Page 24 of Always Mine

Good girl.

Kitten:

*Middle finger emoji*

Chapter eleven

Didn’t See That Coming

Marco

Iexitmytextthread with Sophia smiling.

A small relief in my current state. My head is pounding. Nothing to do with alcohol and everything to do with a lack of sleep, thanks to replaying last night’s events over and over. The way Sophia dared me to the point of no return. The way she felt in my arms and tasted on my tongue. The fury that burned through me when I saw Arty’s slimy face at Bella Donna. I didn’t touch a drop of booze after that because I don’t trust him and I sure as fuck don’t want him anywhere near Sophia. Call it insider knowledge. Call it a sixth sense that comes with the territory of watching over cunning men like him from the shadows, but there is something about his behavior that has me on high alert. It took all my willpower not to grab him by the scruff of his neck and toss him and his equally heinous friend Gia fucking Grimaldi out of the club. But the panic that flitted across Sophia’s lovely features as she pleaded with me not to make a scene stopped me from calling security to escort them both out.

Now in the light of day, everything throbs, both from my desire to make everything right before seeing her tonight, and simplyfrom my desperate need to feel consumed by her. Maybe after years of burying my true feelings for Sophia, my body has revolted. There are no more crevices left to hide my longing. So now I’m imploding, headed straight towards self-destruction and another showdown with her father if he continues to push his agenda of trying to control Sophia and who she chooses to date. If the events of the last night are anything to go by, this woman has me by my blue balls.

The ping of text notifications saves me from spiraling. An unfamiliar emotion. I’m usually unflappable. Yet after just one proper, feverish kiss, one time swallowing this woman’s moans, I feel like my heart is flopping around like a fish out of water for everyone to see.Seriously, man you need to get a grip.I check and see a flurry of texts from my mom.

Mama:

We arrived safely in Mexico.

Mama:

Great picture of you and Sophia.

Mama:

Don’t let her go this time.

Mama:

Ignore Patrick’s antics.

Mama:

Sienna will deal with him.

Mama:

And remember, Mama always knows best.

Marco:

Good to hear. That could have been one text. Thanks for the unsolicited advice.

Mama:

I know. *Winky face emoji*

Mama:

Love you.

My phone’s been buzzing incessantly with alerts and notifications since that blast about Sophia and I went out in the early hours. Despite the suggestion made in the insidious blog post, we didn’t have sex. Well, technically I fucked her with my tongue and fingers, but any other plans to have my way with her were railroaded the moment Sophia realized the company we had. Vivid flashbacks of her bare, wet, and falling apart on my fingers and face continue to assault me. I desperately wanted her to come home with me, but the incident with GG and Arty left her skittish, so she got a lift home with Raf instead. We both knew the likelihood of that picture ending up on GG’s blog. Seb better have a good explanation for how the devil incarnate managed to get into the VIP section.

I’m ready to combust on all fronts. A boxing session with the guys will help but I doubt that’s going to alleviate the situation in my briefs. That poor guy has been standing at attention at the mere thought of caressing Sophia’s soft skin again. My cocky bravado from our text thread aside, I’m equal parts excited and nervous about seeing her tonight, especially before we’ve had a chance to talk. The last time something like this happened, Patrick got to me first and I made what is probably the stupidest decision of my life. I go over last night’s conversation with Raf, too. I meant everything I said to him. I just want what’s best for her. As much as I want to claim Sophia as mine in every way, what if she thinks I’m not worth the trouble? Especially since she’s worked so hardto achieve her dream of having a career in law. The last thing I want is to be an unwanted distraction—or let what’s happening between us cause a rift between her and Patrick that spills over into their working relationship. He probably views me as enemy number one after standing up to him and leaving with his daughter, but none of that mattered when she was coming on my tongue last night. Will everything look slightly different in the light of day for Sophia, too?