Worship (Sinful Series Book 2)

by Trilina Pucci

  Me: Done.

  “Ms. Andrews, another package for you.”

  I look up at my assistant, confused at her tone. She’s grinning from ear to ear. “Sorry, it’s just, my apologies, but I can see into the bag.”

  I reach out my hand, and she brings the black gift bag to me. I peek inside and start to laugh, pulling the note out from between the paper to read.

  Every great villain has a good ’stache.—Luca

  Inside the bag is a variety pack of stick-on mustaches. I can’t hold the laughter back as I pull it out and hold it up to Kate, who is already giggling.

  “Whoever he is, he’s funny,” she jokes.

  “Yeah. He is,” I agree sarcastically.

  Kate walks back to her desk, leaving me in my office alone, so I unbutton my top enough to see my black lace bra and pull out one of the mustaches, a nice handlebar number, and stick it in place. Aiming the camera right where I want it, I take a selfie, showing just enough cleavage and my best evil smile.

  Me: Thanks for helping me rep my inner villain.

  Saturday

  “WHY STAY WITH SOMEONE JUST to punish them? Aren’t you really just hurting yourself? Punishing yourself for making the wrong move?” she asks in a sleepy voice.

  We’ve been on a marathon tonight. It’s one in the morning, and we’ve been having this therapy session all night. Each night, our conversations have become more connected; what should feel heavy feels more like a necessity. I need to know everything about her and have her know the same about me. I’m left unsettled at the idea of not being the one who knows her best.

  “Maybe. You can see it that way, or you can see that with every action, there’s a reaction. Shelby’s current reality is that reaction. What she’s done to Ella, the brand she’s leaving on her heart, the lies she told me…I don’t know how to walk away without a piece of Shelby as retribution.” I hear her soft breaths. “Are you asleep?” I smile into the phone.

  “No. Sorry, I was just thinking how much I relate. Ella will always wonder why her mom didn’t love her, and maybe even blame herself, without even realizing. I always wished that my dad would’ve yelled at my mom or told her to get out. You know? Something mean to make me feel like she was the asshole, that it was her who was all wrong. I get it. But…”

  I cut her off. “I know that’s the piece of me you hate. You wish I’d let it go because it’s the reason I need time.”

  A small part of me is afraid of her answer because it means I’d have to choose. The choice used to be so clear, but now I’m conflicted. Gretchen makes everything else insignificant.

  Gretchen’s voice is serious.

  “Stop, no. I don’t hate any piece of you. I get it, Luca, and I’m not judging the right or wrong of it. I’m saying that Ella may not need what you’re giving her. She’s growing up with love, surrounded by so many people who adore her. I think you need to admit that you’re hurting too.”

  I close my eyes and roll onto my back.

  “How do you do that?” I ask honestly. Uncomfortable with my own vulnerability.

  “What?” she answers.

  She doesn’t even know what she does and the effect it has on me.

  My words are as honest as I can make them.

  “Make me feel exposed.”

  I hear her fucking smile in her voice.

  “You’ve never been hidden.” She answers as if that’s the natural answer.

  It’s not. Nobody knows what I’m thinking, feeling. But she acts as if my heart is on my sleeve. Then again, for her, it probably is. I can’t seem to possess the ability to hide myself from her.

  “Metterò I bambini nella tuaanicaa e osserverò il tuo corpo crescere. Ti amerò così intensamente che riempirà ogni vuoto lasciato dentro di te. Sarò sempre l’unico per te, Angel.” I’m going to put babies in your belly and watch your body grow. I’ll love you so intensely that it will fill every void left inside of you. I will always be the only one for you, Angel.

  “Luca, come on. I want to know. And don’t say not yet.” Her pleading makes me smile.

  “Another time. Go. Sleep now, Angel. Dream about me.”

  Her voice caresses my goddamn heart before she hangs up.

  “Always.”

  Monday

  ALL MORNING I’VE BEEN IMPATIENTLY waiting for the text or call. I know my little gift was delivered to him, but I’ve heard nothing. I check my phone for the millionth time and nothing. How does he always seem so cool when he’s torturing me? Sociopath.

  Kate buzzes to tell me my meeting in the conference room is in two minutes, and I grab the notes I need and make my way to it.

  I hate these meetings, always so useless. It’s a monthly check-in of all the department heads. The bright side is I get to see my girlfriends.

  I walk into the large glass-encased room, and Lyla waves to me from where she’s standing next to Blair, who’s checking her phone. Drew is standing next to Blair, leaned against the table, sipping her tea. I have a righteous girl gang. Smart, successful, and gorgeous. My soul mates.

  I greet them as I get close.

  “Hello, friends, are you ready for another hour of wasted time?”

  Blair looks up from her phone with an annoyed expression.

  “No shit. Why do we work for this firm again? I keep saying it…”

  Drew cuts her off, holding up a hand.

  “I’m beginning to buy in.”

  One night over margaritas, we’d joked about starting our own firm. But then we all moved up and the idea seemed to fall off the table. I enjoy the firm, but my department is more innovative than the others.

  “If these meetings were an actual collaboration, I’d love them, but it’s an hour of ‘big dicking,’” I add.

  Lyla giggles, and her eyes grow wide. “Gretch! Oh my god.”

  I shrug in answer. She knows I’m right. Just a bunch of men who gather to talk about how important or big their departments are. Size only matters when it’s in reference to a dick.

  And everyone knows that it’s me, Blair, and Drew who’ve put Cohen on the fucking map. We’re like Destiny’s Child after they dropped the fourth member.

  Others begin to enter the room, and as we all sit, the meeting gets down to business. My mind is wandering while a very gray-headed man talks about how much his department is bringing in, when my phone lights up with a text. I casually put my hand over the phone to cover the screen and slide it closer to me on the table.

  Waiting for a moment, I pull it into my lap and chance a look.

  Luca: I can’t seem to find a translation for some things…

  I smile and try to hide how giddy I’m feeling at him receiving my gift. I sent an Italian-to-English translation dictionary to his office with a note that read: For the next time you can’t find the words.

  I return my focus to my meeting and nod along with whoever the fuck is speaking but then look down at my phone again and type out a reply.

  Me: I was assured it was the absolute best, most current dictionary on the market.

  His response is immediate.

  Luca: Ah well, I’m looking for something very difficult to find.

  Me: Like?

  Luca: “Mettimelo dove vuoi” doesn’t have a translation.

  Of course he would find a way to keep me in the dark. Jerk. I look back up again and try to focus, but all I can think of is returning the text.

  Me: I can’t read in Italian either, Luca. What does it mean?

  Luca: Maybe you needed this more than me? I guess “Metti il tuo cazzo dove vuoi” could work instead. Practice saying that.

  Me: You’re still responding in Italian…you’re supposed to translate to English.

  Luca: I’m not doing the dirty work for you. Maybe Google can help, baby.

  My eyes widen with excitement. I hadn’t thought of that. Keeping my eyes up, biding my time, my knee bounces under the table. The waiting is making me crazy.

  The boring gentleman from accounting re
quests the PowerPoint be set up, and I do backflips internally. I bring my phone to table level and copy his words, pulling up Google Translate and paste them in.

  Holy shit.

  “Put your cock wherever you want.”

  I look back up to the table and down at my phone again, flipping it over so nobody can see. My finger taps the back of my phone as I make an attempt to concentrate on the meeting without the thoughts of his cock now floating around my dirty, filthy mind. Every once and a while, I pat my cheeks to relieve the burn that’s happening.

  “You okay? You looked flushed,” Blair leans in to ask just as the lights dim.

  “I’m a bit hot. It’s hot in here, right?” I whisper back, pouring myself a glass of water and taking a sip, hoping to put out the flames in my damn body.

  Wednesday

  “SAY IT AGAIN,” SHE PURRS.

  “Ho fame, forse avrò un po ’di pasta nel frigo.” I’m hungry, maybe I’ll have some pasta in the fridge.

  I chuckle at her insistence at making me repeat myself. We were talking about our respective workdays, and I accidentally thought aloud, in Italian.

  This usually only happens with my brothers, but I never operate with my guard up with Gretchen, so it makes sense. I can hear her grumbling, but I won’t tell her what I’m saying. I figure it’s better to leave the mystery; plus, I like the way it’s making her purr.

  “You aren’t going to tell me what you said, are you?”

  “Nah.” I grin, liking this game we’ve been playing.

  She sighs. “All right. One day?”

  “Nope…actually. Yes. I will tell you if you agree to something.” Come on baby, take the bait.

  “What?” Her voice is curious, and I stop what I’m doing to close my eyes. She makes me think filthy thoughts.

  I let out a breath. “Have dinner with me Friday.”

  Silence.

  I know she’s chewing on her lip. I hear her inhale, and then her voice gives away her worry.

  “Luca, I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  I know she’s trying to keep us honest, not to muddy up what’s so pure between us, but she’s such a fool. She doesn’t see that what we’ve done in the last two weeks has been worse than anything physical. I’m all in. There’s no going back.

  “Gretchen, who are you kidding? This is happening—we’ve already happened. I don’t have to be in the room to have a piece of you. Why are you so worried about your body, quando avresti dovuto essere preoccupato per il tuo cuore?” when you should have been worried about your heart?

  “Quit it. Not fair, dick,” she complains, and I realize that I’ve said the last part in Italian.

  My voice is insistent. “You want to know what I said? Because this time I want to tell you.”

  “Why? Why start telling me now?”

  She’s so suspicious. She knows me all too well.

  “Why not now? All we have is now.”

  It feels impossible to keep everything inside anymore. I want to tell her every single goddamn feeling I have for her, but she’s so stubborn. I know she won’t even consider her feelings, let alone allow herself to fall.

  She starts to laugh.

  “No way. Whatever you’re going to say, don’t. I can feel you already celebrating a win. That tells me you’ve figured out a way to convince me to break our rules.”

  She is too smart. Nothing she says will stop me though; I won’t let her stand in the way anymore.

  “Let me tell you. Just let me say it in person.”

  More silence.

  I let her weigh out what I’m saying, knowing she understands. She always does.

  “Shit,” she whispers, admitting defeat. “Okay. Dinner, but that’s all, Luca.”

  Bullshit bravado.

  It makes me smile because it means I’ve won.

  “Quando spingo il mio cazzo dentro la tua figa, voglio che tu gridi il mio nome come una fottuta preghiera. E non mi fermerò fino all’orgasmo così tanto che le tue lacrime si sentiranno come un battesimo. Ci sarà sempre solo me.

  When I push my cock inside your pussy, I want you to cry out my name like a fucking prayer. And I won’t stop until you come so hard that your tears will feel like a baptism. There will always be only me.

  “Fuck, it all sounds so sexy.” Her voice is deep and throaty. “You’re probably saying the grocery list.” If she only knew.

  A smirk falls into place. “It is sexy, more than you realize, Angel.”

  “Yeah? Tell me more then.” Fuck, she’s so receptive, wanton, and bold. It makes my dick hard.

  “Touch yourself.”

  My voice is low. It’s a quiet direction, not overtly controlling, because I want my words to feel as if they are caressing her, gently touching her in all the dirtiest places.

  “Un-uh,” she teases, but her refusal is a challenge. She wants me to take her there. And I have a gut feeling her fingers are already doing some exploring.

  “Put your fingers against your clit and tell me if it’s engorged or soft.”

  I lick my lips, wishing it was my tongue lapping up the juices along her slit.

  “Mmm, hard,” she rasps.

  “Take yourself there, while I listen and drink my scotch. Spread your legs wide and push a finger inside that tight pussy.” Her desperate mewls are music to my ears. “Pull your finger out and coat your clit with the wetness. Rub it baby, nice and slow.”

  “I wish they were your fingers. Make me come, Luca.”

  Fuck me. Her shallow breaths float through the phone, and I rub my uncomfortably hard bulge through my pants.

  A deep groan comes from my throat as I let the fantasy take life.

  “With pleasure…”

  “Angel, mi hai cambiato. Mi dai una ragione per credere di nuovo. Voglio dirti che ti amo. Penso di averti amato dal primo momento in cui abbiamo parlato. Mi hai detto di trovare qualcuno che mi dicesse la mia verità e sarebbero stati la mia anima gemella. Sei mio.”

  Angel, you changed me. You’ve given me a reason to believe again. I want to tell you that I love you. I think I loved you from the first moment we spoke. You told me to find someone to tell me my truth and they would be my soul mate. You are mine.

  “Oh my god.”

  Her voice is lost in the fantasy I’ve created. I want to say it all in English, but instead, I sit quietly and listen to her breathe, listen to all her tiny little gasps as I continue telling her everything in my heart, because after I break us both, I may never have another chance to tell her any of this.

  She may never forgive me Friday, but the risk is worth the reward. I listen to her gasp into the phone as she comes apart with my words.

  “Tu sei l’unica donna che amerò mai.” You are the only woman I will ever love.

  Her voice sounds breathless, ragged and sated.

  “Oh my god, Luca.”

  “Did you think of me, Angel?”

  “There’s only ever you.”

  She says the words with zero hint of regret. She’s fucking spectacular. There may be hope for us yet.

  Friday

  Me: Sorry, can’t make it tonight.

  Luca: No.

  Me: Rain check?

  Luca: Refer to above answer.

  Me: Hate me?

  Luca: Love me?

  I don’t know how to respond. Yes, I do. I want to write “yes,” but that’s crazy. This isn’t how we’re supposed to do this relationship. He’s supposed to be single, and then we happen.

  But dammit, he’s right. We’ve happened, and now I need to decide. Do I want him or not? Because whether or not the timing is right, Luca is coming for me. And I want him to catch me, again.

  “JUST SAY YES,” I PUSH, frustrated by her refusal of my request.

  She’s trying to back out of dinner.

  “It’s not a good idea, Luca. You know this.”

  She’s a real pain in my ass.

  I smack my hand down on the counter.

  “Angel,
you get your ass over here and eat this goddamn food.” I throw my hands in the air. “Food I made with my own hands. Get here, woman.”

  I toss the kitchen towel I’m holding across the kitchen. “I’m tired of talking to you on the phone and jerking off at night. Get here.”

  Her laugh makes me more determined to bend her over this damn counter and spank that pretty little ass.

  We’ve been doing it her way for two long hellish weeks, and my fucking patience has worn out. Every conversation has come to this. Her little plan has backfired, and it’s made me crazed for her.

  I won’t entertain a “no” from her. And she knows it, because her willpower is never holding up against my persistence. I’m coming for this woman, and nothing will stop me, not even her morality.

  “Luca, if I come over I’m going to…”

  “Come,” I say immediately. “I’m over this shit.”

  “Luca!” She’s sincerely shocked.

  I don’t stop.

  “You’re going to come all over my cock, and I’m going to hear my name screamed from those gorgeous lips. I want you, Gretchen, in my bed and in my fucking life. I know it’s complicated, but dammit, Angel. Don’t make me be the monster you know I’m capable of being.”

  Her giggle immediately deflates my threat.

  “You said you needed time. What’s different? And after last night…” she pushes back.

  “You. Fuck, Gretchen, I haven’t even thought about Shelby in two weeks. I’ve walked away. Don’t play dumb, beautiful. I know you feel this as much as I do, and I can’t fucking take it anymore. I’m in. Whatever you want from me, I’m fucking in, and I don’t want to have this conversation over the phone. I need to see those beautiful eyes, kiss those gorgeous lips, and eat the pussy that’s mine. Give in.”

  “Jesus. Fine. But if you try and fuck me before we talk, I’ll kill you. Do you hear me, Luca? You have to promise to keep your dick in your pants until we talk this shit out.”

  “Fine,” I say instantly.

  “Why was that so easy?” she growls at me.

  “Because my tongue is the real MVP.” I grin, leaning back against my counter, feeling victorious.