SE7EN: A Single Dad Mafia Romance

by Ann, Bry

  “Yes,” she squeaks. “Just-just don’t press on my stomach.”

  That grounds me a bit, dampening my arousal.

  “Of course,” I murmur, pausing in my mission to peel her pants from her body.

  “I’m okay. Please… please don’t stop.”

  My lips curve in a smile. “That changed fast, eh?”

  “Pants are already down.” She smiles at me nervously, biting her lip. “You haven’t left yet.”

  “Don’t plan to, angel.”

  With that, I slide her pants from her ankles and throw them to the side of the room.

  “Nia won’t come in, right?”

  “No. She’d knock, but she won’t come this way ‘til I tell her it’s okay.”

  “Oh, okay. Good,” she breathes.

  I glance up. Holy hell… “Isla, you’re gorgeous. You’re… fuck, you’re stunning.”

  My knuckles trace up her calves as I revel in the goosebumps that rise up her skin. I slowly work my way up to her damp, white cotton panties, kneading and tracing the skin as I go.

  “Seven…” she whimpers, thighs trembling.

  “Need this, Isla Grace?” I brush my fingers over her panty-clad sex. She jumps with a slight scream that she stifles for Nia’s sake.

  “Yes. Please. Yes.”

  “You know I love when you say please,” I rumble low in my chest as I get close and inhale her sweet scent.

  “So much,” she breathes as she starts to relax into the mattress. Her knees naturally spread wider to make room for me.

  I start to use my knuckles to run up and down her underwear.

  “Like this, Isla?”

  She’s shivering from head to toe, trembling. Her hand shoots out blindly and reaches for me. With softness in my heart, I take it and squeeze. That seems to give her the go ahead she needs to let loose.

  “More, Seven. Please, more.”

  “Mm.”

  I push down on her clit outside her underwear, earning a slight arching of her back before I pull away and quickly slide her panties down her leg.

  They have to fucking go.

  “Seven…” She’s shaking a bit more now. I glance at her, then her exposed pussy. She’s perfect. All of her. From her hair to her toes to her button clit, red and pointed, waiting for me to give it pleasure.

  “Beautiful,” I breathe. “I’m so fucking lucky, Isla.”

  I crawl up toward her face and kiss her before licking down her neck, trailing my fingers down her body, and resuming the licking at her hips. When I get right outside her pussy, her breathing picks up.

  “Don’t scream,” I warn, knowing and loving the fact that she’s loud in bed.

  She nods quickly, chest heaving up and down. Then I do it. I wrap my lips around her sex and form a vacuum over her clit before pulling away and licking her from top to bottom. She lets out an incoherent sound between her teeth before, much to my pleasure, tangling her fingers through my hair.

  “Seven, Seven, Seven…” she repeats over and over before I put her out of her insane desire sooner than I anticipated.

  I slide one finger inside her, steady her with my other hand, and lick up and down faster than I did before.

  She shatters.

  Completely and totally.

  Her spine arches off the bed. Her hand slams down over her mouth and her body shakes and writhes on the mattress.

  “Shh…” I come up next to her and pull her into me as she comes down. Sweat sheens her forehead and her eyes are calm and sated.

  “Wow,” she murmurs minutes later, chuckling a bit with reddened cheeks. “That was…”

  She stares at me, wide eyed, before softening and curling into me.

  “I feel like you’re gonna disappear.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  She tightens her grip. “Should I… like…? Do you need to…?”

  I laugh. “Another time. Don’t worry.”

  Her hand plants on the mattress and she pushes up to sit, brows pulled together tightly.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive, hun.” Smirking a little, I tuck her hair back. “Get yourself together. We need Nia.”

  “Right!” she gasps, hopping from the bed, still naked from the waist down with evidence of her prior arousal dripping down her thighs.

  She pulls down on the top of her scrubs a little as she runs to slip her pants on and get cleaned up. I smile as her tight little ass wiggles as she tugs her pants on.

  She’s worried about me leaving, and here I am, worrying I may never be able to let her go.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Isla

  “That was a great class,” Sage says, leaning back in the chair.

  She has the coolest hair. It didn’t really register last time, but now that I’m really looking at her, the green in her hair is so unique. When I asked her about the color, she admitted it was natural and some weird genetic fluke.

  “Yeah, for you!” Lacey giggles. “You’re flexible. I’m stiff and sore from boxing yesterday and that class just hurt. I mean, how long did she expect us to stay in frog pose? Seriously.”

  Sage laughs. “It’s the best pose for middle splits.”

  Lacey gives Sage a flat look. “I have no desire to get my middle splits.”

  “Isla, help me out!” Sage turns to me, smiling a little as she pops a frozen grape in her mouth.

  “Sorry, can’t. I’m with Lacey. That class was really hard.”

  “Well, I enjoyed it.”

  “Good.” Lacey smiles at her.

  Now that I’m not freaking out, I’m able to take these two women in. Sage and Lacey are so supportive of each other’s happiness. I’ve really never seen that before in women. Lacey’s just happy that Sage loves yoga and is flexible and had a great class. There’s literally zero jealousy.

  Meeting Seven, Lacey, Sage… it’s changing my whole black and white view of society.

  “So, tell us about yourself, Isla?” Sage says shyly, turning to me and curling her legs under her hips. Lacey turns, too.

  “There’s not much. I’m— I’m a bit of a workaholic. This is the first day I’ve taken off in forever. What do you guys do?”

  “Nothing really,” Sage laughs. “No, I run a vegan blog.”

  Lacey fidgets. “I don’t really do anything.”

  “You don’t have to,” I tease to perk her up. “Your husband has to be at least a millionaire.”

  Lacey giggles. “I have two babies! That is work.”

  “Yeah, it is. Not to mention, you put up with your bossy husband,” Sage jokes lightly with a wink.

  “This is true. That’s my job,” Lacey teases a little hesitantly. “I married Adam Ruston.”

  I laugh. “Harder than anything I’ve ever done. That’s for sure.”

  “Let’s not get carried away. You’re a freakin’ doctor! That’s amazing.”

  Blushing, I’m ready to brush it off when Sage’s phone rings.

  “Excuse me one moment. It’s probably my fiancé, Nix.”

  She stands up and goes further down the patio. She begins to pace as she flips the phone to her ear.

  “Anyway, I hope…” Lacey stammers, “I hope what my husband does doesn’t keep you away. I’d love to have you around more.”

  “Oh, thank you so much. You guys are so supportive of one another. It’s really amaz—”“Sage!” Lacey screams, jumping from her seat and our conversation to run over to her.

  Sage is on the phone, hyperventilating with her eyes closed.

  “Sage, Sage. Talk to me.”

  Lacey snatches the phone from Sage’s hand and completely changes before my eyes. Her body goes rigid and her voice is harsh.

  “Who the hell is this?”

  She pauses and then looks over her shoulder to Sage, who is staring blankly off into space, and gives her a soft look.

  “I understand. Let me talk to her.”

  Click. Lacey sets the phone down on the patio table. />
  “I’m so sorry, Isla. This… I…”

  “Oh my gosh, don’t even worry about it,” I jump up, tripping nervously. “I’m leaving. If there’s anything I can do…”

  Lacey’s expression is impatient but kind. “I’ll let you know.”

  As I run off, I hear bits and pieces of Lacey soothing Sage.

  “The FBI just wants information to help Essie. You’re safe. I’m gonna call Nix…”

  That’s all I hear because I quickly rush out of there. I hope she’s okay.

  I don’t really know where to go. This place is so big. Where’s the front door? My heart starts to pound in my chest. This place gives me the creeps like my dad’s old trailer did. I hate it in here.

  “Frances! Has the shipment come through yet?”

  “Not yet, Boss.”

  “I want you to… Isla?” His dark eyes find me awkwardly fidgeting in the hallway, slightly panicked.

  “What are you doing? I thought you were doing yoga with Lacey.”

  “You look suspicious as fuck right now, woman,” Frances jumps in. I see why Seven doesn’t like him.

  “Where’s Seven? Sage got a call. She… It wasn’t my place to be there and I’m trying to find… uh, where’s Seven?”

  “Out on an errand,” the boss says slowly, studying me.

  “Wait, you’re here!” I gasp, remembering a prior conversation with Seven.

  They both look at me like I’m insane. All my fear disappears.

  “I need to talk to you!”

  “Me?” he repeats, sounding confused. “Seven’s not—”

  “No, you.”

  I turn to Frances pointedly.

  “You kicking me out, doc?”

  Boss and I wince.

  “Don’t call me doc!”

  “Right, sorry. I honestly didn’t mean it.”

  Boss grumbles. “Get the hell out of here, Frances.”

  Frances chuckles as he leaves the hall.

  “What’s going on, Isla?” Seven’s boss asks softly.

  “First, uh, thanks for helping me.”

  He smiles. “Things are good with you two, then.”

  God, my brain goes to what he did to me in bed and my cheeks heat.

  “Mm-hmm,” I squeak.

  Boss smiles knowingly but thankfully lets it pass.

  “But that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I know you gave a rule, no outside practitioners, but Seven needs help. He needs to see a professional about his PTSD. I know you know about it. I wanna be with him, but…”

  I use my sleeve to wipe the makeup off my neck.

  “He could kill me. I can’t tell him this, but it’s scary not knowing if he’s gonna think I’m a terrorist and choke or beat me to death. In case you haven’t noticed, he’s a mammoth. He carries a sword and he eats steak with his bare hands. It’s not good for him to be unstable. And worse, it hurts me that he’s hurting.”

  “Jesus, you women,” he grumbles. “I give an order not to see outside practitioners, now all of the sudden everyone needs one.”

  I don’t budge and I’m not sorry.

  “I think I have someone here who is well suited for Seven,” he admits to my surprise. When he sees my eyebrows raise, a guard goes up over his eyes. “More people are in therapy here than you’d think.”

  “Oh, that’s sad, but good.”

  “Well said. But yes, I’ll look into it. If he’s not suited for Seven, I’ll help him find someone. Deal?”

  “Deal, thank you!”

  “Of course, and Isla, be careful, alright? I know you are and that’s great, but I don’t wanna see you hurt anymore.”

  “I’m careful. Promise.”

  “Alright then. I’m gonna go see what’s going on with Lacey and Sage. I hope you’ll come back.”

  “I hope so, too. Now, how do I get out of here?”

  Chuckling, he leads me to the front.

  * * *

  My bathroom break/reading time was nowhere near as fulfilling as it usually is. I haven’t wanted to be at work all day. Seven invited me over tonight. Nia has her first appointment with Dr. Petti, the psychiatrist I recommended, today, and he thought it’d be good if we were both there for her.

  But I work thirteen and a half hours today. I won’t be there ‘til late and I’m so unhappy about it, I can’t even begin to tell you.

  “Room ten, Isla!” Keisha calls over.

  “Got it!”

  I take my usual route to room ten.

  “Knock, knock…” Slowly I push the door open. I’m met with blonde curls and blue eyes.

  “Hi, sweetheart, is your name Jenna?”

  “Yep! I’m five. I’m a big girl. I’m not scared of shots.”

  I giggle. “That’s awesome. You’re soooo tough!”

  She grins proudly. I glance over to her father and mother to introduce myself. As I take in her father’s dark black hair and handsome face, all the air leaves my lungs.

  Ben. No. No.

  “No,” I whisper as the walls close in around me. Water fills my eyes. “Please…”

  I spring from the room, throwing the doors open with a bang.

  “Isla? Isla!” Keisha hollers, running after me as I sprint from the office.

  Ben… no, no, no. He’s supposed to be dead. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.

  “Danny! DANNY! Get the hell over here! It’s Isla!” Keisha screams down the hall.

  There are more footsteps, but all I can picture is Ben chasing me. Him wrapping his hands around my throat.

  My vision blurs and I start to run zig-zag.

  “Isla, please don’t be scared,” a voice pleads.

  Thick arms wrap around me from behind.

  “LET ME GO! Let me go! No! Fuck you! HELP ME!”

  I kick and scream and thrash in his hold. Even when I start to weaken, I don’t quit.

  “It’s Danny, bug. It’s Danny boy. Come on. Come back to me. You’re safe…” Over and over and over until finally, my body tires out and I realize who I’m with.

  “Danny?” I whimper.

  He lets me go and spins me around. “Hey, bug.”

  I dive into his chest.

  “I know, I know. Shh,” he assures me, rubbing my back. “You’re safe.”

  “He looked like Ben,” I explain, choking a bit on my saliva.

  Danny tenses, but continues to rub soothing motions along my back.

  “You don’t have to see him again. Okay? Ben’s gone, Isla. He’s never coming back.”

  “I’m such an idiot. I’m so embarrassed.”

  “Do not be embarrassed!” He pulls me back, holding my shoulders. “Isla damn Grace, you walk back in there, head held high. You deserve a breakdown. You’ve been too damn strong this whole time.”

  “I freaked in front of a patient's dad,” I groan.

  “And all that man is gonna care about is if you are okay. Guarantee it.”

  “I need to start dealing with this,” I admit, dropping my face.

  “Yeah, bug. You do. There’s no shame in that. I go to therapy for what my dad did to me still, at least once a week, if not more.”

  “You do?”

  “Yep. I went, like, once every half year before I met Frank,” he laughs, “but when I met him…” Danny blushes a bit, making my heart warm. “I had to get over the past to be a good partner for Frank.”

  “Aww!”

  “Shut up,” he mutters.

  “I love you so much, Danny.”

  “I love you, too, bug. You know what I think we need to do next?”

  We. It’s always we. I love him.

  “Today, we need to go to the owner, since he’s in today, and talk to him about giving you some time off.”

  Immediately, I retreat.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Isla, you don’t wanna be here right now. Be honest with yourself. You wanna be curled up in your mafia man’s arms, getting therapy, and recuperating after having y
our life so drastically altered. And you know what, bug? That’s really fucking okay. You’ve worked your ass off for this place. If they can’t respect you after what you’ve been through, something you realize isn’t serving you to keep secret, then fuck ‘em. You’re far too smart and talented for that.”

  “I don’t wanna get fired,” I whisper.

  “You won’t. Promise. Come on, we’ll do it together.”

  He reaches out his hand. I stare at it for a long moment.

  “Isla, I won’t let you fall. I didn’t the day I met you by the water, and I won’t now. Come on. Your gay brother awaits.”

  That does it. I clasp his hand and give it a swing.

  “Come on, my horny little nerd.”

  * * *

  Keisha is staring at me full of worry as I walk back in the office, gripping Danny’s hand for dear life. I don’t know how I haven’t broken it by now, but he’s relentless in his hold.

  “Everyone stay ten feet from me and my best friend,” Danny announces in a dramatic voice as we enter the staff area.

  “Danny!” I whine.

  “They’re all staring at you. I’m preventing approach.”

  “You’re insane,” I laugh-grumble.

  He knocks on Dr. Williams’ door for me.

  “Who is it?” Dr. Williams’ voice is very deep and demanding. I cower.

  “It’s Isla.”

  “Doesn’t sound like Isla, Danny.”

  Danny turns to me then with a nod.

  “Want me to go in with you?”

  “I should go in alone.”

  He nods reluctantly. “It would look better, yeah.”

  “I’ll do it.” I take a deep breath.

  “You can do it. Just say your truth. Remember, you deserve time, Isla.”

  So, sweat covered, makeup smeared, and shaking, I walk into Dr. Williams’ office.

  “Isla.” His brows crease when he takes in my appearance. He immediately stands. “What’s wrong?”

  “I— can we sit?”

  He sits, keeping his eyes on me the whole time. His presence is so intense. Holy shit.

  I follow suit.

  “I— Doctor, sir, I… I need some time off.”

  He leans back, eyebrows shooting up.

  “What’s going on, Isla? I have to admit, I haven’t been to this office in a while and I come in to find my most promising doctor banged up and exhausted. I let it pass, knowing it’s not my place since you are doing your job, but now I’m getting reports of you running out on a patient and you walk in looking like you just ran for your life. What did I miss?”