by J. G. Sumner
He empties the red liquid and sets down the glass before motioning to the waiter for more. “Yeah. Tony convinced me to take a day off and come out of my man cave. A few of my men arrived in town last week, and they’re taking over for today. I hope you don’t mind if I have another. It feels good being able to let loose.”
How can I fault a man for having a couple of drinks on a weekend when he’s been working like a dog? “Help yourself. They’re unlimited for a reason. You might as well get your money’s worth.”
Jasper holds up the newly refreshed beverage. “Cheers to that!”
The rest of the brunch went well. We all left a little tipsy. Who am I kidding? Kendall and I were definitely feeling no pain. Kendall and Jasper decided to visit the Statue of Liberty since he’d never seen it before. Tony and I said our goodbyes. He put his arm around my waist and led us back to our apartment.
Chapter Six
Kate
When we got back home, I crashed. Drinking during the day always makes me tired. I knew if I had any chance of making it to dinner tonight, I’d need a nap. I guess Tony did the same because he passed out next to me.
Later, I quietly slip out of bed, walk into the bathroom, and turn on the shower. Even though this isn’t a special occasion, I want to look good tonight. I want to show Tony off at Champagne. When I called earlier to let the staff know I’d be having dinner, they informed me that a few VIPs would be there. I didn’t ask who. I just thought I should make a good impression.
I pull my dress out of the closet and hang it on the towel rack next to the shower. Even though the dress is in perfect condition, I still need to give it a little steam just to make sure all the wrinkles are out. I take my clothes off and slip into the shower. I close my eyes and stand under the hot water for several minutes. The heat beating on my skin is relaxing. The muscles in my shoulders loosen. I wasn’t even aware there were knots in my shoulders until this very moment. Why have I been so stressed? Life has been good. I have the man of my dreams next to me every day. Why can’t I let go of what happened to me in Italy? It’s been over a year. I need to move on. Maybe it’s time to seek a little more therapy. Clearly what I’m doing isn’t working.
The warm arms that wrap around my waist startle me out of my thoughts, sending my heart racing. I don’t have to open my eyes to know the slow kisses down my neck are from Tony. My body instantly becomes hyper aware of every part that Tony touches. His erection is firmly pressed against my bottom. His hot breath against my neck causes goose bumps to form on my flesh. His hands create butterflies in my stomach. I start panting. A fire is forming. Thank goodness there’s no extinguisher to put it out.
Tony moves one hand up to my breast where he gently caresses the nipple until it forms a hardened peak. I lean my head back against his shoulder as he kisses the crook of my neck and slides his other hand over my bundle of nerves that are now throbbing and screaming for attention. His hands are magic. They can make my body do things I never imagined were possible.
Tony continues to rub my already overly sensitive parts. I’m drowning in the pleasure he’s providing, and I have no desire to come up for air. He’s amazing, and I never want these feelings to end. If I don’t distract myself, Tony is going to send me to a beautiful oblivion in a matter of seconds.
I reach behind and wrap my hand around his firm cock that I know would like to probe my inner sheath relentlessly seeking its own gratification. I rub the tip, lubricating it with the liquid that’s already formed by his arousal. Tony bites down on my neck and growls in my ear. He’s as close as I am, but I know he won’t let go until I’ve found my release.
I rub the underside and most sensitive part of his shaft. This drives him wild as he pulls me closer to him, forcing my hand to release its grip. He rubs his rock-hard cock against my bottom and continues to nibble my neck softly. I’ve never had anyone bite me before Tony, but I like it. The sensation, the heat from his breath, and the moans he produces while doing it, drives me wild. He applies more pressure to my now aching pleasure point. He pinches my nipple and that’s all it takes to send me into an abyss of pleasure. I cry out and throw my head back, releasing all the tension that had built up. Tony continues to massage me into ecstasy.
As my breathing and heart rate slow down, Tony pushes me against the wall and takes me from behind. I place my hands on the travertine surface to support my body from being toppled by the man who’s about to stake a claim on my body.
He slides into me easily and fills the empty space begging and pleading for him to take up residence. He stills for a moment and nibbles on my ear. “Baby, you feel so fucking amazing. Your pussy is so hot and moist. I could stay here all fucking night.” Tony growls again before slowly moving in and out of me. I love it when he goes slow. It allows each one of my nerve endings to be stimulated by every inch of his spectacular sword. My heart races and my breathing is out of control again. Tony takes me from zero to sixty in just seconds.
Tony’s pace increases. He cups my breasts. He uses his thumbs to circle my already sensitive and aroused nipples. Tony releases one hand and surprises me with a smack on my bottom. The pain sends a fiery pleasure into my sweet spot. Heat builds and courses through every nerve ending. My sex clenches and pulsates, and I scream as my body crashes over the edge of a cliff. I close my eyes and try to catch my breath. I’m vaguely aware Tony has picked up the pace and is now grasping my waist not only to hold me up, but also trying to find his own release. Suddenly, his body shudders as he wraps his arms around me. The growl he lets out is pure man and if I weren’t so satiated, I’d be ready to go again. Tony is an Adonis, and I can’t help but worship his body and everything about him.
Tony catches his breath and kisses my ear. “I don’t know how you do this to me, but I can’t resist you. I need you. I love your flowery smell, the softness of your skin, and the way you feel in my arms. I love to nibble on your earlobes. God, woman, if I could stay in this apartment with you forever and never leave, I would.”
I turn around and look him in the eyes. The intensity in those emeralds staring back, make me catch my breath. This man looks at me as though I’m his possession. I can’t help but love him. It feels so good to be wanted and cherished. My heart skips a beat. He’s quickly becoming my world—my everything.
He holds my face in his hands. “Katherine Anderson. I’ve fallen in love with you.” He pauses and looks me over. “I. Love. You.” Tony’s mouth crashes down onto mine.
I want to cry, I’m so happy. This is the first time he’s ever told me he loves me. It couldn’t be more beautiful, and I know he’s sincere. My heart is full of the love he has for me and what I have felt for him for a very long time. Even after he went missing for almost a year, my heart belonged to him. When he found me at the Empire State Building, I knew it then that I loved him. Why haven’t I said it before now?
Tony pulls away from the kiss. His forehead crinkles and he cocks his head to the side. “What’s wrong?”
I guess I was so wrapped up in my own head, I didn’t return the kiss. “I love you too.” I’m shocked I can actually say the words. I never thought I’d say them again, and yet here I am professing my love to someone I met by happenstance trying to get over a love I thought I had.
Tony continues to stare at me intensely. “Are you sure?”
I smile and pull him to me. “Yeah, I was just thinking about when it was I fell in love with you. It just seems like I always have. It just never sank it until you said the words.”
Tony rubs my cheek with his thumb and kisses my nose. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world.”
I never want this moment to end. My heart is fluttering. I’m giddy like a kid in a candy shop. Life is good, and I think I could live on this cloud forever. Unfortunately, the water is starting to get cold. Tony’s eyes widen as it goes from lukewarm to freezing. I laugh as we both scurry out of the shower. Tony grabs a towel and wraps me in it before finding one for himself.
&nbs
p; I stare as he dries off. It’s strange. He says three little words and all of a sudden, I’m looking at this man in a whole different light. It’s like he has a force field around him protecting his awesomeness. Suddenly it occurs to me that I’ve got it bad. I don’t just love this man. I’m head over heels drunk in love with him. When did this happen? Holy crap! I’m acting like a teenage girl. I need to get a grip.
I grab my robe from the closet and put it on, then make my way back to the vanity so I can blow dry my hair and apply makeup. Tony disappears from the bathroom, and I know he’s not going to shave tonight. Fine by me. I love it when he has scruff. It makes him sexier if that’s even possible.
I flip on some music and “Pompeii” by Bastille plays on the radio. The first time I heard this song was when Tony found me at the Empire State Building. Whenever it comes on the radio, I think of him.
When I finish getting ready, I slip into the dress I purchased last weekend, grab some white Jimmy Choo heels, and head out of my room in search of Tony.
As I saunter into the living room, I hear Sports Center on the television. It seems to me all guys love ESPN. Tony isn’t on the couch. I pan the room and find him in the corner staring out the window. His arms are crossed, but one is holding a phone to his ear. His shoulders are squared, and he’s tense. He’s speaking Italian to someone. I’m instantly on edge. I think my heart stops for a brief second. Butterflies form in my stomach and red flags pop up in my mind with each breath I take. I think about listening to his conversation, but it wouldn’t make any difference. I don’t understand enough Italian to know what he’s saying. I haven’t heard him speak any Italian since he’s been here, and as far as I know, he severed all his ties to Italy before coming to New York.
I tip-toe lightly toward him in hopes I can hear some English. No such luck. When I get close enough, I place my hand on his shoulder. He whips around with wide eyes.
“I’ll call you back.” Tony hangs up the phone.
Now I know there’s something wrong. I can’t shake this feeling in my gut that it’s bad.
“What is it?”
Tony puts the phone in his back pocket. “Nothing, just some personal business I needed to take care of.”
I’m not buying it. “You seem so upset. What’s got you so worked up?” I wrap my arms around Tony in hopes it will soften him up and relax him. Maybe he’ll finally give me some answers as to what’s going on and what happened to him the year he was gone.
“It’s just some financial issues with the bank.” Tony refuses to make eye contact and pulls away.
I feel as though I’ve just been kicked in the stomach. The air has been sucked out of my lungs. Tony just lied to me. It wasn’t an ‘I don’t want to talk about it’ lie. It was a fat, ugly, ‘I’m hiding something’ lie. I thought I could trust him. Now, warning sirens are going off as the tsunami is ready to come ashore and wash away my village of belief and faith in this man.
“You…you’re lying.” I wrap my arms around my stomach and hunch over as I make my way to the couch.
Tony springs into action in an attempt to help me sit down.
I force his arm away. “Please, don’t touch me.”
“Kate, I’m so sorry. It’s not like that. It’s not what you think.” He kneels down beside me.
Why does every guy in my life keep saying that to me when they’ve been caught red-handed? What do they mean it’s not what I think? Isn’t it obvious?
“You lied.” I can’t look at him. If I do, I’ll melt at the sight of his green eyes staring back at me. I can’t let him get away with not telling me this time. I’ve let him keep his secrets far too long.
“I’m trying to protect you.”
Apparently, I don’t have much restraint because before I know what I’m doing, my head whips around and I’m face-to-face with Tony. “Protect me? What are you protecting me from?”
Tony glances down at the floor. “There are things I can’t tell you. Just know I’m doing everything in my power to keep you safe.”
My head spins. There are so many questions flashing through my mind. “Safe from what? What aren’t you telling me? What are all these secrets you’re hiding? Tell me what happened while you were gone. I want to know how you got out of Matteo’s basement.”
Tony stands up and runs his hands through his hair and starts to pace the length of the room.
“Oh, Dio!” Tony exclaims and pauses.
Of the little Italian I do know, I know he’s saying ‘Oh, God’. I watch as he mentally battles the war going on inside of his mind. It seems like it’s been forever since he’s said anything, but in actuality it has only been a few seconds. Tony stops pacing and comes to my side. He takes my face in his hands and looks me straight in the eyes. It’s piercing, and I’m a bit uncomfortable. He’s scared yet serious at the same time.
“Just remember I love you, Bella.”
I now share the fear I see in his eyes. There’s something going on here, and I have no idea what. I have a suspicion that it’s bad. I nod, urging him to continue.
He sighs heavily. “The agents who were able to get you to safety were the same ones who found me in the basement. They had killed most of my cousin’s men and were able to get inside the house. I don’t remember them coming in, because before it happened, Matteo came down to the basement and shot me in the chest. He missed my heart by only an inch.”
I gasp. I’ve seen the scar, but I figured it was just from being beaten up so badly. I didn’t realize he’d been shot. I could’ve lost him forever. Tears form and begin to make a mass exodus from my eyes.
“I passed out shortly after that from the loss of blood. As it was, I already had some internal bleeding from his goons beating the crap out of me. Matteo left me for dead. The agents got to the basement just in time. They airlifted me to a hospital in Rome. My heart stopped a couple of times in the emergency room because of all the blood loss. However, they were able to rapidly transfuse me with enough blood to bring me back. I was in critical condition for over a month and in the hospital for two. They had me in protective custody with round-the-clock surveillance.”
A lump formed in my throat as I struggled to get the words out, but I had to hear the answer even though I already knew it. “W…why were they guarding you?”
Tony took a deep breath before answering. “Matteo got out. They weren’t able to find him.”
I close my eyes and try to hold off the impending panic attack I know is looming. My hands start to shake. Fear courses through my veins. All of the anxiety I have felt when walking down the streets has now been justified. My sense of safety shattered. What little bit of normalcy I’ve managed to instill in my life has just vanished into thin air.
“H…how? Where did he go?”
Tony squeezes my hands. I know he’s trying to comfort me, but there is no consoling me.
“There was an underground tunnel in the basement. The wall under the stairs opened up and led to the main road. They suspect that a Guardia agent by the name of Manchetti helped him escape.”
Manchetti…why do I know that name? Suddenly, it hits me. “I know him! He was one of the agents in the car with me. He was driving and pulled the car over at the gas station you told me about. The one where your cousin’s men work. I told Agent Thompson of my concerns, and we took off without Manchetti. I was right about him. He was a bad cop!” Adrenaline surges through my veins as I remember back to that day. The thought of escaping the green-eyed monster only to get in the car with someone who was helping him scares the crap out of me. Someone had to be looking after me. So many bad things could’ve happened.
Tony embraces me and kisses the top of my head. “Shhh. Everything is going to be okay.” He rubs my hair.
I pull away. “Okay? How can you say that? We narrowly escaped, and I presume your cousin is still out there. No! We’re not okay.”
“Please try to calm down. I have things under control. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you ev
er again.”
I stand up. It’s my turn to pace. “How can you promise that? You don’t even know where Matteo is. He could come after us at any time. Hell, he could be watching us right now and ready to strike whenever it suits him. We’re sitting ducks.”
Tony stops me mid-stride and places his hands on my shoulders while looking into my eyes. “I’ve taken extreme measures to ensure your safety. Please don’t worry.”
I try to recollect what he’s done to make me feel safe. The high-tech phone Tony gave me with a panic button is not going to keep Matteo away. Then it dawns on me. “Jasper! You brought Jasper here for me, didn’t you? He’s not here for some high-paying client. He’s working for you.”
Tony purses his lips. Clearly this was information he didn’t want to share yet. “Yes. I moved Jasper into the building to be closer to us. We have round the clock security following and tracking us everywhere we go. They’re also searching for Matteo.”
Holy crap! This is all too much. The world I thought I knew and was comfortable in is suddenly crumbling down around me for the third time in my life. How much can one person take? First I find my fiancé cheating on me, then I’m kidnapped and have the crap beaten out of me, then finally I escape only to find out that my captor is still on the loose somewhere. When is this going to stop?
“Are there any leads? Please tell me they know where Matteo is.”
Tony shakes his head. My heart sinks. I’m not safe. I start to walk over to the couch, but Tony stops me.
“Look at me. I’m not going to stop until I find him. I won’t let him get to you again. You don’t need to worry.”
I’m naturally skeptical. “You don’t know that! You can’t control what your cousin does.”
“No, but I’ve put in place every possible safeguard. You’re going to be fine. We’ll find him.”
I want to believe Tony, but the unknown is scary. The fear of being taken and shoved in a trunk again causes me to shake uncontrollably. If I didn’t have PTSD before, I’m sure I do now.
