A Burning Flame

by Daniella Kunz

  His brow creases as he partially pushes up onto his elbows. “Gianna?” He whispers out. “What are you doing?” Worry draws his lips downward. “Is everything okay?” He shifts as if to slide off the bed. I am stunned into silence as my eyes greedily assess him. His body is like a perfectly chiseled rock. Sculpted with hard lines and contours that move and shift as his muscles flex and move with him. I can see he is sporting a half erect cock inside his briefs that are tight on his body. “Gianna?” His voice a little louder this time, finally gained my attention.

  Moving my legs with determination, I cross the distance, moving in front of him as he sits on the edge of the bed. His eyes now filled with suspicion as he watches me. I notice his nostrils flare at my closeness. “Gianna?” He says my name as if issuing a warning. The heat in his gaze along with the thickness in his voice pushes me forward. Reaching down I grasp hold of my shirt pulling it up and over my head dropping it on the floor next to us. I hear him audibly draw in a deep, ragged breath, which causes a grin to form over my lips.

  His eyes are drawn to my body as they roam over my flesh, with only my bralette partially covering my breast, it’s a stark contrast to my tanned skin. Reaching back down I grab the tied strings at my waist on my shorts. His eyes drop to the motion as he watches me slowly pulling it from the perfectly tied knot. As it comes apart I go to move my hand to the fabric before he grabs hold of my wrists stopping me.

  “Don’t.” His voice comes out strained. His eyes roam my body once more before he speaks again in contradiction to stopping me. “Of all the reasons why this is a horrible idea, I can’t seem to justify a damn one of them right now.” He stops, looking in my eyes. “Gianna, I won’t stop myself this time.” He warns me, his voice rich and low.

  “I don’t want you to.” At my words he drops my hands, freeing me from his grasp. Feeling triumphant I move my hands to my waist pushing my shorts down allowing them to fall softly to my feet. Without hesitation he reaches out for me, grasping me by the waist, he pulls me down onto him. Now straddling his wide hips I push into him, feeling the heat of his broad chest against the swell of my breasts.

  Drawn together with a magnetic attraction we collide as we fuse our lips together. I wrap my arms around his neck as he kisses me, wanting to draw him closer. I can feel the burn of his rough hands as they roam over my skin exploring my curves, leaving behind a trail of fire in their wake. His lips explore mine as he moves his tongue over them. Parting my lips I am desperate for more, wanting to taste him on my tongue.

  Knowing this is my only chance to have him, I want to explore and feel everything to its fullest. I want to be able to hold onto every detail when I am thrust back into my life, forced to marry Enzo. He may take me at that point, but I won’t be with him. Every time, I will be here, reliving this night.

  My realization is like fuel to the fire I am thrown into motion, needing more of him. “Touch me, Daveon. I need you to touch me like I imagined you doing every time I did it myself.” I breathe out against his lips. I feel him still against me before he pulls back separating us to look down at me.

  “What did you just say?” His eyes darken to a rich amber as he watches me, his breathing quickens.

  “I said, I want you to touch me, Daveon.”

  “You fantasized about me while you touched yourself?” He all but growls out.

  “Yes, and I’m desperately hoping the real thing isn’t a let down compared to what I imagined each time.” I challenge him. “You have a lot to live up to.” I smirk at him, feeling how turned on he is at the knowledge he just gained.

  “Fuck, Gianna.” He growls out. I feel him now throbbing below me, teasing me and making my need for him more intense. Lifting me up by my waist he turns us, laying me down on the bed as he looms over me. Leaning down, his lips crash down over mine and I kiss him back with intense eagerness. Fulfilling my request he moves his hand up my thigh till he reaches his mark. He doesn’t dance around teasing me but instead he pushes aside my panties placing his hand over my aching center. I gasp against his lips when his fingers brush against my folds. The feelings that erupt through me as his thumb circles my bundle of nerves is overwhelming. His fingers slide back and forth along my slit as his mouth continues to consume me. His hands are everything I needed, filling in the gaps where my imagination couldn’t. He continues to rub me, circling my clit with his thumb. I wrap my hands around his neck pulling him into me, deepening the kiss as I feel my need rising. He thrusts his tongue into my mouth, wrestling with my own as my orgasm crashes into me. I dig my nails into his broad shoulders as I ride out the waves of pleasure, and I feel him groan at the bite of my nails in his flesh.

  He pulls away from me and rolls to his side, with a swift movement he pulls down my panties, removing them out of the way. Sliding off the bed he watches me as he grabs hold of the fabric of his boxers before pulling them down, baring his erect cock as they fall to the ground. I can’t keep my eyes away as I take in every inch of him, from his thick arms to his chiseled abs. My eyes drop to the low v-line at his waist, guiding my eyes to his hardened length. My body hums with approval as I watch him; it calls out to him as every inch of it wants to be caressed by him.

  An arrogant smirk twists on his lips. “When you're done admiring me we can continue.” I grab a pillow from behind me throwing it at him, wanting to wipe off his cocky expression. He easily dodges the pillow before his eyes narrow playfully as he advances to me. Placing his hands on the bed he crawls across the mattress, slinking towards me as the muscles ripple in his shoulders like a predator. His playful expression is gone, now replaced with darkness, looking like a lethal animal. Something tells me this is the real man behind the easygoing mask he uses day to day. Something he only created to lure people in, allowing someone to get close before attacking them with a deadly blow at close range.

  My pulse quickens as my mind fills with apprehension, but I don’t move. While my mind is screaming out my body is bathing in lust as I watch him. Settling over top of me I feel the vibrations of his chest as he speaks. “You’re still a virgin?” He asks, looking down at me.

  “Yes, but only in the sense of it being an actual man and not my vibrator.”

  “Good, becasue I fuck like I fight, I am not gentle.” A wicked smirk twists on his face as he grasps my hips yanking me roughly down till I feel his length at my opening. Just as quickly as he pulls me down, he thrusts forward slamming his cock into me. A gasp escapes my lips as I feel my body stretch to accept his size. Definitely bigger than my vibrator.

  He begins to move against me and I feel his muscles flex at each thrust. I grip his shoulders, pushing the pads of my fingers into him as I relish the feel each time he pushes into me before sliding out. His pace is moderate and I can tell he is holding back as his jaw is clenched with every thrust. “Is that all you've got? I can do better with my vibrator, Hercules.” I taunt him, even though I know he is only pacing himself to ease me into it, being my first time.

  His eyes flash before he slams into me harder. Thrusting into me faster as my body moves underneath his power each time he connects. Pleasure slowly begins to build as he dips lower, changing the angle, putting more of his weight on me as he lowers his lips to my throat. I feel a spark of an intense shock as he buries himself deep inside of me. Feeling his lips roam over my skin along with the pleasure building inside of me, I feel I might ignite and burst into flames at any moment. He bites down into my flesh and a moan escapes my lips.

  The ecstasy I feel building is unlike anything I was able to produce myself alone in my room. Nothing up until this point comes close to comparison to the desire he is pulling from my body. My moans begin to get louder before Daveon’s eyes widen and he crashes his mouth over mine silencing my cries with his mouth as my orgasm rushes through me. My core tightens before I arch into his weight, digging into his flesh yet again with my nails as the waves of ecstasy overcome me. Once I become still he lifts up bracing himself on his hands beside me as he pump
s into me faster. I watch, fascinated as his face contours with pleasure, closing his eyes as he tenses inside of me with a groan. As he begins to slow, coming to a stop he opens them looking down at me, and I see it.

  Possession. His eyes are dark and filled with it as his stare burns through me. His breath comes out in harsh draws. He must have seen something reflecting the startled worry I feel inside because he opens his mouth to speak.

  “I told you before Gianna, if we ever fucked, you would belong to me.” My eyes widen at his words. “You are mine every inch of you, and no one will touch what belongs to me.”

  10

  DAVEON

  As I look down into Gianna’s eyes and feel her smooth skin under my body, I know she is mine. I don’t care what I have to do to make it happen, it will. Slowly pulling out of her in case she is sore, I move off of her. Just now realizing I didn’t use a condom in my blinding haste to bury myself inside her. Oh fuck. Looking down at my dick before my eyes slice over to her in a panic.

  She is still watching me as she tilts her head to the side at my odd reaction. “Are you on birth control?” I ask her. Her face falls at my question, taking her time to respond.

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Fuck.” I hiss out, running my hands through my hair. I climb off the bed, pacing as I try to think of my options. A quiet giggle pulls my attention back to Gianna, now sitting up on the bed. My eyes narrow at her reaction to the situation. “I’m sorry, care to explain why you think this is funny?”

  “Because you should see your reaction. Relax Daveon, I’m just kidding. I’ve been on birth control since my father announced my marriage to Enzo.” My mood darkened at the mention of her engagement to Enzo. My voice drops to a dangerous tone as I feel rage growing inside of me.

  “For starters, I’m not amused at your little joke,” I say as I walk back over to the bed leaning down on it. I grasp hold of her hair, forcing her face up to mine. “And second, I don’t want to hear his name ever again. You belong to me now, that was the deal.” A yelp escapes her as I force my lips down over hers in a possessive claim. Letting her go I grab my briefs off the floor, pulling them up covering my nakedness once again.

  “And how do you propose we break said engagement off? It’s not like you can just kidnap me. Nico would never allow such a thing, it would mean war between our families.”

  “Just let me figure it out.” She doesn’t look convinced as she sits there frowning.

  “I saw what your plans are like.” She begins sliding off the bed shaking her head. “That isn't going to work this time Daveon.” I don’t miss the hint of sadness echoing in her voice, like the sliver of hope she allowed herself was crushed.

  Putting her clothes back on she moves towards the door. Looking back at me with her hand on the doorknob. “Thank you.”

  I’m confused at her words and the sincerity ringing through them. “For what?”

  Her back to me she opens the door is a crack. “For allowing me something to hold onto when I get back and my life becomes too much to bear.” Before I can ask her what the fuck she is talking about she slips from the door into the darkness, silently closing it behind her.

  I don’t sleep at all that night, trying to wrack my brain for some kind of plan to make this work without damning us all because if worse comes to worst. I will do whatever I have to to keep her.

  ***

  The next few days are excruciating as Gianna does her best to ignore me. Acting as if what happened between us and my declaration of claiming her didn't happen. I let it slide for now as I still have work to do to get something figured out. By the time the wedding comes, I still have nothing. My irritation grows at the situation and the knowledge that I may have to involve Nico in this.

  No, I’ll wait until I absolutely have to because he may just shoot me, putting an end to this disaster before it can get any worse. With Nico and Liliana staying at the hotel for the night, Gianna and I arrive back at Nico's alone. She tries to go up to her room, not giving me even a short word before I catch her wrist spinning her around to face me in the hallway.

  “What do you think you're doing?” I growl out, unable to hide my frustration.

  Shaking my hand off her wrist she looks up at me. “Daveon, stop it, there is no point in this.” She motions her hand from me to her. “Us, I am engaged to be married to the Chicago Capo. He isn’t just a lowly soldier you can just break off an engagement too. There will be repercussions and I won’t damn my family in Los Angeles and Liliana and hers here for my own selfish desires!” Shoving past me, I am a little stunned at her anger she lashed out with. I don’t stop her as she goes into her room slamming her door behind her.

  Rolling my shoulders I made my way back downstairs, needing to step out and calm myself with a smoke. Flipping my lighter I watch as the flame dances around at the night's light breeze before lighting my cigarette. Hearing my phone’s ping, I place the cigarette between my lips, grabbing it out of my pocket.

  As I glance down at the screen reading the text from Marina, my muscles tense. My hands ball into a tight fist, turning white as I allow the cigarette to fall from my lips before clenching my jaw. Marching back inside I barrel my way to her door, not bothering to knock, I rip open the door walking in. She sits up startled on her bed as she looks at me. Her eyes glare at my intrusion and I can see the snarky comment about to spill from her lips like poison before I silence her with my gaze.

  “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?” I roar out in my rage. She looks confused until I toss my phone down onto the bed in front of her, the information of Enzo collected by Elijah is on full display. Image after image of women beaten and raped that were brushed under the rug to protect his image.

  Her eyes widen as she realizes I now know. “How did you get this?”

  “I have my resources. Now, why the fuck did you keep this from me?” I’m seething as my anger spills out of me, rolling off in waves as I try to contain it around her. Anger that her father would give her to such a man makes me want to grasp him by the throat, strangling the life from him with my own hands.

  “Because I didn’t want you to pity me. I didn’t want you to know.”

  “Does Liliana know?”

  “Yes, she does.” She drops her head, resigning herself to her fate.

  “Now you're definitely not going home.” I clip out darkly. No fucking way is she leaving now.

  Her head snaps up to me, looking distraught. “No, you can’t. That man is deranged. He already threatened my family along with everyone else in the Cosa Nostra. I won’t have their blood on my hands over this.”

  “And I will not allow him anywhere near you!” As my voice rises so does her fire. Sliding off the bed she steps in front of me, her own pissed off expression painted on her face to match my own.

  “You don't own me, Daveon! Tomorrow I will be leaving, going home as I promised my father and carrying out this arrangement. There is nothing you can do.”

  Unable to control my anger any longer, I turn slamming my fist against the wall needing to direct my uncontainable wrath away from her. The sheetrock cracks under my force and I turn catching her flinch at the noise that carries between us. Stalking toward her, she reacts by backing away from me and matches each step with her own. I push until she is backed against the wall with nowhere left to go.

  “I will do whatever I need to do.” My voice is dark and menacing as it leaves my lips.

  “So, you will just defy Nico and bring a war down upon you all?”

  “If I have to, then yes, I will.” She looks down at the floor between us not wanting to meet my eyes.

  “No, I won’t let you.” Thinking of her going back to him makes my blood run hot again. Before I can stop myself I step forward, pushing her up against the wall as I slam my lips down over hers, needing to feel her against me.

  I kiss her hard, trying to mark them as my own. Her body reacts to mine as I feel her arch from the wall into me. Without hesitation, I reach dow
n grabbing her hips as I hoist her up. She wraps her legs around my waist, clinging to me. Moving her hands in my hair, I feel her threading her fingers into it, clutching down as her fists try to hold me to her. Holding her up with one hand I work to get the buttons on my pants undone, as an overwhelming need to be inside her takes over.

  Her body moves against me as if she too feels it. “Please, Daveon, I need you to fuck me one more time.” I bristle, freezing at her words.

  One more time? She says that as if this will be the last time I touch her. Her words are sobering. Backing away from the wall I set her down, stepping away from her.

  “No.”

  “No?” She looks hurt and confused.

  “This isn’t the last time I will have you, and I’ll be damned if I stand here allowing you to think it is.” Spinning light on my feet I make my way to the door, needing to get away from her before I lose it again. My blood started pumping at her words, at her resignation.

  11

  GIANNA

  After Daveon left me to fall apart alone in my room, I didn't sleep. My emotions raged from desperate to heartache as I finally allowed myself to cry for the first time over my fate before my sadness turned hard.

  I'm surprised when Daveon doesn't fight me or hold me hostage, or whatever else I imagined he would do when it came time to leave the next day. Following Nico's orders, he returns me home. I don't dare bring up the subject of it all, too concerned over not knowing what he may do. When he returns me home safely he leaves, not giving me so much as a parting word or a lingering look when he walks away. I'm hurt, but I tell myself it is probably for the best, though the disappointment settles over me like a cold blanket. Maybe he just doesn't do goodbyes.