“There is just something about her. She gets under my skin in every imaginable way possible. I can’t fucking think when she is around, and when she isn’t, it’s all I can think about.” I run my hands through my hair trying to put to words how I feel about her. “But fuck I don’t know. I have this need to be with her; I am drawn to her in every way. This isn’t just about sex Mar, it’s something more.”
She stares at me as if I have sprouted wings on my back. “Wait, you fucked her already?” When I don’t deny it, she closes her eyes looking up, inhaling a deep breath. “Shit.” When she opens her eyes again I can tell she has made up her mind. “So, what do you need me to do?”
***
I feel like I’m finally able to focus on the tasks Nico set out for me when I know Gianna is safe. Knowing Marina is having Elijah pull some strings in Chicago to keep Enzo busy helps me to relax. She fills me in on what is going on, and having eyes on Enzo allows me to ensure he stays the fuck away from her.
I know this favor will cost me big time but I don’t care about the price. I just need to work on setting everything in motion now. Upon Nico’s arrival, we sit down to discuss what we are going to do about the shipments we passed through Los Angeles. Now that Antonio is gone, he needs someone to help work the few remaining ones on our contract before we can call it quits. Knowing he has limited options on who to send, I step in offering to oversee them myself.
“You know you will be gone for two months right? I mean, you could fly back and forth but that might raise too much suspicion. You will have to lay low while you're there, it will be hard enough to get the shipments through unnoticed with Antonio not there to help slip them through.” I nod knowing exactly what I am signing myself up for. “Why do you want to do this?” He watches me trying to figure out why I would not only agree but be so willing to go to L.A. to hide out while arranging shipment deliveries.
“Just a nice change of scenery I suppose.” I shrug my shoulders carelessly. If I were to tell him about Gianna, he wouldn’t allow me to go. In fact it would be the opposite; he would do everything in his power to keep me from her. Knowing what would be at stake he would order me to drop it, to get over her, and move on with my life.
He watches me silently for a few more minutes and I almost think he is going to decline sending me. Not entirely sure he believes me but trusting me anyway he drops it. “Okay then, I need you to leave tomorrow. We have a shipment the following day that needs to be worked out. You will have only a handful of men at your disposal, so watch your back.” Nodding I left his office, eager to see her again.
Present Day and Time
Working through all the final details for this shipment with our men takes time. With not having the resources we have back in New York, the men, and the behind the scenes security of Elijah clearing the way, it’s a little more work to ensure it goes smoothly. I’m on edge the entire time, knowing the slightest wrong move would draw attention.
When we are finally done, I take off, since it's already late and dark I head over to Gianna’s, not having to worry about the risk of being seen. Making my way up her fire escape to her window, I slip my knife under the window seal, flipping the lock. As I pull up on the window it doesn’t budge. What the fuck?
As I inspect the window, I don’t see any reason why it shouldn't be opening. That is, until I notice the two slabs of wood she has jammed at both sides of the window track. Braced against the windowpane and the top of the window seal. I groan at her for being such a pain in my ass. Of course she is going to make this hard.
Grabbing out my phone, I dial her number. After a few minutes she finally answers. “What do you want?”
“I see you’ve added some extra security measures to the place.”
“Yeah, I thought it was necessary to keep any unwanted guests out.”
“Gianna, open the damn window. We need to talk.”
“Actually we don’t, I don’t have anything to say to you, and you have nothing I want to hear.”
Trying to contain my frustration with her, I draw in a deep breath. “Gianna.” I say her name in warning.
I see motion from the corner of my eye inside her apartment. Looking up, I see her walking into the living room and over to the window in front of me. Just as I think she is about to remove the pieces of wood, she grabs hold of the blind’s string, flipping me off as she draws them closed just before the line goes dead.
13
GIANNA
The moment I flipped him off felt like a small victory as his smug expression was wiped off his face. Feeling proud of myself for having thought of using the wood to bar the window from being open puts a smile on my face. I had thought he would blow up my phone after that but it hasn’t rang again yet. I shrug to myself, he probably just left like before.
Settling down on the couch, I lean my head back as I debate whether or not to go out tonight. The loud crack of splitting wood along with a thump sounds as something strikes the door hard. Busting the hinges as it flies open at the force slamming into the wall behind it. Startled, I fly off the couch at the intrusion, landing on the floor.
Daveon enters through the now broken doorway. Irritation painted clear over his face as he scans the room. Jumping up from the floor I throw daggers at him with my eyes. “What the hell are you doing?” His eyes land over me as he makes his way towards me.
“I said we needed to talk.” He grinds out.
“So you broke my fucking door? I have half a mind to call my father and.-”
“And what?” He says, interrupting me. “Explain to him that you asked me to fuck you, that you soiled your good virtue and name, ruining their agreement? That you now belong to me? Or that you refuse to accept this and that I broke your door to get in so we could talk because you are too fucking stubborn to listen to reason?” He stops in front of me as he finishes his rant. Feeling my anger reach its boiling point, I throw my fist back before slamming it into his face.
Pain explodes over my knuckles as he curses moving his hand to his nose. Turning around my eyes water as I shake my hand. Nobody said punching someone was going to hurt. It’s supposed to hurt the person being punched, not the person throwing it!
I wince as shaking it seems to make the pain flare, and I draw in a sharp breath. “Fuck Gianna, are you fucking kidding me?” When I don’t respond, he grabs my shoulder turning me to face him. He is simmering in anger and I see a little bit of blood at the end of his nostril. When he sees my face pinched in pain as I cradle my hand, his brows immediately draw in concern. “Let me see your hand.” He holds his out expecting me to place my hand in it.
“No. I’m fine.” I shrink back not wanting him to touch me or see how pathetic I am.
“Gianna, come on, let me just make sure you didn’t break something.” Looking down at my hand, I can see it is beginning to swell. Not waiting for me to comply any longer, he wraps his arm around my waist pulling me to him. He grabs hold of my hand gently as he looks it over. Turning it over he touches the top by my knuckles, and I suck in a breath as I rip my hand away.
“Well, it’s not broke, but it looks like you may have sprained it.” Walking over to my kitchen, he opens the freezer grabbing out some ice cubes before rolling it up in a dish towel he grabs off the counter. Coming back over he sits me down on the couch handing me the cold compress. Going over to the door I watch as he looks it over, trying to close it though it doesn't stay since he ripped the hinge off the door.
Reaching into his pocket, I watch as he silently takes a picture of the door before typing some things on it. When he is done and slips it back away, he drags one of my chairs over in front of the door to keep it closed in place. When he turns his attention back to me he comes over, sitting down on the coffee table in front of me.
“So do you always go around punching people, or am I the only one to bestow that honor?”
Grimacing at my lack of control, I keep my head turned down. “I think you need to work on your form though.” M
y head jerks up to glare at him before he throws his hands up. “Not just being an ass, you could have broken your wrist doing that just now. Who taught you how to punch anyway?”
“I have been watching self-defense videos, teaching myself.” Finally looking up at him, I see his brows pinch together.
“Why in the hell would you nee.-” His sentence drops short as he makes the connection. His anger returns in a rage of fury and I see it swirl in his eyes. “You mean to tell me you have been working on self-defense to protect yourself from Enzo?”
I only nod in response. “Gianna, you don’t need to worry about him. I have everything under control. He isn’t going to touch you.”
I’m irritated at his attempt to make me feel safe, and I can’t bite back my scoff. “Yeah, because when you just left me for over a month, you had control over that.”
“Actually, I did. I have eyes on him in Chicago and have been keeping him busy there this whole time. Have you not wondered why he hasn’t tried to come back here yet?”
Wait what? He has been keeping him away this whole time? “I thought you had forgotten about me.” I admit, lowering my eyes not wanting to meet his gaze.
Reaching down, he placed his fingers under my chin, lifting my face so he could see my eyes. “Gianna, I could never forget about you. You haven’t left my mind once since you've been gone.” Leaning forward he closes the distance between us, brushing his lips over mine in a soft kiss.
When he pulls away he glances down at my hand again. “How about once your hand heals, I teach you how to throw a proper punch? It needs a little work.” He jokes, mocking my attempt.
“Did it seriously not hurt you?”
“Well I mean you made it bleed a little, but other than that no.” He laughs as my face falls in disappointment. “Darlin, Nico alone has broken my nose a handful of times, I have essentially become numb to it.”
A light knock on the door startles me. I look from the door to Daveon worried it is one of my guards before he glances at his phone walking over to it. Moving the chair he opens the door, speaking with a man holding some tools. After a few minutes he comes back over settling back down as the man begins to fix my door.
Neither of us speaks as the man tinkers away at the door. The apartment is quiet, aside from the noises of the power tools as he quickly works. Though we sit in silence, inside my mind is waging a war on itself. Everything inside of me wants to jump into his arms as he holds me and tells me that the looming nightmare of my future is just that. A fragment of my imagination, no longer reality. The other part of me refuses to just accept him with open arms. He doesn't just get to waltz back into my life or barge into it, breaking my damn door in and acting as if he has some claim over me. Like he didn't just drop me off and leave. I don't care if he was watching Enzo.
While I would most definitely prefer him to Enzo, at what price would that be for everyone else to pay? Who has to pay for that selfish choice? I groan falling back into the couch. "Gianna?" Daveons voice reminds me I'm not alone.
"I think you should leave." I simply say. Refusing to open my eyes and look at him.
I hear a low growl. "I'm not going anywhere."
"You shouldn't be here, Daveon."
"Ookkaay, all done. Should be good as new. You both have a good night." The man calls out, interrupting us in his attempt to flee an awkward situation. As soon as he closes the door behind himself Daveon draws his attention right back to me. His burning amber eyes stare at me and like kindle to a flame, my body sparks to life. The desire to throw myself into his arms just to feel his touch draws me closer.
Don't you dare. I scold myself. Drawing in a ragged breath I stand, needing to get away from being so close to him. Irritated at how weak I am at resisting him. I go to the door opening it up wide.
"Please. Just leave. You did it once before, so just go and do it again!" My anger at myself seeps out into my words.
His body tenses as he gets up. He storms to me grabbing hold of the door, slamming it shut. Rolling his shoulders as he takes a moment to gain control. I watch as the muscles coil beneath his skin and my body wants to reach out and touch him again. "For the last time, I am not leaving. So get it out of your fucking stubborn ass head that I am going anywhere because you will be sorely disappointed when I don't. You are mine and I will not be leaving you alone ever again."
My mind and body are still at ends, leaving me confused and frustrated about what I want. I let out a frustrated groan. "Why? Why do you insist on staying? Why the hell do you seem to give a shit now?" I yell out, raising my voice.
He takes a step towards me. "Because I can't keep you out of my fucking head. I can't think about anything when I'm around you and when I'm not, you're all I can think about. You're a pain in my ass but I love every bit of it. You don't back down from a challenge and I admire that. I love your attitude and big mouth that doesn't ever seem to shut the hell up. I want you and damn it, I will have you. So for the last fucking time, you are mine. So you better learn to accept it."
Despite my body's yearning and warming of my heart at his words, I open my mouth to argue, unable to help myself. "No, don't say another fucking word, Gianna. Unless you're finally going to agree and make this easy, then don't." Irritation sweeps over me at his demand. Closing my mouth with a huff, I reopen it a moment later, intending to give him a fucking earful and show him just how stubborn I can be.
"You know what you.-" His eyes harden as he bridges the short distance between us. Reaching out he grasps my jaw in his hand, silencing me as he jerks me to him, crashing his lips down over mine. My body instantly reacts to his touch as I feel an all too familiar ache between my legs. My head starts to cloud and I can’t fully remember why I was resisting him so badly. There had to be a reason. I counter with myself as my mind tries to push the fog back to recall my still simmering anger. I move my hand up to shove against his chest, needing to put distance between us to focus.
He grabs my hand and pushes me back against the counter. Pinning it behind me, he continues to move his lips against mine, thawing my anger with each movement. Clouding my mind once again with the haze as all I can think about is his touch. I feel myself begin to give in, my body melting into him as I crave his closeness and touch. I'm flooded with the desire for him as my body aches for more. Wanting him with a fierce need, wanting to pick up where we left off in New York.
As I lean into him, my lips match his movements, deepening the kiss. Feeling his heat and hard body against me. I push into him, wanting more. The need for him grows, threatening to consume me. "I have thought about my lips on you.” He moves his lips to my jaw. “Tasting your skin.” He continues down, brushing his lips over my skin. Flicking his tongue out to taste me. “Having your body beneath mine has been on my mind every night since the first." He moves kissing down my neck as I lean back giving him better access. "Please say you want this too." His voice sounds pained as if he is begging me to agree.
My body seems to take control of the conversation, responding with a soft moan as his lips graze over my skin. "I do. I want you, Daveon." As soon as the words leave my lips he doesn't waste any time lifting me up and setting me down on the countertop. Sliding my shorts off, he grabs my butt. He pushes me against him as I open my legs, allowing him access to get closer to me. I wrap my legs around his waist drawing him nearer as I feel his bulge against my heat. I close my eyes as he licks across my collarbone.
Pulling away he straightens up, and the sound of his zipper draws my eyes open once again. His hard fingers dig into my hips as he pulls me to him. I feel the heat of his erection against my folds as he slides himself down me, positioning himself over my opening. In one swift movement he sinks into me, and I arch against him with a moan at the sudden sensation of his length filling me. He groans as he thrusts into me drawing out my own sounds of pleasure. Wrapping a hand into my hair he pulls it down, jerking my head up. “Who does this belong to?” He asks me in a rough voice as he reaches down circling my cl
it with his thumb.
My mind seems to make up its mind from the back and forth battle it waged earlier, settling on a conclusion. “It's yours. I’m yours.” A pleased rumble reverberates in his chest. He begins to slam into me, drawing deeper with each thrust. It's not long until I grab onto his shoulders, digging my nails into him as he hits a deliciously deep spot causing a zing of electricity to rush through me. Daveon tilts his head down closing his lips over mine as my release floods through me, and I cry out against his lips. After a few more thrusts he groans out, biting down on my lip as he follows me with his own releases.
Panting and sweaty, neither of us move as he holds me against him, drawing lazy circles over my back. “You know I missed you, and your back talking bitchiness.” He murmurs jokingly against the top of my head before getting serious. “You have no idea how worried I was. How insane I was going, having you here alone.”
I draw back looking up to him. “Well, you’re here now.”
“And I’m never leaving you again, darlin’.”
Daveon stays with me, holding me close as he falls asleep in my bed. A part of me feels as if I shouldn’t openly accept him so easily but I’m tired of denying what I want. I don’t want to be angry with him; I want him, I can’t deny it. If his crazy ass can figure out a way to make this work, I’ll go along with it, and if he can’t, I guess that's a little bit more time I get to spend with him.
***
Over the next couple weeks we begin to create our own routine together. Waking in the morning, he teaches me basic self-defense. We spend most of our time inside my apartment since we can’t be seen out and about together. I do make an occasional appearance here and there, shopping or getting groceries when Daveon is out doing jobs for Nico, so I don’t raise suspicion with my guards. Aside from that, we don’t leave. My guards and father are probably relieved, not having to watch me on my constant nights out anymore.
A Burning Flame Page 9