Page 19

19

Luca

She’s panting as we come down from our high. I slowly pull out of her, my cock still rock hard and clearly not getting the message that the show’s over.

No condom. No conversation. No fucking regrets.

I’m never having anything between us when I’m inside her. She felt amazing, even better than I could have imagined.

I tuck myself back in and pull her dress down, knowing that my come will be seeping out of her for the drive home.

She looks over her shoulder.

“I think I’ve proved that I can find your G spot,” I say, slapping her arse again.

She lets out a yelp, and I chuckle as she carefully gets herself back into her seat and scowls at me.

“Can I have my underwear back?”

“I think I’ll keep it.”

“To put in your memory box along with the fingers of your enemies?”

I tilt my head and look at her curiously.

“What?”

“You’re an interesting creature,” I say, kissing her on the forehead before reaching into the front seat and honking the horn.

“Now what?” she asks pensively.

“Now you come home with me.”

“And then?”

“I fuck you again.” I readjust myself.

“What makes you think I’m going to let that happen again?”

I quirk an eyebrow at her and smirk.

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re an arrogant arsehole?”

“Regularly,” I reply, deadpan.

The driver’s door opens, and my suited driver climbs back in the car, the smell of nicotine on him. God, I’d love a cigarette.

I check my pockets, but I’ve left them on the VIP table. Fuck. That’s annoying.

“Roger, you got a smoke?” I ask as he starts the engine. He throws back a packet and I take out a cigarette, lighting it.

Layla watches as I take my first drag, tracking the smoke as it billows between us.

“What else did Levi say?”

“That I’d get something that would help ‘ motivate me’ . Any idea what that could be?”

I take a long drag, letting the smoke fill my lungs. “It’s Levi so it could be anything from a positive incentive like money, or your grandfather’s finger.” Her eyes widen in horror as I blow out the smoke. “We’ll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.”

“Jesus Christ, Luca.” She runs her hands through her hair. “How can you say something like that as if it’s the most normal thing?” She laughs humourlessly, shaking her head. “This is nuts.”

“It’s your life now, princess. So, suck it up and put that mask back on.”

“What mask?”

“The mask you wear to hide what you’re feeling so well.”

“Fuck off.”

I shrug. “Or get angry. That works well, too.” I open the window and flick the fag out. Reaching into the mini fridge tucked to the side of the Mercedes, I pull out a scotch and pour us each a drink.

“Here. Your Dutch courage.”

“You’re a prick.” She snatches it out of my hand.

“I know.” I grin and take a sip. “So, we have a deal then?”

“I don’t think I really have a choice in the matter. I either get killed by Levi, along with my grandad and Katy. Or I get killed by you when I stop being useful.” She shrugs. “At least I can have great sex until then.” She looks at me and pulls a sarcastic smile. My lips twitch.

I do love it when she’s riled up.

“Regardless of what happens to you, your grandfather won’t be touched. I’m not completely dead inside.”

“And Katy?”

“Is a loose end that may need to be cut if things don’t go according to plan.”

“No. That’s not good enough.” She crosses her arms. My eyes drop down to those incredible tits.

“Luca,” she snaps, and I shamelessly take my time in returning her gaze. “Katy is part of the deal.”

“Erm. No.”

“Yes,” she argues. “I’m negotiating, those are my terms. End of. So, are you going to tell me this plan at any point?” she says, changing the subject. I can’t help but grin this time. “You’re unhinged.”

“When we know what Levi’s incentive is. Yes. But until then we can only speculate.”

“Just when I thought things were turning a corner,” she says, quietly shaking her head.

“You should never have pulled me out of the car.”

“Okay, noted. Next time Luca’s in peril let him burn alive. Stick it in the terms and conditions.”

“I’ll have my lawyers draw it up.”

“This is a set up.” She points at me, her hand shaking as she holds the tumbler. “I’ve been set up! Why Luca? Why have I been set up?” Her voice rises, oh, fucking hell, she’s going to blow a gasket. “Because you’ve been following me. You are the reason for this.”

She sloshes some of the scotch onto the floor and I watch as the two-hundred-and-fifty-pound liquid is wasted.

“So yes, yes, we have a deal. What was it you said to me in that room? That you would find my weakness. Well, it looks like Levi has found yours. And for some reason he thinks that’s me.” She wags her head not believing it. “So yes, the deal will stick, but you’re also going to pay off my debt, you’re going to help me get legal help to go through my parents will, and-and I’m going to become a doctor.”

She’s breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling, the scotch running down her bare leg, I watch its path and lick my lips. She knocks back the rest of it in one quick gulp.

“So be it,” I say, not wanting to indulge her any further.

She’s right, it’s my fault she’s in this mess. I’ve shown my hand to Levi without even knowing it, and I’m not pissed at her, I’m pissed with myself. I’ve broken the very rules that Rome and I put in place after Saskia.

Don’t get attached, and don’t get them involved.

The elevator ride to my penthouse is tense; neither of us have spoken. Both of us fuming. Her at me, and the lack of control and choice she has in her own life. Me at myself. For being so fucking stupid.

I’m gripping her still moist thong in my pocket, opening and closing my fist around it, as anger bubbles under the surface. My eyes meet hers in the reflection of the mirror, her blue eyes shining against the dark smudges of her makeup, her hair hanging in a tousled mess.

She looks exhausted and wrung out. Barely holding in the emotion that threatens to spill. I want to get her showered and in bed. I want to look after her.

Reassure her.

I need to reassure her.

Even though I know I shouldn’t. I shouldn’t feel the need to save her, I shouldn’t feel the need to give her money and protect her from Levi. But I can’t stop wanting her.

I’ve learnt nothing from Roman, here I am making the same mistakes.

“No one knows about this place. Just my inner circle.”

“Okay.” Is the only response I get. But it will have to do for now.

She’s a pawn, she’s helping me fix a problem.

That’s all.

Keep telling yourself that, mate .

Fuck off, subconscious. I’m not ready to admit the fact that she grounds me when I hold her, how all this fucking responsibility of this life feels doable with her in it.

I was ready for anything…except her.

We step out of the elevator and straight into the penthouse foyer, the lift opening directly into the entrance hall.

“Holy shit,” she whispers following me out into the bright open space. “It’s very…crisp.”

“Crisp?”

“Did your criminal pocket not stretch to anything other than white?”

“Are you mocking my gangster penthouse?”

“I thought you didn’t like to be called a gangster.” She folds her arm as I place her clutch on the black centre table. “You could put a big black vase of lilies there.” She points to the bare space where I’ve just put the bag.

She turns around taking in the grand space.

“Painting there.” She points to a space on the wall. “With pops of colour.”

“Noted,” I reply slowly. “Come, I’ll give you the grand tour of your temporary home tomorrow. For now, you need to sleep.” I take her hand, but she rips it from mine.

“No no no.” She disagrees, her arms flailing. “At no point in our deal ,” she airs quotes, “did you say I’d have to stay in your macho crisp bachelor pad.”

“No? I’m sure I mentioned it as part of the negotiating.” I tilt my head.

“Did you fuck—”

“We need to put on the front. Besides, how else can I keep you safe?”

“I don’t care about me. I care about how you’re going to keep my grandad safe. How you’re going to keep Katy safe. I don’t need to be under your lock and key to put on a show for your fucking cousin.”

“Just stop being so stubborn.” I take her hand again and start leading her to the master bedroom. She follows, thank fuck.

The penthouse was over 40 million pounds and is one of my favourite properties. The view alone is what made the price of this place astronomical.

She pauses in front of the double doors to the living room, which is shrouded in darkness, but the lights from the London Eye in the distance, along with Big Ben are breathtaking as always.

She edges closer, drawn by the famous landmarks and lights that reflect off the Thames.

The living room has dark wooden custom-made cabinets which cover one side, hiding my entertainment unit and a huge U-shaped sofa sits centre stage. It’s a large space, the warmth of the wood making it feel cosy.

“As you can see, my mobster pocket does stretch to other colours.” I hold my arms out to the dark midnight blue walls. She glances over her shoulder and looks at me with a serious expression then turns back to the view.

“Can I get a shower?” she whispers, the lights of London casting off her features.

“Come.” I lead her gently from the living room, my arm resting softly against her lower back, navigating her down the hallway. My favourite art hangs on the walls.

Chess pieces.

She’s not looking though, her head is down, she’s withdrawn; and the anger that had fuelled her up until this point along with a healthy dose of adrenaline has disappeared. Replacing my defiant temptress with a subdued Layla.

We enter the master suite, and I press the tablet on the wall, turning on the lights to a soft glow. Everything is meticulously positioned—my housekeeper has looked after the place while I move between properties.

Centre stage sits the emperor bed, imposing and inviting in the middle of the room. I leave her standing in the doorway, walking into the ensuite where I flick the light on and turn on the walk-in shower, letting the steam build.

“When you’re here, I expect you to sleep in my bed, next to me…naked.” I add and wait for her to take the bait.

She’s staring at the thick plush carpet, and finally looks up, her eyes burning.

Ah—there she is.

“Fuck off.” She barks and saunters ahead of me, grabbing the hem of her dress and lifting it over her head. Her bare arse sashays as she crosses my bedroom to the waiting shower, and I hate that she’s washing me off her. I want her to smell like me, smell the leftovers of our sex, like I can smell her all over me. I want to see the remnants of me dried on her skin. I want everyone to know she is fucking mine, and if she washes it off, I’ll just have to put more on her.

Her hands wrap behind her back where she unclasps her bra and drops it on the floor. As soon as she crosses the door to the ensuite she spins around standing stock still staring at me defiantly, completely fucking breathtakingly naked.

And I drink her in like a man that hasn’t seen water for days. She slowly lifts her hand and shows me her middle finger, then she slams the door in my face.

Molten fury bursts through my veins. I storm forward, pulling my own top off over my head, and then my trousers before crashing into the door and pushing it open.

She’s in the shower, her wet hair clinging to her face. She’s never looked more frightened and more fucking beautiful.

She should fear me.

I step into the shower, my eyes never leaving hers and she lifts her chin, goading me. I grip her throat, my favourite place to dominate her and push her back, crashing her into the tiled wall of the shower, the breath leaving her lips in a quick exhale, her face blanching as her back cracks into the hard tiles.

“Let me make you understand this, Layla. My hospitality will be on my terms, this deal will be on my fucking terms. You will do what I say when I say it, and in return I won’t fucking kill you. Say you understand me.”

She stares at me and nods, or at least tries to against my hard grip. Then she does something surprising, she grabs my cock, which is rock hard.

“Do you get off dominating me?” She chokes around my hand, her breaths coming in raged heaves as she fights to breathe against my grip. Her hand glides up my shaft.

Fuck me.

“Do you get off goading me?” I reply, gripping harder, her eyes widening as I cut off her air completely, her hand drops from my cock as she claws at me.

I am in control here, not her.

Even if she does like to think that her standing up to me is her taking back control.

She takes what I give her. That’s all.

Her fingernails rip at my skin, and I hiss as she draws blood. I lean into her, and with my spare hand plunge two fingers into her wet cunt.

Her eyes widen in shock, and I release my hold letting her take in some much-needed air before squeezing it again.

I lean forward, caging her, my mouth near her ear as the water pummels the back of my neck running down my body, its painfully hot. “Don’t fight me. Don’t fight this.” I release my grip again allowing her to get more air as I dip my tongue in her ear, and continue to fuck her with my fingers.

Her moans and mewls are like a drug, and the bucking of her body makes my cock even harder. If she would just fucking bend, she’d realise how much pleasure I can give her.

Just how much this deal could all work out in her favour.

Even with her added demands.

Her head drops back against the tiles as a wave of pleasure washes over her, and her eyes roll back. She moans deeply, my fingers hitting the delicious spot inside her. Her hands drop from my arm, and she rests them on my shoulder.

Submitting.

I release my hold, leaving my hand still gripping her neck, and as soon as she’s gathered enough air, she starts riding my hand.

I squeeze again.

Her eyes lock on mine, wide and fear filled but I nod, my eyes burning into hers.

“Do you want me to stop?”

I’ve got her, she’s got this.

She shakes her head, barely, but it’s there and I lean in and kiss her hard on the mouth and pull back so I can watch.

I continue working her and release my grip every so often to let her take a breath, then I grip tighter. I can see the moment she starts to panic, her eyes widen, her eyebrows knit together a moment before her face turns redder and confusion masks her beautiful features.

The pleasure I’m milking from her, adding in the lack of breath is creating a confusing erotic concoction. I increase the pressure of my plunges, and she falls, her throat constricting against my palm as she tries to scream as the orgasm hits, and I let go. She slumps forward, her arms gripping my shoulders, her head lolling forward as her body folds into mine.

And I catch her.

I’ll always catch her.

I keep her standing upright, as she sucks in huge gulps of air, her orgasm still abating. I lift her chin so her eyes meet mine and push her gently back against the wall.

“Yes, sunshine, now you understand.” Her eyes are large, filled with lust and confusion as she searches my face, and I crash my lips to hers.

I dominate her, pushing her body up the tiles as she wraps her legs around me instinctively. My kiss is messy, I’m desperate to swallow her moans, swallow her breath as she tries to get her rapid heart back under control.

But I’m a man fucking possessed.

One fuck to get her out of my system has done the opposite. I can’t kill her, not now. So, I’ll do the next best thing, I’ll make her mine.

It’s been hours.

She lies naked beside me, her chest rising and falling as she sleeps.

Her milky skin is smooth where the cover has slipped off her shoulder, she’s naked just like she was told to be, she’s burrowed into one side of the bed and the space between us is huge.

But at least she’s in my bed.

Where I can see her.

She moans and rolls onto her back, her beautiful tits spilling and pebbling as the cool air covers her, my eyes track down her sleeping form, falling onto the jagged angry scar that marks her otherwise perfect skin.

Moving closer I touch it, careful not to wake her. I run my fingers gently over it, smooth and rough, healed and broken. I still can't work out why no information can be found on the car crash.

Rolling away from her, getting up I throw on a pair of boxers before leaving her to sleep and head to my office and close the door.

I pour myself a large scotch, and light a cigarette, flopping into my large leather chair and sit in silent darkness. The twinkling light from a sleeping London my only company.

“What are you doing, Luca?”

I let the nicotine filter through my lungs and sip the scotch rubbing my hand over my face.

I’ve not felt like this before.

Like I’m dancing along a line about to lose control, I know what’s causing it, it sleeps soundly in the room next door.

I don’t know what’s around the corner…it could be a turf war; it could be from an enemy I can’t see coming.

But one thing I know for sure, is that woman, she’s mine, and no one is taking her away from me.