by Ginger Ring
“As in?” Arlo loosened his tie and sat next to her. Probably closer than he should but the woman was so distracted, he could take her in his arms and kiss her and she probably wouldn’t even notice.
“Play one brother against the other. Even if Fedor isn’t doing something nefarious to him, we could make it seem like he did.” Beauty and brains, that’s what this woman was. She may not have the muscle but she had the guts.
“I’ll set something up tomorrow. We’ll go see both. How’s that sound?” Arlo put his arm over the back of the couch and Layla leaned into him.
“That sounds great. What should we do now?” The way she wiggled her eyebrows there was no mistaking her intention. The player was back and the words she’d said to Madison replayed in his mind. He should be holding back but if she wanted to jump his bones, why not go for it. Being the honorable one sure wasn’t getting him anywhere.
Jumping up, she grabbed his hand. “I want to dance.”
“It’s late, Lay, and we have a long day tomorrow. I really don’t feel like going out.”
She turned around and dug around for the phone in her purse. “We don’t have to go anywhere.” Plopping her phone in his iPod station, music poured through the room. A romantic and sultry tune.
“Come.” Layla curled her finger at him.
“No, I’m good.” He stayed where he was but that might have been a mistake. Layla flipped off her shoes and stepped into the middle of the room. She swayed her hips and danced around as if she were the only one there or was it just supposed to appear that way? At one point, she even rolled on the ground and back up in an amazing move that would cause anyone else to fall and get up with back pain.
He had no clue about dancing or what style she was doing but Layla was magic. He’d never seen anyone twist their body and shift to the music the way she did. Well, maybe on TV he had when he’d caught someone watching those dance reality shows but this was up close. Layla had missed her calling. She could have been a dancer, should have been a dancer. Not left to run clubs and whorehouses for her father.
The song ended way too fast. Throughout the dance, she’d had her eyes closed but now Layla was regarding him. “I’m sorry. When I hear music, it takes me over and I forget anything and everything.”
“Wow, you’re great. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
“Thanks.” Her cheeks were pink. Was it from the dancing or embarrassment?
“Where’d you learn to do that?” He motioned with his hand to the area on the floor where she’d maneuvered like a world class dancer.
“Many, many years of lessons.” On bare feet, she strolled over to sit on the couch arm.
“It shows.” The next song was equally as enticing.
“Join me.” Rising, Layla held out her arms. “You know I love dancing with you.”
“And how do I know that?” He slowly rose.
“Because I keep asking.” She took his hands in hers and led him to where she’d just finished twirling to the music.
“But why me?” Putting his arms around her and pulling her close was why he did it, but what was her reasoning?
“Why not you?” She lay her head on his shoulder as they started to slowly waltz around his living room. “You’re strong, handsome, smart.”
“And that appeals to you?” It was a question that he didn’t expect an answer to but he hoped she would. He needed to know why she’d teased him for years, only to want to reject him in the end. It made no sense.
“Everything about you appeals to me.”
Her words cut deep. Not knowing if she talked the truth or was just saying bullshit to get a rise out of him. “How can you say that?” Arlo stepped back and held her wrist in his hands.
“What?” She frowned and her forehead crinkled. “All I’ve ever wanted was for you to like me.”
“Why?” He tightened the hold on her wrists as she tightened the hold on his heart.
“Because it would be real.” Her gaze fell to the floor and her lower lip quivered.
“I don’t know what you mean.” Arlo let go of her, turned off the music, and dragged her to the couch. “Spit it out. I’ve had enough of this BS. You tease me and yet I can’t for the life of me figure out why.”
“It’s simple.” The woman sat so close it was like she was sitting on his leg.
“Not to me. Spill.” His patience at its end.
“My sweet sixteen.” She entwined her fingers and placed them in her lap.
“Go on.”
“I didn’t want to go through with it,” she admitted.
“The party? Why? I thought all girls loved that shit.”
“Not if they don’t have a mother.”
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. What did he know about having a mother? He’d lost his at an early age as well. His father was a hard man. A hard drinker, a hard womanizer, and a risk taker. Everything Arlo swore he’d never be.
For a girl it was probably different. Everything he still needed to know, he’d learned at Roman’s side. They went through the same things at the same time. Mob and non-mob related. Mr. Caponelli never ran prostitutes but when he felt it was time for Roman and Arlo to be with members of the opposite sex, he called up Rinaldi and sent the two boys off to one of the man’s houses. Bruno was there to greet them, maybe that was why the man never liked him but why wasn’t the same said for Roman?
“I had no one to talk to about having a party. No one to show me how to wear makeup and dress pretty. No one to show me how to meet boys.” Layla’s admission brought him back to the present. “I hated the thought of the party. I cried for weeks, afraid that I would embarrass myself in front of everyone. Father thought it was crazy but finally gave in and bought me dance lessons. I was to do a first dance and hadn’t a clue.” She smiled for the first time in hours. “That was where I learned to love dancing. I took years of ballet, jazz, tap, belly dancing. You name it, and I wanted to learn how to do it. I may never be good enough to run the family but when I stepped on the dance floor, or put on my shoes, I was good at something.”
“I think you are good at many things.” He touched a fingertip to her chin and turned her jaw his way. “But it still doesn’t explain why you wanted to dance with me.”
“I knew many boys there were clamoring for me to pick them. Even Roman was expecting to be among the chosen ones. And why? Because they liked me? Hell no. I was just an end to a means. A small step on the climb to the top to get into my dad’s graces. You didn’t care about impressing anyone. When I talked to you out on the porch, you didn’t even know who I was, yet you were nice to me anyway.”
“Why wouldn’t I be nice?” His father may have been an asshole but his mom had taught him manners.
“I saw the way those girls treated you when you asked them to dance. It was then that I knew you were the one to pick. When I threatened to run into the lake, you came after me. You could have walked away and said to hell with the drama but no, you were my hero.”
“I was no such thing.” He turned away and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
This time she put a finger to his jaw and turned his face her way. “You came into my life when I needed someone and I never forgot it. I never will forget it.”
“Why does your father feel the way he does about me? He hates that I’m with you.”
“I really don’t know but I think he always wanted me to marry someone in the organization and not a rival family even though he tried to set me up with Roman.”
“I heard you with Madison this morning.” It was time to clear the air about everything. “You said you were just using me and then you’d marry whoever your father wanted you to. Why would you want to do that after what you just said?”
“I’m sorry you heard that but I promise, you only heard part of it. I was joking. It’s always been you. I would never marry anyone that I didn’t love, that ship has sailed.” Layla drew up her skirt and straddled his lap. Framing his face with her h
ands, she stared straight into his eyes. “You’re the one I want, the one I’ve always wanted and waited for. If you don’t believe me, call up Madison and she’ll repeat what I said. You, Arlo, you’re mine. Always have been, always will be, and I want to be yours.”
He groaned and his forehead touched hers. Could he trust her, believe her? God if only it was true. He couldn’t just love her and leave her. When her lips touched his, it was too late. Layla Rinaldi may have bewitched him but he was doomed either way. He couldn’t just love her and leave her. His arms pulled her close. The weight of her breasts pressed firm and full against his chest. She tasted of chocolate and mint, his new favorite flavor.
It was a battle of wills, his tongue doing a delicate dance with hers. She may know more on the dance floor than him but in the bedroom, he would be king. Her fingers threaded through his hair and she was breathing hard.
When they finally came up for air, her lips were red and swollen. “Don’t turn me away again. I don’t want to sleep another night in that bed alone.” He should say no and run for the hills. This wouldn’t end well. It couldn’t, they were from two different worlds, two different stations in life. Call him weak but he couldn’t take it anymore.
“I will never turn you away. You will always have a place with me. In my home, in my heart, in my bed. If this isn’t a game, say so now, because if we make love, you’re mine forever.” He had to make that clear. The Caponelli men, whether blood or family, were fiercely protective and when they fell it was for life.
“Arlo, I’m not chasing you anymore, you have me right where I want to be. Make me yours and I’ll be with you forever.”
Chapter Fifteen
Layla
She held her breath waiting for his response. Didn’t he believe her? It was now or never. Putting one’s heart on the line was never easy but it had to be done. Some guys just didn’t get it but she’d been hammering it into his head for years. Why had she made that stupid joke when she was with Maddy?
Maybe it’d been a mistake to be so forward, some men didn’t like that, but Arlo always respected her no matter what. He was a real man and wouldn’t back down or feel insecure about simple flirting. No, he didn’t want his heart broken. Maybe if she’d had a mother to teach her subtlety and social graces, she could’ve gone about things differently but that wasn’t to be.
It all boiled down to whether he cared for her or not. The seconds felt like minutes, the minutes felt like hours, yet the time they spent staring into each other’s eyes was just a brief speck in time. If he turned her away, she’d go back to Chicago and never return. Lead a life of dance with no purpose or joy. Sure, they say time heals all wounds but, her all has always been about him. Ever since she was sweet sixteen and never been kissed. When Arlo kissed her, it was heaven on earth. Sun on a cloudy day. Feast after a famine. Something that couldn’t be replaced.
He said nothing and Layla died a little inside. Edging off his lap, she stopped when he took hold of her.
“Where are you going?” His voice was raspy and deep.
“It’s clear you don’t want me.” She bit her lip to keep from crying out.
“No, that’s not true. I just wanted to enjoy having you in my arms for a moment longer.” His palm cupped her cheek. Tears threatened to fall. She’d given it her all but he’d not given her an answer. “Before we go to the bedroom. Together.”
Her mouth dropped opened and her heart soared. Layla wrapped her arms around his neck, tears streaming down her face. It was as if they were the only two people in the universe and that was okay with her.
Arlo pulled her away and framed her face in his hands. “Why the tears?” His thumb caressed her cheek.
“Sorry, I’m just emotional and very happy.” Using the back of her hand, she tried to wipe the moisture away. “It’s just finally getting something that I’ve wished for, dreamed for, for so long.”
“I hope I don’t disappoint.” He lowered his hands to massage her shoulders. She melted whenever he touched her and this was just the beginning.
“Nothing you could do would disappoint me except if you were to leave me.”
“The only reason I would ever leave would be to save you. I’d give my life for yours.” He dropped a kiss to her nose and the tears fell again. Arlo was the quiet man, the one who never shared his feelings, and yet he was baring his soul to her right now. It was the most intimate thing she’d ever experienced.
“And I for you. Never forget that. Never,” she stressed and then pressed her lips to his. His arms pulled her hard to his chest. Still straddling his lap, her legs were tight against his. Her pelvis pressed up against Arlo’s so much so she could feel how much he wanted her. It was too much, yet not enough. He tasted of coffee and sweets. Somewhere in the last few hours, he’d managed to snag a treat with cinnamon in it. She could taste it on his tongue. Maddy said he loved sugar and in the morning, she’d make him something sweet. Her mind was abuzz with too many things, too much sensory overload, and yet the only thing that mattered was Arlo. He was finally and truly all hers.
Not breaking the kiss, her man stood up, taking her with him. They briefly stopped at a wall, just long enough for Arlo to drop kisses along her neck and get a good hold of her ass. Then they were on the move again, only to spin a few times before making it to the bedroom. It was a simple gesture that imitated the dance she’d just done for him. He warmed her heart and her body.
When they entered the bedroom, nerves hit. As much as she wanted this, she didn’t want to disappoint him. Layla was anything but experienced. Her time away from the social constraints of the family were limited. Her virginity was wasted on a one-night stand too many years ago to count when it should have been given to the one she loved. Too late to worry about that now.
Arlo gently tossed her on the soft bed. The down pillows and comforter felt like she’d landed on a cloud. Her man rolled up his sleeves and gave her a sexy smirk before hurling his tie over the back of a chair. Funny how at certain times, a person slows down enough to take in minor details you might not have noticed before. The dark hairs on his forearms, a large watch, the two rings he wore but she never thought to ask the meaning behind, and the pure look of adoration in his dark eyes. Butterflies in her stomach fluttered about and she curled one leg over the other before Arlo reached down and pulled it back.
“Everything all right?” He did the thing with his thumb again, caressing her ankle. Her pulse raced.
“Just nervous,” she admitted.
“Nothing to be nervous about.” He sat on the bed. “I would never make you do anything you don’t want to do. You know that, right?” She nodded. “Are you on birth control?” Again, she nodded. “I’m clean. I don’t sleep around and can’t remember the last time I got laid. Once you came back into my life, no one else interested me. I don’t have any condoms here, that’s why I asked.”
“I’ve never slept around either and I’m on the pill.” A few hours before she was a strong woman dealing with mob issues but now, she was thankful Arlo was asking the questions that needed to be asked and taking control of the situation. “They aren’t always one hundred percent. What if I get pregnant?” She asked a question of her own.
“Then we’ll just have to get married sooner that we plan.” Layla’s heart filled to capacity and the caressing of her ankle had moved to her calf. Her skin went back and forth between raised goosebumps and blazing heat. “Remember, anything you don’t want me to do, just say no and I’ll stop.” Somehow, she didn’t see that happening but Layla nodded anyway. He’d always been so kind and considerate of her and his patience with her now even more so. It was hard to imagine ever wanting to be with anyone else. There had never been anyone else.
“Take your dress off.” She reached behind to undo the zipper and he helped to pull it off. Thankfully she’d worn pretty panties today but then her love for lovely lingerie made that easy. The gleam in his eyes showed his appreciation for the skimpy red piece of lace. “Those a
lso.” When she reached for her thong, his fingers replaced hers as he easily slid them down her legs, again leaving a trail of fire and ice along her skin as he went.
When Arlo started dropping kisses and nipping her legs with his mouth on the way up her thighs, her eyes nearly rolled back in her head. When he reached the center of her legs, they did. Her head fell to the side, her chest rose, and her legs quivered.
She placed her hands on his head and ran her fingers through his hair. It was thick yet soft. As he licked, sucked, and cherished her with his mouth, it was miraculous. Like a dream come true. It had come true. She was here, in this moment, in this bed with Arlo. A new sensation she’d never experienced before. It was intense, mind-blowing, and about to be over way too quickly. When Arlo took her little nub between his teeth and sucked, her head almost exploded. Stars flew and bombs went off. Collapsing into the fluffy comforter, a moan escaped her lips. Contentment, bliss, every word of joy she could think of fluttered through her mind.
“Hey, beautiful.” Arlo leaned forward, his warm body covering her. He kissed her lips. The scent and taste of her arousal was all over his mouth. Layla pulled up the tail of his shirt and explored his back. Warm skin over hard muscle. What the rest of him must be like!
When he lifted his head and gazed into her eyes, his looked almost blue or was it hazel? They’d changed or maybe it was just her seeing him in a whole different light. “That was wonderful.”
“That’s just the beginning.” A chill surrounded her when he got off the bed and she hugged herself. “Here, lift up so you can get under the covers.” She snuggled in the warmth and turned onto her side as Arlo started to unbutton his shirt. It was like unwrapping a present, or at least in her mind it was. A gift she’d wanted and waited for since her sixteenth birthday, although at the time, she’d have been happy with just another dance or maybe a kiss. This was worth the wait and so much more.
As Arlo shed his shirt, every detail of his body came into view. He’d always been a large man, but the last few years he’d shed some pounds. Become leaner and stronger. His arms were muscular and his stomach cut and defined. It also showed the scars of wars and conflict. Someday she would get the story behind every welt and wound. He was beautiful in her eyes, flaws and all. Shoes, pants, and socks hit the floor before he joined her in bed.
