Page 17 of Stalk (Assassin’s Kiss Duet #1)

Mattia

I wake up the morning after killing Helena harder than a fucking rock.

A light layer of sweat coats my body as my dominant hand lunges under the covers and down to the bulge of my aching cock which rubs uncomfortably against the sheets.

I’m still caught in between dreamland and reality.

I don’t know what I was dreaming about to make me so hot and bothered.

I throw the duvet and sheets back and moan out into my empty hotel room as soon as I start stroking.

My brain wakes up a little more once I’m working my length.

It feels so fucking good, and I honestly can’t remember the last time I got off.

All my worries of meeting Ren last night and the double assignment come to the surface, so I pump myself harder.

I don’t want to think about all that. God damn it, I just want to come.

I think about Rachel, the hotel manager, and our date tonight. I picture her plump, sultry lips wrapping around my cockhead and envision her taking all of me into her pretty mouth.

My dick softens and I get frustrated. “Fucking shit!”

It’s not the first time this has happened. I’m starting to think I need to see my doctor for erectile dysfunction, but I don’t want to admit that I’m having this problem, either. Especially when I’m so young. My dick grows even softer, and I start to wish I was still dreaming.

I force myself to relax. To take in a deep breath.

For some reason, Ren pops into my mind. His lean body and jet black hair and piercing eyes.

My cock hardens instantly in my hand. I don’t want to think about Ren, but there he is.

I haven’t gotten off in so long, I don’t stop to think about why.

I push all those thoughts away. I can think about them after I reach my orgasm.

Not now.

I don’t force myself to think of someone else, even though I know I should. Porn has never done much for me, otherwise I’d try and watch it. Instead, I let my mind wander. Before I know it, Ren has replaced Rachel in my fantasy.

What the…

In my mind, Ren sucks me off. He grips onto my hips and lets me roughly fuck his face. His pretty, somewhat feminine face. He looks up at me through lashes that match his hair, his eyes smiling at how hard I am in his mouth.

My balls draw up, and my cock is painfully rigid as I stroke and stroke myself as fast as I can.

Ren hollows out his cheeks and a warm red flush creeps into his high cheekbones.

My cockhead weeps, spurting out a few drops of milky pre-cum. I fuck my hand, breathless, chasing a high that I’ve missed for far longer than I care to admit.

My fantasy has taken over my mind at this point, and I’m gasping for air.

Ren grips my ass as he pulls my cock away from his mouth. He grins up at me with wet, swollen lips that are peony pink, then spits on my dick.

Just like that, I spill out into my hand. My orgasm seemingly lasts forever, making my muscles quiver and leaving my body tingly and hot.

I rush to the bathroom, despite feeling kind of lightheaded, to wash up. As I clean up in the sink, I avoid my reflection in the mirror. I feel ashamed and dirty, even though I know I shouldn’t. There’s nothing wrong with guys liking other guys or finding them attractive.

But this… this is a new one for me.

My heart races in my chest as I place my elbows on the bathroom counter and lean forward breathlessly. The thing is, I’ve always loved women. I love their curves, the way they smell—long hair and delicate features.

Ren is delicate, too, I think.

My heartbeat picks up and my breaths become rapid, and I feel like I’m starting to spiral out of control. Spiraling isn’t like me, and I hate the way it makes me feel. I splash some cold water on my face and force myself back into the bedroom.

It doesn’t mean anything.

I’m not into Ren , of all people.

My phone rings as soon as I slump back down into the pillows, and I jump, the ringtone sounding louder than I know it is.

When I see Zìa’s name, I straighten up and my body stiffens.

I tried calling her last night, but she didn’t answer because of the time difference—something I’m not used to.

But I wanted to call her and update her as soon as I got back to the hotel last night, no matter what the time was back home in Venice.

I guess I have no choice but to fill her in now. Oh well. Better than staying in bed and drowning in my thoughts, I guess.

“Ciao, Zìa,” I say after answering. My voice sounds wrong, even to me. Deeper and more gravelly than normal.

She wastes no time cutting to the chase. “Stai bene?”

I sigh roughly. “I’m okay, Zìa, but something odd happened last night.”

Zìa listens as I give her the play by play of running into Ren at Helena’s, and everything that occurred after. She is unusually quiet throughout my story. She doesn’t ask any questions. When I’m finished, I listen closely as she hums, waiting impatiently for her to speak.

Finally, she says, “Beh, merda.” Well, shit.

Yeah, that about sums up my thoughts, too. “Mi dispiace. Non so cosa fare…” I admit.

“This is a first for me, too, Mattia.” Zìa sighs. “I will have to do some research. What did this person look like? How old?”

I clench my teeth together as blood rushes into my cheeks at the thought of Ren. My dick twitches again, and I’m absolutely horrified. I squeeze my eyes shut and pinch my arm, hoping the small dose of pain will snap me out of whatever the fuck I’m going through right now.

“Uh, young. Younger than me, I’d say. Asian and something else, I think. A mix. He is tall, only several centimeters shorter than me. Black hair, green eyes.”

“Tattoos? Scars?” Zìa presses.

I shake my head. “Not that I noticed.”

She grows quiet on the line again, and I hold my breath. I expect her to send me back home, and I would be thankful if so. I never had any issues like this back in Italy.

You also never jacked off to the thought of a man back in Italy, I think.

Fuck . Can’t think about that now.

“You still have several assignments left in the states, so there is no use coming home,” Zìa says slowly, freaking me out as usual because sometimes, I swear she can read my mind.

God, I hope not. “If you felt threatened by this other person, I would have you come home, but I also know you are more than capable of taking care of yourself. “I don’t know if not taking out this man is wise. I guess we will find out once I know more. In the meantime, continue with your work, and do not seek this man out.”

“Yes, Zìa,” I say. I had a feeling she would say that, which is why I conveniently left out the fact that I gave Ren my card last night. It’s not like he’s going to use it, anyway.

“If you happen to see him again, tell me immediately. I will keep my phone by my bed while you are away. Have Marco stay by your side more than usual. Be on the lookout. I do not want anything happening to you while you are there. Otherwise, your mamma will kill me.”

I smile at that, because it’s true. My mother may not be active in our work, but she is a typical mother lion and very protective of her children. My heart aches slightly, homesickness setting in. “I understand, Zìa. I will be careful.”

“Bene. I will be in touch if and when I find more out about this mystery man. Call me if you need anything, nipote.”

“I will, Zìa. Ti amo.”

“Anch’io ti amo.”

With that, I end the call. I toss my cell phone on the bedside table and fall back onto the mattress with a groan. My next assignment is only a few days away. I have work to do. Plus, I have that date tonight with Rachel… damn it! I wonder if I should cancel.

No. No, I won’t do that. Waking up in my horny state and getting off to Ren in my mind doesn’t mean anything.

It’s probably because of everything that happened last night.

That’s all. I haven’t had a date in a long time.

Even if it doesn’t turn into anything sexual, it might still be nice to talk with a pretty woman over a nice dinner.

Marco parks a block and a half away from the Italian restaurant where I’m meeting Rachel in five minutes. She reassured me via text that the place isn’t American Italian, and that it’s as genuine as you can get in America. I’m not totally convinced, but I’ll be happy with whatever.

I’m dressed to impress tonight, with a pressed pair of navy blue slacks and a crisp white button down shirt that shows off my muscles. Hell, I even put a little product in my hair to tame my rowdy waves.

Marco shoots me a look that tells me he’s finding my nervousness hilarious. His eyebrows raise and his mouth turns into a smirk.

“Che cosa?” I bark.

“You look very nice, ragazzo. Think you’ll get lucky?” Marco asks with a laugh.

I glare at him and grip the door handle. “It’s just a date, Marco. It doesn’t always have to be about sex.”

Marco bursts out into uncontrollable laughter. I open the passenger side door and get out. Before slamming it in his face and walking away, I say, “Stay close. Zìa’s orders.”

He nods through his laughter, and I walk away and let him find my date funny. I love Marco, but I miss having the privacy of being back home in Venice. No one there had to know anything about my personal life. Here, I can’t breathe wrong without Marco rushing toward me or asking questions.

I shove my hands in my pockets as I walk toward the restaurant.

Since ending my phone call with Zìa earlier in the day, my thoughts of Ren have fallen away.

I kept myself busy with researching my next assignment, working out, and getting ready for dinner.

But as I walk through the city streets, he comes to mind.

I don’t know why. He was nothing but frustrating and annoying to me last night.

As I near the restaurant, I focus on that.

That’s what I’ll think of if he pops up in my thoughts now.