by Reilly, Cora
He turned to leave.
“I won’t tell him about this,” I rushed to say before he could open the door.
Matteo looked at me over his shoulder, dark brows pulling together. “You should tell him. What I did was wrong.”
“Yes, it was, but no, I won’t tell him,” I said, determined. “I don’t want him to lose you.” And we both knew that it would happen. Luca would try to kill Matteo for today, and even if he wouldn’t go through with it, they’d never be like they had been. Luca needed Matteo. I wouldn’t take that from him.
Matteo inclined his head. “I swear I’ll never threaten you again.” He didn’t wait for my reply; instead he slipped out and closed the door without a sound.
I released a breath and put a hand over my pounding heart. My hands were shaking. Good God.
I was still rattled from my encounter with Matteo when Luca returned later in the night. I’d stayed up reading to distract myself from everything that had happened, but my mind had kept straying back. His eyes were still tight with anger and disappointment over what I’d done when he undressed and came toward the bed. “Matteo is on his way to Amsterdam now. He might be gone for weeks or even months until he catches your sister,” he said in a tense voice.
My fingers on my book tightened at the mention of Matteo. “Did you see him before he went to the airport?”
“No, he was already gone when I returned.”
I bit my lip, tempted to apologize to Luca, but I knew I’d have done it again—helped Gianna, that is—and he knew it too. Luca slipped under the covers, his gray eyes hard as they searched my face. I put down the book, and my fingers still shook slightly. They hadn’t stopped since my encounter with Matteo.
Luca took my hand. Of course he’d noticed. His eyes softened as he brought my fingers to his lips and kissed them. “I shouldn’t have gone so hard on you today, but you pushed me into a fucking corner, Aria.”
“I know,” I said quietly. “But I never meant to betray you. I love you, Luca.”
He leaned over, his hand cupped my neck and he pulled me toward him for a kiss. His tongue slid into my mouth as his other hand moved under my camisole, fingertips ghosting up my ribs until they found my nipple, which hardened under his touch. He pulled back. “I have to make it up to you for coming before you,” he rumbled, and I felt a trickle between my legs at the low timbre of his voice and the hunger in his eyes.
He helped me out of my camisole, then slid down my panties as his eyes left a possessive trail along my body. He lay back, gripped my hips and lifted me on his stomach.
“Ride my face, principessa. I want to taste you.”
My body flooded with need as I crawled up until I was positioned over his face. His hands came down on my hips and he held me in place, stopping me from lowering myself on his mouth like my body wanted to do. His eyes trained on my face, his tongue ran along my folds, slowly, barely touching, not enough. He retreated, smiling. “So wet for me.” I tipped my head down to meet his gaze. I loved to watch him as he loved to watch me. There was nothing hotter. He dipped the tip of his tongue between my folds and I jerked in his grip, but he still didn’t allow me to lower my body.
“Luca,” I gasped.
Again a long, slow lick up to my clit, followed by a small nudge of the tip. A low moan escaped my lips, but I needed more.
“Patience,” Luca rasped against my heated flesh, then kept up his teasing strokes. I gripped the headboard and surrendered to his sweet torture. With every stroke of his tongue, I grew more aroused, and Luca smirked as he slid his tongue along my opening, letting out a low humming sound as he tasted me. And then finally, mercifully, his grip on my hips loosened. I sank down, pressing myself against his mouth. His lips closed over my clit and he sucked. I cried out and almost came but held back, wanting to prolong this feeling. His fingers kneaded my butt as I moved against him. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be able to hold back. I was getting there too quickly. My fingers tightened, my back straightened, and then my body exploded with my orgasm. I arched backwards and Luca kept me in place, against his mouth. I rocked forward, gasping, jerking.
I watched through hooded eyes as his tongue guided me through my orgasm with slow licks. His eyes were filled with his own need, his hunger for me and a hint of anger. He drew back, then licked over his upper lip. “Nothing better than your juices in my mouth,” he murmured, and I shivered with the remnants of my orgasm. “Another round,” he said before his mouth pressed up again and he continued his ministrations. I was still sensitive, but beneath it another orgasm was slowly building. I rested my head against the headboard and allowed myself a few more moments to enjoy Luca’s gentle mouth. His fingers returned to my waist, and he hoisted me back until I straddled his stomach before he knifed up and sat back against the headboard. I didn’t need encouragement. I positioned myself over his straining cock until the tip brushed my opening, then I took him in inch by inch until he filled me completely. We both moaned as our bodies connected. I leaned forward, my lips finding Luca’s mouth, tasting myself on him. I twisted my hips as our tongues slid against each other leisurely.
Pleasure was building inside my core. I moved faster, deeper, grinding and rotating, and Luca’s hips jerked up, meeting my thrust with his own. My eyes closed as he plunged himself deeper into me with every thrust. “So fucking gorgeous,” he growled as he pumped into me, and the corners of my mouth turned up, my eyelids fluttering open. I pressed my palms against his muscled chest, one hand over his Famiglia tattoo, over his heart.
“I’ll go wherever you go no matter how dark the path,” I whispered.
His grip on my hips tightened, tendons in his throat pulling tight. He was close. His hand ran down over my stomach, found my clit and pressed, and I came again, his own climax following a second later. I watched as his eyes closed, his lips parted. I loved the sight of him finding release. His arms wound around me and he crushed me to his chest, our bodies slick with sweat. I pressed my nose into the crook of his neck, breathing in his musky scent, hoping we were okay. His fingers trailed down my spine, then up again, and ended up playing with my hair as he so often did. Matteo had been right. I needed to cherish Luca’s love, his tenderness, his trust. It wasn’t something he gave freely, or at all, and for me he always had plenty.
chapter 8
LUCA
Today Aria and I had our first anniversary, but instead of spending it on our yacht in the Mediterranean, I was stuck in a meeting in New York, trying to be Capo and Consigliere in one person, which wasn’t working. I barely had time for her anymore. If she’d tell me where Gianna was, we could cut this ordeal short and Matteo could finally return, but Aria kept her silence.
“It’s ridiculous,” Uncle Gottardo said. “Matteo should be here helping you and not chasing his whore around Europe.”
“I can handle business on my own, don’t worry,” I said sharply.
My eyes moved on to Cassio, who represented his father while the man was in the hospital. “How are you faring with the Bratva? Did they give you trouble again?”
There had been a major Bratva attack on our drug depot in Philadelphia one month ago. “Not since I killed Sergej and his brother Jegor, but we have an MC that’s trying to sell guns in our territory.”
Cassio handled things in Philadelphia with a brutal hand like I did in New York. It was time for him to take over as Underboss officially, but I wanted to wait until Matteo returned before I announced the change. Of course, I had no way of telling when Matteo would ever return. Gianna had managed to evade him until now.
I nodded. We had trouble with a new MC in New Jersey as well, but so far they were too unimportant to warrant an attack.
“The Bratva won’t risk an attack in New York any time soon. I killed too many of their soldiers, but I think they might focus on Atlanta or Charleston next.”
My Underbosses nodded. I gestured at Uncle Ermano, who ruled over Atlanta, and he began his report. I settled back in the chair, knowing
this would be a long evening.
I managed to be back home around eight, and only because I’d cut another one of Uncle Gottardo’s rants short. Romero greeted me with a nod then disappeared as I headed outside where Aria was stretched out on the sofa. The moment I spotted her, my annoyance disappeared. I couldn’t stay mad at her even if she was the source of my problems.
She got up immediately and came toward me, guilt filling her face. “I got sushi for us. It’s in the fridge. I thought we could soak in the Jacuzzi a bit. You need to relax.”
I nodded and kissed her, feeling fucking exhausted. Aria hurried back inside and I began undressing then slid into the hot water, groaning as my tense muscles loosened. Aria’s soft steps made me open my eyes. She carried a tray with a bottle of champagne, two glasses and a selection of sushi, which she set down on the edge of the Jacuzzi. I watched as she got out of her dress, and despite my tiredness my cock reacted to the sight of her naked body like it always did. She slid into the water then pressed close to me, and I wrapped an arm around her. She kissed my throat before she raised her eyes to meet mine, looking insecure.
“We are okay,” I told her and ran my thumb over her arm.
She nodded toward the champagne. I reached for the bottle and opened it, even if I didn’t feel like celebrating. I was fucking happy about my marriage with Aria, but today had been a long, shitty day and I wanted it to be over, anniversary or not.
Aria and I drank champagne then she reached for the chopsticks, picked up my favorite eel inside-out-roll and held it out to me. I took it, savoring the taste, and felt another bit of tension lift. When we were done eating, Aria straddled my lap and began massaging my shoulders. I leaned back, eyes closing.
Aria leaned close to my ear. “Why don’t we head up to our bedroom so I can give your back a thorough massage?”
“That sounds like a perfect plan,” I said in a low voice. Aria straightened, water dripping down that perfect body, and I rose to my feet and climbed out before I helped Aria out of the Jacuzzi as well.
After we’d dried off, we moved into our bedroom and Aria motioned for me to lie down on my stomach. I didn’t need to be told twice. She climbed on top of me and settled on my backside, her soft pussy pressed against my skin. Her fingertips traced the tattoo on my shoulder. “Have you ever regretted getting it?” she asked in a quiet voice.
“No,” I said without hesitation.
Aria shifted and pressed a kiss to the tattoo before her hands began their work, massaging the tension out of my shoulders and neck. “That feels so fucking good,” I rasped. I hadn’t even realized how tense I was.
Aria applied just the right amount of pressure on my back and I could feel myself relax further, my limbs becoming heavy.
I woke to Aria’s soft body curled against me, and sunlight tickling my face. My eyes shot open and I groaned. “Fuck.”
Aria’s eyelids fluttered, then she peered at me with those gorgeous baby blues. “What’s wrong?” Her voice was still raw from sleep.
“I fell asleep,” I muttered. “Not only did you have to spend most of our anniversary with Romero, but I didn’t even fuck you like I wanted to.”
Her lips twitched. “I think,” she began, propping herself up on my chest, “that it was a fitting ending to our first year of marriage. After all, you didn’t get any action on our wedding night, so it’s only fair I didn’t get any on our first anniversary.”
I chuckled. Trust Aria to make me feel better. Light in the dark, indeed. My fingers trailed down her spine over her ass and then between her legs, finding her wet. “Maybe we can start our second year with mind-blowing sex to set the mood for the future.”
Aria smiled then moaned as my fingers brushed up against her clit. “That sounds perfect.”
ARIA
Things between Luca and me were back to how they used to be. Sometimes when Matteo sent him an update of his hunt, Luca got tense around me, but it only ever lasted a couple of hours. I wasn’t sure if he knew that I could follow Gianna’s progress through the travel blog she’d established. Perhaps he suspected I knew something, but he’d stopped pressing for information.
I breathed in deeply, loving the crisp morning air. Central Park was quiet this early on a Sunday, except for joggers that made their rounds despite December’s cold. In summer Luca and I had been among them, but in winter I preferred to do my run on the treadmill, though we still got up early to enjoy a morning walk.
Luca squeezed my gloved hand, and my eyes found his. “Dollar for your thoughts,” he murmured.
I smiled and drew to a stop. “Just thinking how much I love that we’re both morning people and that we get to have Central Park almost to ourselves.” Luca was almost always working these days. Without Matteo at his side, he had to take care of business on his own. I only had him during the early morning hours and late at night, but only in the morning did we really find time to talk. The nights were reserved for lovemaking, as Luca was too stressed from the day’s events to give me more than physical closeness. It was my fault, of course. Matteo was still gone because I didn’t tell them where Gianna was.
Luca chuckled, the low sound making me want to find a place where we could be alone. “To think that I used to party until the early morning hours, and now I’m up that early.”
My smile faltered. “Do you mind? You used to be the most sought-after bachelor in the city, and now…” I trailed off.
Luca pulled me close, and bent low so his warm breath ghosted over my face. “I was out all night, always hunting, always moving because there was nothing at home calling me back. Now there’s you and no matter where I am or what I’m doing, the thought of you waiting for me is the best.”
My body filled with warmth at his words, but a slight worry gnawed at me. “What about other women?” I whispered. “You had a new girl in your bed every weekend, and now there’s only me.” I’d seen how some of the female joggers had looked at Luca. I noticed how many of the younger and even older women at social events eyed him, how they undressed him with their eyes. His predator charms lured them in. He was all muscle, all man, all power.
Luca shook his head. “Why would I want anyone else, Aria? There’s no one else I want.”
I curled my fingers over his neck and pulled him to me, my lips brushing his. “I love you, Luca.” His gray eyes softened, and that sight always got me. That look, that side of him, nobody got to see it but me. Perhaps Luca had been the first and only man to claim my body, but I was the first and only person who had that part of him, his soft side, his gentle side. That was all mine.
A buzzing noise drew us apart.
Luca let out a sigh. “Who’s it now?”
Luca reached for his cell in his coat, then glanced down at the screen, and from the look on his face I knew at once it was important.
I froze. “Luca?”
He looked up. “Matteo texted.”
My heart clenched. I swallowed. “And?”
“He got her.”
My breath left my mouth in a puff of fog. “Gianna?” As if there could be someone else.
Luca nodded. I could tell he was relieved, but didn’t show it openly because of me. Relieved because Matteo would finally return to New York after six months of being on the hunt for my sister. Six months. That’s how long Gianna had lived her dream.
I had risked a lot for Gianna: Luca’s trust, my marriage.
But it had been in vain. Matteo had captured her. I should have been miserable but I wasn’t. I was relieved, like Luca, because Gianna would be coming to New York. I’d finally see her. It was a selfish thought because I knew she didn’t want to. She wanted to live a life away from the mob. She and I had always been very different when it came to dealing with the darkness of mob life. She’d wanted out, and I had wanted to find a place inside that life where I felt safe and comfortable. I had found it, and I hoped Gianna would find her own place too. Then worry overcame my thoughts. “What happens to her now? Where are they? Is
she all right?”
Luca brought his hand up against my cold cheek. His palm was warm, even in the freezing temperatures. “Aria, your sister will be fine. Let me give Matteo a call.”
I nodded. I would have loved to snatch the mobile from Luca and call Matteo myself, but since our last encounter I wasn’t sure if it would have been right to do it. I had been glad for the months he’d been gone, though at the same time I wished Luca didn’t have to handle everything on his own. I wasn’t sure if I could ever act normal around Matteo again, but I had to try or Luca would get suspicious.
Luca dialed Matteo’s number, then waited, but nothing happened, and a new wave of worry overcame me. “Why isn’t he picking up? He won’t hurt Gianna, right? She didn’t do anything wrong. She just wanted to be free. He will bring her to New York, won’t he? He can’t take her to my father. Luca, please—”
Luca wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me against him, one of his hands cradling my neck. “For some inexplicable reason, Matteo wants your sister. He will bring her to New York, trust me.”
I trusted Luca. It was Matteo whom I didn’t trust. Even more so since he’d attacked me, but Luca didn’t know that, of course, and never would. “But will he hurt her?”
Luca didn’t say anything, and my heart plummeted. “Come on, let’s get back home. I have a feeling we’ll have to fly to Chicago soon to appease your fucking father.” He took my hand and led me toward the exit of the park. He hadn’t answered my question because he couldn’t.
I couldn’t stop fretting over what was happening with Gianna, and Luca sensed it. He tried calling Matteo several times during our ride home, but he didn’t pick up. When Luca’s phone rang, I could have cried from relief, but it turned out to be my father.
Luca’s face darkened as he listened to him. “We will come to Chicago to discuss matters with you. This isn’t only an Outfit matter. Gianna is Matteo’s fiancée.” Pause. “Yes, still, until he decides he doesn’t want her.”
