Becoming his Mistress: A Zanetti Famiglia Novel

by Faiman, Hayley

  “You have whiskey?” he asks, his blue eyes dancing.

  “In the freezer. I wasn’t sure exactly what kind you liked, so I guessed.” I shrug as I begin to plate the fish.

  Carlo walks over to the freezer as I begin to serve the potatoes. I watch as he takes the whiskey bottle out, reading the label.

  “I just bought the most expensive one I could find.”

  “Thank you, tesoro,” he murmurs.

  Walking over to the stove, I take the green beans from the boiling pot and scoop them out with a slotted spoon. Once I’m finished, I look down and wonder if it’s enough, if he’ll even like it? Maybe fish was a terrible idea. I never even asked him if he liked it.

  “Wine, Lenora?” he asks.

  Turning to him, I smile with a nod. “Yes, please. The Pinot Noir on the counter should be open, if not I think I have a Pinot Grigio in the fridge.”

  Brushing past him, I take the food to the table and set it down at my place setting and then at his across from me. Inhaling a shaking breath, I pull my chair out and then sit down. Grabbing my napkin, I arrange it on my lap and twist my fingers, nerves rolling throughout my entire body.

  Carlo joins me. I watch as he arranges his own napkin, then he looks down to the plate before he lifts his gaze to mine.

  “You worked all day, then made this?” he asks with a frown.

  I shrug one shoulder. “It wasn’t too hard. I hope you like salmon. I didn’t ask,” I mutter.

  He reaches across the table, palm up and wriggles his fingers. Lifting my shaky hand, I slip my fingers in his and bite the corner of my lip as I look into his eyes.

  “I appreciate it nonetheless, tesoro,” he says.

  Nodding my head once, I wonder if I should start my questions now, or wait until later. I want to wait, but I think that if I do, I’ll lose all of my nerve.

  “My place in Brooklyn, I’m keeping it. Sometimes I’ll need to stay there. Don’t give me a hard time about it, yeah?”

  His hand squeezes my fingers and my breath hitches. “Why?” I ask.

  He arches a brow, obviously not used to answering to anyone. He’s going to need to get used to it, though. We’re in a relationship and that means we need to communicate with one another. I need to know that no matter what, I can always trust him.

  Always.

  “The casino doesn’t run itself, Lenora. Mia can’t do everything on her own, and although I leave her to it most of the time, there are circumstances where I need to be there and be available. Sometimes I’ll need to be closer than sixty minutes away. I can afford both so why not, right?”

  I gulp, nodding. “Oh, okay. That makes sense,” I whisper, shifting my gaze to the side.

  It doesn’t make sense, not at all and I want to tell him that, but I can already tell this is something he will not budge on. He’s already made his decision.

  “Lenora,” Arlo calls, his voice is a rasp and my eyes automatically shift back to his.

  Those blue orbs focus on me, they look deep inside of me and it’s as if I’m frozen because he sees me—all of me. I inhale a sharp breath, looking back at him, wondering what he’s thinking. Whatever it is, he’s shielded me from seeing it, his walls built up so high that I don’t know if I will ever be able to break them down.

  “But you’re here now?” I ask.

  His lips twitch, then turn up into a full-fledged smile. “I’m here now, tesoro.”

  He is. Right here in front of me. His eyes are clear and focused on me—only me. I should be grateful for his attentions, for his easy smile and the heat he holds in his gaze as he watches me. I should. But I can’t deny that everything about this just seems so—off.

  I try to shake the feeling, picking up my fork to distract myself with the fish in front of me. We eat together, our conversation frivolous as we sip our drinks and enjoy our meal.

  For the first time since we’ve met, Arlo asks me about my family. I tell him about my brother, how he’s an engineer in Chicago. Then I talk about my parents and how they gave me the initial startup of Sugar Cookies.

  “So, do they continue to invest?” he asks, spearing his potato with his fork.

  I shake my head. “No, initial investment only. Just the amount that matched what they gave my brother for college. Everything else is on my shoulders,” I explain.

  “You’ve done quite well for yourself. I’m surprised actually.”

  “Why is that?” I ask, my spine straightening.

  He smirks, reaching across the table, his hand takes mine and he gently squeezes. “I didn’t mean anything bad by it, tesoro. Just that I’m surprised. Not many people your age are as successful, especially in retail.”

  “You’re not much older than me, and you’re obviously much more successful than I am,” I point out.

  He releases my hand and goes back to eating his food. “Not really. I only have the job that I do because it’s a family business. I had to work my way in, and up, but my name got me in,” he says. “No more talk about that. We’re both successful in our own rights. Now, are you finished eating? I have a taste for dessert.” He grins.

  My breath hitches and Chloe’s words come back to me. Just get on your knees and thank him when you see him tonight.

  ARLO

  Lenora tries to clean up dinner, but I don’t let her. “Leave it. I’ll help you tomorrow,” I murmur against her lips. The lie comes easily enough. I doubt I’ll be here to help her tomorrow.

  She shakes her head, those green eyes finding mine and sending desire throughout my entire body. My cock is so goddamn hard that I could hammer nails with it.

  “You’re not helping me tomorrow and we both know it,” she rasps, calling me on my lie.

  I snort. “You caught me. Come to bed with me, tesoro,” I gently demand.

  She smiles against my mouth, then nips my bottom lip before she takes a step back from me and starts to walk away toward the master bedroom. When she reaches the mouth of the hall, she turns back, looking over her shoulder and smiles.

  My breath catches as the setting sun casts a glow around her, those bright green eyes, her shimmering blonde hair, and her creamy skin. I watch as her teeth sink into her bottom lip and she jerks her head.

  “Are you coming, sweetheart?” she asks, her voice so fucking husky and sexy that my cock twitches beneath my trousers.

  I hum, taking a step toward her. Then, my steps falter as her dress slides from her shoulders and falls to the floor. I can see her bare back, she’s not wearing a bra, and the scraps of string that go around her hips and disappear down the crack of her ass are taunting me from across the room.

  Forcing my feet to move, I follow behind her as soon as she disappears into the bedroom. Keeping my head down, I shrug my jacket off, tossing it on a bench at the end of the bed. I do the same with my vest, then untuck my shirt from my pants.

  “Arlo,” she calls.

  Lifting my head, my eyes find her and my mouth goes dry. I’ve never felt like a bigger pussy drunk fool than I do right now. I don’t even fucking care though.

  Lenora is in the middle of the bed, facing the side, facing me, she’s on her knees, her thighs spread wide. Those strings that she was wearing as panties are now gone and she’s completely naked.

  She lifts her arm, crooking her finger toward me. “Come here, sweetheart,” she calls.

  I do as she asks, unbuttoning my shirt and stripping it off on the way before discarding it on the floor next to my feet. I toe off my shoes next, then tug off my socks. Standing in front of her, wearing only my trousers, I lift my hand and cup her cheek.

  “Merda, Lenora. You’re a sight for sore eyes. My God, how I’ve missed you, tesoro.”

  Lenora’s lips turn up into a smile as she shifts her chest down. She reaches for my pants. I watch as she unbuckles and unzips me, then pushes my underwear and trousers down. They fall to my ankles just as her lips kiss the tip of my dick.

  Lifting my hand, I slide my fingers along the side of her
head until I’m gripping the back of her hair.

  “Open,” I demand.

  Her eyes lift, she looks up at me through her lashes and her lips part, widely. Slowly, I sink down her throat, as far as I can without hurting her. She hums as I tug her head back, then pull her along my cock, again.

  Our eyes stay connected. I hold her head still. Wrapping my other hand in her hair, I fuck my woman’s mouth. It isn’t as hard as I want it, I don’t go as deep as I wish that I could, but I keep my gaze on hers and it’s the best blowjob of my entire fucking life.

  I know that it’s good because it’s her, it’s better than it was before, because I love her. Something catches the corner of my eye and I grin at the sight of my diamonds on her ear. Pride fills me at the sight of those, of what I bought her, resting against her gorgeous earlobe.

  Pulling her off of my cock, my back tingling, my balls drawn and threatening to explode down her throat, I dip my chin leaning over slightly and brush my lips across hers.

  “I need to be inside of you, tesoro,” I exhale against her lips.

  “Yes,” she whimpers. “Please.”

  “Merda, tu mi possiedi.”

  “Oh, God,” she moans. “Please, Carlo. I need you so much,” she begs.

  Lifting my hand, I wrap my fingers around the side of her neck. Loving the way that she begs so goddamn sweetly. My tongue slightly traces the seam of her lips, tasting her sweetness, tasting the wine she drank not long ago, tasting her.

  I don’t tell her my plans.

  Jerking my chin, I silently order her to get in the middle of the bed. She does. Kicking off my pants, I crawl between her spread thighs and moan when my cock slides between the folds of her wet pussy.

  My plans. My fucking plans, I think to myself.

  I’m going to make love to her. For the first time in my life, I’m going to make love to a woman—my woman. The only one that means anything to me.

  Chapter Seventeen

  ELENORA

  Our eyes are connected as he slowly sinks inside of my body. He stretches me so full, his movements deliberate until he’s seated completely inside of me.

  Lifting my legs, I wrap them around his hips, inhaling a shaky breath, my eyes do not leave his. He cages my head with his forearms, his breath fanning my face as he pulls out of me, then sinks back inside.

  “Carlo.” My voice trembles.

  He shakes his head once, his eyes never leaving my own. “Just… love me, Lenora. Love me, even when I can’t love you back, love me.”

  I’m so confused by his words, that I don’t respond. The way he moves inside of me, my body climbing higher and higher, I forget his words altogether. I wrap my arms around him, my nails scratching down his back, whimpering at the sensations that are filling my body.

  Arching my back, my eyes flutter closed as my climax washes over me. It rolls through me in a delicious burn that I didn’t expect. I let out a sigh. Arlo’s mouth touches the column of my neck, then nips it slightly.

  Opening my eyes, I look down as he lifts his head and his gaze finds mine. I watch him as he begins to fuck me harder and then he comes. His lips part and his own exhaled sigh escapes his mouth. It’s beautiful, it’s the most gorgeous sight I’ve ever seen, watching him come, feeling him fill my body with his release.

  His blue eyes don’t leave mine, he keeps himself buried deep inside of me, his cock twitching before he begins to slowly move in and out of me at a leisurely pace. Then he stops, planting himself deep as his eyes search my own. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but whatever it is, he doesn’t ask.

  Moving my hands up his shoulders, I cup his cheeks and gently tug his face closer to mine. My lips touch his as my eyes flutter closed. Inhaling his scent, I tighten my thighs around his hips, eliciting a groan from deep inside of him. I swallow his groan as a sense of pride fills my entire chest.

  He breaks the kiss, then pulls out of me before he rolls onto his back. I follow him, unable to stay away from his body, as I roll and press my front to his side. Carlo wraps his arms around me. A purr escapes my lips as his fingers begin to trail up and down my spine.

  Tilting my head back, I look up into his blue gaze. “Don’t leave me for an entire week again,” I whisper.

  A ghost of a smile appears on his lips as he shifts my hair and tucks it behind my ear. “I’ll do my best, tesoro.”

  I don’t ask him any more questions, not like I want to. I have a million to ask, but I find myself not feeling quite ready for his answers. It makes me weak, but then again, Arlo makes me weak.

  I’ve never felt this way with another man before and I’m so afraid that I could be allowing my desire and need for him to overrule my own common sense. But I’m also too scared to question anything too deeply, afraid that this could end at any second.

  “Thank you,” I whisper, tilting my head down and pressing my lips against his pec.

  His fingers continue to stroke my skin. I force my body to relax, pressing my cheek against his chest. Closing my eyes, I make sure my breathing becomes slow and even. His lips touch the top of my head. Then, I hear his whisper in the room.

  “I’m sorry, tesoro,” he breathes against the top of my head. His lips touch my hair and then I hear his long exhale.

  When his own breathing evens out and his hands fall away from around my body, I lift my head and look at his face. He’s slack with sleep, he looks absolutely devastatingly handsome. Slipping from the bed, I venture to the bathroom.

  Once I’ve finished and am washing my hands, I look at myself in the reflection of the mirror. My earrings twinkle in the bathroom lighting. My eyes skim down to my naked chest, then stomach.

  Placing my hand just below my breasts, against my belly, I smile. I used to hate my stomach, the curves of my waist, but Arlo makes me feel beautiful. I’ve never felt so confident in my own skin and I know that some of it is him, the way he touches me, the way he looks at me. The way that he simply just makes me feel.

  Then, as if I’ve summoned him, just by thinking about him, he appears behind me. Lifting my gaze to his, my eyes find his own in our reflection.

  My entire body trembles as his hands slide around my hips then up to my waist. I whimper when his hands cup my breasts. My head falls back against his shoulder and I moan as his fingers tug my nipples, pinching them, then tugging them again.

  Turning my head to the side, my lips brush the scruff of his jaw. One of his hands disappears and then his fingers press against my clit. Spreading my legs, I moan when two of his fingers slip inside of me as his palm grinds against my clit.

  “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever been with, Lenora,” he exhales.

  I snort, not believing a word he’s said. The man has to have been with plenty of women before, and no doubt most of them were prettier, skinnier, and all-around better in bed than me.

  He hums twisting his head so that his lips touch my own. “I tell you the truth. Trust me, yeah?” he rasps as his tongue sneaks out and tastes my bottom lip.

  His fingers curl inside of me, his palm presses harder against my clit. My legs tremble. I’m hot from the inside out, needing to come again. It’s only been hours, yet here I am, a ball of need.

  I let out a breath that he swallows. “Merda, Lenora. How did I find you and why are you staying with me? Hmm?”

  My lips turn up into a smile against his mouth. “You make me feel good, Carlo. You make me feel wanted and beautiful,” I shamelessly admit.

  His fingers, the way his palm grinds against my clit, they don’t stop moving but the rest of his body goes solid and stiff. He doesn’t kiss me anymore, instead, he focuses on making me come. I’m so close that I don’t notice the way he completely shuts down.

  When I come it’s with a cry as my thighs and body shake. My hand grabs ahold of his forearm and I squeeze, whimpering and begging him to stop when it becomes too much. He does. He removes himself from between my legs and takes a step back from me. I miss his hard chest against my b
ack and the warmth of his body instantly.

  Turning around, I watch his back as he walks out of the bathroom. I frown, wondering where he could be going and what’s just happened. Something has changed, I can practically taste it in the air around me right now. I don’t follow behind him, not immediately, too afraid to find out exactly what is going on.

  Inhaling a deep breath through my nose, I let it out through my mouth and walk back into the bedroom. Carlo isn’t in bed, not that I really expected him to be. The way his body was rigid and stiff as he walked away from me, I knew he wouldn’t go back to bed.

  I spot his shirt on the floor and shrug it on, holding it to my face and inhaling his scent. I button the two middle buttons and head out in search of him. The night sky is dark, the few stars that are visible wink and twinkle through the large windows that surround the entire living area of the apartment.

  Carlo isn’t hard to find. He’s on the balcony, the same place that I found him in the middle of the night at his other apartment. There’s a cigarette between his lips, the amber glow plainly visible even from where I stand.

  Barefoot, I pad over to him. Opening the door, I grin at the view he’s treated me to. He’s bent over slightly, his elbows on the banister and completely naked. That is something I don’t ever think I’ll get tired of, seeing him naked and outside. He’s sexy, sexier than I imagined a man could be, at least a man that wanted me could be.

  ARLO

  Lenora’s trust in me is misplaced, and it’s too fucking much. It weighs too heavily on my mind. Sleep evades me. When I found the bed empty, I went in search of her, the light shining through the crack of the closed bathroom door alerting me that she hadn’t gone far.

  Inhaling the smoke, I close my eyes as it fills me, calms me. I wish it were stronger, but I didn’t bring anything else with me. I’ll have to fully stock this place at the first chance that I get.