by Lux Miller
After several moments of tense silence, she leans closer to me, pressing her lips to my cheek then switching sides and doing the same. Her voice is husky but warm as she whispers, “Take care of my boy, for I fear that I and God can no longer protect him from his birthright.”
She gives me a quick nod, then slips out of the pew behind the hoard of worshippers before I can reply. Hot on her heels is a carbon copy of her in miniature. Though smaller in stature, her olive skin and chestnut hair leave no doubt in my mind that she’s the woman’s daughter.
She pushes past me with a huff, but Luca’s steadying hand on my back keeps me on my feet. As she reaches the end of the pew, she glances over her shoulder at me and I’m met with a gaze of ice.
She glances at Luca, then down at our conjoined hands and sneers. She rolls her eyes skyward and turns on her heel, her hair whipping around as she stomps up the aisle.
Luca eyes me thoughtfully as I tighten my grip on his hand, inhaling slowly and coercing my pride to take a seat. No woman wants to be shown up by a little girl with a massive chip on her shoulder, but the middle of a Catholic tradition spanning centuries is no place to put the brat in her place. Besides, if my suspicions are correct and she is Luca and Dante’s little sister, alienating myself from her will only make things more difficult for me.
I raise one eyebrow as I notice that neither Luca nor Matteo make any movement to join the rest of the parishioners in partaking in the Holy Communion. Luca leans down over my and brushes his lips against my ear, “Communion is for the pious and pure. I am neither.”
Shivering at his words, I look up at him with a tinge of sadness on my face. He smiles softly and shakes his head. “Don’t feel pity for me, Emily. I made my bed at sixteen years old. God has granted me the clemency to allow me to step foot into His House without striking me down. I shall respect that the Communion be only for the righteous.”
I nod slowly and peer around him, feeling my blood run cold as I meet another pair of cold, hauntingly blue eyes. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I hold his gaze as he narrows his eyes at me. As I feel his stare burning into the very fabric of my being, I grip Luca’s hand harder. He grunts softly, then turns to the terrifying man beside him. The man strokes his hand over his salt and pepper beard before tearing his eyes away from mine and turning his angry stare on Luca.
Luca’s voice is hushed, but I can hear the venom in it as he grinds out, “Father… we discussed this. Have you forgotten? She is a part of my life that you do not get to dictate. I have been a faithful servant and have done things in the name of the family that no man should ever be asked to do. You already own my soul. You don’t get to decide who owns my heart. If you want my continued loyalty, she will have yours…”
My entire body tenses as Matteo’s eyes flash back to mine dangerously. I shift on my feet nervously, but don’t break the eye contact that he insists on holding. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, he rips his gaze away from mine and turns his body so that he’s facing the front of the church as the familiar chords of ‘Joy To The World’ reverberate off every surface.
The congregation swells in volume as everyone joins in on the quintessential Christmas classic and for the first time tonight, I feel like I can truly relax and let myself get lost in the reverie of the Christmas spirit that surrounds me. The air hums with the voices of hundreds of people and I let down my guard and join in, warbling along to one of my mother’s favorite Christmas Carols.
Closing my eyes, I let the music blanket me in a protective shell that temporarily offers reprieve from the raw fear that bubbles just below the surface. Once the services end and the congregation is dismissed, I remain glued to the floor beside Luca, afraid to move. The last thing I want to do is end up in a confrontation with Luca’s father or sister… or worse, him end up in yet another confrontation on my behalf.
He keeps a hand protectively against my back as he guides me out of the church and I realize with disappointment that I haven’t seen hide nor hair or Dante since entering the church. Just as I’m thinking about him, his voice rumbles in front of me, “Better watch where you’re going principessa. Those shoes look dangerous. I have enough holes in me without you adding one to my foot…”
My face shoots up at his attempt at humor and I shake my head sadly at him. “You know Dante… you’re kinda weird sometimes.”
He brings his hand to his chest like I’ve caused him pain. I narrow my eyes at him, but can’t help giggling as the tension that’s had me wound up like a spring floods out of my body. I shoot him a smile and pat his arm. “Don’t worry, Dante. I’m not practicing my clogging in these neck-breakers. Your precious toes are safe…”
He nods and returns my grin. “Good, I’d hate to lose another one…”
I blink at him in surprise and he snorts, “Kidding! I still have all my toes… for now…”
He waggles his eyebrows at me and I shake my head at him in mock sadness. “Dante… sometimes I worry about you. I think you might have a couple screws loose…”
He shrugs and looks at me seriously, but his eyes are full of glee as he retorts, “If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck… it’s probably a duck… or a swan that thinks it’s an ugly duck. Either way… you’ve met my family. Are you really surprised?”
Luca nuzzles his face into my neck and I close my eyes as I try to concentrate on my conversation with Dante. “I met your mother. She seems… reserved.” I bite down on my lip as I remember her pleading words to me.
Dante chuckles and nods. “Momma gave up a long time ago on trying to tame the beasts she birthed. With the way we behave, one would assume we were raised by feral beasts. Especially Noemi. You think Luca and I are bad… whoa Nelly!”
Luca laughs and nods in agreement with his brother. “She got a taste. Noemi was in her usual mood tonight. She’s not always a bitchy little brat, but when she is… she makes a viper look like a cuddly pet.”
I nod slowly and chew my bottom lip nervously. “The sister bites. Noted.”
Luca sighs and nibbles at my neck and Dante wrinkles his nose. “Get a room you two...it’s Christmas for fuck’s sake!”
Luca chuckles and whispers in my ear, “She’s not the only Barresi who’s been known to use their teeth. My religious and familial obligations to this holiday are fulfilled. What do you say we go home and you can unwrap your present…”
Luca slides his hand along my lower back until he’s cupping my ass through my dress. He murmurs, “...and then I can unwrap mine…”
THREE
We may have only been dating for real for a couple of weeks, but even I can tell something is up with Luca. In the short time that I’ve known him, he’s always had this quiet demeanor about himself, but he’s extra quiet on the ride home from Midnight Mass. He’s not ‘crickets chirping in the meadow’ quiet, but he hasn’t uttered more than two words in response to any of my questions since we parted ways with his family. I nudge him gently, patting his thigh with my hand as we ride in the backseat of his car. “Are you okay?”
Luca jumps like his mind was elsewhere and he zoned out. He looks down at me and I can see that his grey eyes are distant. He blinks and attempts to plaster a fake smile on his face. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just some stuff on my mind. I will say though, that once we get home… you and whatever is in that green box will have my undivided attention.”
I chuckle softly and shakes my head. “What if it’s something totally lame like a pair of fuzzy handcuffs? Royce can be a bit of a cheeky fellow, you know?”
Luca leans down over me, his lips brushing along my cheek. “Then I’ll handcuff you to my headboard while I feast on my midnight snack.”
I roll my eyes at him as I turn to face him, pulling my knees up into the seat so that I am curled against his side. “I could totally go for some popcorn. Do you have one of those air poppers?”
His hand lands on my knee and he inches it underneath the fluffy skirt of my dress, his fingertips leaving a trail of
chills. He chuckles as I shudder in response to his touch. Looking up at his face, I can see that his eyes have focused in on me. He licks his lips slowly and my eyes follow his tongue. “Emily, you and I both know that I’m not talking about popcorn, though I am hoping that I will be able to feast on an all I care to eat buffet…”
I squeak softly as his hand pries my thighs apart and he runs a finger along the ridiculously thin fabric of my panties. My eyes flutter shut as his breath hitches in his throat, and he groans. “God, Emily… what have you been thinking about?”
Squirming at the added warmth between my legs, I look up at him and narrow my eyes. “You know good and damn well what I’ve been thinking about, Luca!”
He peers down at me with the most debonair grin that I’ve ever seen. This man is sexy and he knows it… and he’s using it against me to get what he wants. I reach between my legs and encircle my fingers around his wrist. “You wait just one damn minute, mister. You don’t get to just shove your hand under my skirt like a savage and then comment on how inappropriate I’m being… I can’t help it if my mind has wandered to the dirty thoughts you put there…”
Luca smirks and strokes one hand over his chin. For a split second, his mannerisms remind me of his father and I have the urge to push him away from me. He pauses and looks down at me with one eyebrow raised. My sudden disgust must be written all over my face because he actually looks concerned.
I reach out and pat his hand. “Quit looking at me like that. Let’s go inside. While fucking in your car has always been thrilling, I want to get and stay naked tonight… besides, I don’t think you really want them watching…”
I flick my wrist at the front seat where both of the guards are sitting in silence, nervously shifting. Neither has glanced once into the backseat, but it’s obvious they’ve heard every dirty word uttered on the drive home. Luca rolls his eyes and digs into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet. He lobs a handful of cash into the front seat and states warningly, “I trust the both of you will exercise discretion regarding tonight?”
One of the guards glances into the rearview mirror and catches my gaze briefly. As soon as our eyes meet, he looks away and clears his throat. “Yes, Boss… as you wish.”
Luca nods and opens the back door, then climbs out into the cold night air of the rare, but welcome cold snap. He reaches back inside the car and grabs my hand, helping me out like we’re arriving at a fancy function. The fire in his eyes is unmistakable though as he watches me step out slowly.
As soon as both feet hit the ground, I feel the Earth fall out from underneath me as I’m lifted into the air and unceremoniously tossed over his shoulder. He wraps one arm around the backs of my thighs and tightens it so that I won’t fall, but I still feel insanely exposed as I dangle precariously over his shoulder.
He stomps into the house, kicking the door behind him. I can’t reach much from the position Luca is holding me in, but I manage to untuck his shirt in the back and sneak one cold hand up underneath it. He yelps like a puppy that’s been kicked as I flatten my palm against his warm skin. “Shit woman, your hands are cold!”
I chuckle as he takes the stairs two at a time and squeal as he almost drops me. “Luca! Don’t drop me… I’d like to NOT get a concussion for Christmas…”
He shakes his head as he rearranges me. “Don’t worry, Emily… I have no plans to bang your head around in any way tonight…” He stops in front of his bedroom door and sets me down on my feet with my back against the door. I’m barely able to open my mouth before his lips cover mine in a desperately needy kiss.
His body traps mine against the solid wood door as he presses himself against me so hard that I can feel every ridge of his muscles against the soft squishy parts of my stomach. Including the very prominent erection that invades the space between my breasts and belly button like it’s his for the taking.
“Somebody is happy to be home,” I murmur as he tears his mouth from mine.
He chuckles and nods as he brings his hands to my face, holding my cheeks in a gesture that’s almost comforting. But the fire burning deep inside his eyes tells me that he plans to do anything but make love tonight. Once he gets me inside of that room, I have no doubts that this dress is going to be destroyed as he rips my clothing off piece by piece and devours me.
Leaning his face down to my neck, he scrubs his beard over the delicate skin there, eliciting a sharp gasp from my lips. “Luca… for fuck’s sake, haven’t you done enough teasing tonight?”
He grunts as he wraps a strong arm underneath my thigh and lifts my leg up around his waist. He pushes against me harder and the door bites into my back. I can barely breathe, much less move. He growls as he pushes his hand between our bodies, flicking aside the sorry excuse for underwear. He wastes no time in plunging two fingers inside of me.
I squeal like a stuck pig at the sudden intrusion, biting down on my lip to attempt to stifle the loud moan that tumbles out of my lips as I throw my head back. He grunts and pumps his fingers into my wetness, circling my clit with his thumb.
Everything tightens inside of me as he flicks his thumb against the sensitive nub of flesh. Sensations of pleasure skyrocket through my body as he grinds his thumbnail against it, eliciting sharp yelps of painful pleasure.
He grins and yanks his hands free of me, bringing his fingers up to his lips and watching me over the tips as he swirls his tongue around them. Shuddering, I lean forward and flick my own tongue along the length of his middle finger. He groans as I push off the door and sink my lips down over his finger, slurping my taste off before he can.
“Emily… fuck…”
I nod as I let his finger slide out of my mouth with a pop. “That was what I was hoping for… and right now, I don’t care how you manage it, but if I don’t get a release of this pent up sexual need, I’m going to explode…”
His eyes flash with desire as he cocks his head to the side. “Is that so?”
I nod, blowing out an irritated breath. “Yes, Luca… you have created an intense carnal need in me that nothing but being with you can satisfy. And trust me, I’ve tried… there’s just something about the way you play my body that makes it sing.”
Luca growls and flattens one hand against my stomach as he drops to his knees in front of me. “I’m going to make you eat those words, woman…”
He pushes the hand against my stomach into me hard to keep me pinned in place. Then he pulls my ankle over his shoulder and shoves the skirt of my dress up with his other hand. His head disappears beneath the voluminous fabric and seconds later, my knees turn to jelly as he runs his tongue along the length of my slit, over the flimsy black lace thong that Royce demanded I wear.
I gasp as I feel his teeth nibble along my pussy lips before clenching around the strip of soaked fabric between my legs. He tugs with a grunt and I whimper as the lace slips down off my hips. He continues to tug on it until his head reappears from underneath the skirt with my thong perched between his lips. He smirks and spits it out, but doesn’t bother to acknowledge me before he dives right back underneath the skirt. Before I can say anything, he buries his face between my thighs and the unmistakable sensation of his tongue on my clit overwhelms me.
I bite down hard on my bottom lip as he flicks his tongue over it, swirling it deftly around me just enough to invoke an electrical current that makes my knees buckle. He pulls the sensitive piece of flesh at the apex of my opening between his teeth and nibbles. My eyes roll back into my head before they flutter closed as a guttural moan echoes through the hallway.
I reach down and pull my skirt up over his head so that I can thread my fingers into his hair to keep him there as he lavishes my clit with the attention it has been begging for all night. He pushes both of the fingers he was using before inside my opening and pumps furiously as sparks fly behind my eyelids.
My breathing grows ragged as he brings me closer and closer to release. I feel like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff and it’s only going to take a
single pluck of my strings to throw me over. I pry my eyes open and look down at the top of his head as it bobs between my legs.
As if sensing me watching him, Luca pulls back slightly, focusing his stormy grey eyes on mine as he continues to suck on my clit. He smirks against me and curls his fingers inside of me, assaulting the spot that pushes me over as stars burst in front of my eyes.
Instead of letting up as I fall, he intensifies his motions until I’m screaming his name with complete abandon. I can feel the muscles inside of my pussy clenching tightly around his fingers and still he forces them in as hard and deep as he can. Despite my body mounting its defenses against his assault, he’s breaking through every attempt and the pleasure is electrifying.
Every expletive in the English language flies out of my mouth as he yanks his fingers from inside of me. He chuckles against my clit and slides his tongue over it slowly. He then places a single kiss against my swollen center and climbs back up to his feet with a shit-eating grin on his face.
