A Burning Flame

by Daniella Kunz

  I shrug. “You're the one who wanted me to get her here.”

  “Yeah, don’t remind me.” He watches me with calculating eyes for a moment. “Anything you need to tell me? You don’t normally lose your temper so easily.” I roll my shoulders, trying to relieve some pent up tension before looking at him.

  “Nope.” I lie, not intending to tell him about kissing her on the plane or my unwanted attraction to her. He continues to watch me.

  “Okay, because I don’t need to remind you what would be at stake if something were to happen to her.”

  Clever bastard. He can tell she gets under my skin in more than just an antagonizing way. “Yeah, I know.” I clip out, irritated at my rising frustration.

  “Keep your hands off her Daveon.” He steals me with a look of warning to which I nod. “I have to go, keep an eye on them. I don’t trust Gianna with Liliana. That girl has fucking trouble written all over her.”

  You have no idea.

  ***

  After Nico leaves, Liliana informs me they want to go to the beach. Perfect, just what I need, to see Gianna dressed in practically nothing laying out in the sand. Upon arriving, I give them their space, slinking back but still within sight. Not able to take my eyes off her, she lays out on a towel.

  Standing back up, she lifts her eyes to me, sensing them on her. Holding my gaze, she reaches down, grabbing the hem of her tank top before swiftly pulling it over her head. She unbuttons her shorts before sliding them down her long legs, never breaking contact with me.

  Fuuccck. I breathe in with my nose. Despite our constant battle of wills and bickering, we are both drawn to one another, like two magnets with a pull.

  We argue because neither of us wants it. We both know it’s not something we can have. Every time she opens her smart mouth, I want to silence it with my own. Every lash she takes gets me damn near hard. I’m attracted to her fire. Submissive isn’t my type. She is everything I want but can’t have.

  Every cell inside my body is raging to take control, to grab her and demand her mine, to beat my fists over my chest like a barbaric ape. I have to be careful not to slip up again like on the plane. I can’t risk touching or tasting her again. Her cinnamon essence is addictive, and I already feel like a drug addict after just the small hit. If we give in to these desires we both have, nothing good would come from it.

  I shake my head, trying to clear the turn my thoughts have taken. Gianna has now laid down on her towel, flat on her stomach with her perfectly rounded ass only partially covered by her bikini. A low growl escapes my lips as I notice all the men staring at her. I don’t realize I have been clenching my jaw until it is tense and sore under the pressure I put on it.

  I notice a woman coming over to them before stopping in front of Liliana. Alice? What the fuck is she doing now? I never did like that woman. She is whiny and a downright bitch. I step forward, not sure what she is doing. Liliana’s back is to me, and I can’t see her expression, though I know anything that Alice says will probably upset her. After all, she is undeniably jealous of her and Nico, even I can see it.

  Gianna shifts around, looking up at her, still lying down. As I get closer, I begin to pick up a part of their conversation as Gianna speaks to Alice. “Not interested in your fake tits and fake personality.”

  Oh shit. I watch as Alice's face contorts into something venomous as Gianna just lays back down, clearly dismissing her. A smirk pulls on my lips.

  “You little bitch. How dare you talk to me like that. If Nicoli knew what you.-”

  Gianna pushes herself off the ground in a swift movement before standing in front of Alice, interrupting her tantrum. “Said?” she finishes her sentence. “He would do what? Give a damn? I don’t think so hun. Considering Liliana here is the one marrying him in a couple of days where you were always just a hole to stick his dick for a few months while he pined and waited for her. Now that she is in the picture, you clearly mean nothing to him. Again pointing out that she is the one with the ring on her finger. Not you. So why don't you do yourself a favor and run along and find another piece of shit to call your own instead of standing here embarrassing yourself further? Advice from one girl to another? Maybe try finding one who wants you for your horrid personality instead of your ability to suck dick, though. Yeah?”

  Fuck don't hit her because I won't be able to control my dick if you do. I silently plead as a puff of air escapes my lips as I hold in my laughter. Good damn. My cock already twitches at her little display. Instead of responding, Alice storms off, stomping away like a child throwing a tantrum. Gianna settles back down beside Liliana, watching her retreat. “What a fucking bitch.” She says casually, as Liliana bursts into a giggle, and I am left gaping at her with a half hardened cock.

  Fuck, it’s hot. Sitting back into the shade, I deeply regret wearing pants here, but grateful I decided to throw on a light tee. I look back up, noticing as Gianna and Liliana get up, both going separate ways. Motioning my head for Liliana's guards to follow her, she heads in the opposite direction towards the restrooms. I follow Gianna.

  She makes her way to a rundown shack selling some smoothies and waters. I can tell she doesn’t notice me following her as she glances around. She looks focused as she looks through the crowd of people. It takes me a minute to realize what she is looking at or whom. Her gaze bounces around at different men, and I feel tense at the realization. What the fuck is she doing. I watch as her focus stops on one in particular—some ridiculous looking idiot who is throwing a football back and forth with another guy.

  I see when he finally notices her eyes on him. He gets a stupid fucking grin on his face. He throws the football, acting shocked when it lands in her path before he takes off, heading in her direction to retrieve it. Yeah, not fucking happening. I remain rooted in place waiting to see how this plays out. Wanting to see what her goal is here. He closes the distance to her as she picks up the ball. I feel my blood heat as she reaches out touching his bare arm.

  She laughs handing him the football before he steps behind her. Positioning himself against her he places it back in her hands. Raising her arms in an attempt to show her how to throw it. Good fuck. I watch as they finish and he spins her to face him. His hand lands dangerously low on her back and I feel my shoulder pop as it tightens. He runs his fingers over her waist across her stomach leaning in to her and I snap.

  Closing the distance between us, I come up behind him. Her eyes widen as I grab the guy by the neck. Jerking him back, I toss him to the ground. He spits out an angry curse but my eyes are too busy boring holes into Gianna to mind him any attention. I feel a blow to my shoulder and that's all it takes. The last of my control snaps like a twig underfoot. Whirling around I smash my fist into his face. As he doubles over I knee him in the chest.

  He falls hurdled over sputtering blood. Unable to stop I bend down, throwing another fist into his already bleeding face allowing the rage to take over. “Daveon!” Gianna grabs hold of my arm as I go to throw another one down. I jerk my head to her and she takes a step back. Her gaze flicks from the man to my bloodied fist. The uncertainty in her eyes is what settles the dust of anger, clearing my head. Bringing me back to settle behind my calm and controlled mask once again.

  I shake my head looking down. What the fuck are you doing? This is how I act during business with enemies. Not some random bitchass punk on the beach. I feel a soft hand settle gently over my shoulder. "Daveon." Her voice is soothing. I draw in a breath before looking up to her. Not wanting to see her fear directed at me.

  When I glance up there is no longer any traces of it remaining. Her eyes are soft and confused. Pleading with me. "Lets go." She tries to pull me up and I almost laugh at her attempt but keep my mouth shut.

  I allow her to lead me away. Sparing the man his life when I wouldn't have given a second thought to ending it. This woman. I try to understand where that came from. That wasn't just protecting her for her father. No it was more. It was fueled by rage and jealousy. I shake my
head trying to clear my thoughts.

  Gianna pulls her hand from mine as she stops in front of me. She watches me as if expecting me to reprimand her but we both stand in silence.

  I finally break it with a sigh. "Gianna, what the fuck were you trying to do back there?"

  She bristles and I can tell she is going to get lippy. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with. I should ask you what the hell you were doing. You could have killed him."

  I almost laughed. "I would have had you not stopped me." She looks taken aback.

  "No you wouldn't, he didn't deserve that. You had no right to do any of that." I hear the animosity rising in her voice.

  I shrug, unfazed. "Darlin, I have a side that you only scratched the surface on just now. One you don't want to draw out to play. So do yourself a favor and don't piss me off."

  "Piss you off? I was minding my own business. You on the other hand were balls deep in mine." My mind takes a dive straight into the gutter at her choice of words. I could be balls deep in something of hers. Show her why pathetic boys like that other is a waste of her time. "Stay out of my business." She bites out.

  "You are my business."

  "Why because you're supposed to be babysitting me?" She all but spits out.

  "I don't want you eye fucking or touching other men again. Is that clear?"

  She scoffs. "I'm sure my future husband can take over the possessive jealous role when the time comes thanks. I don't need your consent. I'll do what I want." She goes to walk away and I grasp her wrist, jerking her back to me. My anger spikes at her dismissal of my command and mention of her fiance.

  "I don't give a damn about your fiance. That's not what this is. I mean it, stay the fuck away from other men and don't you dare lay another hand on one. I won't stop myself from beating the shit out of the next one you try to."

  Her eyes are hooded as she looks at me. Trying to figure out the meaning to my words. She steps forward placing a hand over my bicep. "I have a problem, Daveon."My anger dissolves like ice on a hot day. Another thing to throw me off balance. Her ability to change my mood in an instant.

  I don't like the mischievous glint in her eyes. I can practically hear karma beating down my door from what it will bring. "What's that?"

  "I'm looking for someone to fuck me before I go home. Maybe you can do the honors?" I damn near swallow my own tongue.

  "What?"

  "Don't be daft, you heard what I said."

  I stare at her. I know she doesn't like her fiance but this is absurd. Does she know the consequences if Enzo found out she wasn't a virgin? My mind is racing and pulling in different directions. My grip tightens over her wrist unintentionally. My voice of reason is trying desperately to keep control over the situation threatening to spiral out of control as I want nothing more than to throw her onto the sand and do just what she asks.

  "Why?" Reason speaks up, feeling cautious and wary of her schemes though my dick could give a shit less.

  "Do I need a reason?"

  No. "Yes, because you're asking me to break my oath and soil your virtue damning you for your husband. Trust me darlin’ I want nothing more than to fuck you into submission but I'm gonna need a pretty good explanation as to why your seeking this out before I can follow through with it." My insides scream as reason continues to win over. I silently plead for her to give me one excuse, one reason to do it.

  She watches me silently for a long while, and I step back. Needing distance to clear the haze in my head she is causing. Were you really going to break your oath? Disobey Nico? You fucking idiot. I grind my teeth at my ignorance, getting angry at myself. "Go. Liliana is waiting." My harsh voice causes her brows pinch in annoyance as I dismiss her.

  I have never once considered breaking my oath before. I would die for it but this woman has me begging for a reason to spit on it. I watch as she whirls and walks back to Liliana, leaving me there wondering what the hell this woman is doing to me.

  Gianna doesn’t go out of her way to talk to me for the rest of the afternoon. Which is okay, because I need some space. Knowing she wants me to fuck her, for whatever reason she may have, is hard enough to deny. I have to remind myself of all the reasons not to in order to keep myself from giving in, though even then, I want to disregard every one and finally have her. I have wanted her since seeing her outside the club for the first time, and my need grows every time I am near her, getting harder to control each time we are together.

  ***

  I retreat to the guest room at the end of the hall, knowing Liliana and Gianna will be up talking all night again, I’m sure. I don’t change or relax until after Nico gets home. Finally, letting my guard down, I head out to smoke. Needing to clear my head and try to relax after all the built-up tension I have from today.

  I leave all the lights off, enjoying the peacefulness of the night. A rush of brisk air wisps around me as I open the glass door before stepping out. I stare out at the city lights while trying to force Gianna and her wicked tempting mouth and offer out of my mind.

  9

  GIANNA

  I slip downstairs to grab some water as I feel a slight breeze wafting in from the balcony. Looking outside, I see Daveon's form shrouded in darkness. Curious, I watch him as he flicks open his lighter, illuminating himself in a soft orange glow as he lifts it to his face, lighting the cigarette between his lips. I watch the end of it glow brightly as he inhales deeply, and I'm drawn forward, like a moth to a flame.

  Silently stepping out onto the cold cement, I watch him. "You know those things are bad for you, right." His body tenses as his head whips in my direction. When his eyes land on me, he draws in one more deep drag before slowly releasing it into the air above us. I smile at having caught him off guard.

  "Yeah, I know it's bad for me, but it doesn't stop me from wanting it." As his eyes roam over me, his penetrating gaze makes me think he isn't talking about the cigarette. "What are you doing out here anyway?"

  "When I came downstairs, I saw you out here and figured you could use some company," I say sensually as I take a couple of steps closer to him.

  He tenses again before shaking his head. "I don't want your company right now." My face falls at his harsh words.

  "Fine then." I spin around to head inside, pissed off before he grasps my wrist, holding me in place.

  "No, stay."

  "You just told me to leave." I bristle under his touch.

  He puts the cigarette to his lips as he draws in a breath, shrugging. "I guess I changed my mind." He says, between blowing out the smoke.

  I watch him warily as he lets go of my wrist when he feels I won't just spin and leave again. Even though I know I should. I stay put instead. We stand in silence as he places the cigarette between his lips once more, and I can’t help from staring at it. Bringing me back to the first time I had seen him, and felt the desire to draw the wisps of smoke from his mouth.

  As he catches me watching, he lifts a brow before pulling it from his lips and holding it out to me. I stare down at it as he watches me with a darkened expression. After a moment of not moving, he goes to withdraw before I reach out stopping him, rising up to his silent challenge.

  Taking it from his fingers, I place it between my own lips. As I suck in a breath I'm slammed with an immediate fit of coughing as my throat burns and my eyes water. “Easy there.” His eyes flash with dark amusement before he reaches out to grab it back. "Here, let me show you." Placing it between his lips once more, he reaches out grabbing hold of me and pulling me against him. My body melts and unravels as I feel his hardened muscles against mine.

  His lip twitches into a wicked smile before he grabs the cigarette between his fingers once more. Drawing in a deep breath he removes it before leaning down and placing his lips over mine. His tongue pushes against them and I voluntarily part my lips welcoming his. I taste the smoke filling my mouth as his lips dance over mine before he draws back from me. He watches me with a dangerous expression as I part my lips breathing out the
remaining bits of smoke left in my mouth. Neither of us move apart as he watches me through hooded eyes.

  The sound of sirens wailing in the distance below pulls his attention off me. When he looks down at me he takes a step back, separating us once again. "It's getting late, you should go in now." He says, dropping his cigarette on the ground. He steps on it extinguishing the embers much like my hopes of taking this further. Not waiting for me to argue he moves past me careful to avoid touching me as he walks inside and goes upstairs to his room.

  ***

  I lay in bed frustrated at Daveon’s continual dismissal of me. I know he wants me just as I want him, but he pushes me away whenever I make a move. Not only that, how am I supposed to sleep with someone if he is always watching me especially if he won’t do it himself. I groan in frustration at my situation. Daveon was the perfect person to sleep with. There is no trying to deny I want him. I mean hell, I only fantasize about his hands on me every night by myself.

  Sliding my hand down my body I close my eyes, feeling the familiar ache between my legs upon thinking of him. As I reach the waistband of my pajamas I stop, opening my eyes. What the hell are you doing? I sit up, not wanting to have to lay here touching myself as I picture Daveon when he is literally just down the hall. Fuck it. Flipping my legs off the bed I stand. Going to my bag I shuffle through some of my items looking for some sexy underwear I had packed. Slipping them on I throw on a shirt and pajama shorts to hide them.

  Flipping off my light, I crack open the door, listening before I open it all the way. Looking around confirming no one's door is open, I slip out, closing it behind me. Tiptoeing down the hall I pass by Liliana and Nico’s room wanting to be quiet, though I don’t think they will hear me over the noises they are making in there. I smirk as I make my way to the end of the hall. Standing in front of Daveon’s room, I can see a faint light is still on in his room. I lift my hand to knock before stopping myself, grabbing hold of the doorknob instead. Turning it, I open the door slightly before slipping inside. Closing the door behind my back, I search the room to find Daveon practically naked on his bed.