BURNING HOT

CHAPTER 14

SKY, could you please grab a robe for your mother before she freezes her ass off downstairs?"

"Won't be your ass freezing out," Ila snapped, fully aware that Grace was simply trying to provoke her.

"A frozen ass wouldn't exactly suit you, darling," Grace countered, seemingly aiming to pick a fight. It was amusing how both of them seemed to forget they were no longer teenagers.

Just as Ila was about to throw back a witty retort, Sky intervened with unexpected bravery. "Will you please stop talking about my mom's ass, Grace? Gosh..." He handed her the silk black robe and turned to Grace again, adding, "And Mom can pull off any look, trust me." Ila and Grace couldn't help but coo in agreement.

"Always on his mother's side, why did I even agree to be your godmother?" Grace sighed playfully, and they all began to move towards the door.

"Jealous much? You practically begged me on the floor to make you his godmother. You didn't even care that Sam was his godfather," Ila laughed, reminiscing about the memory. Sam and Grace hadn't exactly gotten along, but they were both willing to share an important role in Sky's life.

"That's not how I remember it," Grace argued, as they descended the stairs. Ila couldn't help but feel a twinge of pain in her leg.

"I'm on your side too, Grace," Sky chimed in, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

"Nice way to show it, buddy." Moments like this, Ila was grateful to be surrounded by people who cared about her. Their decisions were always made with her best interests in mind, even if they sometimes frustrated her.

"Come on, Mom, hurry before Ice and the others devour everything," Sky sounded genuinely concerned, and Ila couldn't help but smile. Passing through the living room and joining everyone in the kitchen, she took in the scene.

The kitchen was bustling that night, all four chairs at the back of the room were occupied. It seemed that Mr. Stark had decided to stay for dinner, and he appeared to be enjoying his time with Sarah. Ryder, Dean, and John sat quietly, occasionally glancing at the group with their mouths full of pizza.

"But you sound offended as if you guys actually prepared dinner," Sky complained, his tone indignant, as he walked around the table toward the screen door that led outside to the garden. The table was filled with pizza boxes.

"You dare get offended by Signora Livia's pizza?" Ice exclaimed, a few others joining in to playfully chastise Sky for his mistake. Kat and Matt were also seated at the table, savoring their pizza with amusement and relaxation. Ila couldn't ignore the presence she had felt even before entering the room.

Sam stood in the corner, his demeanor far from relaxed, unlike the others. His eyes were cold and hard, his body tense. Ila walked over to him.

"Someone looks like they're ready to snap," she observed. Sam rarely lost his temper, except when it came to Grace. She noticed his body relaxing slightly at the sound of her gentle voice.

"I see you've been entertaining yourself," he responded, his expression softening. He had undoubtedly detected the scent of smoke on her.

"I certainly have," they continued to gaze at each other, a silent conversation unfolding between them.

"Sam gave everyone a death glare, warning them not to touch the pizza he set aside for you. But if you two keep up with this silent staring contest, I might just test what comes after that glare," Grace chimed in, always eager to stir up trouble. With the amount of pizza they had ordered, leftovers would be inevitable, but Grace enjoyed getting under Sam's skin. Ila couldn't help but wonder what their shared secrets meant for her.

"Sam," Ila placed her palm on his arm, "you should freshen up while I eat. We have matters to discuss." She turned to Grace. "And you too, Grace." Sam scanned the room before nodding and exiting the kitchen. Grace helped herself to a few slices of pizza and having a seat instead.

"Have a seat, Ila," Grace gestured towards a chair.

Ila settled around the kitchen table with Sky, Matt, Kat as Ice joined the others at the other side of the room. A collection of pizza boxes spread out before them. The room was filled with the savory aroma of freshly baked pizza, and the warm glow of the overhead lights created a cozy atmosphere.

Ila couldn't help but smile as she grabbed a slice while looking at the sight of her family and friends gathered together. It was these simple moments that held so much meaning for her.

Sky grinned mischievously as he selected a slice topped with a mountain of pepperoni. "I swear, Mom, they put extra pepperoni just for me," he declared with a playful wink.

Ila chuckled, shaking her head. "I wouldn't be surprised. You've always been Signora Livia's biggest fan." She chose a slice with a variety of vegetables, enjoying the combination of flavors and textures.

Grace, true to her nature, had a slice with an adventurous mix of toppings that would make any pizza connoisseur raise an eyebrow. She took a bite and closed her eyes in satisfaction. "Perfection," she mumbled, savoring the taste.

They ate in contented silence for a moment, the only sounds being the occasional crunch of crust and the soft hum of conversation from the others. It was as if time had slowed down, allowing them to fully appreciate the simple pleasure of good food and great company.

Matt broke the silence with a laugh. "You know, Mom, I still can't believe you're friends with Grace. You're like polar opposites."

Grace smirked, taking a sip of her drink. "That's why we balance each other out. Plus, your mom needs someone to keep her on her toes."

Ila rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, believe me, she does a great job of that."

"I think you two keep each other on her toes..." Kat mumbled chewing slowly on her pizza slice.

Sky leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "I'm just glad you both are a part of my life. It's like having two forces of nature around."

Grace gave a theatrical bow. "Why, thank you, god son. It's an honor to be a force of nature."

Ila chuckled softly, feeling a warmth in her heart. She reached over and ran her hand over Sky's face affectionately. "You've always had a way with words, Sky."

They continued to enjoy their pizza, the conversation flowing easily between them. Grace and Kat debating on the torture techniques to use on there unlucky subject. Matt kept reminding Kat he wouldn't let her near the man. The laughter, the shared stories, and the sense of belonging filled the room with a sense of joy that was almost tangible.

As they finished their meal, Matt leaned back in his chair with a contented sigh. "I enjoyed dinner, you all make even a simple dinner feel like an event. I'm glad to be part of this"

"I too, it's an honor to be in your midst" kat added smiling at Ila and looking shyly away from Sky.

Ila smiled at Matt and Kat, her heart full. "Well, I suppose that's the magic of spending time with people you love."

Grace nodded in agreement, a soft smile on her lips. "You're absolutely right, Ila."

In that moment, surrounded by the remnants of their pizza feast and the warmth of their companionship, Ila couldn't have asked for anything more. The simple act of sharing a meal had turned into a cherished memory, one that would remain etched in their hearts for years to come.

~•~•~°~•~•~

She directed her gaze towards Grace, a determined glint in her eyes. It was time to address the underlying issues that had been simmering beneath the surface for a while now. As much as she cherished her relationship with Grace and valued Sam's presence in her life, it was essential to establish a new understanding among them.

The three of them were in the private living room room now, Sam had joined Grace and her after the finished with dinner.

Ila cleared her throat, her tone firm yet tinged with an undercurrent of vulnerability. She never needed to controll her real emotions around this two. "Grace, Sam, I think it's high time we have a frank discussion." Her fingers absentmindedly traced her knee as she spoke. "We've been through a lot together, and I believe in the strength of our bond. But in order to truly stand together as a family, we need to break down the barriers of secrecy and ensure that our trust remains unwavering."

Grace met Ila's gaze, her expression a mixture of curiosity and seriousness. "Ila, I know what you're getting at, and you're right. We've kept things from you, thinking it was for your own good, but I can see now that it's causing more harm than good."

Sam shifted in his seat, his stern demeanor a guard that never comes off easily. "Ila, we've made decisions with the intention of protecting you, but we realize that we should have involved you in those decisions. We've underestimated your strength and your ability to handle the truth." But truly had she had the strength?

Ila nodded, a weight lifting off her shoulders as she saw their willingness to admit their mistakes. "Thank you both for understanding. We're a team, a family. That means facing challenges together and being open about our intentions. No more secrets, no more decisions made behind closed doors. From now on, we discuss things as equals." That was what they have always done and this mistake won't tear them apart.

Grace nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting a sense of relief. "You're absolutely right, Ila. It's time to put everything out in the open and work together."

Sam's small smile held a genuine warmth that seemed to thaw the coldness in his eyes. "I've always admired your strength, Ila. It's time for us to stand beside you as equals, rather than trying to shield you from every obstacle." Ila couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at his words, though a hint of amusement flickered in her gaze. She had known Sam for long enough to detect the underlying layers of his intentions.

Her lips curled into a smile, a mixture of skepticism and affection. "Doesn't mean you shouldn't let me do my duty, and that is protecting you, Ila."

"Haven't seen you talk so much in a while, big guy," Grace interjected playfully. "But he's absolutely right, Ila. No matter how much you resist the position you find yourself in, both you and Sky will always be our priority. It's time you finally accept that."

Ila felt a renewed sense of purpose as their words settled in. She appreciated the sentiment behind them, even if they were tinged with a hint of stubbornness. "Thank you, both of you. I will work on finding my balance, but I can't promise I won't be a pain in the ass along the way." Their shared laughter filled the room. "This is the beginning of a new chapter for us, where honesty and trust will guide our actions, even if I know it's going to be difficult for some of us..." She cast a thoughtful look in Sam's direction, acknowledging the challenges he was facing. But he had remained steadfast, guarding and loving her throughout it all.

"Al' Barone will be here in less than 10 hours. What's the plan?" Sam's voice cut through the conversation, shifting the focus to the pressing matters at hand.

Ila nodded, her expression determined. "We'll have to be prepared, ensure that everyone knows their role. But right now, I'm just grateful that we've cleared the air."

Grace stretched her arms above her head, feigning exhaustion. "I'm getting really tired. I'm glad we're all on the same page, Ila. And I'm even happier that you finally told Sky the truth. He deserved to know after all these years." She stood up, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I'll leave you two to strategize while I go shower and test out that smoke myself."

Ila chuckled at her friend's antics. "Okay, but I'm serious, Grace. It really does make you feel... frisky. Sky didn't believe me; I'm sure he's up to no good right now."

Grace laughed heartily, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. "Then I'll be waiting for you, bestie, naked in bed." She glanced at Sam, her playful tone causing a hint of jealousy to flash across his face. With a wink and a final laugh, Grace left the room.

Ila turned her attention back to Sam, a soft smile playing at her lips. "Thank you for being here, Sam. Through all the complexities, you've remained a constant."

Sam's gaze met hers, his expression tender. "I'll always be here, Ila. No matter what comes our way."

And in that quiet moment, as they looked into each other's eyes, Ila felt a renewed sense of gratitude for the people who had become her family. The challenges ahead were still significant, but with trust, honesty, and unwavering support, they would face them together.

"Don't look at me that way, babe. It's bad enough I can't have you sleeping in my bed tonight," he grumbled, the frustration evident in his voice.

Ila held his gaze, her expression a mix of defiance and hurt. "I can't simply forgive you for orchestrating all of this perfectly, Sam."

"No, Ila, it wasn't planned," he insisted, his tone tinged with earnestness. "We didn't find out about who Sky's father really was until months ago, when Matt and Sky crossed paths. Then you went through those changes without even realizing it." Sam's words cut through her anger, forcing her to consider the situation from a different perspective.

"How did you manage to get Grace involved? She wasn't even around. Last I heard, she was at some retreat in the mountains or something."

"Grace had mentioned the name 'Allen' to Sophie," Sam explained calmly. "All I did was get a few strands of hair from Matt and run a DNA test. It turned out they were actually brothers, and your 'Allen' was, in fact, Al' Barone-an Italian Mafia Lord your brother had worked with a few years back."

Sam took a step away from her, his hand running through his hair as if trying to process his own actions. "You wouldn't talk about him, Ila. Everyone assumed you had some fleeting affair or random encounter, but I've always known you better than you know yourself, love." His eyes locked onto her fiery amber gaze.

He continued, his words both raw and heartfelt. "The only man you've ever truly loved is me, and I knew deep down that you wouldn't have let another man touch you or claim you if your heart hadn't somehow shifted in that direction." Sam walked around her, closing the distance between them.

"Ila, I lost you to him once-18 years ago-because I wanted to protect you from the beast that resides within me. The beast that only craves to bring your body to every sensual height imaginable." He stood before her now, his vulnerability exposed.

Her breath hitched, her body responding to his proximity with a deep ache of desire. "I can't lose you either, Sam," she whispered, her voice tinged with desperation. "I don't know what's going to change with Al' coming into the picture, but I won't lose you. Not after we've finally agreed to build something strong and enduring."

Sam's hand reached out to gently cup her cheek, his touch both reassuring and tender. "I've made mistakes, Ila, and I'll do everything in my power to make things right. Al' won't take you away from me. We're stronger now, and together we'll face whatever challenges come our way."

As his thumb brushed against her skin, a shiver ran down her spine, and she realized just how much Sam meant to her. In the face of impending danger and uncertainty, they stood united, bound by a love that had weathered storms and emerged even stronger.

They closed the distance between them, their lips meeting in a hot and passionate kiss. The kiss ignited a slow burn within her as she clung to Sam's larger frame, yearning to be closer to him.

"And who said you couldn't have me?" Ila whispered in Sam's ear, tilting down his chin. "We just have to be quick," she said seductively, running her hands down his chest.

"Well, since we're going to be quick, I hope you're ready for me, baby, because I can't wait to get into that sweet, wet p***y of yours." He pulled her down onto the couch, after pushing her robe down to her waist.

He knelt behind her, positioning her well as she stuck her butt out perfectly for him. He moved the black lace panties aside to expose her glistening wet pink p***y. "You are ready."

"I'll always be ready to take you, Sam," she whispered as she felt his big fingers push into her wet opening, and then she experienced the thrust of his hand and heard the lace material give way.

"I just need to taste you really quick, though. I've wanted that all day."