Page 9

9

IMOGINE

I ’m still shaking and barely able to breathe as Marco drives away from the nightmare in the abandoned casino. I remember waking up when someone slapped me. I was yelled at and questioned for what felt like an eternity. Then they put tape over my mouth to shut me up while they figured out what to do with me.

I thought I was hallucinating when Marco burst through the glass doors—literally—and took down my captors.

Gunshots echo in my head, and I still smell the copper scent of fresh blood as I curl up further in the front seat

Marco reaches out, his warm hand covering both of mine. Every emotion, thought, and insecurity of the last three days emerges at once as if his touch has unlocked the door I was trying to hide everything behind.

I choke out a sob and jerk away from him, even though I still want his hand on me. I want to fall into his arms and also slap him and scream at him. I want his love and attention while also wanting to be alone to wallow in misery. In truth, I don’t know what I want. It’s too much. It’s all too much.

“I’m so sorry, Imogine,” Marco says, his voice soft and filled with regret. “Please, please let me fix this. I have to fix this.”

This time, when he places his hand over mine, I squeeze it, clinging to the one thing anchoring me in this tidal wave of emotion. Tears stream down my face, and I don’t try to wipe them away. I gasp for air as another sob racks my body.

Marco looks like he’s in pain, and I swear I see him blink away tears. I didn’t think anything could break this man down, but apparently, seeing me like this is more than he can handle.

“Are you hurt?” he grits out, pressing the gas pedal. “I mean, I know you’re hurt. Those fuckers put their filthy hands on you and…”

I tug on his arm, bringing him back to the moment. Marco’s dark eyes focus on me for a brief moment, and it pains me to see how destroyed he is. Yes, I’m angry and confused and deserve answers. But this moment is so raw, his regret and shame etched in his features.

He focuses back on the road, weaving in and out of traffic until we pull into the gated Caparelli compound. The last time I was here, I got my heart stomped on. I’m not sure I can survive that again.

Marco parks in his garage and is by my side the next instant, unbuckling my seatbelt and carrying me inside his home. We head straight to the bathroom, where he sets me down, keeping his hands on my hips to steady me.

“Need to get you cleaned up,” he says more to himself than me. It’s like he’s making a checklist of things to make it up to me.

He leaves my side long enough to turn on the water in the tub. When he returns to me, I place my hand on his chest, right over his heart. It pounds against my palm as the tall Greek god of a man trembles before me.

I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out except a pathetic whimper.

“Let me take care of you,” he pleads. One hand cups my cheek, his thumb brushing away the dirt and tears.

I nod, surrendering to him as the last of my energy leaves me. My knees buckle, but Marco is there to steady me, pulling me into his arms and surrounding me with his strength.

Slowly, almost reverently, Marco peels off my shirt, wincing when he sees the marks on my wrists from being tied up. He continues undressing me, guiding me to the bathtub and helping me climb in. I look up at the man who has captured my heart and soul, knowing he’s in as much pain as I am. Maybe not physically, but the version of Marco kneeling next to the tub and grabbing a washcloth is tormented by his choices.

Unlike my father, Marco is a man of his word. His apology means something because it’s followed up by action. My heart softens toward him with each beat.

My eyes land on his white button-up shirt and black tie, both splattered with blood. He follows my gaze and quickly removes the offending garments without me having to say anything. His muscles tense and flex beneath his taut, inked skin, but it’s the look in his deep brown eyes that makes me inhale sharply.

“I don’t deserve a second chance after the way I left you, and certainly not after everything you went through today. But I’m a desperate man, Imogine.”

I blink up at him as he pours body wash on the washcloth and gently cleans my shoulders, arms, and back. I relax at his touch, each swipe of the cloth wiping away the trauma of the day.

“I thought I was protecting you,” he continues, the low timbre of his voice hitting me in my core and resonating deep within my soul. “I thought I was leading the danger away, not directly to you. I’ll never forgive myself for letting this happen. Fuck, I’m so sorry. I…”

He trails off when I take the washcloth from his hand and wipe the dirt and specks of blood from his cheek and chin. Marco closes his eyes, leaning into my touch.

“I forgive you,” I whisper, the words coming out scratchy and broken.

“No,” he says, surprising me. “You can’t forgive me yet. I don’t deserve it.” This man. Stubborn as ever, even when he’s apologizing.

Despite everything that’s happened between us, I can’t help the small smile curling up one side of my lips. “I thought you wanted a second chance?”

Marco’s eyes snap open, disbelief flooding his features. “I do. But… you can’t just give it to me.”

I let out a small laugh and drop the washcloth before holding his face in my hands. “I think that’s my choice. Plus, I didn’t say you were off the hook. I’m thinking foot massages every day, feeding me grapes by the pool, which we’ll have to get installed in your backyard, and–”

“It’s yours. Everything. Anything.” He seals his declaration with a kiss, his lips touching mine tenderly at first and then with more intention.

When we break apart, Marco rests his forehead on mine. “Thank you, angel. I can fix this. I can fix us.”

“Just be here with me,” I murmur, brushing my nose against his.

“Always,” he promises.

Marco continues to gently wash every inch of my body, then dries me off and gives me one of his t-shirts to wear. He guides me over to his bed, leaving me for all of ten minutes while he rinses off in the shower. When Marco returns, he crawls under the covers next to me, cradling me in his arms.

“Get some rest, love. I’ll be right here. I won’t let anything bad happen to you ever again,” he whispers before pressing his lips to the top of my head. Marco breathes me in, our hearts finding the same rhythm as we drift off to sleep.

I startle awake, hardly able to breathe, as the last of the nightmare loosens its grip on me.

“I’ve got you,” Marco says, his deep, calming voice washing over me and chasing away the demons. He pulls me against his chest and nuzzles into the top of my head, whispering that I’m safe over and over. “I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault.”

I lean back slightly so I can look him in the eye. This muscled, tatted, immensely powerful mafia Captain is broken before me, tripping over himself to apologize.

“I forgave you, remember?” I ask, kissing his cheek and resting my forehead on his.

“But that doesn’t wipe away the trauma you experienced. You’re having nightmares because I left you vulnerable and–”

I cut him off with another kiss, this one deeper and filled with meaning. I know nothing I say will ease his guilt, but maybe I can show him that I forgive him. Maybe I can prove to him with my body that he’s everything I’ve wanted and needed in my life. Do we have more to discuss? Absolutely. But nothing is going to be solved tonight.

Marco parts his lips for me, letting me slide my tongue inside his mouth and taste him. God, I missed his scent, his taste, everything about him.

I moan softly into his mouth, making Marco growl and slide his hands underneath the oversized shirt I’m wearing. My skin prickles with awareness everywhere he touches me. I adjust myself so I’m straddling him, never breaking our kiss, our connection.

I can’t help the needy whimper that falls from my lips when my bare pussy rubs against his cock, covered only in boxer briefs. He lengthens and hardens beneath me, the sensation making me so, so wet.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I hold him close as I grind down on his lap. Marco groans and breaks our kiss, only to nibble down my neck. I shiver and squeeze my thighs around his hips, needing more.

Marco leans back and cups my face, resting his forehead on mine. We’re both breathing heavily, the air thick with what we crave. “Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt or take advantage of you, angel. Never again.”

“I’m sure. I need you,” I tell him truthfully.

Marco nods in agreement and slides his hands down my neck, shoulders, and torso until he grips the hem of my shirt and gently lifts it off my body.

I’m bare before him in more ways than one. I feel vulnerable yet somehow bold. Exposed yet covered in the safety that is my Marco. My home. My love. His fingertips trail up my sides in featherlight touches as he looks at me with a mix of awe and reverence.

Leaning forward, Marco captures my nipple in his mouth, gently sucking as his hands slide around to my back, pressing me closer to him. I tip my head back and rock my hips against his, savoring every swipe of his tongue and stroke of his fingers.

Marco hums in approval as he switches breasts, lavishing the other one with the same attention. My core vibrates, making more of my arousal drip down and coat the thin layer of fabric covering his throbbing dick. He swells even more, and a soft growl rumbles up from his chest.

I slide my hands down his chiseled chest, pushing him back a little. He grunts in frustration like I’ve taken away his favorite toy. It makes me giggle, knowing he wants me that much.

Marco looks up at me with the softest, sweetest smile, making me melt for him even as I’m so turned on that I’m ready to burst.

“Love that sound, sweetheart. Love hearing your laugh.”

I don’t know how to respond to him with words, so I kiss him again as my hands trail lower, lower, lower until my fingers graze the waistband of his boxer briefs.

He tilts his head back, breaking our kiss to growl softly. I scoot back enough to reach inside and pull him out, stroking him and rubbing his precum over his thickness.

“Jesus,” Marco grunts, his muscles tensing and flexing as I pick up my pace. He grips my hips and lifts me, positioning me so the head of his cock is at my entrance. My pussy clenches and releases more of my wetness, helping him to slide in easily. “This what you need, baby? Need me to fill you up?”

“Yes. God, Marco…” I breathe, moaning as my tight channel stretches to accommodate him. I feel every vein and ridge of his dick as he enters me. It feels so damn good to be connected like this, to be completed in a way only Marco can provide.

My hands move on their own, tangling in my hair as I stretch my body out for his pleasure. He groans and sucks on my neck as his hands slide up my back to grip my shoulders. He presses my body down on his as he grinds his thick cock against me, hitting my clit just right.

I jerk and tremble in his embrace, gasping for air when he pushes me right to the edge. Marco trails his fingers back down my spine, gripping my ass and spreading my cheeks apart as he starts to fuck up into my pulsing cunt.

“Love feeling you, Imogine. Love your sexy fucking body,” he murmurs, nipping at my earlobe and causing me to shudder in his arms.

“Mmhm,” is all I can manage to say, too lost in the sensation of his cock scraping along my walls and hitting every pleasure point inside me.

My orgasm blooms deep in my core, throbbing outward and seizing my muscles. My joints lock up, and I suck in a breath, bracing myself for what’s to come. I squeeze my pussy around him and roll my hips in jerky motions, needing to come so bad it hurts.

Marco senses my urgency, cupping the back of my neck and drawing me down for a heated kiss. He pulls my bottom lip through his teeth before diving in, tangling his tongue with mine as he bounces me off his cock. He tilts his hips and hits that one spot that drives me crazy. Over and over he hammers into me until the coil snaps and I cry out my orgasm. Pure pleasure slams into me, overwhelming my senses as I writhe and whimper and get completely swept away by my release.

When I open my eyes, I’m lying on my back, Marco hovering over me and staring at me with a hunger so fierce it makes my cunt contract again, despite my intense orgasm. He growls and begins moving again, his dick still buried deep inside me.

He builds us both up with slow, measured rolls of his hips. His need is palpable, but he’s being so gentle with me, sliding in and out, again and again, never breaking eye contact.

Marco cups my face with one hand, wiping away a tear I didn’t know was there. He kisses the spot before burying his face into the side of my neck.

“I love you,” he murmurs, nuzzling into me as we make love. That’s exactly what this is. It’s intense, but in a different way than we’ve been together previously. Everything is heightened, our bodies tangling together as much as our souls.

“Marco,” I whisper. “I love you so much.”

His dick twitches at my words, making me moan. I love that he’s as turned on by my words as he is my body. I’ll never get enough of this man.

Marco slides one hand between my back and the mattress, pressing me closer to him, needing as much of me as possible. His touch leaves a trail of fire and awareness as he grazes his fingertips over my ass and grips my thigh. He spreads me open even wider and hooks his hand behind my knee, lifting it and changing the angle.

I gasp and whimper as he hits me so damn deep. My nails dig into his biceps as he slowly pulls out and pushes back in, going deeper with every thrust. Each time he reaches the end of me, I jerk and spasm, electricity flowing through my veins and sparking a fire deep in my core. Flames lick at my nerves as my moans turn into cries of pleasure, torture, bliss, and an almost painful need for release.

“That’s it,” he grunts, his hips stuttering as he picks up his pace. “Fuck, I feel you, baby. Are you going to come for me like a good girl?”

I nod and whimper, my body trembling as I take everything he’s giving me. Liquid heat erupts from my core, spilling out of me, making me convulse in his arms as I come around his cock.

Marco grunts and snaps his hips against mine, fucking me roughly as I fall apart. I can’t breathe , he’s so deep, so thick, and feels so mind-numbingly incredible. I thought my pleasure had peaked, but I spasm around him again when he unleashes his cum inside me. He grunts out his orgasm, grinding his dick down as it jerks and spasms, coating my pussy with his release.

His lips find mine, and he thrusts his tongue inside my mouth, swallowing down my moans and sucking the air out of my lungs. He breaks the kiss, only to scrape his teeth down the side of my neck, across my collarbone, over my breast, and down my torso.

“Wh-what are you…?”

My question is cut off when he settles between my thighs and licks my pussy. I gasp and moan loudly, my body moving on its own to grind against his face. My pussy feels raw and swollen and so damn sensitive from the orgasms I’ve already had, yet each stroke of his tongue brings me closer, closer, closer to another release.

He growls as he licks up our combined juices. It’s so dirty, so fucking filthy. And that only turns me on more. Marco spears his tongue into my entrance, massaging my walls and driving me insane.

My thighs snap around his head when he turns his attention to my clit, sucking on the over sensitized bundle of nerves. I twist in his grip and bow my back off the bed, only to have him spread his hand out over my lower belly and push me back down onto the mattress. He keeps his hand there, creating a delicious pressure that radiates from my core.

I fist the sheets as my orgasm claws at my insides, tearing its way out and wringing pleasure from every cell in my body. Marco growls into my pussy, never letting up, using his tongue and teeth expertly to keep me at my peak for so damn long.

I’m shaking and sweating and whimpering his name over and over, unable to escape the brutal bliss overwhelming me. An intense, all-consuming pressure tugs at my lower belly. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and I’m almost afraid of what’s happening to me. My hands tangle in Marco’s hair, gripping and twisting the strands, needing him to anchor me here on earth.

Another stronger, wild orgasm threatens to end me completely, even as my body is still reeling from the previous one. Every muscle draws up tight, my joints locking, my breath frozen in my lungs. Time stands still, waiting, watching as I surrender to the pleasure Marco is bringing me.

All at once, everything inside me unravels. I gush for him, an embarrassing amount of wetness leaving me as I scream and thrash almost violently.

“Christ,” he grunts, lapping up every last drop. “Jesus Christ,” he repeats, his breathing ragged. “You squirted all over me, baby. So fucking hot.”

I can't do anything except whimper and melt into the mattress, all the strength draining from my body. I’m vaguely aware of Marco leaving the bed, hardly registering when he cleans me with a damp washcloth.

My man joins me in bed once more, both of us satiated for the time being. He wraps himself around me and kisses the back of my neck, both of us drifting into a deep slumber.