Mafia Romance Series

by Smanta Howard

  “If you will stay, we will spend the remainder of the evening in the apartment downstairs. I am sure that you will be comfortable there,” Davio said.

  Ashely guessed that Davio had noticed her hesitation and he knew why she did not want to return to his bed. She was thankful for his consideration and agreed to stay the evening, but she told him she must return to work on Monday. She was anxious to continue the job he had hired her to do. It was the part of her life that she loved most.

  Davio took Ashley by the hand and led her toward the stairs. She was powerless to say no to this man. Ever since that first day when he had introduced her to passion, she held him dearly in her heart. He had been so gentle and understanding, trying not to cause her pain when pain was inevitable. Since then, every time he made love to her she fell a little harder. Even in her inexperience, she knew that no man would ever mean to her what Davio meant.

  When they reached the foot of the stairs Davio turned and kissed Ashley gently on the lips. The kiss quickly went from gentle to frantic when she felt Davio reach for the zipper on the back of her dress. She felt the dress give way and Davio didn’t waste any time in removing it. Next he unhooked her bra and allowed it to drop on the floor along with the dress. She stood there, naked except for her panties, and allowed Davio to stare at her beauty. She saw the passion in his eyes and she was glad to be the reason for that passion.

  Davio took her hand and led her to the bed, gently laying her on her back. She watched as he started removing his clothing. She never tired of seeing his manhood spring free of his pants when he was fully aroused. That part of him had caused her extreme pain, and it had given her unbelievable pleasure. She loved to feel it buried deep inside her.

  Davio leaned over and removed Ashley’s panties, leaving her completely naked to his sight. He loved looking at her body. He had had his fair share of women, but never had he had one as beautiful and innocent as Ashley. She had gotten to him, made him think about his feelings. When he made love to her, it meant something to him other than a climax.

  Ashley lay there patiently waiting to see what Davio was going to do. She detected something different in him tonight. He looked at her differently. Was it possible the he was developing feelings for her the way she had for him?

  Davio started kissing her neck and worked his way down. He wanted to savor Ashley tonight. He wanted this evening to be special in a way the other times had not. He wanted to take his time and get to know every inch of her body. He paused at her breasts, taking each one in his mouth. He took his hand and moved lower to find that spot between her thighs that gave her the most pleasure. His finger found her clitoris and started massaging it, giving her intense pleasure. He watched as she threw her head back and closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling he was causing to happen deep inside her.

  Ashley felt Davio spread her legs and place himself between them. He gently entered her, slowly sinking as deep as he could. This was not the Davio Ashley remembered. He was going slowly, not trying to get her too excited too early. He started moving in and out, staring deep into her eyes each time he thrust into her. He wanted to make this last. He wanted to build them both up slowly and to just allow them to take their time enjoying each other’s bodies. He leaned down and kissed her while he continued moving in and out of her body.

  Before long it was inevitable that passion mounted and Davio began to move faster. Ashely felt a slow rise in the heat that was streaking from her inner most being. She felt her climax beginning, climbing slowly so that she could enjoy every minute. Davio continued moving in and out, taking them both to the height of passion before the both came crashing back down to earth.

  Chapter 6

  Things changed between Ashley and Davio after the party. He was more attentive to her, talking to her, asking her about her family and her life. She too felt something had changed between them. He had been so gentle and loving that night, almost as if he was making love to somebody he loved. He was almost distracting, always wanting to talk with her, have lunch with her, even asking to be introduced to her parents. Ashely knew that if he didn’t get out of her hair she would never complete the work on his house.

  A break came one day when Davio told her that he had to travel out of town for business and he expected to be gone for a week. Ashley was relieved, thinking that would give her the time she needed to get back on track. But before he left, Davio insisted on taking her out to dinner.

  Ashley agreed to dinner if it meant that she would have some time alone to concentrate on her work. She rushed home and jumped in the shower. She chose a pale blue blouse and a pair of navy dress slacks, not knowing what type of restaurant Davio had in mind. Since the temperatures had turned cooler, she chose a matching sweater to complete the outfit.

  Davio arrived at 6 p.m., looking handsome as ever in black dress slacks and a light turquois shirt. Ashley noticed how his shirt accented his eyes, making him look very handsome. She wondered why Davio had insisted on this dinner before leaving on his trip.

  As usual, Davio chose a fantastic place to eat. They pulled up to a small steak house that was almost hidden from the road. They walked up to the front door and Ashley noticed the place had once been a house, but was now converted into a quaint little restaurant. When they entered the hostess obviously recognized Davio when she told him his reservations were ready.

  The hostess escorted them to a room off to one side of the main dining room. When they arrived the doors were closed and the room did not have any other occupants. Ashley looked at Davio, questioning what was going on.

  “I have arranged for the two of us to dine alone this evening,” Davio said. “We will have the entire room to ourselves. I have some things I need to discuss with you before I leave on my trip.”

  Ashley felt the hair stand up on the back of her neck. It wasn’t fear, rather she suspected something big was about to happen, and she was not sure she was ready.

  Once they were seated Davio ordered a bottle of white wine, telling Ashley they had some of the best wine in the city. The waitress soon returned with their wine, placing two glasses on the table. She poured each of them a glass before leaving.

  “I hope you don’t mind, I have taken the liberty of ordering for us,” Davio said. “This place is known for their excellent filet mignon. I hope that you will find it to your liking.”

  “Yes, I love filet mignon, but I fear I have not had much to compare it to. I couldn’t really afford such luxury while in college,” Ashley said.

  “Then you are really in for a treat,” he said.

  The two of them sipped their wine and chatted while waiting on their meal. Davio told her that he hated to leave town right now, but he needed to fly up north and settle a dispute between their shipping companies. Ashley wondered exactly what all Davio’s family was involved in. She knew they were very rich, but what types of businesses did they own?

  Soon their food arrived and Ashley found it to be as delicious as Davio has said. The meat was so tender that she didn’t really have to use a knife, but she did anyway just because she felt it was the right thing to do. She enjoyed the entire meal, which consisted of a baked potato, salad, and the perfectly cooked filet. She was glad that she had agreed to have dinner with Davio before his trip. She would have this memory to hold onto while he was gone.

  Ashley knew that she should not think about missing Davio. He was just her employer, nothing more. One day she would complete her job and Davio would move on. But Ashley knew that when he moved on, he would take her heart with him. She had fallen for Davio, even though he was the exact opposite of what she wanted in life. His life was in the fast lane while hers was at a much lower scale. Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted when Davio reached across the table and took her hand.

  “Ashley, I know that we haven’t known each other for very long, but I have come to care for you very deeply. I can’t imagine ever not having you in my life. Before I leave on this trip, I wish you would consent to becoming my wife.
I can give you the life you deserve,” Davio said.

  Ashley was totally in shock. Davio had just asked her to marry him! That was the last thing she expected. She was even more shocked when he pulled out a small box and opened it, revealing the largest diamond ring she had ever seen.

  ***

  Davio had been for two days and Ashley was still in disbelief about what had happened before he left. He wanted to marry her? Where had that come from? She looked at the large diamond on her finger and wondered if she was doing the right thing. She wanted to be Davio’s wife, but she was not sure that she wanted the lifestyle that came along with it. Davio was part of an empire, with business associates and family in high places. She was just an unexperienced interior decorator who loved making a living decorating houses.

  There were so many things going through her mind. How would she break the news to her parents? What would her mother say when she found out her daughter was planning to marry a mobster? The doorbell rang and interrupted her thoughts.

  Ashley was surprised to find Jasmine at the front door, looking as beautiful as ever. Davio certainly earned his good looks. Both of his parents were very attractive.

  “I’m sorry, Ms. Porchelli, Davio is not here,” Ashley said.

  “I know. He is away on a business trip. But I did not come to see Davio, I came to see you,” Jasmine said.

  Ashley stepped aside and allow Jasmine to enter. She had absolutely no idea why Jasmine wanted to see her, but she had the feeling she was about to find out.

  “Davio has told me that he asked you to marry him,” Jasmine said.

  “I didn’t realize that he had spoken to you about this. He only asked me the night before he left,” Ashley replied.

  “Well, he couldn’t wait to call me and give me the good news. You have captivated my son’s heart. It is important to our family that Davio settle down and continue the Porchelli tradition. I am just wondering if you are really ready to take on this lifestyle,” Jasmine said.

  “I do love your son, I do. But I do not come from money the way Davio does. My idea of a happy life is not always entertaining and playing hostess to numerous parties. I just want to continue my career and live my life peacefully, maybe someday having a couple of kids,” Ashley said. “I am just afraid that I will not measure up to Davio’s expectations.”

  “Oh, I think you measure up quite well. You are smart, beautiful, and clearly devoted to your work. But I must warn you, life in the Porchelli family is not always pleasant. The Porchelli men can be intense, arrogant, even high-spirited. It is the women who have to keep them grounded. Having a devoted woman allows them men to carry on their work, keep the empire going,” said Jasmine.

  “But I come from an entirely different life. I was not born into riches the way Davio was. I actually enjoy my work. It allows me to feel like I have accomplished something. I don’t want to stay at home living off Davio’s money. I want to continue my career, and I fear that Davio will not like that,” Ashley said.

  “Look dear, wanting to work for your own money is an admirable trait. So many women would jump at the chance to marry Davio and spend the rest of their lives shopping and spending his money. But you are different. You really care for Davio, and not just his money. As long as you are doing an honest job, I don’t see why there should be an issue with you continuing to work. And I think Davio will grant you any request you have. He is quite smitten with you just as you are. As far as the entertaining, we get together as a family for certain occasions, and maybe we throw a big celebration to help land a big deal, but our life is not one of constant parties and entertainment. We actually live relatively normal lives most of the time. I believe that you will fit in nicely with the rest of us. Why, I may even be interested in hiring you myself once you are finished here. I love what you are doing for Davio’s home,” Jasmine said.

  Ashley was going over everything that Jasmine had said. She wanted to believe that she could be happy with Davio. She wanted to believe that she could actually step into his lifestyle and still keep her own identity. Davio had insisted that she wear the ring and think about having a future with him. He wanted to plan a Christmas wedding and Ashley was concerned they didn’t have time to do things properly. Christmas was just a couple of short months away, and planning a wedding that was suitable for the Porchelli family could take up to a year.

  Ashley had decided to tackle Davio’s office while he was away on his trip. She knew that he did a lot of his work from there, and if she played her time right, she could be finished with the office by the time he returned. She looked at the huge desk that dominated the room. She had already scheduled the painters so she had to get everything packed up before they arrived. She grabbed a couple of boxes and started clearing everything from the top of the desk. She labeled the box as items from top of desk.

  After she had cleared the top of the desk Ashley decided to rummage through the kitchen and see if she could find something to eat for lunch. She had skipped breakfast and now her stomach was reminding her she needed to eat. She found some cold cuts in the fridge and decided to make herself a sandwich.

  Ashley took her sandwich and soda back to the office. She might as well continue packing while she ate. She sat down in Davio’s chair and pulled open one of the large drawers located on the side of the desk. She reached down and picked up a stack of papers, preparing to place them in the empty box beside the chair. She started to straighten the papers when she discovered a stack of photographs. She looked in horror at the photographs of Randall Thompson violating her body, while one of his thugs held her legs open. She saw the reflection of the camera man in the mirror of Davio’s dresser. She looked at the rest of the photos, showing all of the vile, decrepit acts that Randall had done to her naked body. It was all there, the thug squeezing her breasts, her eyes closed as if she was enjoying it, and Randall’s hands spreading open her womanhood so wide that he caused her to bleed. She looked at the smile on Randall’s face and felt the bile rise in her throat. She dropped the photos and ran out the front door.

  << The End >>

  Folks (BWWM Mafia Romance Book 4)

  Chapter 1

  Davio Porchelli had asked Ashley Lane to marry him no later than Christmas. She had a lot of misgivings, in spite of the fact that she loved him. His mother, Jasmine Porchelli had paid her a visit while Davio and had given Ashley her blessings. She admired the huge diamond ring that Davio had presented to her. But while Davio was out of town for a week, Ashley saw that as the perfect time to remodel his office. She was packing up the things from his desk when she discovered a stack of photographs showing Randall Thompson raping her. She realized in horror that Davio had seen these photographs, he had known what Randall had done to her. How could she ever expect to marry him after he had seen this? And how could she ever expect to fit into his elite family after suffering through this vile act? She felt dirty all over again.

  After discovering the photos, Ashley had ran from the house in tears. The photos brought back all of the memories of what Randall had done to her. Every time she closed her eyes she could see that vile man pulling out his manhood, preparing to violate her and make her unfit for Davio. She thought she had moved on, but seeing those photos made her realize that she was damaged goods, and not worthy of Davio’s love. She wondered why Davio had not destroyed them. If he had she might never have known of their existence.

  Davio returned home from his trip expecting to find Ashley working at his house. Instead, when he pulled up he noticed that her car was gone and the house was empty. He took his briefcase into his office and discovered that Ashley had started to work in there. When he sat his briefcase down he caught sight of something on the floor behind the desk. He walked around and found the photos that Randall had given to him while trying to convince him Ashley was not right for him. Now Ashley had found them and he guessed she was horrified. Damn, he should have destroyed those photos the way he had destroyed Randall. Ashley had recovered from the rape admira
bly and he was proud of the way she had moved on with her life. Now he feared that Ashley finding those photos would cost him a future with her.

  Ashley had cried for days. All of her dreams and hopes lay shattered at her feet, just like her innocence had been shattered that day Randall had raped her. Damn him! She had done nothing to him. Why did he feel the need to destroy her life? Thinking of Randall brought on a new batch of tears.

  Davio had to go see Ashley. Somehow he had to make her believe those pictures did not change his feelings for her. He had never cared for a woman the way he cared for her and nothing that bastard Randall Thompson had done could change his feelings for Ashley. He picked up his keys and headed to his car. He had to talk some sense into Ashley and he didn’t plan to return home until he did.

  When Davio pulled up to Ashley’s apartment he saw that her car was there. He figured she was a mess after seeing those photos. He cursed himself again for not destroying them. He walked up to the door and knocked, expecting resistance but determined to clear the air.