by L A Cotton
“You got me a key.”
“To our apartment. If you want it, that is…”
Tears clung to my lashes as I nodded. “I want it. I really, really want it.”
“Thank fuck.” He blushed. He actually blushed. “Because I already moved in all your stuff.”
“What?” I spluttered.
“I had a little help, but it was my idea.” A smug smirk tugged at his mouth.
“I can’t believe you did that.”
“Well, you see, there’s this girl. She’s kind of a badass… she’s sexy and sassy and so fucking selfless. She taught me some things…”
“Oh yeah, like what?”
“She taught me that it’s okay to hurt, that it’s okay to live with your pain. But she also taught me that it’s okay to accept help, to admit that you can’t do it alone. She taught me that just because you’ve never known the love of a parent doesn’t mean you won’t ever know love for yourself. Because I do, Gattina. I fucking love you. I love your heart and your strength. I love your body and your pure soul. I even love those fucking ridiculous t-shirts you wear.”
“You love me?” My heart was fit to burst at his words. It was everything I’d ever wanted.
“Mi sono innamorato di te.”
“I think you should show me,” I said around a smug grin.
Enzo scooped me up in his arms and carried me over to the bed. “Your wish is my command il mio cuore.”
Our story wasn’t perfect.
It was messy and raw and painful, but it was also real. It was ours and nobody could ever take that away from us.
Sometimes you had to go through the darkness to get to the light…
And I wouldn’t change a single thing.
Enzo lay me down on the bed and hovered over me. “I can’t believe I almost lost you.” He stared at me like he was seeing me for the first time.
“I’m right here.” I leaned up to kiss him, letting my lips slide softly against his. He buried his hand in my hair, stroking the slope of my neck as he kissed me deeper.
“Is this okay?”
I nodded, locking my hands around his neck and pulling him closer. “I love you,” I whispered, and I felt him shiver at my words.
It was a heady feeling, to know that I could bring this man to his knees. But I wouldn’t ever take his love for granted or wield it as a weapon.
“I want to touch you, Gattina…” He let the words hang between us. I knew what he was asking me, and the truth was, I didn’t know how I felt about being with him so soon after his brother’s vicious attack.
I wanted Enzo, that wasn’t the problem, but I knew I still hadn’t dealt with everything that had happened.
“I… I think I’m ready.” My voice cracked, betraying me.
“We’ll take it slow.” He climbed off me, before shedding his clothes. Then he reached for my hand, tugging me gently.
Enzo handled me softer than he ever had, taking his sweet time to undress me. His fingers followed the curve of my waist, gliding up my spine as he drew me into his warm body. “I need you, Nora. I will always need you. But I need to know that you’re safe more.”
“Kiss me,” I said.
He dipped his head, capturing my lips in a bruising kiss. His tongue curled around mine, slow and unhurried, tasting and teasing while his fingers stroked a blazing path across my skin.
“So fucking beautiful,” he hummed against my skin.
“I love this side of you,” I murmured overwhelmed with how good he was making me feel.
“Yeah? Well don’t tell anyone. I have a rep to protect.” Enzo smirked, before guiding me back onto the bed. But this time, he climbed beside me and pulled me close into his body.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“I figure we should probably talk.”
“You want to talk? Now? Who are you and what have you done with the Enzo Marchetti I know and love?”
“Gattina,” his icy gaze pinned me to the spot. “We need to talk about this.”
“I know.” I expelled a small breath.
How did you talk about something you wanted to pretend had never happened?
Enzo was there… he watched as his brother—
A garbled sob spilled from my lips.
“I’m here,” Enzo said. “I’m right here and I will never let anyone hurt you again. I swear to God, Nora.” Fierce possessiveness clung to his words.
My fingers clawed at his chest, needing to get closer as I broke in his arms. Enzo didn’t try to shush me or talk to me, he just held me. Held me until the tears subsided and my breathing slowed.
“What happened,” he said, gently nudging his nose against mine, “I need you to know it changes nothing for me. Not a damn thing, okay?”
I nodded. “I just hate that you saw it… that it will always be there, between us.”
“It doesn’t have to be. We can choose to look forward and not back. Someone once said to me, all I needed to do was take a leap of faith. Well, I’m asking you to do the same. Take a leap on me, Gattina… with me, and I’ll always catch you. I promise.”
“You’re good at this, you know.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’m not good at this… you are. You make me want to try, Nora. You make me want to be a better man.” Enzo kissed me, stroking his thumb over my cheek. This, lying here with him, was like a salve to my bruised soul.
“I can’t promise I’ll always get it right,” he went on, “but I promise to spend every second of every day trying to be worthy.”
“You don’t need to try,” I whispered, stealing a chaste kiss. “You already are.”
Enzo sucked in a sharp breath and I loved that, again, I’d shocked him with my raw honesty.
But everyone deserved to be loved.
And I would spend every second of every day showing him that.
Epilogue
Nora
“I see it,” I pressed my face against the window of Enzo’s GTO as we approached the city. New York’s skyline lit up the distance and excitement buzzed inside me.
“I can’t wait to explore.”
“Explore?” Enzo grumbled, sliding his hand along my knee. “I can’t wait to get you naked.”
A shiver rolled down my spine. “You were inside me less than six hours ago.”
“Six hours too long.”
Soft laughter bubbled in my chest.
Enzo was insatiable… and I loved it.
At first, after he finally gave into his feelings for me, I was worried things would be too intense after what happened with his brother. But Enzo had been patient with me. He hadn’t pushed or demanded anything of me I couldn’t give.
He’d been the perfect gentleman, and then when I was finally ready to be with him, he’d loved me in the way only he could.
His fingers walked higher, disappearing under my skirt. I clapped my hand down on his. “Oh no you don’t, you’re driving.”
“And you’re sexy.”
I poked my tongue between my teeth. “Patience. Are you going to tell me where we’re staying yet?” Enzo had planned our entire weekend from start to finish, and I couldn’t wait to enjoy some time away with him, just the two of us.
Since Enzo had given me a key to his apartment, we’d been inseparable. He drove me to classes each morning and picked me up at the end of every day. Antonio was still on strict orders from the doctor to take it easy, so Nicco was taking a more hands-on approach in the Family. I knew Arianne worried, but we’d both made our choice and the Marchetti were part of our lives now, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
My parents and brother hadn’t taken the news so well. My father knew all about the hot-headed Marchetti boy with a cold exterior and black soul. But I was an adult, and I was happy. So freaking happy. Besides, I knew Enzo would win them over eventually.
He’d softened somewhat. Not with everyone. But it was there, peeking through the surface. He let Alessia and Arabella come over for girl’s
night and let me fill his apartment with girly shit, including my array of humorous t-shirts.
Enzo welcomed me into his life as if I was always supposed to be there, and I couldn’t explain it, but we just worked.
“It’s a shame Arianne and Nicco couldn’t come,” I said.
Originally, the four of us were going to make the trip to celebrate Ari’s birthday. But with Antonio still recovering, they decided to stay behind. Things were quiet since Vinnie, but I knew it wouldn’t always be like that. There would be more threats and attacks, more lies and secrets. This was the life I’d chosen though, and I knew without doubt Enzo would always protect me.
“God, it’s so beautiful.” We were driving right into the thick of the city. I’d never felt more small or insignificant than with New York’s high rises looming over us. I cranked the window and stuck my head outside, letting out a shriek of excitement as the cool air rushed over my face. When I ducked back inside, Enzo was frowning over at me.
“You’re fucking crazy.”
“But you love me.”
“Yeah, I do.” A smirk played on his lips.
“Are we almost there?”
“Patience, Gattina.” He chuckled. It was fast becoming one of my favorite sounds. It didn’t happen very often, but whenever it did, it completely melted my insides.
“Can you at least tell me something?” I knew he had plans, he’d spent enough time colluding with Nicco and Ari. “Please?” I batted my eyelashes for good measure.
“I can tell you one thing…” It was a heated whisper. “I’m going to fuck you so hard tonight you see stars.”
“Enzo, that’s not a thing,” I tried to sound disappointed. But the truth was… I really hoped he did.
Enzo
“What do you think?” I leaned against the doorjamb, watching Nora’s reaction as she took in our suite.
“Are you sure this is our room?”
My bank account was pretty sure. But the fifteen hundred dollar a night price tag was worth every penny to see her speechless.
Pushing off the jamb, I stalked toward her. “It’s ours for three whole nights. Imagine all the ways I can make you scream up here.” My mind was already full of ideas.
I always wanted Nora. The truth was, I couldn’t get enough of her. She’d fast become my newest addiction and she was all too willing to let me indulge.
The guys busted my balls about it all the time. But I didn’t give a fuck. Nora was the better half of my soul and I was so fucking grateful to have her in my life.
Sweeping the hair off her face, I dipped my head and pressed a single kiss to her collarbone.
“Mmm,” a moan slipped from her lips.
“We should check out the view.” I’d specifically booked a room at The NYC Skyline for its amazing view of the city. Nora had been obsessed with coming here ever since Nicco brought Arianne for their honeymoon. She wanted to do the whole tourist thing and visit all the sights.
I just wanted to do her.
My hands clamped on her hips as I guided her over to the enormous window giving us a panoramic view of the iconic skyline.
“Wow,” she murmured, relaxing back into my arms.
Skimming her waist with my hands, I glided them down her back and over the curve of her ass, dipping underneath her sexy as fuck skirt.
“Enzo,” she warned, but she was here, she’d gotten her wish. Now, it was time for me to get mine.
“Hands on the glass, Gattina, and don’t move.” I dropped to my knees and pushed her skirt up her waist to find the waistband on her panties and gently ease them down her hips. I couldn’t resist raking my teeth over the soft curve of her ass, and she moaned again.
“You are so bad.”
It was like being outside, the vast glass panels bringing the city inside. But no one could see us up here. Even if they could, I wouldn’t have stopped.
I needed her.
I needed Nora in a way I couldn’t fully describe.
Deeply.
Wholly.
Viscerally.
She was the calm to my temper, the light to my dark. She was my anchor, my reason, and I was determined to make this weekend memorable, for more than one reason.
Unable to wait a second longer, I dived in, licking her like a man starved. Nora gasped, a string of expletives falling from her lips as I pushed two digits deep inside her and worked her with my tongue while pumping my fingers in and out.
“God… that is… God!” Her knees buckled, but I banded my arm around her waist and held her still. She was at my mercy, about to be wrecked by my touch.
“You taste like heaven,” I speared my tongue inside her, rolling my thumb over her clit in perfect synchrony.
“Jesus, Lorenzo… it’s…” The words died as she moaned over and over, the sounds of her pleasure filling the room.
I wanted the whole fucking place to hear her, to know that this woman belonged to me.
Only ever me.
My love for Nora was borderline obsessive. I drove her to classes every day, returned later to pick her up. If she wanted to hang out with Lucii and her other girlfriends, I usually put one of our guys on them and had him constantly check-in. I’d almost lost her, and I didn’t plan on that ever happening again. So yeah, I was a little over the top, but Nora didn’t seem to mind. In fact, I think my Gattina secretly liked it.
Her back bowed as she rocked against me, desperate for more, desperate for what only I could give her. “I’m so close…” Raw lust drenched her words. But I had no plans to make her come yet. I wanted her desperate for me.
Boneless.
Breathless.
Mine.
I curved my fingers and rubbed, quickly withdrawing them when I felt her body begin to coil tight.
“Enzo, what the hell?” She glared down at me over her shoulder.
“Patience, Gattina.” I smirked.
Standing, I snapped my belt and pushed my jeans open enough to free my dick. I was rock hard and ready to sink deep inside her. “Hands on the glass,” I ordered when she tried to turn and reach for me.
Nora giggled. “You’re bossy.”
“And you’re a brat.” Stepping up behind her, I wrapped a hand around her throat bringing my mouth to the side of her neck. “Tell me what you want.”
“You, Enzo. Only ever you.”
“Right answer.” I nipped her skin as I folded my body over hers and slammed inside of her. “You’re mine, Gattina. Mine.”
And I would spend forever showing her.
Nora
We spent the next day sightseeing. Enzo grudgingly let me drag him through Times Square. We took silly selfies in the M&M's store and posed with the Hard Rock Café giant guitar. He was patient and slightly amused by how excited I was. Then we headed to Central Park and Enzo had completely surprised me by suggesting we take one of the horse-drawn carriages. It was so romantic, cuddled up beside my dark and brooding bad boy as we explored the gorgeous landscape.
We had dinner reservations later, but Enzo was keeping quiet about the details.
“Well, do I need to dress up or go casual?” I asked.
“Maybe avoid the t-shirts, yeah?” His eyes dropped to my ‘Ah! the element of surprise’ shirt.
“There’s nothing wrong with my t-shirt.” I pouted. It looked killer teamed with my skirt, stockings, boots, and brand-new leather jacket. It had been a gift from Enzo. He said his badass girlfriend needed a badass jacket.
I loved it.
“You’d look better with it tied around your wrists while I—” He leaned in, whispering all the dirty things he wanted to do to me. My soft laughter filled the air as we walked the scenic route back to our hotel.
“You’ll need to wear something warm.”
I nestled into his side and grinned up at him. “But I have you to keep me warm.”
Enzo raked his teeth over my earlobe sending bolts of pleasure rippling through me. “Maybe I should cancel our reservations tonight and eat yo
u instead.”
“You are so bad.”
His lips curved in a smug smirk. “Oh, you don’t know the half of it.”
“Holy shit, for real?” I stared up at Edge, the highest outside sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. I’d wanted so badly to get tickets, but when I’d looked into it, it was fully booked.
“But how?”
“I have my ways.”
It was late. We’d gotten back to the hotel suite and spent hours wrapped up in each other. Enzo didn’t seem in a rush to make our dinner reservations and I was all too happy to enjoy him and our ridiculously swanky suite.
My stomach grumbled. “Maybe we should have grabbed something to eat first.”
“Don’t you trust me?”
Oh, I did. But I was pretty sure Edge didn’t serve food.
We rode the elevator to the hundredth floor. It was so fast there wasn’t even time to fool around, but Enzo couldn’t resist smacking my ass as I stepped out ahead of him.
“Mr. Marchetti, Miss Abato, welcome to Edge.” A host in a three-piece black suit greeted us.
I glanced at Enzo and he smirked.
“We are very honored you chose to dine with us tonight.”
“Dine?” I mouthed at my smug looking boyfriend.
“I told you to trust me.”
The host led us into the observation room where a server was waiting with a tray of champagne. “Welcome to Edge,” she said.
“Thank you.” My heart fluttered wildly in my chest. I was used to being with Enzo now. He and his family were well-known all over Rhode Island. But New York? I hadn’t expected such treatment.
“We have the place all to ourselves?” I whispered to Enzo, quickly realizing we were the only people not in uniform.
“Just you and me, Gattina. Come on.” His hand slipped to the small of my back urging me closer to the huge glass window. The view was incredible; so much so I inhaled a sharp breath.
“It’s something, huh?” The host said.
“It really is.” I couldn’t stop smiling. This was so freaking romantic, and so out of character for my brooding bad boy.
“Dinner will be served shortly. We thought you might like to take in the view first.”
