by L A Cotton
“You want this?” I slipped my fingers into her pajama shorts and teased her.
She pressed her lips together, nodding.
“Say it,” I demanded. “You want it… say it.”
“Y-yes.” Nora gasped when I slowly pushed a finger inside her. “Yes, I want it. I want you, Enzo.”
“I’m going to make you purr, Gattina.” I kissed her jaw, trailing my tongue over the seam of her lips as I worked another finger inside her. “And then I’m going to make you come so hard you see stars.”
Chapter 16
Nora
Kissing Enzo was like drowning. He stole the breath from my lungs and all thought from my mind. I melted into him as his tongue curled around mine in slow, expert licks. He didn’t just kiss me—he devoured me.
I’d known the second I opened the door to him tonight, that this was inevitable. We couldn’t be in the same vicinity without something happening between us.
We were magnets.
Drawn together by some invisible force.
But like magnets, we attracted and repelled, and I knew come morning, this moment would all be a distant memory. But I could live with that. Enzo needed me right now. He needed to lose himself in me. He needed me to chase away his demons and I would.
There wasn’t much I wouldn’t do for this complicated guy. I knew Arianne wouldn’t understand. Later, when the sun rose and she heard it in my voice or saw it in my eyes, I knew she wouldn’t understand why I continually let Enzo back in.
Maybe part of myself didn’t quite understand it either. But when we were together, in these rare moments of tender touches and desperate kisses, I felt at peace.
So I would give Enzo this, I would give myself this, but I was under no illusion that it meant anything more than this moment.
Enzo couldn’t love me, couldn’t love anyone, until he chose to a) believe himself worthy of love and b) believe himself capable of love. Whatever had happened in his past—and I’d gleaned snippets from his cousins—had done a real number on him. Nicco and Matteo had their sisters, they had a strong female influence, but not Enzo. He had himself and his father.
And now Vincenzo Marchetti was gone.
I couldn’t imagine losing one parent, let alone two. Yet Enzo acted indifferent. I saw the cracks though. The rare moments when he chose to let his guard down, like right now.
Bringing my hands to his face, I took control of the kiss, pouring everything I felt into each brush of my lips, every flick of my tongue. I cared for this man. Deeply, truly, honestly. But I knew you couldn’t make someone love you, and I wasn’t sure Enzo would ever realize how good we could be together if he’d just open his stone-cold heart to the idea of there being something more between us.
“Fuck, you get me so hot,” he drawled, dragging his mouth down the slope of my neck once more. His fingers pressed deep and slow, his thumb circling my clit with steady precision. Enzo knew how to touch me, how to make the waves of pleasure build inside me until I was panting his name.
My legs began to quiver, fire racing through my veins as he pushed me closer to the edge. “God, that feels so good,” I breathed, running my nails down his back. A low groan rumbled in his chest and he nipped my bottom lip with his teeth, soothing the sting with his tongue.
“Come for me, Gattina, come all over my fingers.”
His dirty words sent me flying off the edge, my body bowing into him as I cried his name.
Enzo crawled off me and stripped out of his boxers. He grabbed his wallet, retrieving a condom, and made quick work of ridding me of my pajamas.
Standing at the foot of the bed, he drank in the sight of me, pumping himself a couple of times. His was rock hard, the piercing in the tip of his dick glinting in the dark. I rubbed my thighs together in eager anticipation, I knew how good that felt rubbing inside me.
Enzo reached forward and wrapped a hand around my ankle, tugging me down the bed. My shriek of surprise filled the room. But then he was there, pressed right against my core, sliding himself through my wetness. It felt divine. Dirty and oh so good.
“Enzo…”
“Patience, Gattina.” He pushed my legs wider, hooking them around his waist. Then inch by glorious inch, he rocked inside me. We both moaned, the intensity almost too much to bear.
“Fuck, you feel good.” His eyes were blown with desire, dark and dangerous. But I wasn’t scared. Enzo would never hurt me, not physically at least.
He pulled out slowly and slammed back inside, eliciting a breathy moan from my lips. His eyes were fixed on where our bodies were joined, and he watched with rapt fascination as he began fucking me hard and fast, as if he was exorcising his demons with every thrust. His thumb found my clit again, mirroring the pace of his hips. I reached for him, needing to feel his lips on mine, and Enzo came willingly, folding his big body over mine and kissing me like I was air, and he was drowning. His hand encircled my throat, pinning me in place to allow him complete control of my mouth, my body.
“So fucking beautiful.” He went harder… faster… making the headboard crash against the wall, leaving no mistake as to what we were doing.
But I didn’t care.
Nothing, nothing had ever felt better than this. Watching—feeling—a guy so untouchable as Enzo Marchetti lose control.
“Cazzo, come sei stretta,” he purred against my lips, rocking into me with vigor. I could feel him everywhere. But that’s what Enzo did whenever he was near—he consumed me. I knew I had it bad for this man. I knew if he asked me to be his, I would say yes in a heartbeat.
I also knew that he would never ask.
Which was why I couldn’t keep doing this, not if I wanted to keep my sanity and my self-respect.
“What is it?” he asked, slowing his pace. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I forced a smile, curling my fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck and pulling him down to kiss me. “Make me shatter,” I whispered.
His lips curved wickedly against mine. “It would be my honor.”
No more words were spoken between us as Enzo showed me with his body what he would never tell me in words.
As I came, my body trembling around him, a rogue tear slipped down my cheek, knowing this was probably the last time I would ever be with him.
Our relationship wasn’t made for the sunlight. It was nurtured in the dark, made strong only by the shadows and secrets that surrounded it. But come morning, they would turn to ash, and everything would go back to how it was before.
“Fuck, Nora… fuuuuck.” Enzo stilled as he reached his own climax. Our bodies were slick with sweat and my lips were sore and swollen.
He pulled out and disappeared into my bathroom to get rid of the condom. I crawled into bed and pulled the covers up around my body. Enzo joined me seconds later, silent as he tucked his big body behind mine and laced his arm around my waist.
“Thank you.” He kissed the nape of my neck and heavy silence filled the room.
Thank you.
Those words would forever haunt me.
I’d given Enzo a gift.
Something precious and coveted.
And he was grateful, I didn’t doubt that, but that’s all it was.
All it would ever be.
But right now, I was happy to let the lie continue.
I fell asleep wrapped in Enzo’s arms believing he would never let me go.
The next morning, I was awake first. I slipped out of bed and went to make coffee. After the intensity of last night, I needed some space.
I checked the hall, hardly surprised to find Maurice standing there. “Coffee?” I asked him, opening my door wide.
“I’ll take one to go,” he said around a thin smile.
“Suit yourself. Give me a minute.” I made his coffee in a reusable cup and took it back into the hall.
“Thank you, Miss—” I shot him a hard look and he chuckled. “Nora.”
“Better.” The corner of my mouth tipped. “If you want anoth
er, you know where I am.”
Maurice nodded and I went back inside. The apartment was still quiet, so I made myself a coffee and got a couple of biscuits from the tin and made myself comfortable on the couch.
My body ached in the best possible way, but I tried not to relive last night. Instead, I scrolled through my phone. I had a couple of texts from Lucii, inviting me to a party on the weekend. She’d asked Nate and thought I should invite Luca.
Ugh.
I texted her back that I would let her know my plans. I liked Lucii a lot, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to make a thing out of going out with her, Nate, and Luca.
Draining my coffee, I went to make a fresh mug. I felt Enzo before I saw him.
“Morning,” he said.
Turning slowly, I smiled. “Hey. There’s fresh coffee or I have some juice in the refrigerator.”
“Thanks.” He went over and opened it, and I couldn’t resist watching his ass in the snug gray sweatpants.
I got Enzo a glass and he poured himself some juice. “Listen, about last night—”
“Relax,” I said, hating how awkward things already felt between us, “we don’t have to do this.”
“We don’t?” He frowned.
“No. I know what last night was and it’s fine.”
“It is?”
“Yeah.” I smiled again. “Do you want some breakfast? I was going to make pancakes.”
“I could eat.”
“Okay. I have class at ten, so I’ll need to leave in like forty minutes.”
“Shit, yeah. Maybe I should—”
“Stay. Eat. Something tells me you need it.” My eyes dropped to his ridiculously shredded stomach, and it grumbled again.
“I am pretty hungry.” His eyes flared, sending a bolt of heat through me. I inhaled a sharp breath.
“Do you miss it?” I asked, as I gathered all the ingredients.
“What’s that?”
“School?”
“Nah, I never wanted to enroll at MU, but Uncle Toni thought it would be a good idea.”
“So that’s it? You’ll just… work for your uncle now?” I peeked over at him, surprised to find him smirking at me.
“Yeah, I’ll work for him.”
“But Nicco and Matteo want something different?”
“Nicco won’t leave Arianne’s side. Especially not after what down with Fascini—”
Everything stopped as I was hit with an overwhelming wave of fear.
“Nora?”
“I’m fine.” I brushed him off, forcing myself to take a deep breath. The nightmares had stopped a few weeks ago, but there were still moments when I was back there, tied to that chair with a gun pointed at my head.
“You sure you’re—”
“Fine.” My lips pursed. “I’m fine.”
“You know I’ll never forgive myself for what happened back then.”
My brows furrowed. “It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t make Scott Fascini drug and kidnap me.”
“I’m not only talking about that, Gattina.” Something flashed in Enzo’s eyes, but I didn’t dare to latch onto it. He was feeling guilty, responsible… it didn’t change anything.
“Feel free to use the shower while I make breakfast.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” His eyes narrowed.
“What? No! I just thought—”
“Relax, Gattina.” He stalked toward me and I jerked back.
“I should get moving if I want to make it to class on time.”
Enzo stopped dead, letting out a steady breath. “I guess a quick shower couldn’t hurt.” He spun on his heel and took off down the hall, and I released the breath I’d been holding.
I don’t know what I’d expected this morning, but it wasn’t this. And it had thrown me for a loop.
Pouring the batter into a heated pan, I focused on the pancakes. By the time I’d made the first stack, Enzo returned, freshly showered and towel drying his hair.
“Smells good,” he said, sitting at the breakfast counter.
“I have chocolate sauce or maple syrup.” I pushed the plate toward him and retrieved the bottles from the cabinet.
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
Our eyes locked again, the strange current flowing between us. Something was different, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what.
“So how are classes?”
I almost choked on my mouthful of food. Enzo was asking me about classes now? What strange universe had I woken up in?
“Don’t look so surprised. It’s only a question.”
“Classes are good. It feels a little bit like starting over though, now Arianne and Nicco are practically joined at the hip.”
“You noticed that, huh?”
“I mean, I get it. But college was supposed to be our adventure, and now it’s not.” I let out a tiny breath. “God, that sounds so selfish.”
“No, it doesn’t. You had plans together.”
“Yeah. But I made a new friend. Well, not a new friend. I knew her already, but I think she has potential.”
“Does this new friend have a name?”
“Lucii. She’s in my Media and Society class. We went out the other night to a bar. It was fun.” Enzo stiffened and I added, “What?”
“Will you be going out with her again?”
“She invited me to a party tomorrow night.”
“Will there be guys at this party?”
“It’s a party,” I chuckled, “what do you think?”
Enzo didn’t return my laughter. In fact, he didn’t look pleased at all.
“Will Luca be there?”
“I don’t know, maybe.” I gave him a dismissive shrug. “I think Lucii has a thing for his friend.”
“So you’re going to see him again?”
Placing my fork down, I let out a frustrated sigh. “Does it matter if I do?”
“He’s not good enough for you.”
“You don’t even know him. Luca is a good guy, Enzo. I wouldn’t have befriended him if he wasn’t.”
“Oh, come on, Gattina. Don’t be so naïve. He doesn’t want to be friends. He wants in your panties—”
“How dare you?” My voice shook with anger. “You don’t want me, but you don’t want anyone else to have me, is that it? Because I’ll be honest, Enzo, that’s bullshit, and you know it.
“You left. You fucked me and then you just left. Do you have any idea how that made me feel? Finding out from Ari that you were gone? That you thought so highly of me, I didn’t even deserve a goodbye?”
“Shit, Nora, that’s not…” he rubbed his jaw, “I—”
“No, Enzo. I’m talking, you’re listening…” I jabbed my finger in his direction. “You turned up at my apartment. You came to me. And I did the only thing I know how when it comes to you, I let you in. But I can’t keep doing it, Enzo. I won’t. I have too much self-respect to be the girl sitting around waiting for the guy she wants to wake up and see what everyone else sees.” I stood up and pushed the curls out of my face.
“One day a guy is going to come along and sweep me off my feet, and do you know what, he’ll deserve me. He’ll deserve me and when I give him my heart, he won’t give it back. He’ll keep it, he’ll protect it… he’ll cherish it. Because my heart is worthy, Enzo. I’m worthy.”
He stared at me with a blank expression. I knew I’d probably caught him off guard, laying it all out for him, but I felt better.
Even if he had nothing to say to me.
Swallowing the hurt building inside me, I steeled my expression. “I’m going to take a shower. I think it would be a good idea if you’re gone when I’m done.”
“Nora…”
My fickle heart beat wildly in my chest as I waited….
And waited.
But Enzo’s shoulders sank as he swallowed whatever he’d been about to say.
“Well, okay then. I think we’re done here.” I gave him a tight nod and walked away from him wit
h my head held high…
Even if another part of my heart withered and died.
Chapter 17
Enzo
The urge to go after Nora was strong, but she was pissed, and I didn’t want to make things any worse.
She hadn’t even given me a chance to explain, to try to apologize. Instead, she’d dismissed me. Any other girl, and I would have been relieved to avoid any further awkward conversations. But Nora wasn’t any girl.
Fuck, she had felt good under me last night. Chasing away my demons in a way that only she could. I’d come so damn hard, I’d seen stars. Which was pretty ironic considering I’d made a promise to make her see stars.
I flinched as her bedroom door slammed. Nora didn’t want me here, that much was obvious, so I shoved another pancake in my mouth, drained my juice and set about collecting up my belongings.
Most of my weapons were still in her bedroom, so I slipped inside and grabbed them. I could hear the waterfall from the shower, and couldn’t help but picture her in there, naked, water kissing her smooth, olive skin. Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to join her and lose myself for another half hour before life came crashing down around me again. But I liked my dick attached to my body and something told me if I even so much as tried to touch her, Nora would cut it right off.
The thought made me smirk. My Gattina could be a little firecracker when she wanted to be.
Get a grip, asshole, she isn’t yours.
With one last look at the bathroom door, I hightailed it out of there, running straight into Maurice in the hall.
“Mr. Marchetti,” he said in greeting.
“Do not leave her side,” I ordered.
“The boss gave me strict orders to stay on her at all times.”
Fuck. I didn’t like the idea of her going to classes while this fucker was out there, taunting us. But I couldn’t exactly tell her that, not before talking to Uncle Toni. And I’d seen nothing so far to suggest Nora was in harm’s way. But being associated with the Family had been enough for him to go after Morello’s store and DiMarco’s bar.
“Change of plan,” I said, making a snap decision. “She doesn’t leave the apartment. Not until you hear from me.”