by C L Wesley
I awoke to a dark room and an empty bed. Looking around the best I could, I saw the light from the door and the glow from the clock telling me it was 330AM. Luca’s side of the bed was cold. How long had he been up? Finding his shirt on the floor, I slide it on remembering I had ripped the buttons off in my embarrassing moment of passion. Sliding my panties on, I opened the door to hear him yelling into his phone. “I don’t fucking care what it takes… I’ll figure it out… That is unacceptable… I’ll fucking deal with him later.”
“Fuck!” He growled before launching his cell phone across the room shattering it into millions of pieces. I have not seen this side of Luca before and hopefully it is not a side he shows often. I stand in the doorway to the bedroom and gaze at him while he walks over to the bar and pours himself a drink that he immediately takes back. Pouring himself another, I gawk at the muscles in his back and shoulders, the way his frame narrows to his waist, the adorable dimples above his ass, oh and his ass, if I were not leaving tomorrow I would find a way to touch it daily. I was lost in thought when I was caught staring, “Have you been there long?” Luca walks over to the couch and sits down.
“No.” I continue to stand in the doorway unsure if I should go back in the bedroom, go to him, or stay put. Realizing that his shirt had spread open I re-cross the material and fold my arms to keep it closed.
“Come here.” I obeyed and slowly padded my way over until I was standing in front of him. “Put your arms down.” I lowered my arms down to my side allowing the shirt to fall open again showing him skin from my neck all the way to the top of the lace panties I slipped on. “Damn that’s sexy.” Luca reached forward grabbing my ass and pulled me in between his knees, kissing my stomach and making his way up between my breasts while he lowered my panties to the floor. Within seconds, he had picked me up by the back of my thighs, placed on my back, and buried inside me all in one swift move. I let out a moan as he reached back grabbing the back of my left knee allowing himself deeper in my core. “That’s right baby, let me hear you.”
“Luca.” I breathlessly say feeling every inch of him inside me. Taking one nipple in his mouth while pinching the other I found myself screaming out “Oh My God” in embarrassment. Arching my back into him and throwing my head back in pleasure pleased Luca, his pace picked up growling in my ear.
“You feel so fucking good wrapped around my dick.” I had never been talked dirty to before and the immediate wave of tingles that came over my body alerted me that I liked it. I have never been fucked like this before, raw, needy. I dug my nails into Luca’s back in attempts to hold on when he suddenly sat up taking me with him. He grabbed my hips and moved me in a rhythm that I could handle. Throwing my head back I was not sure how much more I was capable of, not because of my now old injuries, but because I was fighting off this weird feeling in my stomach. “Look at me, Cameron. I want you to see who is fucking you when you come.”
“Oh. My. God. Luca.” I screamed out my eyes meeting his, as the feeling in my stomach released and I felt myself pulsing around him while he continued to move my hips, grinding me against him. “Luca.” I looked at him pleading, for what I didn’t know. He wrapped one hand around my lower back continuing the pace he had set for us and the other around the back of my head pulling my lips against his. I felt that excitement building in my stomach again.
“Come with me this time baby.” Those words were my undoing. I let go, eyes open, staring at the man who has made me feel this way for the first time in my life. Pressing his lips to mine he swallowed every last whimper as he released inside me, holding me tight against his body. Luca adjusted us so that his back was to the arm of the couch with me still straddling him. He removed his shirt from me and wiped the sweat from us both before pulling me in for the gentlest of kisses. “Don’t leave tomorrow.”
“How did..” I was cut off by Luca grabbing both my cheeks in his hands brushing another sweet kiss to my lips.
“Don’t leave.” He whispered in between kisses.
I sat back a little, swallowing hard at the feeling of him still inside me. He dropped his hands, resting them on my hips, using his thumbs to rub each one. I noticed tattoos and imperfections on him as I studied his body. “What is this from?” I run my fingers over the small round scar on his left bicep.
“You don’t want to know.” He replies to me as I lean forward and place a feather light kiss on over the pink scar.
“What about this one?” I run my fingers over a two-inch reddened line on the right side of his abdomen.
“It’s from a while ago.” I lean forward and place another kiss over the line that had once hurt him. Running my hands up his arms I lightly run my fingers over the tattoo of a cross on his right bicep before reaching his broad shoulders and running my hands every so lightly over his chest stopping at the tattoo of a crest on the right side of his chest.
“Family crest?” I ask as I study the tattoo that had a black rook in the center of the shield, a black knight over the top, and each side with beautiful scrolls of ribbon down each side.
“Yes.” He watched me intensely as I continued my exploring.
“The knight in shining armor.” I press my left palm to the tattoo.
“No, not even close.”
Kissing two of my fingers and placing them on his heart I say, “You’re my knight.” Luca looked down and studied my fingers sitting on his heart as if this were the first time he had ever been touched there. I could feel his heart pounding just underneath my touch. “Is everything okay, Luca?” Instead of an answer, Luca removed the wreath from around my neck and strong armed me into his arms as he stands up and carries me into the shower with him finally releasing himself from within me.
Finding my footing, I am immediately pressed into the cold tile wall with my arms extended high and held in place by Luca’s body firm against mine. Pressing his forehead to mine, he took a deep breath. “Just don’t leave.” I went to ask what was going on when I was distracted with his mouth hungrily taking mine. Parting my lips to talk again, he deepened our kiss, finally releasing his hold on my arms which I gladly wrapped around his neck.
After our shower, we spent the next few hours slowly making love and exploring each other. Luca held me as close as his body would let him, no matter the position he’d flip us in. Nothing was sudden and raw like earlier, it was passionate and tender, full of sweet kisses and gentle caressing, again something I had never experienced before and something I was not sure I could leave.
I woke up in the morning with Luca draped across my body. Carefully trying to move without waking him was proving to be a challenge, he was a heavy son of a bitch for such a lean man. Finally breaking free, I made a mad dash for the bathroom realizing that I was going to be feeling his existence in me for days. Holy fuck was I sore. I quickly changed into the jeans and tank top that Lou had sent over for me. Grabbing the jacket she packed along with the sandals, I made my way back through the bedroom, hoping that he would stay asleep long enough for me to make my escape. When I got to the bedroom door, I made a huge mistake by turning around. There he lay, sleeping so peacefully, his arm stretched out knowing subconsciously that I was not there. I didn’t want to leave but I know that I am just denying myself the inevitable if I stay.
Walking out of the elevator on the main floor, I spotted one of the security detail for the Morano’s. Knowing that I could not walk all the way home, I mustered up as much courage as possible and asked them for a ride home. “To the Manor?” The bodyguard asked me as I climbed into the car.
“No, to my apartment.” The bodyguard looked shocked as he checked his phone before starting the car. I was hoping he was not texting Luca. I watched him as he texted and awaited the response before finally pulling into traffic. “Is there a problem?”
“No ma’am. Mr. Morano cleared the instructions you gave me.” Mr. Morano? Which fucking one?
“Luca?” I asked as I watched the traffic pass as he turned on East 9th Street.
> “No ma’am. Vincent.” Oh he had to fucking clear a ride home with Luca’s daddy? The man wanted me gone for some reason, like he’d say no. I felt my eyes water and a tear make its way down my cheek. As we pulled up in front of my building, I pulled out the folded envelope that contained my apologies to Luca.
“Can you please make sure this gets to Luca?” I ask hoping it would actually make it to him.
“Yes, Miss Cameron.”
14
Luca
I woke up to an empty bed and I knew she was gone. Flying out of bed I went in search of my phone as I passed the dress she wore last night still in a pile in front of the windows. If she thinks she is just leaving me like this she has another fucking thing coming. Finding my phone in a billion pieces, I use the suite’s line to call down to Marshall.
“Mr. Morano. She is home and safe. I checked her apartment before I left her. I am also in possession of an envelope for you.”
“I’ll be down in five.” I quickly hang up.
Marshall is my personal guard and the fucker deserves a raise after I fire him for letting her leave. Next on my list as I got dressed was a call to my father and to get my ass downstairs to see what the envelope contained.
“She’s home safe.” He answered the phone.
“She’s not home and she’s not fucking safe!” I scream into the phone as I try to tie my shoe. “I was informed late last night that the Carini family knows I took her that night. They want to use it as leverage against us.”
“Fuck! I knew this little girl would be an issue from the moment you carried her into our home Luca!” My father was pissed because Cameron was now a liability. I asked her several times not to leave and now she could be in danger and all he is worried about is her finding out about our family. “The Carini family does not make brash decisions. She will be safe for now until we can formulate a plan. I will put someone on her that she hasn’t already seen.”
“I don’t think you heard me clearly father. Cameron is not home! She is back in a shitty little shoebox that does not even have a bathroom door!” I started to walk faster, picking up my wallet, and finding my jacket with the concealed pocket containing my piece.
“Son, it is not your job to take care of this girl. You’ve done enough.” I hear my dad try to stay calm despite the fact we both have hot headed tempers.
“You didn’t see it dad, ask mom. She went with me when we checked her out.” I could imagine the color of the old man’s face as he just learned my mother was in that part of town. “How you feel about mom being there once, is how I feel about Cam returning there.” I sighed. “Do you get it yet? She is more to me than just a woman I hit with my car! Why can’t you accept it? You had no problem accepting Stephanie!”
“She will be safe Luca. I will talk to you at the manor.” The line went dead. Fuck if I am going back to the manor. I made my way downstairs to Marshall.
“Take me to her.” I say as I climb in the passenger seat of the car. I knew she was leaving based on the conversation with Willa that Lou overheard. I thought that being with me last night would have diverted her plans of leaving me with enough time to figure this out, then Tommie called with the Carini information and I felt as if her fate had been sealed.
“Mr. Morano.” Marshall attained my attention by holding the folded envelope in front of me. I grabbed the envelope and immediately ripped into it.
Luca,
It is Friday night, the last Friday night I will be spending here at Morano Manor. I want to thank you for coming through on your promise to take care of me. I have never been part of a family and even if just for a brief time, I was enthralled to be part of yours. I know without a doubt that I am going to have a spectacular time tomorrow night at the gala and that you will make me feel like a princess.
I know you told me to mesh our worlds, but as much as I try to find that possibility, it will not happen for us despite my fantasy of there being an us. Call it intuition as I believe we will be together Saturday night. I know that being with you will be the best experience of my existence.
I feel that you need to know why I am leaving without a goodbye. I heard your father talking to the doctor about how my stay has ended and that he cannot wait for me to be gone. I know he doesn’t care for me much and as the patriarch of your family and a very strong head of household, I knew my welcome was over. Our worlds are just too different to force this into working.
I have never felt the way I feel with you around anyone, ever, which is why I will be leaving any way to contact you at your home. I do not want to be tempted to interrupt your life again.
Thank you for everything, Luca.
Cameron
“Is there anyone on her now?” I ask Marshall as we round the last corner before we are on the East Bank. I was going to find Cameron and then make sure my father was informed of my feelings for her whether he liked them or not.
“I don’t believe so. Your father ordered me back to the hotel after I took her to her place.” I could see it in Marshall’s face that he was disappointed in himself for leaving her knowing that something must be brewing. “Luca, I’m sorry I left her. I didn’t know there was a code on her.”
“There was no code when you left her, Marshall. Let’s just go get her.”
I jumped out of the car before Marshall stopped it, hauling ass up the five floors of steps until I was banging on her door. “Cameron! Cameron please open the door!” I continued banging on the door. “Cameron open the fucking door! Cameron, you need to open this door right now!” Punching the wall next to the door in frustration I hear a lock click to see an older woman staring at me from across the hall.
“She’s not home. Left about ten minutes ago.” I am glad that I didn’t just tell the old broad to fucking mind her own business as she proved to be useful.
“Thank you.” I say over my shoulder, running down the hall to the stairwell. Bursting out the door I instantly instruct Marshall that I need Willa’s apartment number and cell phone. Moments later we were searching inside Willa’s apartment only to come up empty. Grabbing Marshall’s phone, I called the one person that may know more about Cameron than I do. “Lou, have you heard from Cameron today?”
“No, I have not. She left after all.” I could hear the sadness in Lou’s voice. They had a unique relationship. Cameron would eat in the employee quarters with Lou whenever my mother or I were not available and they loved to talk while they cooked together. I figured if anyone knew where Cameron would be it would be Lou. “Did you try her friend Willa?”
“I’m standing in Willa’s apartment now.” I paced the small apartment with worry.
“I know sweet boy. Do you think she found out about the family?” Lou asked.
“I don’t think so.” Marshall waves for me to leave before we add breaking and entering to our rap sheets.
“Try her old number. She may have had an old phone.”
“Fuck, why didn’t I think of that?” I slide back into the car, grab Marshall’s laptop, and look up Cameron’s file.
“Because you love her and it is messing with your head. I will let you know if I hear from her.” The phone lights up. Why the fuck is everyone hanging up on me today? I find her old number in her docket and enter it in my phone.
Me (via Marshall): I love you.
15
Cameron
“I love you. He is not going to make this easy on me.” I show Willa my old Galaxy. I take a sip of my cappuccino blast. I knew Luca would be pissed when he woke up but I had to do what was best for both of us, even if though the huge knot in my stomach said I fucked up. “How did he get this number?” I flip my phone around in my hand.
“Because he is fucking mafia!” Willa said before shoving a chocolate pretzel donut in her mouth. “You’ve seen the movies and shit, they know all.”
“He is not. Just because they are a ‘powerful’ family doesn’t mean they are mafia. That shit doesn’t exist.” I sit back and watch my phone light up a
gain.
L: Cameron, we need to talk.
“If I don’t respond, he won’t know this phone is active, right?” I search the internet for the answer to my question while I await Willa’s response.
“So why are you ignoring the hottie?” Willa leans forward wanting the details like we used to share.
“Our lives don’t mesh. I told you. I had an incredible night with him and now it’s over, sort of like Indecent Proposal but without the million dollars.” I start playing with my straw. “And I heard his Dad tell the doctor that he wanted me gone.”
“I’ve told you already, your lives can mesh. He is no better than you, just richer is all. Now can I please have details of your incredible night?” Willa leaned forward looking over my shoulder. “Wow.”
“See something you like up there?” I watch as she is fascinated with something. Turning around I see who she is staring at, I danced with him last night. What are the fucking odds he hangs out in a Dunkin Donuts on the fucking West side? Catching my gaze, Cappie smiles at me and nods his head.
“Cam, do you know him?” She sits up straight adjusting her clothing.
“That is Luca’s brother Cappie. I met him last night at the gala.” I knew he was going to come over and talk to me because they were brought up to be polite.
Moments later, Cappie was headed over and I watched as Willa’s cheeks blushed. “Cameron.” He leans down and kisses me on the cheek. “My brother finally let you out in society?” He smiled and I watched Willa melt. He was dressed in an old pair of jeans and a CSU t-shirt that spread nicely across his chest and also hugged his incredibly large biceps. Much different than the tuxedo he sported last night.
“Uh, yes.” I looked down at my phone, quickly turning it over so Cappie could not read it. “Cappie this is my best friend Willa.” Cappie leaned down and kissed Willa on the cheek.
