Before she says anything, a light knock sounds at the door. “Excuse me.”
Tony stands there holding a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. “I took the liberty, boss.”
My lips twitch with amusement as I imagine him standing outside with the wine, waiting for us to finish. “Thank you, Tony.”
As I head back to the couch, Ariel smiles. “That was very considerate of him.”
“Yes. It was.” After sitting back down, I fill both glasses and sit back. Ariel snuggles into my side. “Where were we?”
“I think I was about to tell you where I was staying.”
After taking a sip, I nod for her to continue. I’d already seen the scar on her neck. Agent Cummings told me that her carotid had been nicked.
“Zack said that you knew that Alex had kidnapped me.”
“Zack? Agent Cummings?”
“Yes. He said you gave him the picture of the guy who kidnapped me. Thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome.”
“There’s not really a lot to tell.”
“Oh, I’m sure there is. You seem different.”
She shoots me a slight smile. “Zack took me to a cabin in the Smoky Mountains. Not a little fishing cabin, but one of those expensive ones that gets rented out all the time. He thought that hiding where people were constantly coming and going would be best.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Just you and him?” To say I’m a little jealous is an understatement. Especially since Ariel seems different. Not that I don’t like it, I just don’t understand what’s changed her.
“Yes. But it wasn’t like that.” She takes a sip of wine. “We’re friends, nothing more.”
That makes me feel better even though she doesn’t have a commitment to me. I want to know everything but decide to leave it alone. If she says they are just friends, then I have to trust her.
Changing the subject, I ask, “Are you still in danger?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Just to be on the safe side, you can stay with me.” The past few months have been hell, and I don’t want to be apart from her.
She leans forward and looks into my eyes. “Thank you, but no.”
“What do you mean no? I thought you liked it when we stayed together.”
“I did . . . I do.” She sets her wine down and turns to face me. “Luca.” Her eyes soften. “When I first met you, you told me I was going out with you.” A smile curls her lips. “You never gave me a choice. I’m finally free, and I want to experience normal things.”
“Like what?”
“Like a man asking me out on a date. Showing up at my apartment with a bouquet of flowers before taking me out to eat.”
“I tried that before.”
“I know, but I just couldn’t.” She takes another sip and scoffs. “Do you know how they found me?”
“How?”
“Someone walked into the bar for a beer.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes. Completely by accident.”
She snuggles back against my arm, and I feel more peaceful, more content with her beside me. The past few months, I’ve lost so much sleep worrying that something awful had happened. I don’t want to let her go and I don’t know if I can just drop her off at her apartment and leave.
It’s around one o’clock when she says, “How about we head to the bar and see Alina and Jimmy.”
“If that’s what you want to do.”
“I need to let them know that I’m okay.”
I stand and then hold out my hand. She places her delicate one in mine, and I help her to her feet.
“I meant to ask, what do you want to be called—Ariel or Brylee?”
“My name is Ariel Hancock. Three years ago, I started a new life with a new name. I don’t want to go back to that old life.”
Ariel
I know he watches from the window in his office. I can feel his gaze. Just like I know when he stands against the wall, the same way he did the first time I was here with Jimmy and Alina.
When he’s had enough time, I slowly turn my head, and then my body, to fully face him. Standing there in his dark suit, he’s as handsome as ever. My insides clench as he ignites a fire low down in my belly. I thought that those feelings might have died, but seeing him standing there, they are stronger than ever. The pull I feel toward him is overwhelming. This is what was missing with Zack. This feeling could never be mistaken as friendship. It’s at that moment, seeing him standing there, that I realize that I love Zack, but I’m in love with Luca.
I stand, but he stalks over and bends me backward, making all my nerve endings tingle in response. His kiss is electrifying as his tongue seeks mine, demanding entrance. I open to him, and instead of taking, I kiss him back with all the passion I feel. When he breaks the kiss, I’m still bent backward when he says he’s missed me. The way I feel right now, he could take me on the table and I wouldn’t care who watched. At least not at first. Maybe later.
Up the stairs, I grin at Tony as we pass by. There’s no talking as Luca kisses me softly at first and then with unbridled passion. He’s gentle, taking his time and driving me crazy. My fingers savor the feel of his hard muscles under my touch as I skim his body, needing to feel every inch of him. He kisses my body tenderly, making me feel special, driving my desire to new heights. By the time he thrusts inside, I’m already falling off the cliff as an all-consuming orgasm blinds me with pleasure. It’s been so long.
Luca’s the only man who has ever made me feel this alive. Just his presence alone sends tingles down my spine.
We talk a little about Zack, but I decide not to tell him about the kisses, or that he started out as my pen pal. I focus on something different. I want to know and don’t really want to know at the same time. But I have to ask.
“Are you seeing anyone?”
The wine is partway to his lips when he freezes. “Are you kidding?”
“No. You never made any promises and I just disappeared.”
He sets his wine glass down and turns his body around, his arms caging me in. “Ariel, you did not disappear. You were taken. And there is no other woman for me. No one has ever made me feel this way.”
“Oh, okay. Good.”
He picks up his glass, and in a low voice, he asks, “Did you sleep with Agent Cummings?”
“Are you asking if I had sex with Zack?”
“Yes.” He lets out a soft sigh. “If I don’t ask, I’ll always wonder.”
“No, I did not have sex with him. No one has ever made me feel the way you do.”
He kisses my lips. “Thank you.”
~~~~
Heading to the bar, I’m anxious to see my friends. The last two weeks, I kept to myself, waiting for my wound to heal. Somehow, Luca missed it tonight . . .
When the limo pulls up to the bar, Luca steps out and presents his arm. I hook my hand around his elbow and shoot him a grin. He’s being all gentlemanly as he escorts me inside.
Jimmy’s at the bar, but he doesn’t look up as I slide onto a barstool. Luca sits down next to me.
“What can I get ya?”
“I’ll have a glass of your best red.”
Jimmy’s head whips up and he flies from around the bar and throws his arms around me, lifting me from the barstool. “Ariel! I can’t believe you’re here, that you’re alright!” He squeezes me tighter and I laugh. “What happened? Where have you been?”
“Ariel?” Alina rushes over. “Ariel, are you really here? Oh my God!” She sets the tray on the bar and runs her hands over my arms. “What happened? Luca said Matt kidnapped you.”
“I need another beer,” someone yells from down the bar.
“Just a minute,” Jimmy throws over his shoulder.
“Go on,” I smile. “Luca and I will have a couple of drinks, and I’ll explain everything after closing.”
Jimmy points his finger at me. “You better not leave.”
He sounds like the old Jimmy that I know
and love. “I won’t.”
Luca and I sit shoulder to shoulder on the barstools. I sip my wine and look around. It’s busy and I smile at the familiarity. Some things never change. This is where I started and these two took me under their wing. I can’t imagine where I’d be now without their help.
When the bar closes, they don’t bother cleaning up. Luca and I head to a table for four, and Jimmy and Alina sit down with us.
“So, what happened?” Jimmy asks.
For the next hour, I tell them everything that happened and answer all their questions. I owe them that.
“Shit, Ariel,” Jimmy shakes his head, grabs a cigarette from his pocket, and strikes a match. The end burns red as he inhales.
“Jimmy, you’re not allowed to smoke in here.” What if Tommy catches him and he gets fired?
“Too bad.” He blows smoke into the air. “How I talked to you? Not being able to apologize has about killed me.”
“No need to apologize, Jimmy.”
“Yes, there is. If you want to date,” his eyes slide to Luca, “this fucker, then who am I to judge?”
When I burst out laughing, Jimmy and Alina stare, making me feel slightly uncomfortable. “What?”
“I’ve never heard you laugh before. Not like that.”
I wave Alina’s comment away.
We talk for another hour, then I stifle a yawn. Pushing up from the chair, I look at Luca. “I’m tired. Ready to go?”
He stands. “Yes.”
Glancing at my two friends, I remember. “Oh, I have a new cell, but it’s the same number.”
“We’ll have to go out sometime. All of us together.”
“Sounds great, Alina. Just call me.”
“I will,” she says and then Luca and I head for the waiting limo.
When we pull up in front of my apartment, I can tell he’s having a hard time leaving me.
“It’ll be okay, I promise.”
“Let me stay.” He kisses my lips.
With one hand on his chest, I smile up at him. “Not tonight.”
His hand covers mine on his chest and I see the pained look cover his face. He blows out a slow breath. “Will you go out with me tonight?”
“I will.”
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Standing on my tiptoes, I kiss his lips, my mouth slightly moving over his. “I’ll see you tonight.”
It takes everything in me to turn around and walk away. He’s still standing there when I shut the door to my apartment.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ariel
Sifting through the clothes in my closet, I’m excited. I’ve been out with Luca, but this feels different. Giddiness boils up and I laugh. I’m so excited.
Every time I think I’ve found something to wear, I change my mind and move on to something else. I don’t want to blend in with the other women too much, but I want to look nice.
“This one,” I say as I pull the light-blue dress from the hanger.
After I slip it on, I look at the reflection in the mirror. I love its plunging and slightly off-the-shoulder neckline. The lace that covers the maxi dress adds to it, making it both elegant and daring. “Perfect.”
The doorbell rings at 6:55, a little early, but I’m ready.
Luca stands in a dark expensive suit, white shirt, and red tie, holding a bouquet of red roses. My heart melts.
“For you,” he says as he hands me the flowers.
“Thank you.” I sniff the flowers, which smell divine. With a big grin, I say, “They’re beautiful.” I lean in and kiss his lips.
“You’re welcome.”
“Let me put them in something.” I search, but I don’t have a vase. I’ve never had flowers before, so I grab a tall glass, run water in it, and place the flowers in it.
I grab my clutch and smile. “Ready.”
With his hand on the small of my back, he escorts me to the waiting limo. Tony is standing there with a grin on his face.
Luca is sitting next to me holding my hand. “Did you sleep well last night?” he asks.
“Not really. Did you?”
“No.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault, Ariel. I’ve just had guilt issues since you were kidnapped.”
I turn and face him. “Why would you feel guilty?”
“Because you asked me to spend the night and I said no. If I had been there, then he wouldn’t have gotten his hands on you.”
“Yes, he would have.” Placing my hand on his cheek, I make him look at me. “Luca, it wasn’t a random kidnapping. Alex came in every day until he knew for sure that I was the right person. If he hadn’t taken me that night, then he would have the next. But it’s okay. Everything worked out.”
“I guess.”
We pull up in front of an expensive restaurant. Tony comes around and opens the door, and Luca climbs out first. I place my hand in his outstretched hand and he leads me inside. I’m a little nervous and everyone stares. But I hold my shoulders back and act like I belong.
Without making us wait, they lead us to a quiet table and hand us our menus. I don’t care about the food, only the man in front of me. He’s everything I never imagined I could have. And he wants me. When he glances up, he catches me staring.
“What is it?” he asks.
“I’ve missed you.”
The waiter appears, and Luca orders for the both of us. Not that I pay much attention to what he says. I can’t believe that he’s mine. At least I hope he is.
With a knowing grin and a glint in his eye, he says, “Want to get out of here? We can take it to go.”
“Can we do that?”
The waiter suddenly appears, but Luca never breaks eye contact with me as he says, “We’ve decided to eat in. Please have our food delivered.”
“Right away, Mr. Damonte.”
He stands and holds out his hand, which I eagerly take, and leads me to the waiting car. “Where are we going?” I ask.
“My place.”
He holds my hand, never trying anything in the car. Tony stops in front of a skyrise, and the bellhop walks over and opens the door. As Luca steps out, the bellhop says, “Welcome home, Mr. Damonte.”
Luca holds his hand out, which I take. Without breaking eye contact with me, he says, “This is Ariel Hancock. She is welcome at my place anytime. Understand?”
“Yes, Mr. Damonte.” His eyes slide to mine. “Welcome, Miss Hancock.”
I glance briefly at the smiling bellhop and then back at Luca. His eyes are burning with desire, just like mine.
I don’t know how we made it to his penthouse, and I don’t care. I don’t care how nice it is, how expensive everything is.
Luca turns swiftly, snakes his hand around my neck, and grabs my hair, bending me backward. “I have missed you, woman.” His lips claim mine with such passion as they move with purpose over mine.
When he breaks the kiss for some much-needed air, he says, “I’m going to fuck you and then I’m going to make love to you.”
Oh, God! I’ve missed this. Every time he talks to me like that just makes me want him more.
I’m standing in the middle of his living room. He circles behind me. His hand sweeps my hair over my left shoulder. With nimble fingers, he slowly unzips my dress, his lips skimming my shoulder with featherlike touches. Gooseflesh prickles my arms. His hands slowly push the dress from my arms, letting it pool on the floor at my feet.
“I like this,” he says as his finger slowly traces my tattoo. “Die with memories, not dreams.” I feel him kissing my tattoo as he murmurs, “We’re going to make a lot of memories, Ariel.”
I never want to lose this feeling, this man.
Taking his hand, I step out of the dress and follow him over to a chair. I slip my hands underneath his suit coat and glide it from his shoulders. Holding his gaze, I loosen his tie and throw it to the side before starting on his buttons.
“Are you wet for me?”
“Soaking.”
“Let me show you what I like,” he says just before his lips take mine again. I don’t know how, but he’s kissing me and walking me backward at the same time.
When he breaks the kiss, he takes a seat on the leather couch. His legs are wide, and his dick is standing erect.
I’m standing in front of him wearing five-inch heels and a lacy bra and panties. He leans forward and hooks my panties with his fingers, slowly guiding them over my hips, sliding them down my legs until I step out of them, one leg at a time.
“Turn around,” he orders. When I do, he places a hand on each hip and pulls me down onto his lap. His dick takes me to the hilt. “Oh, Luca,” I gasp, throwing my head back. He’s kissing my exposed neck as he unfastens my bra. His hands cup my breasts as he pounds into me from the bottom. I try to help, but he’s so strong, and I can’t even match his rhythm.
With his mouth next to my ear, he lightly bites my lobe. “Do you like me fucking you?”
“Yes.”
“Louder.”
“Yes!”
He shows no mercy as he pounds inside me. One hand leaves my breast and splays over my abdomen until he reaches my clit. A few small tight circles, and then he applies the right amount of pressure. . . . I scream out his name as wave after wave of my orgasm crashes inside, almost blinding me with pleasure.
We’re both breathing heavily, but he still finds the strength to carry me to his bed.
Luca alternates from making sweet love to fucking me most of the night.
Luca
The sun is peeking through the window, but I can’t sleep. Ariel’s head is on my shoulder, and I never want to let her go. She has no idea how worried I was about her. How many nights I spent wide-awake, fearing the worst. Somehow, I must convince her to stay.
She may not realize how rare it is to find the one person who consumes your thoughts, wiping away all desire for other lovers, but I do. I’ve never felt like this before, but I’m afraid to tell her. It’s too soon. What if it scares her away?
She stirs, and with a sleepy voice, she says, “What’s wrong?”
The Secrets We Keep Page 19