The blissful, blistering pleasure seized me, and I came on the greedy orgasm that ripped through me, screaming in release as my muscles spasmed around his cock.
My breath… I couldn’t catch it. My lips parted as I sucked in some air trying to still the dizziness that swirled through my head.
“Fuck, Angel. You feel so good.”
I didn’t even realize that he was still moving inside me. He hadn’t come yet.
“I’m not finished with you, Angel. I haven’t started to get nasty with you yet.” He chuckled and flipped me onto my back.
Again, I connected with the silk sheets. God, the wicked smile on his face spoke of all the things he wanted to do to me. A shiver of excitement ran through me.
With another chuckle, he buried his face between my thighs and started licking and stroking my clit with his tongue.
His clever tongue set off that blinding heat inside me. Licking, stroking, teasing, exploring, getting me ready for him again. His tongue pressed into me harder and fired off short little licks against my clit, and fuck, I was there again. At the edge with a buildup.
He knew me too. Knew when it was time, knew my body and what it wanted.
He spread my thighs wide, pushed my knees up, and wedged himself between my thighs, searing me with the length of his cock. His lust-filled body hard and primal against mine.
My passage quaked and trembled at his entry, and my soul shivered when he began to move inside me again, riding me with the passion of the dark beast inside him. His relentless thrusts rammed into me, rocking my body out of existence, unleashing a storm within me.
I writhed beneath him, moaning and gasping. The sensation of him fucking me sizzled and scorched, and every inch of my body came alive.
I could actually feel it. Every nerve sparking on its own. Every part of me waking up to what I’d missed over the years of being without him. This was us. An advanced version of how we used to be.
How we used to be when he was mine. Anything after that felt forbidden, and we’d both held back. This was us, the true essence of us and all that we felt for each other.
How could I have lived without him for so long? How could I have been with anyone else thinking I could replace him, replace that hole in my heart and fill that void in my soul? Some things were irreplaceable.
That buzz of sexual heat built up again. This time more powerful than before. This time when I came, the orgasm severed me from reality and the passion that flowed between us sent a shockwave through our bodies. I knew he felt it too, and a deep growl slipped from his lips. He gripped my hips tight and gritted his teeth, jackhammering toward his own release, flooding me with the warmth of him.
He slowed to a stop, breathing hard, then collapsed next to me. I moved into his embrace when he reached for me and rested my head on the corded muscles of his chest.
Neither of us said anything. We didn’t need to.
Chapter 15
Claudius
* * *
I reclaimed her lips, crushing her naked body to me as the light spray of water from the shower sprayed over us.
I didn’t know how long we’d been in here.
I actually didn’t know what day it was. That wasn’t good, because I was pretty certain there was something somewhere I was supposed to be doing.
Whatever it was, I didn’t care.
What I cared about was in my arms. She was in my arms, kissing me back and giggling against my lips.
My Angel Doll.
“What now?” I asked, rubbing my nose against hers when a slight look of concern flickered over her face.
“Do you think we have too much sex?”
“No, we need to have more.” I pressed her against the granite wall and put my hands out either side of her. I just wanted to look at her again to make sure she was real.
Her cheeks flushed, turning that soft rose color as I stared at her. Her wet hair darkened from the water that trickled through it, but it still looked like strands of sunlight to me. Strands of white gold running down the length of her delicate neck and curling up at the ends near her elbows.
Her smooth skin glowed, highlighting her exquisite beauty, and I could have stared at her like this forever.
She stared back but blushed even more and looked away embarrassed. I guided her face back to me.
“Don’t… don’t look away.”
“You’re staring at me, and I don’t know what you’re thinking.”
“I’m thinking about how beautiful you are and that I haven’t had you in the jacuzzi yet or the other five rooms in this house.”
She smacked me playfully in my chest, and those long, thick lashes of hers swept down across her high, exotic cheekbones.
“Aren’t you tired?”
“I can sleep when I’m dead.”
Her brows lowered. “That’s not funny.”
“Who’s joking? I’m serious. I want you again.”
Light laughter escaped her lips. “I didn’t think this could be us in ten years.” She smiled, but then she looked down at the water running down my chest, and sadness filled her eyes.
I didn’t need to know what she was thinking to guess what was on her mind. All the years wasted. All the time we could have been together and weren’t. Life for us could have been different in so many ways.
“It’s us.”
“It’s us. I guess we’re different though. Right?”
“Not so much.”
“Your hair’s shorter,” she teased.
“I’m growing it out. I lost a bet and had to cut five inches off.” It was a stupid bet with Alex.
“That’s crazy. Am I different?”
I looked her over and had to say that she was. She was more beautiful than words could describe.
“You just got more perfect.”
She smiled. “You’re just saying that.”
“You know I’m not. You’re perfect, and this is us. Imagine the next ten years.” I said that without thinking. Hyped up on whatever the fuck had taken over my mind since she got here.
I really wasn’t thinking because realistically, I didn’t see her staying with me.
Maybe, maybe if she didn’t have a taste of my dark world. Maybe she’d stay. Maybe if all that other stuff didn’t happen, I could try to keep her with me, but I had no right to even dream it. It really was too much. That she was here now was nothing short of a miracle.
“I was thinking of gaining weight so I may look a lot different in ten years.” The softness of her voice cut into my thoughts, and I looked at her. “Kelly makes these amazing cupcakes, and you can’t just eat one. I had six last time and still wanted more.”
“Really?” Please, God, let that be her roundabout way of telling me she at least wanted some part of me in her life.
“Yeah. So, if I look different, remember I gave the warning. I just—”
I pressed my lips to hers, cutting off her words as I kissed her and fondled her tight pink nipples that hardened as I played with them.
“I don’t care how you look,” I spoke into the kiss.
“Don’t you?”
“I don’t give a flying fuck. It’s you I want.” The kiss intensified, and my cock hardened again. “I just thought of something.”
“What?” she giggled.
“You pressed against the glass in the sitting room while I take you from behind.”
“What?”
“Come on.” Before she could answer, I scooped her up and hoisted her over my shoulder.
She laughed and ran her fingers across my back. “Claudius, I’m on top again.”
“Whatever you say, boss.”
* * *
Another wild night that ran straight into the morning followed, and it would have continued if we didn’t pass out from the craziness of our indulgence.
I woke the next day to find she’d gone.
Much to my disappointment. I didn’t know if this was like the other day when she’d left or if this was ju
st because she had to leave.
It was Monday. It was ten a.m. I was supposed to meet Pa and The Four at noon. I had to see Ava first though. Definitely had to see her first, or else I’d be cranky from the anxiety for the rest of the day.
I went to the restaurant, where I found her talking with her friend Kelly. Like the other day, Kelly saw me first.
I’d never met Kelly properly even though we’d been in Ava’s life for years.
Ava looked over her shoulder when Kelly pointed me out and gave me a coy smile. Instead of hanging back like I would have normally, I thought I’d go over and introduce myself.
Both women looked surprised.
“Hi.” Kelly gave me a pleasant but nervous smile. “I’m Kelly.” She put out her hand to shake mine.
“I know.” I glanced at Ava, who was looking me over with interest. “I hear you make the best cupcakes.”
She gasped and started laughing. “You told him that?” she asked Ava.
“They are very good. I’m just spreading the word.” Ava chuckled.
“Well, now I’ll have to make a batch.”
“Good thing I mentioned it, then.” I gave her a curt nod. “I’m Claudius Morientz.”
She gave me a pointed look. “I think everyone knows that.”
I smirked, knowing what she meant. It didn’t take long before I walked into anywhere for people to recognize me and give me that look. Sometimes it was a look of respect. Other times it was fear.
“Well, now you heard it from me.”
“I appreciate that.”
I knew the power of friendship, and if there was any reservation Kelly had of me, she’d soon tell Ava. Didn’t want to risk that.
“Do you mind if I borrow Ava for a minute?”
“Nope, she’s all yours.” Kelly moved away with a smile on her face.
I turned to focus on Ava, who was already looking at me.
“Is it okay that I’m here?” I didn’t want to assume.
“Mmmm hmmm.” She gave me a sassy smile and tilted her head to the side, allowing the ends of her ponytail to brush over her shoulder.
I didn’t feel that tension between us, so I leaned forward and kissed her briefly.
“Go out with me tomorrow night.” I pressed my nose to hers.
“You’re asking me out?” She giggled.
“Yes.”
“And why tomorrow? You taking some other girl out tonight?” She tried to back away, but I caught her arm.
“Tonight, you’re coming home with me. I’ll pick you up at six. First, we’ll go look at the building on the east side together and you can accept my offer, and then you can talk about New York. Then I’ll eat you.” Couldn’t help it. That was me.
She giggled and gave me a bright smile. “Okay. I can do that. Can you stay for lunch?”
Fuck, I wish I could, but I had to meet with the guys.
“I want to, but I have to get to the office for a meeting.”
I didn’t miss the look of hesitation she gave me. “The office?”
“Work stuff.” The minute I said that, the tension came back. As a rule, we kept women out of business. And definitely a hundred percent the women who were close to us. The less they knew, the better.
“Like what?” She knew not to push, but the significant thing here was, if I had any chance with her, I had to give her something to work with. Couldn’t be this vagueness or the standard one-word answers we used in our circles.
I had to get her to trust me.
“There’s a guy who wants to buy the shipping company.” That told her something without giving too much away, and really, there wasn’t much more I could have said other than tell her it was David Shipel.
That wasn’t important. The important thing was, the sheen of purpose and sparkle in her eyes told me I’d just passed some kind of test.
“Okay.” She ran her finger across my chest, lingering on the bare skin that was exposed there. “Don’t be late. Later.”
“I won’t.” I lowered my head and kissed her again, backing away before I could change my mind.
I only looked back when I walked out the front door. She was watching, but …
As I turned, I swore I saw a dark figure move from the corner of the alley.
In the shadows. I was certain of it.
Experience taught me to take heed. Be mindful.
A normal person would assume it was nothing, but I knew different from the slightest move.
Shiftiness. That’s what it was. A person could have very well just walked down the alley, but my instinct told me otherwise.
I felt for my piece in my back pocket. It had been years since I had to use it, and I hoped today wasn’t going to be one of those fucked-up days.
Moving toward the alley, I looked around and down the length.
Nothing, there was nothing. Just rows of dumpsters brimming with black garbage bags.
Someone was here though. Someone who was following me.
Someone with a death wish, bold enough to be tailing me, the mafia boss.
Who the hell could it be?
Chapter 16
Claudius
* * *
“Someone was fucking following me.” That was the first thing I said when the guys came in and sat down.
Pa straightened up and brought his hands together.
Dante and Gio did their habitual exchange of curious glances, and Alex and Jude stared at me deadpanned.
“Did you get a look?” Pa asked.
“If I did, they wouldn’t have lived to get away.” Fuck. It bothered me the whole way here, and damn it to hell, it bothered me that whoever it was, was creeping on me from Ava’s restaurant.
“You sure you were being followed, boss?” Jude asked.
I eyed him dangerously. “Fuck, I know when I’m being followed. I didn’t get to where I am today by collecting fucking brownie points.”
I sighed heavily and gritted my teeth.
“We don’t know who it could be and why,” Gio stated. “We also got nothing on Barabbas or the Manellos. It’s all gone quiet again.”
I looked at Pa. Sometimes I thought he should be in charge. He was more experienced than me in this part of the game. I was more of a foot soldier, but I guess that had its merits too. I didn’t just issue orders and sit in my chair waiting and watching. I was still the foot soldier I’d always been.
“What do you think?” I asked him. Everyone looked to him.
He pulled out a wad of paperwork from the inside of his blazer and smirked. He looked like Luc when he did that. It made me miss him. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d relied on Luc until I didn’t have him. But I respected his life now, and honestly, I was happy that he was happy.
“I think there’s something brewing, stewing beneath us, and the sooner we find out what it is, the better. What is this?” Pa came over to me and handed me some paperwork. “The secretary handed it to me on my way in here. Came by fax.”
I looked it over. It was David Shipel’s purchase proposal. I’d expected this to come in. It was one of the topics I wanted to discuss.
“David Shipel wants to buy the Willows Shipping Company.”
“And you don’t think that’s strange?” Pa raised a brow. “Tell me you do.”
“I do. I’m just not sure how it’s strange yet.” I flashed a look at Gio, then Dante.
Gio leaned forward. “Is it still five million?”
I looked on the document and frowned. “Seven and a half. Seven and a half million.”
Alex wolf whistled. “That’s a lot of zeros, boss. Why do we think this is weird? The guy’s a billionaire.”
I looked at Pa as I geared up for the answer. “It’s strange because anyone willing to pay that much for that company could afford to set up their own.”
Pa smiled at my answer.
“And why wouldn’t he just set his own up?” Dante asked, shaking his head. He looked at each of the guys, then back to me.
“Time,” I answered.
“Takes too long to set something like that up,” Gio added.
“You sure you guys aren’t getting paranoid?” Alex frowned.
“I’m with Alex,” Jude offered. “Boss, you could just be paranoid because you were followed.”
“But the instigation came from me, son.” Pa cocked his head to the side and stared Jude down.
There was an air of something distrustful in Pa’s stare that caught my attention, but then he diverted his gaze to Alex, who looked back and pursed his lips together, knowing his place.
Pa wasn’t the boss, but to me he was. He was the fucking Godfather in my world. Felt like I was too young to call myself that, although I was thirty-eight.
“Boss,” Pa said to me and twisted back to face me. “This looks like a pot of shit. This guy is working for someone who needs the shipping company for something. We used to use it for many things. He could have picked anybody else. But he came to us because we’re special. Anything leaving those docks on our ships passes through. No one touches us. We need to find out why he would need something like that. What could be worth seven and a half million?”
“Even more money?” Dante said.
I agreed.
Fuck.
“How long till we have to give him an answer?” Gio asked
I glanced down at the proposal. “He’ll get his answer when I give it to him.” There was some fine print shit about seven days, but I glossed over that.
“So, we have a Manello grunt, Barabbas Antonella, and now this.” Dante ran a hand over his beard and smiled a wicked smile. The scent of trouble got my guys going like fire on gasoline. “What does it all mean?”
“Means there’s a fucking fox in my henhouse. But what do I have that they want?”
Not me specifically. Chicago. It was Chicago. The shipping company was the part that I had, but what did they need it for?
Dirty Hearts: A Bad Bod Mafia Romance Page 13
