Page 43 of Vows of a Mobster

I felt his hand gently tighten around my waist, pulling me closer. God, I didn’t mind it at all. I wished he’d pulled me tighter. My body warmed and it felt good being held like that. Maybe these moments could be just for me, the brief minutes I could pretend to be desirable and not so alone.

“I should apologize for my brother,” he spoke low, his deep voice rumbled through his chest.

“Please, no need.” It wasn’t the man’s fault his brother was an idiot. “He meant no harm. He has good intentions just-”

I tried to search for the right words.

“Just not too bright?” he offered, and I chuckled.

“He’s not dumb, but I’ll admit he doesn’t think before he speaks or acts.” That was putting it mildly. I continued talking, “No worries though. Marissa and Daphne are probably ramming his ass as we speak.”

Both of us turned our heads and sure enough, it looked like they were ganging up on him.

“Your poor friend,” I told Mateo. “He should have really left when he had a chance.”

His deep laugh rumbled through his chest, warming me on the inside.

“Antonio is probably enjoying it,” he offered.

“Good then,” I concluded. “We are all having fun.”

“Except Marcus,” he offered and we both laughed. “Okay, enough of my brother. You promised me a long story.”

I raised my head to meet those mesmerizing eyes of his. There was a hardness in them but also beauty that drew me in. I wondered how many women he had at his beck and call. I would bet my flimsy salary he had many. I was never the one to run after boys or men, but for some dumb reason, I wouldn’t mind being on his speed dial. Maybe that showed my desperation for affection. It could be that all the years of denying myself a chance to meet a man had made me hungry for any affection.

“Brianna?” his voice startled me and I remembered he asked for a long story.

“Which one would you like?” I asked him, meeting his gaze.

“How about the Vaseline one?” he asked, his eyes twinkling and an amused smile playing around his lips. And he really had beautiful lips, despite the scruffy beard. Made me want to taste him. It had been so long since I felt man’s lips on me. This desire for him was a new, unfamiliar sensation.

With a pretentious, heavy sigh. “Well, if you must know that one,” I played with him. “But you have to swear to secrecy.”

“Okay,” he humored me.

“You have to swear it on your life, no matter what torture you have to endure, you will never,” I told him seriously, although I had a hard time keeping straight face, “ever tell another living soul.”

“You got it, Bellissima,” he agreed and I felt heat color my cheeks at his endearment. He called me beautiful. “I swear on my life; I will never tell another soul.”

It was weird, but he struck me as a man of his word. I knew without a doubt if he made a vow, he’d keep it. Although this wasn’t really a make it or break it promise.

On a deep exhale, I started, “I should have had more alcohol,” I muttered to myself, my eyes searching out my daughter. Marissa and Daphne were with the children now, playing a game. Those two were such a lifesaver. My daughter was lucky. She might have not had a father but she had three mothers. Focusing on the man in front of me and recalling our topic. “Anyhow, Marissa, Daphne, and I have this thing going on.”

I put my hand on my cheek and was short of fanning myself.

“Yes?” He nudged me to continue.

“I can’t believe I’m about to tell this to a guy,” I should start to question my sanity right about now. “Well, we like to read smut. Like lots and lots of smut and pick them together then compare notes.”

“Romance novels?” He raised his eyebrow in question.

“Yes, like super dirty romance novels.” Now, I fanned myself and he chuckled.

He took my hand and put it back around his neck.

“You’ll have to be a bit more specific and explain what Vaseline has to do with it?”

“Jesus, I will probably die of embarrassment after this,” I muttered. “Are you sure you want to know?”