BURNING HOT

CHAPTER 20

WHY do you think Sam is avoiding you?" Grace groaned. Since Ila had returned to the room, she had been keeping Grace awake, and it was already past midnight.

"After the meeting, Sam said goodnight and acted all busy," Ila said, sounding incredulous. "He didn't even spare a glance for me, let alone a kiss. This is the longest we've gone without being intimate." Ila rolled over and wrapped herself around Grace.

Grace felt like pushing her best friend out of the huge bed and out of the room just to get some much-needed sleep instead of having this conversation. "Do we really have to discuss this right now?" Grace mumbled into her pillow.

"Yes, now. I promise I owe you a head massage, and I'll even break out the old treasure chest to oil your hair," Ila offered, knowing how much Grace had been longing for that massage.

"Fine," Grace shifted on the bed and settled her head on her friend's lap. "How come you have so much energy? You should be as drunk as I am right now."

"That's because you guys kept playing the game and got yourselves pretty drunk," Ila explained, her voice soothing Grace's headache as her fingers ran through her hair.

"Now tell me why you think he's avoiding you and what do you mean this is the longest you've gone without s*x. Have you forgotten the 18-year gap?"

"I meant since we got back together, smart ass. And yes, I know he's avoiding me because he doesn't want me to ask what's going on. He's up to something, and he knows I'll make him spill the beans."

"So, apart from missing his attention, you think he's keeping something from you. Okay, we've got that," Grace acknowledged.

Ila chuckled at her friend's analysis. "Well, yeah," she shrugged.

"But there's more, you didn't wake me up just for this. It's about Al, isn't it?" Grace asked, Ila was grateful for a friend who could read her so well, even better than herself, though it could be annoying at times.

"Al wants to have some private time tomorrow, either lunch or dinner, his treat. I've been avoiding being alone with him since he came all the way from Sicily into our lives," Ila admitted.

"You deprived him of this life, Ila, from the moment you decided to keep the baby without telling him you were pregnant. The least you can do is meet up with the man."

"I know my mistakes, Grace, but that's all in the past now," Ila protested.

"And that's why you should meet him. If you two won't discuss yourselves, then you have to talk about Sky," Grace said softly, trying to stifle a yawn.

"There's nothing to discuss about Sky; he's my son and he's old enough to make his own decisions now. I'll support his choices, no matter how they may change things," Ila replied, her voice still soft and soothing despite her anger.

"I know, Ila, but the main reason you're reluctant to meet him privately is that you still love him," Grace said, sitting up and taking Ila's hands in hers, looking into her friend's amber eyes in the dimly lit room.

"Your heart keeps calling to him, even though you're with Sam. Ila, you have to realize that Sam isn't the only one for you..."

"I can't imagine life without Sam, you know this," Ila interrupted.

"Ila, please let me finish. I'll get straight to the point. You know the answer yourself: if last night wasn't confirmation enough, what else is? If you don't figure out where you stand and what you want, neither Sam nor Al will be able to understand this."

"I'm scared; this is too complicated to even think about. But I can't deny the strong attraction to both of them. At the office, the tension between the three of us was palpable. I know we need to discuss this and face the reality of it."

"Stop overthinking it. The only thing you need to know is whether these two men would do anything to make you happy, even if it means sharing you," Grace said, always making things sound easier than they might be.

She knew she wasn't the only one who had almost lost control and started a heated moment. "I'll meet him for lunch," Ila finally decided. "And I'll talk to Sam in the morning."

"Good, can we sleep now?" Grace asked, already slumping forward onto the bed, on her belly.

"I was hoping we could discuss you and Mael," Ila said hopefully.

"You're pushing it, Ila. I'll kick you out of the room if you keep this up. It's past 3 already," Grace groaned.

"Never mind, I'll just ask my baby brother about it," Ila chuckled as Grace growled at her.

"You know there's nothing little about that brother of yours. Now, please, shut up, or I'll have to gag you," Grace threatened playfully, aware of the playful tone they shared. She knew she could find a gag among her many toys in the last drawer.

"Fine, let's sleep," Ila relented, looking at her friend. She finally gave up and removed her robe, slipping under the blanket naked and turning her back to Grace.

Ila felt warm, slender arms pulling her closer to a soft, warm chest. "Not even a 'sleep tight'?" Grace mumbled as she snuggled her friend closer.

Ila moved Grace's arms away and turned to face her with a mischievous smile. "Mael?" she asked again.

"Later, I promise. For now, let's focus on you, malen'koye plamya," Grace whispered, wrapping Ila back into her arms, her chin resting on Ila's hair.

"Your breasts are just inches from my mouth," Ila joked.

"Ila, I promise if you say one more word, I'm seriously going to gag you," Grace growled playfully, ready to tease her, but after a few minutes of silence, they both chuckled. Grace gave a gentle nip to Ila's earlobe before they both laughed and let exhaustion carry them into slumber.

~~~~•~~~~

Despite the late-night hustle and bustle, everyone managed to catch up with their schedules. That morning, Ila accompanied Sky and Matt to school, and Al joined them there.

Their presence was nothing short of conspicuous. A convoy of five imposing GMC YUKON vehicles stood shoulder to shoulder, each guarded by vigilant men.

Within Sam's elite team of twelve, they always divided into two groups. One was led by Sam himself, and the other by Kal. It was effortlessly discernible which team was stationed beside Ila and Sky. Presently, Kal and his team had discreetly entered the school building and remained hidden.

Ila's observant eyes followed Al as he bid his heartfelt farewells to Matt, Sky, and Kat, who hastened their retreat from the scene to the school building.

She could sense their discontent, but this was a necessary act. She couldn't allow anyone to perceive it as an easy game to target her or her beloved family.

She and Al exchanged a meaningful look before he nodded and got into the car. She noticed a distinct change in his demeanor. It was unlike anything she had ever witnessed. In that fleeting moment, she felt the same ominous aura she usually associated with Sam.

She watched as Lui sealed the car door and assumed the front passenger seat. All three cars roared to life and sped away. Only then did Ila clamber into her own vehicle. Before long, Sam joined her in the rear seat, with Dylan occupying the front passenger seat.

Behind the wheel, John was nodding away to the music, he was virtuoso at creating playlists and he was the team's most proficient driver in the team. Ila watched as he kept taping his fingers rhythmically to the music.

John's knack for assembling the perfect playlist was second to none, and his mastery of machines was nothing short of remarkable. He treated each vehicle under his care with an almost paternal devotion.

As they embarked on the journey to the office, Ila couldn't help but be aware of Sam's presence. He had abandoned his customary suit, making it challenging to blend in with the other men. While Ice had a similar aversion to formal attire, it had never been her concern; they all answered to Sam, not her. However, Sam now seemed to occupy more space than usual.

With each breath, she inhaled his distinctive scent-a fusion of spice and sunshine-that never failed to evoke a comforting sense of home.

Ila was acutely aware of the effect her attention had on him. Ordinarily, he would have responded with a suggestive quip or drawn her into an affectionate kiss. This time, though, he remained seated, his muscles coiled with an unusual tension.

She turned her gaze toward the world outside the car's tinted windows, catching sight of the quaint coffee shop where Kitty frequently procured their morning snacks. Ila promptly instructed John to halt the vehicle.

"We should continue to the office. I can have Sarah pick up whatever you desire," Dylan proposed, his voice laced with concern.

"I'll fetch my own snacks. Open the car," she declared firmly, showing no inclination to compromise. Dylan had made his case but complied, stepping out to open the door for her. She turned to Sam. "You're not joining me?" she inquired.

"Dylan will manage it," she barely heard his reply. Something was amiss. She had initially halted the car with the intention of sharing a brief conversation with him.

"Very well." She alighted from the car, and Sam watched intently as Dylan and Ice flanked her, with Ivan and Lev following closely behind.

These two strapping young men were Ila's cousins, and they had chosen to join Sam's security service after their military service. Apart from the core team, Sam had additional personnel assigned to protect Ila and Sky. All were co-owners of the security business, and the twelve of them functioned seamlessly together. Their company had earned a sterling reputation in the security sector, and admission was a privilege not easily obtained. Sam only trained and deployed individuals he could wholeheartedly endorse.

In his career, Sam had also collaborated with other men who functioned much like his team. These were honorable men who had endured an arduous training regimen they had not initially signed up for. In his homeland they had deceived several powerful Russian families into sending their children for military training and national service.

Sam fixed his gaze on the coffee shop, attempting to discern the activity amidst the morning rush of patrons seeking their caffeine fix and breakfast snacks before heading to the office. Ever since Ila had left her family's home, he had waited for months in vain for any news from her.

She had severed communication with her own relatives, leaving Sam simmering with pent-up frustration. He had so much unresolved anger that he didn't know where to direct it, especially on her father's estate.

While Sam had completed his training to assume control of his own family's territory, Ila hadn't been the only one to captivate his attention from the outset.

She would be astounded by what he had done behind her back to protect her from all the boys he had to fend off while she pursued her own interests openly. But his overprotective instincts had overridden his desire for her, pushing her into the arms of another man.

The memory of that pivotal night, etched with a haunting vividness, refused to loosen its grip on Sam's psyche. It had dominated his thoughts for the past 18 years, an unshakable specter.

When Ila emerged from her self-imposed seclusion, accompanied by her five-year-old son, Sky, to assume control of the company. Yet, he couldn't extricate himself from the service at that point.

Duty-bound, he had embarked on a relentless string of missions without respite, all in the hope that he and his team could someday retire and sever their ties to the blood-soaked underworld.

However, reality had a cruel way of dashing their hopes. Sam had become the lifeline for each of his team members, snatching them from perilous situations time and time again.

Long before they received word of Ila's accident and the man she had married, they had already immersed themselves in treacherous missions.

That night when Ila had emerged from the wreckage, shouldn't have survived the devastating car crash that also involved Sky. But thanks to her extraordinary driving skills, she had emerged from the wreckage, bearing only a permanent scar on her right leg and persistent muscle issues.

For Ila, staying in peak physical condition wasn't just a choice; it was a necessity. Her muscles needed to remain both resilient and limber.

"Are we losing her to the Italian?" Sam lifted his gaze to meet John's eyes. Every member of his team was more than just a comrade; they were a tightly-knit family. They depended on one another, and their steadfast anchors were Sam and Ila.

Her family had welcomed his team into their fold without hesitation, looking beyond appearances and valuing the unbreakable bonds forged through loyalty.

"It's highly unlikely," Sam replied with unwavering confidence. "I'm merely affording her the time to discern where her heart truly lies."

"Forgive me for shattering your illusions, but I think everyone can practically sense the smoldering connection those two are trying so hard to deny," John retorted. His insight was keen, and Sam knew that Al Barone, much like himself, wouldn't overlook the fiery chemistry between Ila and him for much longer.

"I'm aware of that, which is why I want that fire to engulf her. I'm waiting to see the choices she makes," Sam replied thoughtfully, even though he had a fairly good idea of what those choices might entail.

"I hope you know how to navigate this situation. We can only hope that you finally get what you've always yearned for."

"I hope so too," Sam murmured, his gaze drifting out the car window as Dylan and Ice escorted Ila back to the vehicle. She emanated an undeniable allure, a sensual aura that seemed to envelop her with every graceful movement, despite her reliance on her cane.

Ila's prowess rivaled that of some of the men Sam had trained with; she seamlessly integrated into his team. She wasn't just a billionaire empress; she was the eldest scion of a distinguished Russian family.

In her family, gender discrimination held no sway; Ila's father had groomed her to become a Mafia boss, with her best friend Grace as her unwavering right hand. However, upon discovering her pregnancy at a tender age, Ila had chosen to focus on the legal aspects of their business, entrusting her brother Mael with the reins of the underworld.

Ila had dedicated herself tirelessly to legitimizing their enterprise, meticulously erasing any trace of her family's involvement in illicit activities.

Ila placed the boxes of snacks on the car seat before settling into the vehicle, keeping her cane within easy reach. She was resolute about handling her own weapons and concealed defenses.

Her cane was just one of many covert weapons she had strategically positioned-whether in her residence, vehicles, offices, or even her penthouse. Ila's family operated a lucrative weapons trade, serving military and top-tier government security agencies.

Sam locked eyes with her, both of them aware of their mutual desire, yet she couldn't decipher why he was holding back. He knew she was on the brink of inundating him with questions once they reached the office, but he had other plans.

Today, he had chosen attire that deviated from his usual, as he wouldn't be accompanying her to the office. He placed his trust in his cousin Dylan and the team to safeguard her for a few hours while he attended to his own affairs.

"Sam, please talk to me," her voice resonated like a finely-tuned instrument. Ila possessed a alluring voice that could captivate and command attention. At times, Sam pondered the existence of psychic gifts, wondering if her voice was imbued with such power.

"We'll converse later, when I get back from my place," he told her calmly, pausing briefly before he watched her expression shifted to one of mild confusion.

"I'm only escorting you to the office; I have a few matters to attend to at my place." Sam explained

"Oh okay. I was contemplating a conversation after the morning's board meeting," she mused, her amber eyes ablaze with an intensity that could make most people uncomfortable beneath her penetrating gaze.

"Let's postpone it for later, perhaps over dinner. I'll be here to collect you after work, and we can dine out."

"Sounds like a plan. I'm meeting Al for lunch; I thought you should know since you won't be around," Ila mentioned, her hand instinctively moving to her knee, where she began tapping out a slow, rhythmic pattern.

"You've made a decision, that's a positive step," Sam replied, refraining from revealing more. The towering office building grew closer, and the security personnel emerged to welcome their esteemed boss.

Ila scrutinized Sam's countenance, struggling to decipher the currents of his thoughts, though she was well-acquainted with her own. She didn't mind the gradual deceleration of the car as it approached a stop at the entrance, where security personnel awaited her arrival.

Sam didn't expect Ila's move as she came over the seat and landed on his lap. Her skirt pushed up her thighs easily as the slit helped the soft fabric slide for her legs to wrap around him. Something that seemed difficult with his huge body, he wrapped his hand around her waist and adjusted her on his lap.

She was about to speak, but he grabbed her neck, and his mouth came down on hers, and the world tilted. It spun. She forgot everything around her as fire poured through her. Hot. Addicting. His taste made her feel drunk.

She could never control the flame when his mouth was on hers; his kisses were like a spicy aphrodisiac that attacked her senses, setting up a craving for life.

She closed her eyes and tried to get even closer to him as she moved over his lap, but his hand came down on her thighs and held them down, letting him take complete control. He took her over, the kisses changing, becoming more aggressive, rougher, and more demanding.

She would give this man everything he wanted and more. She held nothing back because she couldn't. It was impossible when his mouth was enough to light up her body in seconds. He was absolutely perfect.

"You're getting worse at being patient," he murmured to her as he moved with her. She felt as if she were floating. His hands stroked her body, and the heat grew until she might melt. He kissed roughly down her jaw, his mouth on her neck.

Sam's teeth scraped back and forth in a familiar sensual rhythm against the wild pulse beating in her neck. He kissed his way to her nape and then bit down gently on the junction between her neck and shoulder, making her shiver with need. He could never help himself.

"Everyone is waiting, Ila. Go with Dylan, and maybe after your lunch, you'll see me much earlier than agreed," Sam told her as he watched her eyes try to come back into focus.

Her skin was hot. Scorching. Between her legs, her s*x throbbed and burned. Her c**t pulsed and pounded. Her breasts ached for his touch. She wanted him with every breath she took, and she was talking about leaving her in this state?

Desperate for some breathing room, she gently separated herself from him, quickly straightening her disheveled attire.

"Before i meet Al," she began, "I really wanted to discuss some crucial matters with you."

"I understand, but you've already made up your mind. Go ahead, I'm here," he replied, patiently awaiting her words. But she didn't say anymore word as she opened the car door and gracefully stepped out, her cane in hand.

John settled back into the driver's seat, starting the engine. "Your place?" he inquired.

"We'll need to make a brief stop at Al Barone's office building," Sam informed him.