by Ellie Jean
“You didn’t do too bad yourself. Looking at your feet and knees, I’d say you’ve gone a few rounds of your own.”
“Something like that. I look nearly as bad as you do.”
His eyes are swollen and the cut on his head is red. I can tell he’s hurt on his right side because he’s favoring it when he’s carrying me.
“I won’t be making a habit out of it.”
“No, you won’t be.” Placing me down on the seat, he gets in next to me and then places me on his lap. “From tonight onward, no more heroics.” My foot brushes against his jeans and my body jerks.
“Agreed. My body’s not made to be punished like this. Glass cuts, shredded knees, throbbing head.” Lifting my foot so it’s up, he touches me with care.
“Your body’s made for worshipping, massaging, caressing, and adoring. All of which I will be taking care of.” Kissing the top of my head, the driver and Tomme get in and the car leaves.
“I’m sorry about the dress.” My eyes lift to his.
“What’s underneath is more important.” He smirks.
“I don’t think any of the lace has been damaged.” My fingers try to trace the outline of the lingerie to check, but it’s tricky to feel it under the ripped fabric.
“I couldn’t care less about the lace, Caro. I’m talking about you.” A large hand runs through my hair, his eyes glistening. “You are irreplaceable. Your heart is bigger than your brain. Your delicious body isn’t to be sacrificed for anything except at my request. Are we clear?”
The corners of my mouth lift, I snuggle in closer to his body. “Crystal.”
“Good. Now that’s sorted, you can rest.”
He doesn’t have to tell me twice.
Chuck
My entire body struggles.
I don’t know if I should, but I do.
“They took your father.” My voice is small.
Caroline has the right to know her father was taken, and tonight would be the end.
The end of her taking things into her own hands.
The end of talking about the Ferraros.
The end of the way we lived our lives before the fight.
But the beginning of something rewarding, passionate, and beautiful.
My hands keep busy cleaning her scrapes and scratches and bandaging her cut foot.
“Is he alive?” Her voice is soft, but there’s force behind it.
“Yes.” Looking at her directly, I assure her he is. “My father spared him.”
“What does that mean?” Her hands touch the tops of mine, stopping me from continuing.
Turning my palms over, I hold her hands in mine while I sit on the granite floor.
“It simply means he is alive.”
She sighs quietly. “And the others? The Ferraros?”
“They aren’t a problem anymore.”
A flash of panic crosses her face, her brows draw in and she inhales deeply.
“We couldn’t risk them coming after you, Caro.” My hand clasps her jaw softly so she will look at me. “I won’t ever risk you. What we have or your life. This world is new to me, to both of us, and it’s going to take some adjusting.”
Her head nods.
“It’s harsh, dangerous and ruthless but I will do anything to protect you and this family.” My hands squeeze hers. “Seeing firsthand the unscrupulous nature of this business, changes will be happening; good and bad.”
There’s a silence and I give her time to process.
My stomach rolls, my hands sweat but I need to ask her, and I will try to accept her decision.
“Do you think this life is something you can be a part of?” My pulse races looking at the sadness washing across her face.
“No.” It’s little, but she looks me dead in the eyes.
The pit of my stomach drops. My insides are screaming out ‘why’ but I understand completely. My hands clench and unclench, but I try to keep my face neutral.
“But…” A smirk touches her lips. “My life is going to be a part of yours, I hope. So…”
I let out the air I was holding in.
“We will have to work something out.” Her hands come to my face, holding my chin. “You didn’t think I went through all this because I wanted to let you go, did you?”
Fuck.
My smile can’t be contained. I want to jump around and yell with unrestrained excitement but I won’t, it might scare her.
“You’ve made me the happiest man alive twice tonight.” I pull her toward me and kiss her hard, holding the back of her head so she can’t go anywhere. A new strength consumes me.
She breaks away, gasping for air.
“Why didn’t you kill him?” Tears form in her brilliant blue eyes. “I hate him. I don’t want to see my father again.” Her voice quivers.
Lifting Caro up, I cradle her and take her to my bed. Smelling her apple scent, I close my eyes. Contentment fulfilling me.
“You won’t have to see him, but I don’t think either of us could have lived with the fact we killed him or left him to be killed. That’s not you, Blossom. Your kindness, strength, and positivity shines from you, not death and destruction.” Pushing the pillow up behind her back, she rests sitting up, blanket on her legs. “I’ll ensure he won’t contact you and when you’re ready to speak to him, if that happens, then we will do it together.”
A small smile graces her delicate face. “Okay.”
“Let’s forget about all of this though, I need to repay you for being the best girlfriend on the planet.”
“Yes, you do.” She laughs. “It’s about time I got repaid for my hard work.”
I take her waist, aware of her bruises and bumps, and straddle her. Possessiveness infects me. Scanning her face, I launch forward, my tongue slides up her neck and our mouths eat each other. Her fingers tangle in my hair, holding my face against hers. My fingers grip tighter on her covered skin and desperation wins out. My hands tear the already ripped material from her, and I throw the gold scrap onto the floor.
“Better.”
Looking at me in disbelief, she’s breathy sounding. Her hair is messed up, but it’s damn perfect. The blues of her eyes are disarming. Her glorious breasts wrapped in black lace are tantalizing.
“Like what you see?” Cocking her head, she makes a show of licking her swollen lips.
“Oh, Blossom, I not only like what I see, but I’m the only one who will be kissing, fucking, and loving your delectable body.”
Pushing aside the blanket, I pull her legs down so her stunning body is exposed for me. Reaching behind her, I whisper, “You’re mine, Caro, and I won’t be letting you go.” Nibbling on her ear, I undo her bra. “I’m starved for you. I hope you’re ready.” Growling, I rip her panties off.
“Oh, Champ. I’m way beyond ready.” Raking my hair, our eyes lock and the hunger radiating from hers matches mine. “I need you like a candle needs a flame. Like honey needs pollen. Like humans need water. I need you. All of you.” Low and sexy, her words create a frenzy.
I can’t restrain myself.
I won’t.
I’m fucking greedy and I am going to take Caroline like she deserves.
My eyes roam up and down her body, memorizing every single bit of her. Widening her legs, her pussy glistens and her chest rises and falls, lifting her breasts to their full glory.
She’s a temptress.
Standing up, I lose my clothes. My cock stands to attention.
Blood thrashes inside my veins and my eyes collide again with hers. She’s watching me intently.
Resuming my place on top of her, so many scenarios run through my head of how I want to take her, but we both need this now.
Nudging her entrance with my cock, our eyes stay where they belong; on each other. Slowly I fill her up and push forward. The relief on her face is glorious and my heart thudding feels the same way. Rotating my hips, her breasts move, taunting me. My fingers grab her nipples and I squeeze.
“Ohhhh,” moaning
more with each tug, I’m anything but gentle.
“Is it too much?”
“Keep going.” She growls, but there’s pleasure written all over her face. Twisting them more, her hips buck with need. Thrusting in and out, the raw emotion in her eyes is my undoing. I lean forward and take her mouth and kiss her, devour her, and fuck her hard. Her arms wrap around my back, gripping me with her nails, hanging on.
“Christ, Blossom.” She unravels me.
Deep inside, her pussy tightens and I plow forward, deeper and faster. My muscles tense and our slick bodies slide simultaneously. Groaning on top of her, Caro matches my hips and we slam together relentlessly, my balls slamming into her.
“Chuck.” Yelling out my name, the entire house no doubt can hear, her pussy strangles my cock, sending waves of ecstasy through me. Her nails scratch across my back and she screams again, releasing her orgasm. I lunge forward, pushing with the last small ounce of energy I have left, buried deep within her. She continues to throb around me.
I rest my forehead against hers. “Round one.”
Energized, but hazy eyes flick open in understanding. “I can’t.” Out of breath, her chest rises and falls rapidly.
My hips continue to rotate slowly, our heat simmering. “You can and we will.” Smirking, I know she won’t be able to resist.
“You fight dirty.”
“I love to win.” Pushing my hand through her hair, my eyes could stare at her non-stop.
Running her tongue over her lips, I watch Caro desperately, my cock thickens inside her pussy. Her nails trail down my back and feather my hips across to my naked ass, gripping it tightly.
“Christ.” Claws dig into my skin and I jerk, taking every ounce of determination to keep my cock warm inside her.
“Ready for round two, Champ? I haven’t shown you my ball skills for a while.” A sweet, innocent voice hits my ears, a blush creeps across her cheeks, entwined with an evil smile. “You know, I love to win too.”
Lunging at the same time, our lips kiss fervidly.
Challenge accepted.
“Bring it on, Blossom.”
We have forever to work out who will win this battle.
Six Weeks Later
Chuck
Brilliant blue sky above, chirping birds pluck nectar from the bushes, the smell of roses permeates the air. Sitting in our garden next to my woman, life couldn’t be any better.
I’d won.
The ravishing Caroline.
The World Title.
A new family. Albeit this is proving to be a major challenge, one I will take by the horns and steer in a direction worthy of the Basilio name.
And today is the day I prayed for but declared impossible when I was twelve; my mother’s wedding day.
The light in many dark tunnels, Fiorella shone bright, steering me toward the positive. I’d sit at night thinking of men we knew who could fill her heart with some joy and happiness because of all I put her through and what life dealt her, she deserved to have someone take care of her. But shying away from any advances or potential relationships, I now understand why.
Fiorella’s one true love was still out there.
Strength and determination led her back to him.
My mother knew one day they would be together.
“Your mother looks stunning.” Running my eyes over Caro, dressed in a dark green gown with blonde hair falling over her slim shoulders, I give her a full-blown smile.
“She does.” My eyes bore into her blues. “But you look delicious.”
“Today’s about Fiorella, not me.” Cocking her head, she giggles with a coy smile.
“It’s you who takes my breath away.” I squeeze her hand in mine.
Waking up with Caroline by my side in our new place, our lives changed dramatically after that gut-wrenching night. Instantly it became clear we would need security. Only the best for Caroline. Partner to a crime lord’s son, it was absolute. Tomme offered for us to stay on his property in a small house. Not taking any chances, we both decided to take him up on the offer. My heart in her hands, I couldn’t risk anything happening to her. Blossom already protected me, it was my turn to step up.
Six weeks I’d been focused on how this world operates, how I will work in this world and what changes need to be made. Tomme is patient with me and my new ideas. Things are happening, but it’s going to be slow and steady. Retaliation will happen, but together we all will be prepared.
Tomme stands under a thick tree in a classic black tuxedo, branches stretching wide blocking the heat of the day. Fiorella by his side in a cascading white fitted dress. Her glow rivals the sun. Joined by their hands, they both look at peace. My chest expands watching Mother smile. Caroline grips my hand tighter and I look to her. Tears run down her cheeks.
“Before I pronounce you man and wife. Tomme, you wanted to say something?”
Nodding his head, my mother’s hand safely in his, he turns and faces us. Caroline and I the only people attending this intimate ceremony as their witnesses.
“Chuck, Ciro, I brought you back to me because of selfish reasons. The Basilio legacy I was raised in and conquered needed a new Boss. Because I’m sick.” A chill runs through me, but Caro’s fingers brushing my hand settles me. “I hoped in time you could see the importance of changing our business but this was already a given because of your respect and strength you gained from your mother. Our family’s name will live on in you, you’ve done me proud already by surviving this tough world with your mother to guide you but each day I have been blessed to be back in your life. I’m in awe of your integrity, passion, command, and heart you display toward all aspects of your life.” Father turns to Fiorella, I stare at both of them, Caroline draping her arms around me. “I have you, Fiorella, for making this happen. For believing in happy endings and for raising a leader. You will be Capo one day soon. I am privileged to be able to call you my son, Ciro, and you my wife, Fiorella. You both have blessed me with gifts I don’t deserve.” Heaving in air, Tomme holds steady with Mother’s hand in his, fighting back his emotions. A lone tear slips out.
Silence extends, besides Mother sniffling and the birds singing. Precious memories for Mother have been made today, her life fulfilled being married before God to her true love and their son witnessing the matrimony.
Our family together.
Strong and united.
A fairy tale ending where the king marries his queen.
The priest looks to ensure Tomme is finished before he continues.
“You may kiss your bride.”
Tomme and Fiorella’s lips meet, their passion for each other overflowing. Turning to Caroline to give them some kind of privacy, my hands extend to her face, cupping her jaw. Blinking back her tears, I stare at her.
“That will be us.”
“I hope so.” Smiling through her tears of happiness, the light shines off her skin like a rare diamond.
“You are my queen already.”
“And you may be the next King of New York, but to me you will always be my champ.”
Wrapping my arms around her waist, she melts into my chest, holding me tight with her arms. My head rests on her head, calm swirling throughout. I kiss her forehead.
“And that means more to me than any other title.”
The End
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First and foremost I would like to thank Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward for giving me a chance to write in this amazing Cocky Hero World. The experience has pushed me beyond my limits and challenged me to keep refining my words. I have been blessed to be a part of this series. Thank you to your behind the scenes crew, I couldn’t have completed it with
out Dan and everyone’s assistance.
Thanks to Ellie McLove for always polishing my words and making them the best they can be.
Once again, Stacey from Champagne Book Design, you have excelled with this cover and formatting and I am so very grateful to you for always being there for me.
To my Beta readers—Charli and Allyson, thank you for contributing to this story and assisting with Chuck and Caroline’s adventure together. It means so much to me that you took the time to support me with this story.
I can’t thank you, the readers enough for choosing to take a chance reading this CHC book. I hope you enjoyed Chuck and Caroline’s story. I am always in awe that someone has taken the time to purchase and read a story that I have poured my heart and soul into. Thank you again!
If you have time please consider leaving a review to support me as a self published author.
Warmest Blessings
Ellie Jean
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The Savage Shadows Series
My Bastard
My Devil
My Monster
Sweet Duet
Sweet Deception
Sweet Redemption
