Wild One

Forty-Two

Niccolo

She puts her hands on either side of my face, pulling me into a kiss. My belly feels funny, as I kiss her back.

“I'm glad you're okay,” She whispers.

What happened to I'm leaving you? And get out of my life, Niccoló?

Not that I miss it, just wondering where the hell it went.

“Course I'm okay,” I grin. Kissing her feels so good. I love kissing her. Sometimes I open my eyes, just so I can see her expression.

Her lashes rest on her cheeks, and her brows curve forward and she has this glow and—

Afterwords, she bites her lip and gives me a little shy smile. She looks at me through those long lashes and I just wanna kiss her again.

I stare at her features set on brown skin, like caramel, and the scattering of very, very light freckles that she despises.

I kiss the bridge of her nose where they're most prominent.

She scrunched her nose, batting me away.

“Stop it you weirdo!”

There goes my heart, acting up again. I went to the Mon Doctor. He said to record whenever my heart did anything other than beat straight.

That was weeks ago.

So far, I've recorded nearly 100 times.

“I'm gonna kill your little friend,” I inform her.

She shakes her head. “No you won't.”

“Ah, Capo?” I look into the rearview mirror. “The Estate, Angelo.”

.

She doesn't protest, but she makes a point of turning away from me.

“I'm still mad at you,” she huffs.

Make that 101. 101 times my heart did something off.

I kiss her shoulder, making it cave under my lips.

“Is there anyway, I can make it up to you, Kitten?”

She pushes me away, making me frown at the space between us.

“Did you think I forgot, Niccoló?"

Forgot what? Why isn't she kissing me anymore?

“What are talking about baby?” I turn her toward me, but she turns back around.

“I'm talking about everything that happened before the dinner.”

I just want some kisses. Is that too much to ask?

“That's behind us,” I assure her.

“It's behind you, because you don't want to give me any answers. You want everything to go back to how it was: me waiting for you. Being you're little girlfriend, waiting for you to get home with my legs spread.”

Is that so bad?

“It wouldn't make me feel bad,” I say.

She scoffs. “You're ridiculous. I told you I was done with you, and I am.”

Done. Done with me?

Anger flares up from deep inside my bones.

“We're not done, Manon. We're never done. Now, stop playing, and come here.”

She doesn't make a move.

“If you make me come and get you—"

“What's her name? Did you plan that Kidnapping. If so why? You want anything from me, you answer those questions.”

I stew, clenching my teeth. Flexing my jaw. I close my eyes, fisting my hands and I answer.

“Her name....her name is Dena. Yes...” I grit. “I did plan the kidnapping. I did it to prepare you. Now come here.”

She slides closer to me, those brown puppy dog eyes shining at me.

I pull her into my lap, burying my face into her neck.

She smells lightly of peach. It's the body wash and fragrance she uses. She always sprays some right here, on her neck. On her wrists, ankles, and behind her ear.

The scent puts me at ease slightly. I grip her ass, making her hands automatically go into my hair.

Calm descended. I kiss the flesh of her neck as she plays with my hair.

In this moment everything is perfect. But I haven't forgotten. I did what a mob boss never does—conceed. Yield to a hostiles demand.

I gave her what she wanted. I gave her information she was never supposed to know. And for what? So I could hold her.

I know it isn't right. But I know the feeling that's taking over. I've felt it before, but it felt like eons ago.