Before I can answer she jogs past him and looks over her shoulder. "Tag and you're it!"
A huge smile eliminates the hurt threatening his feelings, and he chases after her. Both of their giggles bouncing off the hardwood until they fade away down the stairs. Mrs. Benson's pancakes their reward. Just like both of them are for me. That I may not deserve but I'm damn sure going to try and earn it back.
10
Chapter Ten
I never renege on a promise. In my business, when I give my word, it's a fucking guarantee. My honor. My integrity. My code.
But with Molly, hell the fuck yes I can change my mind. I've got to put a stop to this bullshit. To the two tipsy girls wanting to drag her away. Oblivious to the torture they are causing me. Laughing it up in my living room. Flirting with Ty and fawning over Eli. Both of my brothers lapping up the attention like caged dogs finally let free.
Pushing deeper between her spread thighs, I nuzzle the sweet spot on the side of her dainty throat while I slide her present out of my pocket. "Happy birthday, angel."
I drape the sparkling bracelet around her slender wrist, clasping the platinum lock before kissing the delicate skin over her pulse point. Not the ring I want to give her, but that will come. Very soon. Just like the two of us.
But, tonight this jewelry will have to suffice. Serving to ensure her tracker is in place. Reminding her of who she belongs to. And warning any bastard who tries to get too close that's she's taken. Draped in eight hundred grand worth of black and white diamonds, baby girl's off limits to any motherfucking asshole dumb enough to try and get through Boz and Duncan. As well as the other guards she doesn't know I've inundated my club with to watch over her.
"Oh, Luciano. Thank you! I love it!"
I love you too. And, I'm going to fucking do so much better job of showing you. "Good."
She lifts her trembling hand to examine the stones closer before meeting my gaze. "But, they - they're not real, are they?"
A smirk twists my smile. I love watching her squirm. "Fuck yeah, all almost one million dollars of them."
Scarlet burns her cheeks, and her head twists furiously. Huge blue eyes flick back and forth between me and the cause of her angst before she starts to slide my gift off her arm. "It's too much. I mean it's so beautiful, but you shouldn't have spent so much."
For some reason that pisses me off. She deserves this, and so much more, and I'm going to fucking love giving her the whole fucking world. "I do whatever the fuck I want, and if that means I give you something almost as beautiful as you are, then I will."
A shaky breath blows out of her pink lips, and the smile returns full force. Ignoring my bastard tone. Tolerating the possessiveness only she stirs in me. "Okay. Thank you."
She leans into my knuckles stroking her soft cheek. Reminding myself for the need to be gentle with her. Wives belong on pedestals, not their knees. Except in the bedroom when my cock's involved, of course. "You're welcome."
Loathe to lose her touch, but I have one more surprise. This one both of us will enjoy.
After grabbing two small tumblers, I pour a few ounces of my favorite whiskey into each glass. My mind still fucking blown that she's never had a drop of alcohol until now. Her twenty-first birthday. But I'm for damn sure going to be the first and only man to give her a taste. "Cheers."
I tap my cup against the rim of hers, wrapped in her small hands. Uncertainty furrows her brow, and she tips her head toward the bottles lined up on the wet bar. "Should I get some water or something too?"
My head shakes as I set down my glass. "No, this is the good stuff. You can take it straight, no chaser."
The doubt clears from her expression, almost bringing me to my knees that she trusts me so fucking completely. She takes a hesitant drink, holding the liquid in her mouth before swallowing. A small grin lifts her cheeks.
"It's really good. I like it."
I love the pleasure ribboning through her voice. Exciting me to show her more things she'll enjoy. "I thought you would."
While she takes another small sip, I push up her skirt and stoke her thighs, brushing my thumb over the silk between her legs. I meet her gaze. Seeking her permission before I show her how much I want her. How much I love her.
Breaths turn to pants and she nods, sucking in her bottom lip in expectation. Somehow I force myself to be gentle. I know what this means to her. To let me touch her where that bastard humiliated her.
Drawing aside the white fabric, I almost fucking explode. The perfect reminder of her innocence. I graze her satin skin but she tenses under my palm. Which guts my chest like a blade. I refuse to allow her to be scared of me. Or fear what I’m going to do to her.
Slower than I ever thought possible, I trail my fingertip up and down her soft folds, with a patience I don’t normally possess. With a shaking hand she puts her drink down too and grips my shirt sleeve. Following along my movements as I stroke her. Slow and long with feather light touches.
Wetness coats my finger, and her eyes flutter shut. A small mew of happiness encourages me to increase the pressure. Firm caresses that brush against the edge of her clit before finally circling around and around the puckered nub. A shuddering gasp rocks her entire body when I thumb the neglected peak.
"We're going to get caught."
A half-hearted shove against my forearm. Like I'd ever fucking stop pleasuring her. "I don't give a damn."
It’s fucking glorious to see her so lost in her bliss. Her delicate beauty overwhelms me. I need more. I need to give her more.
After laying her back on the granite, I blow on her exposed pussy, fucking loving the goose bumps rising on her legs. Her back arches, moving her heaven farther away from my mouth. Which neither of us can stand. Proof from her hands gliding over my scalp guiding me closer.
Fuck me. She's even more lavish than I imagined laid out bare for me on my counter. Begging for my tongue with her rising hips. “You’re so fucking gorgeous angel.”
Before she can respond, I suck in her clit, going straight to her pleasure point. To show her how good it can be. How good we are together. My name tangled in a moan her only answer. The best fucking sound I’ve ever heard her make.
Sliding my hands underneath the waistband, I jerk upwards, ripping the skirt apart. Too damn short for her to be wearing out of the house. Especially without me. With a wide tongue, I lick her arousal, welcoming her body lifting to meet my mouth. To give herself to me.
I kiss up her trembling stomach. The silky bronze tank top, with too fucking low v-neck, bunches around her breasts. I slit that fabric too, exposing her strapless beige bra. While snapping open the clasp with one hand, the other one snakes lower. Slowly massaging her torso until I’m back at the paradise between her thighs. I need to see her beautiful face when I make her orgasm for the very first time.
When I reach her lips, her tongue battles with mine. Pulling me in deeper. Tasting the rich liquor warming us. Caught up in her passion, her hands roam from my hair to my back to my biceps. Her body frantic to tip over the edge. I give her what she needs. Two urgent strokes before I tweak her throbbing nub. She detonates underneath me, crying into my mouth.
While she floats down, I cradle her head and hold her pulsing body. Nuzzling her neck, smiling from my cologne floating on her skin. She wraps around me, clinging to me so fucking tight I almost think she won't let me go. That I can keep her here with me tonight. Keep her with me forever. "Now you smell like me."
Her sweet giggle tickles my ear. "I smell like sex."
"Even better. Now any other motherfucker who comes near you will know you belong to me."
She angles sideways, searching my face as if she still worries about placating me. "There won't be any other men. I swear."
My angel understands me better than I thought. Telling me what I need to hear. Appeasing my worries. Although I know my contentment will instantly evaporate the minute she leaves.
"Molly, come on!" A shrill voice sounds from the front o
f the house. Boisterous laughter following. "It's time to go!"
Now my lips graze her ear, growling my displeasure. "I fucking hate this. Stay with me."
“I can’t. I promised.”
She starts to sit up, and I fight the movement like a dumb ass. Like holding her down is going to help this situation in any way. When I really just want to carry her upstairs and fuck her until she can’t walk away from me ever again.
“But, why don’t you come with us? It’ll be fun.”
The fuck it will be. Fun is her spread across my bed, breathless and begging me for more. “You know I told Eli we’d have a boy’s night since you’re going out without him.”
Her frown deepens from my reminder. Yes, I’m a total fucking asshole for making her feel even worse. She might as well know now that I’m a mean ass bastard when I pout. Yet I only feel guilty when my pettiness is directed at her. “He’ll be fine. We’ll stuff ourselves with a bunch of junk food and watch his favorite movie. Again.”
I earn a small smile when I roll my eyes. No one knows the torture more than her of the cartoon on repeat for the millionth time. I shrug off my shirt and wrap the white linen around her fucking gorgeous naked body. Which I fucking hate hiding from my greedy eyes. “Let’s get you some appropriate clothes to go out in.”
Now it’s her turn to smirk. “Those were appropriate until you ruined them.”
Fuck she’s sexy when she gets smart ass. “Not for you.”
I take her small hand and lead her up the back stairs. Protecting me from her friends’ disapproval and her from Ty’s shameless gaze. No one gets to see baby girl naked except me.
She curls against me while we walk, resting her head on my shoulder. The contented sigh confirming I’ve made her happy. At least for now.
Inside her room, I drop down in the side chair, waiting while she takes a quick shower. Fighting the urge to follow her in. Luxuriating as her sweet body wash fills the air. Jacking with my phone to keep my hand off my dick that can’t fucking stop imagining her wet and naked.
Fuck it. Unable to stifle my insatiable groan while she dries off, I toss the cell and lean back against the cushion, my legs outstretched in front of me, so I can enjoy her every sensual move. Slowly rubbing white lotion over her gorgeous tits and thighs. Releasing her twisted hair to cascade down her smooth back. Sliding on a purple thong and matching bra. My own personal strip show going in the wrong fucking order.
I zero in on her cute ass as she pads into the closet. The rustling of hangers sliding across the bar echoes from inside. Better not be the same kind of sexy outfit as before. “No skirt.”
She peeks out her shaking head and makes a huge exaggeration of holding up a pair of black silk Capri pants for my asshole approval. Once she pulls on a short jacket over her still too fucking low cut shirt, I’m satisfied. Kind of. But I’m fucking smart enough to keep my mouth shut for once. I don’t want her last few minutes with me tonight to be in an argument.
Unwilling to hold back any longer, I stride toward her, grinding my dick into her back while she runs a tube of gloss over her pink lips. My fingertips linger on the nape of her neck before I glide her hair out of the way, and suck the tender skin on her shoulder. Loving her gasp, the shudder of her delicate body under my lips.
The other hand snakes around her waist when she leans back into my touch, catching her when her knees flex. I palm her dainty throat, squeezing enough to get her attention, and tip her head backward so my mouth brushes her ear. “I want you in my bed as soon as you get home.”
Gorgeous blue eyes meet mine in the mirror. Flaming with the same desire. Burning with the pure lust igniting between us again. “Okay, Luciano.”
This time she curls her fingers around mine, guiding me to the living room where her friends have started the party already. One with a beer to her lips, while the other sits on Ty’s lap, his hand dangerously close to the hem of her glittery hooker dress. Eli's oblivious to their impropriety, while he attempts to pour a bag of chips into a bowl. Only half of them actually make it in to the container.
Ty stands up and sets the brunette on her feet. She quickly grabs onto him again. “Ready Molls?”
Hell the fuck no. “What're you doing?”
My brother shrugs, nonchalance meeting my ire. “I’m going with them.”
“The fuck you are.”
Eli’s head flies up from cleaning his mess. Worry lines his little face. More from my tone than my language. Always fearful when there’s an argument. Too many scary memories from our Dad and Harper. People fight and then they leave and never come back. The only experience he knows. Which I’ve got to fucking dispel.
“Dial it down bro.” He nods toward our little brother. At least sober enough to recognize when Eli’s frightened. “Consider me protection. I’ll watch your girl and make sure nothing happens to her.”
He draws Molly’s friend closer and runs his nose through her hair. “To any of them. Except from me.”
A seductive laugh bubbles in her throat, and she yanks him down to her, her tongue invading his mouth. Of course, my man whore of a brother gives it right back to her. Fucking shit. He’s known her twenty fucking minutes and already almost fucking her right in front of us.
I glance back at Molly who kneels down, soothing Eli with her soft voice. How the hell did she end up with such a slutty friend? My own conscience cringing that she’s the kind of girl we used to bring home all the time. Never had a damn bit of remorse. I was such a fucking idiot. Still am for letting her do this.
A smile covers Eli’s face, love filling his expression as he hugs her. While relief softens mine that she’s worked her magic.
“Be good tonight, and we’ll do something fun tomorrow, okay?”
He nods against her shoulder, squeezing as tight a four year old can. All is right with his world once again. She helps him pick up the rest of the chips while her other friend chugs the remainder of her drink. It’s going to be a long fucking night for both of us waiting for her to get back.
Once Eli releases her, Molly grabs my hand, kissing my cheek with her soft lips. “You be good too, and we’ll do something fun tonight, okay?”
Fuck me. This woman owns me with one naughty whisper. God, I fucking love her. “I should be telling you that.”
“Don’t worry. I will be.”
All Eli and I can do is wave as they drag her away, giggling and tumbling into the Escalade with Kurt closing the door behind them. He gives me a sharp nod, conveying he’s got everything under control. Too bad I can’t say the same thing about my heart. Or my dick.
I gently slide Eli’s door closed and head to my office. Little man couldn't even make it through just twenty minutes of the second movie before he fell asleep. Too far gone to even stir when I flipped over to catch the rest of the game instead. Or, kidded myself that I was interested in the score. When most of the time my attention stayed on my phone. Watching for updates. Or fucking demanding them when they didn't come through often enough.
Girls on the dance floor. Ty at the bar.
Dumped a drink some asshole tried to send over to her.
Friend blew chunks in the bathroom. Put her in a cab home.
Laid out a bastard who got too close.
That one fucking bad enough to make me call Boz. Luckily, she had no idea what happened. Otherwise, it would have ruined her evening. Mine too. Because I'll be god damned that at least one of us is going to have a good time tonight. She deserves to have her fun.
While I'm in fucking hell. I glance at the screen again. Almost midnight here, but only ten o'clock in L.A. Might as well return DeMarco's call. The mob boss as anxious as I am to halt Annikov’s once slow creep into my territory as well as out west.
So as much as I fucking hate having to rely on anyone else, I’m willing to partner with DeMarco to protect both of our businesses. With his ruthless reputation, I’d rather be with him than against him. Battling simultaneous wars on two fronts would not be prudent.
I tap the button for him and almost instantly a decline message pops up. Give me two minutes.
Shouldn't be surprised since I've been waiting all damn night. Might as well wait on him too.
My frustration is short-lived when his digits blink on my screen. "Luc here."
"Sorry about that. My daughter's teething, and I'm massaging her gums while we wait for the Tylenol to kick in. I don't want her biting my wife."
Interesting that he shares such personal information. Could make a man appear weak to show concern and be so intimately involved with his family. Yet, actually reflects the opposite. Confirms he’s got nothing to prove. Confident in his role as west coast king.
Soft gurgling murmurs in the background. I wasn't around as much when Eli went through that stage. Back when Dad's marriage was still strong. But I remember him wailing like a beast during Sunday dinner until Harper gave him a cold wash cloth to suck on. Relief for all of us. Sounds like they appreciate the respite too. "No worries. This won't take long. Creed's been laying low since the attack. But it's not going to last. We need to pull the trigger."
"I want his ass gone now too before he can mount any plans for retribution. But I don't want to rush and fuck this up with stupid mistakes. We need to look well beyond just his elimination."
The vibration against my ear reminds me of who I'm doing this for. Anxious more than I should be to read the text waiting for me, I force myself to ignore the message. I've got to focus on business instead of my cock. "Agreed. We'll be stronger than hell together. Which also puts us on all the east coast families' radars."
"Yeah, so let's not do anything that will make ourselves targets any more than necessary. We need to meet and make a plan."
"When and where?"
"My house Monday night. Join me for dinner with my family and then we can hash everything out."
A long trip for one meeting. But it's more than just a meal and a strategy session. Rather a symbol of our partnership. We both have to prove our loyalty and commitment to each other and the deal. He can call the shots on his own turf, but conveys his trust in me to include his wife. I must do the same. "I'll be there."
Straight, No Chaser: A Mafia Alpha Bad Boy Romance Page 7