Envy: A Second Chance Romance (Deadly Sin Series Book 2)

by Penelope Marshall

  In all my travels, I had never seen such magnificence wrapped in such a small frame; probably why Torello had laid claim to her. The world was a funny place. Can't always have what we want, even if it was pressed right up against me.

  CELESTE

  I ran my fingers through his hair, biting my bottom lip, excited about the sheer passion billowing around us. Almost forgetting about the bedlam that had ensued before I found my way to him, I pushed myself up on my toes to reach his height, and kiss him on the cheek.

  He rested his hands on my waist as he leaned in to plant his lips on my welcoming neck. His five o'clock shadow bristled against my ear, tickling every nerve ending as he gently slid each side of my dress off my shoulders, letting the light material fall to the floor in a small heap around my ankles, exposing my naked body to the light of day.

  I clutched the hem of his shirt, lifting it up and over his head, revealing his hard, olive-toned, physique. I pressed my bare chest against his shirtless body, shifting my hair off to one side, instinctively tilting my head in the same direction to once again invite him to graze his lips over my exposed and vulnerable neck.

  When he touched me in the secret ways I always fantasized about when I read my books; he made me feel like no one else existed. I could have fallen in love with this man. Right here. Right now. But I wouldn't—or at least I shouldn't. Bringing him into my world was only going to put him in danger, and how selfish was I to do that to another human being?

  Tracing his hand down the length of my back, around my waist, and finally stopping between my thighs, he caressed my moist bundle of anticipation, relieving me of any inhibitions I clung to. I stood helplessly next to the door, my body throbbing in pleasure, waiting; waiting for his next move. I wasn't used to this sort of soft foreplay. The kind of foreplay that tantalized me, as opposed to the usual, quick, roughness, which was more for Rez's pleasure than mine. But not Hunter—definitely not Hunter with me.

  How do I respond to his softness?

  "Hunter. We should talk about…" my words trailed off as my body took over, feeling the familiar heat wave of climax.

  I readied myself for him to stop playing with me the split second before the pleasure came, but he didn't stop, and a feeling I hadn't felt in years was finally able to overtake me. I closed my eyes as the relief washed over every nerve ending, quivering as he continued to touch me. Exhaling a sweet sigh of relief, I opened my eyes and looked into his. He pulled his hand away, kissing my cheek softly, before walking toward the bedroom, glancing over his shoulder to wink at me.

  I wanted him in me, and I was going to take what I knew we both wanted—just in case we didn't make it out of this alive. I heard the water from the shower flip on as I made it to the bedroom, the steam already wafting into the bedroom through the small gap between the door and the floorboards by the time I walked into the room. Even though sex was how I had survived the last few years of my life, I was so anxious; it felt as if it were my first time.

  "Just do it," I muttered under my breath, getting up the courage to set my anxiety aside.

  I pressed my body against the door, took a deep breath, and exhaled every inhibition I had away. The steam was so thick; I couldn't see him from the door, so I made my way to the glass door of the oversized white subway-tiled shower, where the water fell from the jets in the ceiling as if to mimic the rain. The whole scene was an oasis in the midst of the chaotic storm that was my life. I slid the door open, letting out the steam which surrounded me with a blanket of warmth. The steam cleared a bit, allowing me to see the water cascading off of Hunter's broad shoulders and down his back. I reached out my hand, laying it on his shoulder, startling him.

  He glanced over his shoulder. "What took you so long?"

  "Hesitation."

  "You never have to hesitate with me, baby girl."

  The way he called me "baby girl" sparked a visceral reaction within me, and I could no longer resist my flesh. "I want to feel you in me," I whispered.

  He didn't quibble with words, making quick work of grabbing the back of my neck, pulling me quickly toward his wet skin, thrusting his tongue passionately into my mouth.

  Oh, God, this man.

  I pulled away. "Do you want me?" I whispered as he kissed my neck.

  "Do you need to ask?" he asked, clenching a fistful of my hair.

  "I wanna hear you say it."

  Skillfully he caressed my soft breasts as he sunk his other hand toward the throbbing bundle of nerves between my legs, sliding in one finger, then two. Drunk with pleasure, I cradled my breasts, moaning loudly.

  "I'm gonna fuck the hell outta you, baby girl. Is that what you wanna hear?" he exhaled as he continued to ravage me.

  It was exactly what I wanted to hear. Pulling his fingers out, he cupped my cheeks, gently kissing my forehead, as he slid his hand past my face and rested it on my hip. Slowly, he fell to his knees, the water still cascading off both of our naked bodies. His fingers separated my smooth lips; sliding his soft tongue over my clit in such a way that let me know it wasn't his first time pleasing a woman in this manner.

  My body quivered, enraptured by his skillful tongue and roaming hands. Palming the back of his head with both hands, I pulled him closer, unable to formulate a coherent thought. Cradling my hips in his arms, he lifted me as he stood, slowly sliding me down onto his hard cock.

  The first pass was so tight; you would have thought me a virgin, and a virgin I was not. Dare I say; he was much bigger than Rez? Much. Much. Bigger.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist as he rutted into me like an animal in heat. I had never been so turned on in my life, and my body let him know it, clenching my tight walls around his thick cock.

  "Fuck, you're so wet," he said.

  His words sent me spiraling. I clamped down even tighter, engulfing him in his entirety, as my breasts bounced against his cheeks; enticing him to have a taste.

  Tracing my nipple with his tongue, he took the whole thing into his mouth, suckling on it, coaxing a moan to escape from deep in my throat.

  I wanted to rip him apart with my teeth. He couldn't give me what I wanted fast enough, and I was growing impatient. Desperate even.

  "Fuck me!" I demanded, raking my fingernails across his back, leaving a trail of blood in their wake.

  He growled as he spun around, pressing my back up against the cold white tiles as he thrust into me. My mind raced, as every nerve ending ached for his touch.

  "Tell me you want me," I exhaled.

  "How could I not want you?" he asked in between breaths.

  HUNTER

  The sight of her took my breath away. Hooking my arms under her thighs, I spread her legs apart, ravaging her the way God himself intended. My kisses trailed over her neck with all the tenderness I had ever shown a woman.

  Could she be the one?

  Such a thought had never crossed my mind, and even though it scared me a bit, I didn't let it detour me. Letting her feet touch the floor, I pulled myself out of her and spun her around, pressing my body to hers, pinning her breasts to the wall. Lining up my dick with her slick pussy, my left hand clutched onto the back of her neck, holding her in place. I slammed into her over and over, unable to get enough. She gasped at the intensity in which I forced myself into her tightness.

  "Shhh—just take it," I whispered, kissing her neck.

  Her body quivered as I mastered our rhythm. A deep exhale spilled from her gaped mouth, her body stiffened for a moment then relaxed as her pussy tightened around my dick.

  "Yes!" she screamed.

  Seeing her cum, made my dick rock hard. Securing her shoulders under my palms, I fucked her recklessly, spilling waves of hot cum into her. The world, Ari, and Torello, all melted away around us as I kissed the back of her neck.

  I think I love her.

  Never had I thought of uttering the word love to a woman, but I wanted to tell her. I wanted her to know. The feeling was a new one, but I welcomed it wh
oleheartedly. She was special; she was who I had longed for all my life but never knew. Slowly she turned around, wrapping her arms around my neck, pressing her lips to mine.

  We stood there, letting the water run over us for a while longer, not wanting to leave the space we had created. I knew she felt the magic that was stirring inside me, and I wasn't the only one falling in love with a complete stranger. I closed my eyes, cupping my palms against her cheeks, sweeping my thumbs over her bottom lip.

  My mind mapped out every feature as my hand advanced over her beating heart, which beat just as quickly as mine. At that moment, I considered myself content; having everything I needed standing right in front of me. The man I was yesterday would have never called her again, but the man I was right now—with her—was content to feel her heartbeat for today and every day after.

  I was nothing without her, and I didn't know if I would ever see her again. We lingered in the shower for a while; locked in each other's embrace, clinging to the last few hours we had before she would need to leave California.

  I didn't want her to leave, but I also couldn't protect her twenty-four hours a day. I couldn't ask her to make that sacrifice for a man she had only known for a day.

  Or could I?

  ARI

  Across town…

  I drove up to the restaurant that served as the front for Torello's office. My stomach began to churn, realizing if I pissed him off I might not make it back to the car. I shook my head and rubbed my face vigorously, trying to spur a release of adrenaline to get up the courage to walk in.

  Stepping out of the car, I took in one deep breath of the warm California air, and walked toward the front of the restaurant guarded by two large men, dressed in black pin-striped suits and gold ties.

  As I tried to pass them, one guard held out his hand, pressing it against my chest to keep me from walking any further.

  "What's your business here?" he asked.

  "Torello. Mr. Torello called me to come in."

  Angelo walked out and swiped the guard's hand away from my chest. "Ari," he said with a big smile on his face.

  "Angelo, I didn't know you would be here," I said sheepishly.

  "Where else would I be?" Angelo said, laying his arm across my shoulders, walking me into the restaurant.

  "Is Torello mad?"

  He nodded, sticking his lips out like a duck. "You could say that. Mad might not be the best word. I'm sure we could find other words—if we were smarter that is," he said, chuckling, slapping his hand against my shoulder.

  I smiled, but only to appease him. What he was saying scared the hell out of me, and I wanted to run back to Hunter. We made it to the door in the very back, where Angelo knocked a few times.

  "Come in," a deep voice filtered through the door.

  Angelo pushed the door open, and shoved me in, and then took a seat in the chair situated in front of the large desk. My gaze shifted to the leather chair behind the desk, which had already begun to spin around.

  "Ari," Torello said.

  I opened my mouth, but no words seemed to want to come out. Maybe they were just as afraid as I was.

  "Cat got your tongue," Angelo said, chuckling.

  Torello chuckled along with him, and again I smiled to appease them both.

  "Sit. Sit," Torello said, pointing to the chair next to Angelo.

  I made my way over and sat down. The tension was so thick in the room, the moment could've been cut with a knife.

  "So, tell me again that you don't have her," Torello ordered, sitting back in his chair, pressing his hands together as if he were praying.

  I shook my head. "I don't have her."

  "Then who?"

  "I—"

  "Before you finish that sentence, Ari, just remember who you are lying to," Torello warned.

  I thought about it for a minute. I knew if I lied I wasn't going to get out of here alive, and if I told the truth, Hunter would pay. It was a no-win situation, but I warned Hunter, and he didn't listen. It's not my fault he was going to have to pay for being a stubborn asshole.

  "My friend, Hunter, has her in his house," I divulged.

  "Hunter?" Angelo asked.

  "I've never heard of a Hunter. Who does he run with?" Torello asked.

  "He doesn't. He's a good guy—just got caught up last night," I replied.

  Torello stood and banged his hand on the desk. "That's not what I asked, fucker! I asked who he ran with."

  "He works for Citadel," I replied.

  "Citadel, huh?" Torello asked, sitting back down.

  "Yeah, Citadel," I echoed.

  Torello pulled open a drawer, producing a Glock 42 .380 automatic pistol.

  Oh, fuck!

  My heart fell into my stomach, as I readied myself to die. He laid the gun on the desk and slid it over to me.

  "I want you to get her for me, by whatever means necessary," Torello said.

  "Get her for you? Whatever means?" I asked, grabbing the gun.

  "Are you deaf?" Angelo asked sarcastically.

  "No. I…" my words trailed.

  "Get her!" Torello yelled.

  I bolted out of my seat. "Yes," I said, stuffing the gun in my pants, and began to walk back toward the door.

  "Wait, one more thing," Torello called out.

  I turned and walked back to him, standing behind Angelo's chair.

  "I need to know you're loyal, and that you are invested in me. Otherwise, how will I know if I can trust you?" Torello explained.

  "Yeah, you need to be loyal," Angelo chimed in, glancing over his shoulder at me.

  "Loyal. Okay," I stuttered, knowing whatever he was going to ask wasn't going to be good or for my benefit.

  "I don't like failure. It's a sign of weakness. Failure only makes the group as a whole look weak, and I cannot afford that right now. I need you to take care of someone for me," Torello said, looking at Angelo.

  I looked down at Angelo, who sat up straight in his chair, then turned to look at me. "But, boss—" he said, turning back to Torello.

  Torello looked at me, then tilted his head toward Angelo. "Show your loyalty."

  "Boss!" Angelo yelled, and then turned back to me, grabbing his gun as he twisted.

  Fortunately for me, I already had my gun out and pointed directly at his head. The minute his forehead touched the muzzle of my gun, I squeezed the trigger. Instantly, his head flew back, and a gush of blood and brain matter exploded out the back of his head and onto the wall. He fell on to the desk first then dropped like a rock to the hardwood floor. Some blood and brain matter got on Torello's suit and cheek, which he wiped away with the handkerchief from his suit, and then casually tossed in the trash.

  Angelo laid there, his eyes still open, and a pool of blood collecting on the floor underneath him.

  "Do you see what happens to failures?" Torello asked.

  I nodded.

  "He was my right-hand man, and I loved him. I went to his daughter's birthday just last week. So, just think how much less you matter to me," Torello explained.

  I nodded, still in shock. I had never killed anyone before. I talked a lot of shit and acted like I was about the game, but I wasn't. I was scared to death, and I knew if I didn't deliver Celeste, I was doomed to suffer the same fate.

  "Now go, and bring her back," Torello said, motioning to the door.

  Once again, I turned to walk away when I heard him say, "Tell the guys to come in here to throw this trash away."

  I glanced over my shoulder at Angelo's body one last time. The scene was permanently engrained into my brain. I knew I would have nightmares about those eyes the rest of my life. I opened the door and walked out of the restaurant.

  "Torello wants you guys in there to take out the trash," I told the two guards, who looked at each other and shook their heads before heading in.

  I walked to my car, replaying what just happened. I just murdered somebody, and I was on the hook, now he had me on murder. I guess that's how Torello gained loyalty
—through blackmail and fear.

  Fuck!

  I jumped into my car, knowing this was going to be the longest drive of my life. Me or Hunter, Hunter or me.

  Fuck!

  I could feel the cold metal on the flesh of my back, scraping at my skin as I turned up and down the side streets, heading back to Hunter's house.

  Should I call him? Maybe Citadel could fix this?

  Over the next hill, I could see the outline of his house, and I knew that I had to make a decision. The pain from his punch began to throb again, and I took it as a sign that I had to do what I needed to do to survive. Torello wanted his girl back, and if I had to kill Hunter to stay alive, then…

  Fuck!

  I pulled to the side of the road and called him, tapping my finger on the peeling leather wheel as I waited for him to answer.

  "Hello," Hunter answered sternly.

  "It's me," I replied with an equal amount of sternness.

  "Obviously."

  "Lose the fuckin' attitude. I'm putting my neck on the line for you here."

  "What the fuck you talkin' about?" he asked.

  "Torello called me. He wants the girl."

  "Well, he ain't gettin' her."

  "Just give her back, and this shit will all be over," I pleaded.

  "She's not a fuckin' animal to pass back and forth, or a toy on the playground, Ari. This is big boy shit, not the little bullshit you be runnin' on the streets!"

  "Big boy shit, huh? You think I'm not a big boy?" I asked, already pretty irritated with the conversation.

  "I think you don't know what the fuck it means to put others before yourself."

  "What the fuck you mean? I took care of you when we were kids! When your mom was whoring around, and —"

  "You can stop right there, asshole. Leave my mom out of this. That was twenty years ago. Thank you, but I've paid you back for that dozens of times over."

  The anger in me grew, and all I could think to do was hang up the phone.

  I threw it in the passenger seat. "Son of—" I muttered to myself, laying my forehead on the steering wheel, pondering my next move.

  Twenty years ago? Get over it? Fuck him!

  I remember making sure those bullies didn't beat up that little shit like it was yesterday. I knew he didn't have the best home life, with his mom on drugs, and his dad dead. I felt sorry for him, so I took the little bastard under my wing. Now I was going to have to take his life to save my own.