Leave Me Breathless: The Black Rose Collection

by Dakota Willink

  I put my hands around his arm in an attempt to tug him back but it’s no use. Liam is too quick for me, also a bit smart too. He distracts me by placing his glass of scotch in my free hand, stalking toward my father.

  Before I even realize what's happening, my father and Liam both have guns drawn, each pointing at the other. The people surrounding us don’t notice what’s unfolding until Desmond interferes with the situation.

  He extends both of his hands and places them on top of the guns, gently pushing them toward the floor. “I will remind both of you this is a charity event for unfortunate souls. Today we put all our differences aside and come together for those who need our help. We can deal with this tomorrow, but not tonight. Not when we’ve all come together to support my foundation.” I’ve never heard Desmond speak to anyone this way before. Almost as if he’s physically going to put his hands on these two and rip them apart limb from limb.

  “Caprice, darling . . . will you please make sure my son doesn’t get near your father?”

  I nod. “Yes, of course.”

  Desmond directs his attention to my father. “As for you Gabriele, I’ll allow you to stay, however, you keep yourself busy. Maybe you’re itching to find a new mistress? I don’t see Carmella with you, and there’s not a woman on your arm tonight. Look around the room, plenty to choose from.”

  Placing my wine down on a nearby table I slide my hand into Liam’s and pull him with me. We need to get away from here before things get worse.

  31

  Beautiful creatures cannot be confined. Her wings will grow, she’ll find the sky.

  ~ Christy Ann Martine

  Liam

  In all my life I have never wanted to shoot a motherfucker down than right now. What he said about Caprice infuriates me to my core. I was contemplating pulling the trigger before my father came up and interjected, attempting to diffuse the bomb. I’m sure he realizes it, but he’s only cooled off the igniter. The tension between Gabriele and I will blow up and rest assured, no one will want to be around when it happens.

  My wife slid her hand into mine and walked me across to the other side of the room. She probably thinks it’s a safe distance away from her father, but I’ll be the first to tell her it isn’t.

  “Liam,” she mews in a soft tone, her worry evident.

  “Yeah?”

  “What did you call me earlier?” she asks, and I have to think about what she’s referring to. Although, nothing comes to mind. “You said something, but it wasn’t English.”

  Immediately she forces a smile from me. “I called you my precious stone.”

  “Stone, like a rock?” Caprice looks offended, squinting her eyes while she scrunches up her nose.

  “In a way, yes. You’re steady, never wavering in your opinion. You’re sturdy and strong, not weak and fragile . . . and sometimes I wonder if you’re really a goddess. I watch the way you look out onto the grounds of our home in awe.”

  “Shoot, I figured I was gonna be pissed and now you’ve just made my stomach flip upside down.”

  Chuckling, I bring her into my arms yet again. We’re interrupted by my father stepping up to the podium in the center of the room, thanking everyone for coming out to support our cause. My father started a charity a few years ago which benefits the homeless as well as orphans, specifically those located here in Ireland.

  He genuinely wants to help those who need it, however, he uses this gala as a front to meet with other mafia leaders. When we walked in earlier, I spotted Mariana and Ion Petran off in the distance. They’re the heads of the Romanian Mafia.

  We take our seats and are served dinner while my father goes over the major triumphs of the organization, revealing we’ve helped thousands of homeless individuals and orphans this year. He handed the podium off to the face of the Mackenzie Movement, Keelan.

  She continues to share statistics, picking up where my father left off, while we enjoy our meal. They even made it better than last year by having some of the kids who the foundation has helped come up and speak about what the charity has done for them. A few former homeless individuals wanted to speak as well, stating how the foundation helped them move into a community housing area, giving them the ability to look better, had volunteers help look over their resumes and got them back on the right track.

  I look over to the table beside us and see Luca sitting with his arm around Alessandra. They appear to be a doting young couple, but I can see Alessandra is a bit rigid with him. She seems to be a dreamer in my opinion and fuck me for thinking this but Luca needs that. He needs a woman to pull him out of this shitshow we call reality and take him into the imagination. I’m still pissed at him and my father, however, I do think Luca deserves happiness, even if he is a real ass right now.

  Caprice is sitting beside me, in my view as I have my gaze focused on her sister and my cousin. For a second, I see something I haven’t from her— pure happiness. Her eyes are sparkling at the podium as Keelan speaks, wearing the biggest smile I’ve ever witnessed. If I’m not mistaken, she has a passion for helping people. “You seem to be very interested in the Mackenzie Movement,” I state, keeping my attention focused on her now.

  She nods. “I’m a fan of anything trying to help those who need it most. Honestly, I had no idea your family was in the charity business. It’s beautiful.”

  “You made a mistake there,” I inform her, watching as she cocks a brow.

  “I did?” she asks, confused about what it was.

  “Yes. Our family, dear.”

  “Oh, yeah. Sorry, I’m still getting used to it.”

  “It’s fine. You know, this brings up a good conversation for us. I can’t imagine you’ll want to work in the pub forever. Seems to me like you may want to work at the Mackenzie Movement. Would you like me to arrange a meeting with my father in a couple of weeks once things get more normal for you around here?”

  She doesn’t even need to say a word because her smile confirms my idea was a good one. “Yes, I’d love to help in any way I can.”

  With her answer, I lean back in my chair, sip on the new glass of scotch one of the waiters brought me, and listen to the success of the foundation. An hour or so passes before their presentation ends and we’re free to do whatever we want. A live band plays up where Keelan and my father were speaking, bringing a lovely atmosphere to the room . . . but I still see Gabriele here, which further pisses me off.

  “Liam, why don’t we get out of here?”

  “And go where?”

  “Anywhere,” Caprice says, taking my hand. What the hell. A little spontaneity won’t hurt. Caprice leads me through the lobby and we walk out onto the street. She screeches like an excited young girl and darts across the street, not even waiting for the crosswalk signal to tell us its safe. She’s sure to give me a heart attack at some point.

  The place she’s run off to? Only a bakery.

  32

  “Her little hands stole my heart, her little feet ran away with it.”

  ~ Paper Heart Family

  Liam

  I think about yelling across the street that the bakery is closing any minute now, considering it’s almost nine in the evening. But I’m proven wrong when I see their sign is flashing in the window, stating they’re open.

  Huffing, I chuckle and make my way behind her, silently wondering how the hell she managed to run this fast in heels. She holds the door open while she waits for me to get into the doorway of the bakery and we walk in together.

  “Hi. Afraid to tell you this, folks, but we’re closing in just a couple of minutes,” the woman behind the counter states as she puts a bowl up on the shelf.

  “I knew it,” I mutter under my breath, getting a whack in the arm from Caprice.

  “Do you know what you want, or should I give you a minute? Unfortunately, it’s all I can spare. My wee little one is homesick and needs his mum to get home in a jiffy.”

  Looking around through the display cases, I see the traditional foods like
soda bread, cheesecake infused with Baileys, brioche bread and butter pudding, poke cake, apple cake with a custard topping, chocolate pots, chocolate Guinness cake, and shortbread. “What happens to the stuff you don’t sell?” I ask, being a nosy bastard.

  “Eh, well . . . I toss it in the trash out back. Advertising states we bake daily, so I do!” She chuckles, looking a little awkward as she speaks.

  “Alright then, I’ll take everything. Just do me a favor and let me buy a couple of servings of the bread pudding for you and your kid. I’m sure eating some pudding with his mum will be sure to lift his spirits.”

  The woman smiles. “Oh, Mr. Mackenzie you don’t have to do that.” Everyone in this town knows who I am, and considering the woman seemed happy to see me, I’d say we’re doing a good job.

  “It’s not about having to do it. I want to. Now, c’mon. You’d better hurry up or you’ll be late,” I say, watching her rush around to get all our treats ready. Caprice stands next to me, smirking like I’m some sort of fairytale prince. I hate to disappoint her, but while I do nice things on occasion, I have an enormous amount of dark decisions that offset them.

  “You seem to surprise me at every twist and turn, Liam Mackenzie,” she coos.

  I bring my hand to the side of her face and push back a stray piece of hair. I know I’m the type of man who I used to make fun of while walking the streets of Dublin. The ones who’d be staring at their girl, making it seem like they were their entire world. Until now, I didn’t know what that feeling felt like.

  Until now, I didn’t know what falling in love felt like— not in an authentic way at least.

  The woman behind the counter gets our treats boxed up and I pay for them, sliding her a decent sized tip. Everyone has a rough day and considering I’m in a position to help people, I will. Caprice and I each grab a box and head out the door.

  I feel like we’re stuck in some romantic comedy because the crackling of lightning comes down just as quickly as the downpour. Caprice lets out a scream, running across the street back to the safety of the hotel and I follow suit.

  I feel like we’ve both forgotten about who we are, and the responsibilities that come with it. More than that, she isn’t allowing any part of her past to haunt her at this moment. She’s free, darting a few feet ahead of me back into the hotel. We both go through the lobby and instead of heading in the direction of the ballroom we go down the hallway to where the signs directing us to the elevator lead us.

  I’m standing here watching her for a good few moments before the elevator doors open, unleashing a mass of people upon us. Caprice’s curls are soaked, making her look like one of those hot women in the girls' locker room after rinsing off.

  My cock is growing harder by the moment, so I adjust myself as we walk into the elevator, making sure she doesn’t see the type of hold she has on me. I stay behind her, leaning my back along the gold bar. The tile on the floor is in a weaved pattern, reminding you of the way a basket is weaved. I position the box next to me, the bar helping me hold it up. All I can do is stare at her, the way the crystals on her dress sparkle in the lights. Everything feels magnified like I can see every water droplet from the rain sliding down her.

  Caprice turns, giving me the thirst-filled look I’ve been wanting from her for days now. It eases my worries in a sense. Evidently, she desires me in the same way. “Liam,” her voice spills through her lips in a hushed whisper, almost like she’s afraid.

  I tread toward her, not bothering to give a flying fuck as I hear the box fall to the floor. The only thing that matters right now is her. She backs up slowly until her shoulder blades are digging into the metal doors. “Cad a theastaíonn uait, mo chloch lómhar?” I growl out my question, asking what my precious stone desires.

  “Goodness, I don’t know what you’re saying. You could say I smell like a pig and I’d still be losing my mind over you.”

  I chuckle lowly, bringing my lips further against her ear. “I’ll make it easier for you. What is it you want, darling?” She may not realize it, but the way she answers this question will set the foundation for whatever is coming.

  Pulling myself back, I want to stare in her eyes, to see her body language fully. Last time she hid her fear from me, encouraging me she wanted to move forward. I won’t allow her to make a decision she isn’t ready for.

  “Liam, I want us.”

  Motherfucker. I was prepared for a lot of answers, but not this one. I slam my hand against the emergency stop button on the elevator, crashing my lips down onto hers as my hands caress down her sides, stopping at her hips.

  Caprice breathes in and out heavily, matching my own pace. “So much for going slow,” I growl against her lips with a chuckle slipping out at the end.

  “Shut up and fuck me,” she hisses. Snaking her hand around the back of my neck, she pulls me closer. Fuck, I could bust a load right now.

  I sink down slowly, leaving small chaste kisses against her jaw bone, down to where her cleavage is revealed until I can reach the bottom of her dress and pull it up. “Jesus, is this chainmail?” The dress didn’t feel this heavy at the store.

  “Oh, complaining because you have to work for it?” She laughs as I rise with that same sparkle in her eye.

  There’s not an ounce of fear within her. I don’t know what’s changed over the last few days, but I’ll take it. Caprice doesn’t have anything to be afraid of. Not with me, or the Mackenzie family. She’s one of us and I’ll remind her of it every day I can.

  Typically, I’d want to feel every inch of her naked skin touching my own. Although considering we’re acting like horned up teenagers in an elevator, I’ll have to be satisfied with unzipping my trousers. Pulling my cock free, I stare into Caprice’s eyes. Last time, this is when she was afraid. I look deeply and still don’t see anything to be worried about.

  “I’ve had dreams about us like this, you know,” I confess, placing my nose right next to hers, I thrust my hips forward, sliding my cock against the lips of her pussy. It appears she wants me just as badly as I want her.

  “I had no idea,”

  “Mhm, I saw you like this. Looking up at me with needy eyes, biting your lip.”

  I slide my hands under Caprice’s legs and lift her up by her ass, brushing her lips against the head of my cock. Fuck, she’s slippery. “Is peaca thú. Fuck, Caprice,” I hiss, telling her she’s a sin.

  I can’t hold back anymore. I need to feel her walls wrapped around me, and with one movement I bring her down on my cock, easing her in. “Oh my God!” she moans, tossing her head back.

  Rocking back and forth, I pick up the pace, removing my left hand as I fuck her up against the elevator doors. I move my mouth to the nape of her neck, sucking her skin in between my teeth. Caprice belongs to me, so I’ll make sure she wears a mark to prove it.

  I want nothing more than to strip her completely down, suckle her breasts into my mouth and show her the things no other man ever has. Instead of having negative feelings in regards to sex, I want her to crave it like a drug. Fuck, I want her to crave me like a drug. If I’m certain of anything, she’s an addiction in itself.

  “Liam, oh my . . . ” she moans softly, digging her nails into my back. Her walls close in around my cock and I’m only a few thrusts away from releasing myself within her. From the way she sounds, she’s unraveling as well.

  I bring my head away from her neck, putting my lips over hers in a hungry kiss. I want to feel her tongue dancing with mine as I come inside her, to feel the way her body loosens up and comes undone. I could be a God damned Incubus for all I know.

  Increasing my speed, I slam my cock into her pussy so hard I feel my balls give me an extra push. “Liam!” she screams into my mouth at the same moment she floods my cock with her come.

  “Fuck, baby,” I hiss, allowing myself to fill up inside her.

  A moment of silence passes us by before a voice comes through in the elevator. “Er . . . Mr. Mackenzie, we’d ask you ever so kindly to pleas
e exit the elevator since you’re not in any . . . um . . . immediate danger.”

  33

  Be cautious with lust. Paired with good timing and a few sentimental words it regularly transforms into love.

  ~ C.J. Thompson

  Caprice

  Putting my arms out in front of me, I stretch, opening my eyes slowly. Much to my surprise, Liam isn’t in bed anymore. The moment we got off the elevator, we both burst into laughter. That was of course after I turned beet red from embarrassment. Nothing like having a camera in the elevator you didn’t notice . . . meanwhile, you gave the staff of the hotel quite a show.

  Liam and I had talked about taking things slow, but it all went out the window. I don’t know why. If it was the way he defended my honor in front of my father which might’ve been the hottest thing I’ve ever seen, or if it was the way he looked at me when we were at dinner. When he was so determined to make sure I was doing something I loved every day. I doubted his intentions when we first met, however . . . I see him for what he is— a beautiful soul.

  I find myself slowly falling in love with Liam and it’s the most terrifying feeling I’ve ever experienced in my life.

  Sometimes I wonder if he feels the same way, or if I’m just a piece of ass. I’d love to think he’s getting the same feelings, but there’s no way for me to know.

  “You hungry?” he asks from the other side of the room.

  I turn to see him sitting down at a small round table with a white cloth over it and two metal covers over dishes. I rise in nothing but my birthday suit. The elevator wasn’t the only time we had sex last night. We spent quite a few hours getting more acquainted with one another’s bodies. Hot and heavy to slow and sensual, I think we experienced it all.