeLuca novel Chapter 96

**Through Shadows We Painted Our Forever**
**by Erynn Vel Coren**
**Chapter 96**

**VALENTINA**

Adrian’s lips crashed into mine with a ferocity that obliterated every rational thought I’d clung to for what felt like an eternity. The world around us shrank into a singular moment filled with heat, the clash of teeth, and the rough scrape of his stubble against my chin.

I hated him.

I despised the way his tongue slid against mine, the way his hand found its way to the nape of my neck, claiming me as if I were still his possession. I loathed that my body betrayed me, responding instinctively while my mind screamed in protest. My lips parted, a traitor’s surrender, and I kissed him back with a force that could bruise.

I hated how intoxicating it felt. I hated that my body was already betraying me, already responding with a desperate ache, kissing him back as if I didn’t harbor a deep-seated resentment.

He groaned into my mouth, a low, broken sound that was uniquely his, and in that moment, something wild and untamed snapped loose within my chest.

Adrian guided me backward, one hand tangled in my hair, the other gripping my hip with a possessive strength. We stumbled out of the kitchen, through the archway, and into the living room.

My calves hit the edge of the couch, and I nearly toppled over, but he caught me, growling softly against my lips. He lowered me onto the cushions without breaking our kiss. His weight settled over me, and for a fleeting moment, I allowed it to happen. I let him cage me in, let his tongue dance with mine, let his thigh push between my legs, pressing exactly where I craved it. My back arched, and a helpless sound escaped my lips.

That sound jolted me back to reality.

No. Not today.

In a sudden surge of defiance, I bit down on his lower lip, hard.

He jerked back, startled, and that brief moment of surprise was all I needed. I hooked a leg around his, twisted my body, and flipped us over effortlessly. The couch was wide enough that we didn’t fall, but he landed on his back with a soft grunt, and suddenly I found myself straddling him, my hands planted firmly on his chest, my hair cascading around us like a curtain.

His eyes darkened with desire, a primal hunger that sent a thrill through me.

I didn’t give him a moment to recover. I smashed my mouth against his again, deeper this time, taking instead of giving.

My tongue slid against his, demanding more, and he groaned into me, his hands instinctively rising to grip my waist.

I pushed his hands away, breathless against his lips. “Don’t,” I warned softly. “Don’t touch me.”

He froze instantly, his chest heaving beneath me. The sheer power of his restraint made my heart race faster than our kiss ever could.

I sat up just enough to yank my sweater over my head and toss it aside. His gaze dropped hungrily to my breasts, to the black lace bra I had chosen, knowing deep down that I might end up in this very moment. I reached behind, unhooked it, and let it fall away. His hands twitched against the cushions, as if he were desperate to reach for me.

I leaned down, brushing my nipples against his shirt, and I couldn’t help but smile when he cursed under his breath.

“Take it off,” I commanded.

He ripped his shirt over his head so quickly that I heard a seam tear. I rewarded him by rolling my hips slowly over the hard length straining against his pants. His head fell back as a deep groan escaped his lips.

I slid down his body just far enough to unbutton his pants, dragging my hand along the length that was already leaking with need.

I stroked him twice, just to watch his lips jerk helplessly in response. Then I kicked his pants off and climbed back over him.

His hands hovered just above my thighs, waiting with a mix of anticipation and restraint. I sank down onto him, and we both cried out in unison, a symphony of pleasure. He filled me perfectly, painfully, just as he always did.

God, I missed him.

“I hate you,” I whispered, the words tumbling out like an incantation.

“Valentina…”

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