by L A Cotton
Nora’s tits jiggled inside the cups of her dress as I rode her body fast and hard. I didn’t want to stop. Her pussy had magical powers, blocking out all the noise in my head.
“More,” she cried, arching her body into mine. My lips trailed down her neck, sucking hard on the skin at the base of her throat. It was a dick move, marking her, but I couldn’t resist. Grazing the sensitive skin with my teeth, I reveled in Nora’s pleasure-drenched whimpers.
She wanted me to mark her. To brand her and claim her. I would never understand what she saw in me.
My hand found its way back to her throat as I raced toward the edge.
“Let me touch you,” she begged, lifting her hands. The tie came loose, and she reached for me. “Please.”
I grabbed her wrists, slamming them back to the table. If she touched me, if she held me… I couldn’t do it. This couldn’t be about more than sex. A release. Two people using each other for a good time.
“No touching,” I reminded her, rocking my hips at a slower, deeper pace. I was close, so fucking close.
“Fuck, Nora,” I breathed, slipping a hand between our bodies and pinching her clit. Nora shattered, screaming my name into the shadows. It was enough to get me there and I came hard into the condom.
Dropping my head to Nora’s collarbone, I dragged in a shaky breath.
“That was… wow.” The awe in her voice was like a noose around my neck. But then she anchored her bound hands around the back of my neck, toying with the short hairs at the nape of my neck.
I went rigid, pulling back to look at her. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“What?” Her smile melted away, replaced with confusion.
“I told you not to touch me.”
“Yeah, but I thought you meant—”
I yanked her arms back over my head and stood up, ripping off the condom and tying a knot in the end. Slinging it in the trash, I tucked myself back into my jeans and started inching away from her.
“Enzo?” Nora had lost some of her conviction and when I finally looked at her, wearing my kisses… my mark, dread snaked through me.
This was a huge fucking mistake.
“Are you at least going to untie me?” Disappointment glittered in her eyes.
Without a word, I untied Nora, jammed the tie in my pocket, and then made for the door.
“That’s it, huh? That’s all I’m worth to you. Some rough sex in the storage room?”
“Don’t act like you didn’t know what this was,” I said coolly, my fingers trembling around the handle.
“You think I want more than you’re willing to give me. I don’t.” She let out a resigned sigh, her expression neutral. “But a little respect would have been nice.”
Even now, when I was being such an asshole, Nora managed to maintain her composure and grace.
She was a class act.
A strong, confident woman.
Who deserves so much better than you.
Nora ran a hand through her curls, taming them out of her face. Not once did she falter or glance away. She looked right into my eyes and demanded everything I couldn’t give her.
Respect.
Apologies.
Love.
Fuck, what did I know about love?
I knew what I was supposed to feel, what I felt for my family and Dominion. I would take a bullet for my cousins, my aunties, and uncles. But I didn’t know how to love, not the way a woman like Nora deserved.
“I can’t do this,” I grumbled.
“Do what? What is it you think I’m asking you to do? You ghosted me, Enzo. I was there. I waited for you to find me, to explain… but you walked away.”
Shame burned through me like wildfire but there was no use dredging up the past. It had happened and although part of me felt like a total asshole for letting Nora find me in bed with that blonde, I knew it was for the best. She was getting too close, trying to soften my jagged edges, but a polished diamond was still sharp.
Nora had moved closer, her big doe eyes unwilling to let me escape. “You can talk to me…” She reached for me.
“Don’t.” It came out with such ferocity her hand fell away.
“I see.” Nora stepped back. “You should go,” she said quietly, her hand drifting to her collarbone.
“Yeah, I think you’re right.” I mentally imprinted the sight of her standing there to my memory. Who knew when I’d see her next. Once I started running for Gino’s crew, life wouldn’t be as smooth sailing as it was now. And Nora wasn’t someone who would give you chance after chance. If I walked away now, there was every chance she would shut me out of her life for good.
But it was better than pulling her into my world, my fucked-up life.
Nora was better off without me.
No matter how much she believed she wanted me.
Chapter 6
Nora
“There you are,” Ari said as she reached me. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“Sorry, I’m feeling a little funny. I think I’m going to call it a night.”
“Already? But it’s still early.”
“Yeah,” I replied around a tight smile. “I’m not feeling too great.” The lie soured on my tongue, but she didn’t need to know what I’d done.
“Do you need me to come—”
“No, I’ll be fine.” I hugged her. “You stay, enjoy the party. I’ll call an Uber.”
“Don’t be silly, Luis will take you. He’s around here somewhere.”
He was. I’d spotted him standing watch at the main doors in and out of the room.
“Only if it’s okay,” I said, knowing she wouldn’t let it drop.
“Come on.” Ari took my hand and led me toward Luis.
“Mrs.—Arianne,” he corrected himself, “Miss Abato, what can I do for you?”
“Can you give Nora a ride home? She’s not feeling so good.”
“I’m okay, just a little queasy.”
“Of course.” He nodded. “I’ll have one of my men bring the car around front.”
“Thanks, Luis, and make sure she gets into her apartment safely.” Arianne shot me a bemused smile, and I rolled my eyes.
“I am quite capable of looking after myself.”
“I know.” She smiled. “But it would make me feel a whole lot better if I know Luis makes sure you’re okay.”
“What’s going on?” Matteo swaggered over to us, beer in hand and collar loose. His smile was easy and his gaze slightly glassy.
Matteo Bellatoni was an adorable drunk.
“Nora is leaving.”
“No!” He pouted. “You promised me a dance.”
“Raincheck?” I chuckled.
“Everything’s okay though, right?” Concern pinched his expression.
“Everything is fine.” My smile felt weak, but it was all I could manage. Matteo cocked his head, frowning, and I knew he knew.
Maybe he didn’t know everything… but he knew something. I needed to escape before the questions started.
“The car is almost ready,” Luis announced, touching his hidden earpiece.
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.” I hugged Ari again. “Matteo, always a pleasure.”
“Don’t be a stranger,” he said.
“You won’t get rid of me that easily.” I smirked.
Luis stepped aside to let me pass, but just as I was about to leave the room, I felt him.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Enzo standing in the shadows, watching me. A shudder rolled through me, remembering our moment in the storage room. I refused to label it as a mistake. How could something be a mistake when you wanted it so badly? And we had—we’d both wanted it.
Enzo just didn’t want me enough.
With a defeated sigh, I let Luis guide me out of the bar and to the car waiting on the sidewalk. Another one of the Marchetti security detail exited the driver’s side and came around to open the back door for me. I slid inside, relieved to be alone, concealed by the security
glass and tinted windows.
I didn’t cry. I wouldn’t. But it hurt. It hurt so fucking much.
I wouldn’t let Enzo Marchetti break my spirit though. I was better than that.
Stronger.
All I wanted was to be there for him. What hurt most was knowing I was good enough to fuck, but not good enough to have a conversation with.
Damn you to hell, Enzo.
Inhaling a sharp breath, I pressed my head against the cool glass, watching the city lights roll by until the streets became more familiar. By the time the car rolled to a stop outside La Stella, I wanted nothing more than to wash the night’s events off me with a hot shower followed by a hot cocoa and my favorite fluffy pajamas.
Luis came around and opened the door. “Miss Abato.”
“Thanks, Luis.” I clutched my purse and headed for the door. But he followed.
“You don’t need to come up,” I said. “It’s fine.”
“Mrs. Marchetti—”
“Will kick your ass if she knows you’re calling her Mrs. behind her back.”
He cleared his throat. “Arianne.”
My lips curved. “Fine. You may escort me inside. But then you’re leaving. I’m fine. Everything is fine.”
He gave me a pointed look, but I waved him off, going inside.
But when we reached my apartment, I came to an abrupt stop. “Luca?” My brows pinched.
“Oh, hey.” He ran a hand through his hair, almost doing a double take when he saw my dress. “Wow, you look… wow.”
“Uh, thanks.” I flushed around a strangled chuckle. “What are you doing standing outside my apartment?”
“Funny story… I went down to take out the trash and got locked out of my apartment. I rang the super, but he isn’t answering.”
“You got locked—” I smothered the laughter building in my chest. “Easily done, I guess. Come on, you can come inside until the super answers.”
“Miss Abato, I’m not sure that’s—”
“You can leave now, Luis.” My brow lifted, and he cussed under his breath.
“Very well, I’ll be down the hall.”
“Fine.” I entered my apartment and invited Luca inside.
“Who was that?” he asked, following me to the kitchen.
“My best friend’s bodyguard.”
“Your best friend has a bodyguard? What is she? A celebrity or something.”
Or something.
“My best friend is Arianne Capizola,” I said. It was nothing he couldn’t find out by Googling me. Ever since the wedding, Arianne’s name had popped up in the press. Not to mention the fact she was an active member of Capizola Holdings board of directors now. Something like that got attention.
“Arianne Capizola? The Capizola heir… the same girl who married Niccolò Marchetti and brokered one of the biggest partnerships of Rhode Island’s history?”
“That’s the one.” I offered him a beer.
“Holy shit… makes sense you’d live here I guess then.” He took a long pull.
“Why’s that?”
“This building belongs to Roberto Capizola.” Luca shrugged. “The place is like Fort Knox.”
“Especially when you’re locking yourself out.” I smirked, and he roared with laughter.
“Touché.” Luca tipped the neck of his bottle toward me. “So where were you tonight?”
“At a party.”
“Some party if you were home early.”
“I didn’t feel so good.”
His expression fell. “Shit, Nora. I can go. Let me try the super one last time and I’ll get out of your hair.”
“Relax, I’m fine now.” I let out a weary sigh. “Can you keep a secret?”
“I’m a closed book.”
“I left because of a guy.”
“Ah, I see.” Sympathy shone in his eyes.
I don’t know why I’d told him that, but it felt good getting it off my chest.
“Do you want to talk about him?”
“Not really. But I lied to everyone at the party about why I was leaving, so it feels good to tell someone the truth.”
“Your secret’s safe with me.” A beat of silence followed as we both drank our beers. Then Luca said, “So, do you know them… the Marchetti?”
“Of course I know them, my best friend is married to one.”
“And is it true, what they say about them?”
“I don’t know, what do they say?”
His eyes crinkled with laughter. “I guess you’d have to kill me if you told me, huh?”
“Yup. So, I’d quit while you’re ahead.”
“I like you, Nora.” The second the words spilled from his lips, the blood drained from Luca’s face. “Shit, that came out all wrong. I just mean, it’s refreshing to meet someone—a female such as yourself—who can just kick back and shoot the shit.”
“Kick back and shoot the shit, huh? You make me sound like one of the guys.”
“No, that’s not what I mean at all. You just seem like a good person, Nora. Genuine. Funny… Gorgeous.”
“Recovery accepted.” I flashed him an amused smirk in an attempt to cover how off-guard he’d caught me. I wasn’t used to guys being so honest with their feelings.
There had been a couple of guys since I started MU. But they were just sex. Sex and some casual conversation. One guy, Dan, had potential. But in the end, he didn’t set my soul alight the way Enzo Marchetti did. So yeah, I’d had sex. Good sex, bad sex, unmemorable sex. But there had only ever been one guy I’d wanted.
Really wanted.
And he was determined to push me away.
Luca’s pocket began vibrating, cutting through the silence. “Hopefully that’s the super and I can get out of your hair.” He stood up and pulled out his cell. “Hello… yeah thanks, I’d appreciate it. Okay… See you in ten.” He hung up. “He’s on his way. I guess this is goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” I smiled, walking him to the door.
A strange sensation rolled through me as he slipped into the hall. It was nice talking to Luca. Easy, stimulating… nice. I didn’t get any flirty or interested vibes from him. Even when he’d called me gorgeous it had felt more like a genuine compliment than a pickup line.
“I owe you,” he said.
“You’re new to town, right? Maybe I can show you where they keep the good beer… or coffee…”
“Yeah, I’d like that. I’m not exactly inundated with friends right now.”
“Ouch.”
“Whoa,” guilt flashed in his eyes, “I clearly suck at making conversation tonight. I’d blame it on the beer, but that would only make me seem like a douchebag who can’t hold his alcohol.”
“It’s fine. We can do coffee one day… as friends.”
“You got it.” He clicked his fingers in a totally dorky way that had me laughing. “Night, Nora.”
“Night, Luca.”
He took off across the hall, glancing back at the last second. “And Nora?”
“Yeah?”
“Whoever you were running from tonight, he’s not worth it.”
I closed the door and dropped my head to it with a thud. Luca was right, I knew he was.
But my heart?
My foolish fickle heart still wanted to fix the guy with darkness in his soul and pain in his eyes.
And despite all my better judgment, she was in no hurry to stop.
I didn’t expect to see Ari the next day, but there she was standing on my doorstep with a tray of coffee and a brown paper bag from my favorite coffee shop.
“This is a surprise,” I said.
“Yeah, well, I felt like a bad friend after you left the party, so consider this a peace offering.” She followed me into the kitchen.
“Babe, I already told you, I get it. You’re married now. Things are going to change.” My smile faltered.
“That’s just it though. I don’t want them to change. I mean, I love Nicco. God, I love him so much.” A dreamy expressi
on washed over her. “But I love you too. You’re my best friend.”
I snatched the brown paper bag open and pulled out a pastry. “And I’ll always be your best friend. Especially, if you keep bringing me treats like this.”
That earned me a small chuckle. “What really happened last night?”
My sugar high crashed and burned as I stuttered over the words. “Nothing happened.”
“Nor, I’m not stupid. Enzo was extra grouchy after you left, and Matteo said he saw the two of you slip out of—”
“He’s such a gossip,” I grumbled under my breath.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“There’s nothing to say.” My shoulders lifted in a small shrug.
“I don’t believe that for a second.” A beat passed as Ari searched my face for answers… answers I didn’t have.
I couldn’t explain why I felt drawn to Enzo, why I wanted to understand him, to fix him. Sure, he had that bad boy appeal, but it wasn’t only that. I saw the torment in his eyes, felt his defenses ripple around him like a shield every time we were close. Enzo Marchetti was a complicated guy—layered and complex—and I wanted to strip back each layer and uncover the real him. The guy he didn’t let anyone else see.
Even if I didn’t like what I found.
“Did he tell you he won’t be starting MU on Monday?”
My stomach sank as I tried to school my expression. He’d been inside me, fucking the very soul from my body, and he hadn’t mentioned a goddamn thing.
“No,” I steeled my spine. “He didn’t… You knew?”
“Nicco only confirmed it last night.” Sympathy shone in her eyes. “You know there’s stuff he can’t tell me.”
“So that’s it? He’s just throwing away his entire college career?”
“Nora, you know that’s not how it works.”
“Nicco and Matteo?” I asked, knowing it was a stupid question. Nicco wouldn’t leave Arianne, and Matteo… well, he was different. Something told me he wanted life to be as normal as possible.
But not Enzo.
He’d never really fit in at MU. It didn’t make it any easier to hear though.
“What will he do instead? Wait, forget it. You can’t answer that either.”
She reached over and took my hand. “Because I don’t know. If I did, I’d tell you.”