The Mafia And His Angel Part 2 (Tainted Hearts)

by Lylah James

  Maddie let out a small laugh before turning on her side to face me. “I didn’t know I would find happiness here, but I did.” She shrugged before continuing. “This is my life now, but I don’t want to live it maturely. I want to live it freely.”

  “I’m glad you were able to move on,” I whispered, swiping away the tears on her face. “I don’t think you’re weird. I think you’re the best.”

  “Truthfully, you are my first friend in so long. That sounds pretty pathetic, doesn’t it?”

  Letting out a laugh, I shook my head. “No. Because you’re my first friend, too.”

  “Wow,” she whispered.

  “Yeah.”

  “Your turn now,” Maddie said, pointing at my chest.

  “Huh?” I asked confused.

  “I shared something. It’s your turn.”

  I let go of her hand and laid down on my back again. Share something? What did I have to share? My truth…they were all messed up. And I couldn’t even tell her the whole truth.

  But maybe some of it…

  “I’m engaged,” I whispered to the ceiling.

  Maddie was silent beside me. Then she sat up quickly. “Wha-what?” she sputtered.

  The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. I was in a daze, my mind lost as I went back into my past. Images after images, memories after memories flashed in front of my eyes.

  “He wasn’t a good man. He beat me up. I was raped—lots of times. I don’t know anything about others because he never let me go outside. He was really controlling. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I ran away, and that was how I found Alessio. I hid in his car to escape him.”

  “Ayla,” Maddie gasped, her hands folding over mine.

  “He said he loved me. He loved me too much. His love became his obsession.”

  “That wasn’t love, Ayla,” Maddie said, her hands squeezing mine in comfort.

  “I know,” I whispered. Now that I thought of it, I knew Maddie was right. Alberto never loved me. To him, I was just an item to be possessed. Not a human…not someone he loved. Alberto played a big part in my undoing. I was his obsession, and he was my downfall. My nightmare.

  Now, I knew what love really meant.

  Love meant soft kisses, gentle caresses, sweet words, and loving eyes.

  And Alberto was none of that…

  But I found it here.

  “Who is he? Alessio is going to kill that little shit of a human being. God, I don’t even know what to call him. I can’t wait for Alessio to get his hands on him. He will wish he never laid eyes on you,” Maddie growled angrily, her hands tightening around mine.

  When I was silent, Maddie came closer, placing a hand over my shoulder. “Ayla, does Alessio know? Did you tell him?”

  I shook my head mutely, my throat closing up against my words.

  “You have to tell him. He needs to know.”

  “He knows that I have been raped, but I’m not ready to tell him the other things. I will, but not now. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready, but I know I have to tell him one day.”

  “Ayla—”

  “And you can’t tell him either. Please, Maddie,” I begged, quickly sitting up and grasping her hands in mine.

  “That’s not my story to tell. You have to tell him yourself. But you can’t keep this from him for too long. In the end, you’ll only hurt him and you. Alessio needs to know.”

  “I will…I will tell him. But not now.” I was delaying the truth, hoping it would buy me time. I was just trying to find the courage.

  I didn’t want to lose what I had just found.

  Not yet.

  Chapter 2

  “Ayla, be careful. You’re going to fall on those rocks,” Alessio called out from behind me.

  I laughed freely, jumping from one rock to the other before landing in the cold stream. The cold water rushed across my bare feet and came up a little bit above my ankle. “So cold,” I called out.

  “Yet you still insist on getting your feet wet,” he mumbled, coming closer.

  “It feels good. You should try it too,” I suggested, turning toward him with a smile.

  “No, I’m good,” Alessio said, stopping at the stream’s edge, his hands buried in the pockets of his black slacks.

  It had been a week since my conversation with Maddie. Every day, I was tempted to tell Alessio the truth, but my fear for his reaction stopped me every single time. I didn’t want to see the hate or disgust in his eyes.

  I wanted him to keep looking at me with the same loving, gentle, soft eyes. I wanted his smiles. His soft words and gentle caresses. I wanted them forever.

  Every day with Alessio felt like heaven. It was a breath of fresh air. A glow of happiness. He was my happiness. And I had come to the point where I craved his attention.

  He was like a drug, my addiction.

  “You don’t want to get into the water?” I asked with a pout. Alessio shook his head mutely. The little grey speckles in his blue eyes were twinkling brightly in the sunlight.

  Sending him a smile, I bent down and scooped some water in my palms. My steps were slow as I walked toward him, shoving my hands into this face. “Here.” I giggled.

  Before he could do anything, I threw the cold water in his face. Alessio flinched and reared back in surprise. “What the—” Alessio growled, swiping his hands over his wet face.

  Hiding a laugh behind my hands, I took a few cautious steps back. “Oops.” I stuck my tongue out at him.

  Alessio raised a questioning eyebrow, a smirk on his face. His eyes twinkled mischievously as he cocked his head to the side. Without saying anything, he removed his suit jacket and threw it on the grass. As he rolled the sleeves of his white shirt up, he shook his head.

  “I’m giving you a head start, kitten,” he said, his voice deep and playful.

  My eyes widened, and I let out a small laugh. “You won’t be able to catch me,” I teased before jumping out of the water and running past him.

  “Let’s see about that,” he yelled. Looking behind my back, I saw him coming at me in full force.

  Letting out a yelp, I ran faster, turning in circles and running toward the stream again. I felt him coming closer, and as soon as I was on the edge of creek, his arm lashed out and wrapped tightly around my waist, pulling me back.

  Alessio picked me up and spun me around in circles, my laughter echoing around the creek.

  “Got you,” Alessio whispered in my ears. He placed a kiss on the back of my neck. “I’ll always catch you, kitten.” I melted in his arms, pressing my back against his front. “You’ve been very bad. Such a little minx.”

  “Alessio,” I breathed as he placed a kiss behind my ear.

  I was about to turn around in his embrace, but my feet slipped on the wet grass. My eyes went wide as I let out a yelp, my hands going to Alessio’s collar to hold on.

  “Fuck,” he swore.

  Everything happened so fast. First, I was falling, and then I wasn’t. But as soon as I had straightened myself, I heard a splash of water and a spring of curses coming from Alessio. Quickly swiveling around, I faced the stream, only to let out a booming laugh when I saw him.

  He was sprawled in the water, completely wet, his face a mask of astonishment.

  I quickly lost my smile when I saw his face turn expressionless. Standing frozen in my spot, I bit on my lips nervously, scared that he was going to be angry. There was only silence for a few moments.

  But then a sudden laugh startled me, and I jumped slightly.

  I stared at Alessio, shocked. He was laughing. Alessio Ivanshov was laughing.

  I had never seen or heard him laugh before. He was always a brooding man, his face impassive and hard. Occasionally, he would have a full smile on his face but never a laugh. It was as if it was forbidden in some way.

  Such a joyous sound coming from Alessio sounded so foreign. His laugh was deep and rich. His whole face was lit up with it. As his whole body shook, all I could do was stare at hi
m in amazement.

  Such a beautiful sound coming from a broken man. When was the last time he laughed so freely?

  This…whatever I was feeling in my heart as my chest grew fuller with unnamed emotions…this was heaven. This was true happiness.

  A smile spread across my lips until my cheeks hurt from it. “I’ve never heard you laugh before,” I whispered, kneeling down on the edge.

  Alessio quickly lost his laughter, and he looked confused for a second, like he couldn’t believe he was actually laughing. He cocked his head to the side, looking at me with a strange expression on his face.

  And then he smiled. “I don’t think I ever had a reason to laugh before,” he whispered back.

  We were lost in each other’s eyes. Blue to green. Not once did we look away, both of us refusing to break this connection.

  When I finally blinked away, I looked down at the rushing water. “You said you didn’t want to get into the water, right?” I teased.

  Alessio let out a small chuckle. “How the fuck did I fall and you didn’t?” he muttered under his breath.

  I shrugged at his question. “Give me a hand,” he said, holding out his hand. Instead, I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

  “I know what you are doing, Alessio. I’m not going to fall for that.”

  He dramatically placed a hand over his heart. “You wound me, kitten.”

  Shaking my head at his teasing expression, I stood up. “You should get out of the water or you’ll get sick. It’s too cold.”

  “I really need a hand, Ayla. I think I hurt my back.”

  At his words, I let out a gasp. “What?”

  With my heart filled with panic, I ran into the stream and bent down, giving him a hand. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry. Where?”

  When I realized my mistake, it was too late. His hurt expression turned into a smirk. Alessio grabbed my hand and pulled. The next thing I knew, I was half sprawled over his chest.

  “Oops,” he mimicked my words from before.

  Slapping him gently on the arm, I looked down at him. “Alessio,” I scolded.

  “What?” He feigned innocence.

  “You’re so bad,” I murmured, shaking my head.

  I felt his hand on the back of my head, his fingers tangling in the dark strands. He pulled my head down until our lips were mere inches apart.

  “I never said I was good,” he replied, his voice dropping to a huskier tone. And then he claimed my lips in a hard, bruising kiss.

  This kiss wasn’t gentle or sweet. It was possessive. His tongue licked at my lips, coaxing me to open to his demanding advances. I readily complied, parting my lips to allow him entry. His other hand framed my face to pull me harder into him.

  There was so much feeling behind this kiss that I wanted it to last forever.

  Starved for air, I broke away long enough to gulp in a breath before Alessio took my lips again. His tongue danced with mine, touching, licking, claiming me.

  His lips moved to the corner of my mouth, and he placed a kiss there before dragging his lips down my jaw and the side of my neck. Throwing my head back, I gave him better access, completely lost in him, his kisses and touch driving me insane.

  Alessio sat up and shifted me around until my legs were wrapped around his waist. He stood up, his lips never once leaving my skin as he walked out of the water.

  Then I was slammed against a tree. His fingers dug into my hips as he brought his lips to mine again. My hair was wrapped tightly into his fist, pulling my head back. I felt his hard length resting between my legs, and my fingers tightened around his shoulders.

  Alessio suddenly pulled away harshly. My eyes snapped open in surprise. Both of us were gasping for breath when he laid his forehead against mine. “We need to stop here,” he said gruffly, his eyes still closed.

  Thank you.

  My hands moved from his shoulders to his neck, and I held on, as if he was my saving grace. “Okay,” I whispered back.

  He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. Lust. That was what I saw. His need for me. His blue eyes glinted with it.

  “Alessio.”

  He shook his head. “I just need a minute,” he said before closing his eyes again, his breathing harsh.

  Alessio always stopped himself. For me. He put his need aside, giving me what I needed. Always thinking of me first. After my breakdown, he never pushed for more. This was the first time he lost control like that, yet he didn’t let it go too far.

  Palming his face, I gently rubbed my fingers over his cheeks. I placed a kiss on the tip of his nose and then gave him a quick peck on the lips. “Thank you,” I whispered against his lips.

  Chapter 3

  I was lying back against the tub, my eyes closed, my hands running over the warm water. It was late at night, and after playing the piano for Alessio, I couldn’t sleep.

  All I could think about was the moment at the creek that morning. Every time, the same images flashed behind my eyes. Alessio kissing me. Our need for each other.

  And then I would remember how it was when he had made love to my body.

  My body warmed up under the thoughts of his lips and hands on me again. Letting out a tired sigh, I opened my eyes and stepped out of the water, drying myself with the big white towel. But instead of putting on my nightdress, I wrapped the towel over my shoulder, staring at myself in the mirror.

  “What am I doing?” I whispered to my reflection. “Can I do this?”

  Alessio wanted me…and I wanted him too.

  I craved his touch.

  Placing a hand over my chest, I felt my pounding heart. “I don’t want to be scared anymore.”

  I wanted to be free. I wanted to live. I wanted to feel…everything.

  I wanted Alessio.

  I opened my eyes, making direct contact with my own green eyes in the reflection.

  Holding the towel tighter around me, I glanced at the mirror one final time before turning around. My hand rested on the knob for several minutes, pulling at the strength and courage inside of me to open the door and go to Alessio.

  I was at a constant battle in my mind. Fear on one side, while the other demanded freedom and happiness.

  With my final decision made, I took a deep breath and opened the door. Alessio was sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard with only his black sweatpants on. He was looking down at his phone but quickly looked up when I walked into the room.

  “Ayla?” he questioned, his eyebrows furrowed at the sight of me. “Why are you only in your towel?”

  Sitting forward in bed, he placed the phone on the nightstand. “Are you okay?” he asked worriedly, tension cording the muscles of his shoulders.

  My eyes met his, and I held on. He gave me strength. “I don’t want to be scared anymore,” I told him.

  “Ayla,” he started, confusion clear in his voice and expression.

  Quickly dropping the towel to reveal my bare body, I took a nervous step forward. My hands fisted to my side as I walked toward the bed, stopping beside Alessio.

  He must have understood what I meant, because his eyes softened. “Ayla,” he sighed. Pushing his arm toward me with his palm up, he gave me his hand. “Come here.”

  Swallowing hard, I put my hand in his and he grasped mine tightly. My hand trembled, but Alessio gave me a gentle squeeze before pulling me forward. I climbed onto the bed, and he shifted me around, pulling me onto his lap so that I straddled him, my knees on either side of his hips.

  Bringing his other hand up, he softly rubbed his thumb over my lips. “Are you sure?”

  I nodded mutely, finding it hard to voice out anything. “Ayla, I need the words. I need to know you are one hundred percent sure about this.”

  “I’m sure,” I replied, my voice barely audible. Placing his forehead against mine, he let out another sigh.

  “Okay. We’ll do it like this. With you on top,” he said.

  Me? On top?

  Panic filled me, and my hand tightened around his
. “I…”

  But he quickly shushed me. “I know. It’s okay.”

  I didn’t know how to do anything. I had never done this.

  “Here.” He lifted me from his lap and placed me on the bed beside him. Alessio quickly removed his sweatpants and boxers, throwing them on the floor so that he was naked too. He pulled me on his lap again, in the same position as before.

  “Alessio, I don’t know…” I murmured.

  He smiled and shook his head. “You do. Let your mind and body go. Your body knows what to do. You are in charge, Ayla. Do whatever you want.”

  I was in control. For the first time.

  Sending him a shaky smile, I placed my hands over his chest and pushed until he was reclined on the bed. I wasn’t sure what to do afterward, but when I felt his length twitch between my legs, I trembled and shifted slightly, causing his tip to rub against my sensitive core.

  He touched me last time, but I never had a chance to explore him. My hands moved over his chest and his stomach, feeling his muscles ripple under my wandering touch.

  When my hands reached his pelvis, just above his hardened length, I stopped. My head snapped up toward Alessio, looking for help, not knowing what to do.

  His hand grasped mine, and he placed it over the rigid head, wrapping my fingers around the length. Our eyes stayed connected as he moved my hands up and down. And then he let go.

  Looking down, I rubbed my thumb over the tip and gave him a small squeeze. “Fuck,” Alessio swore. Believing that I did something wrong, I quickly looked up, only to find his eyes hooded with lust.

  Feeling confident in my actions, I moved my hands again, squeezing the length at the same time. Alessio’s finger dug into my hips, and he let out a growl.

  “Like this,” he muttered, curling his hand over mine again, tightening my grasp. He worked from top to bottom, tightening and loosening our grip until moisture formed at the tiny slit. Rubbing my thumb over it, I coated the tip fully.

  “Ayla, if you keep doing this, I’m going to come.”

  “Isn’t that a good thing?” I asked.