Betraying the Mob - KU Read online

  Maybe tonight those shields will finally be lifted.

  He forces his jeans and boxers to the floor and kicks them off before climbing over me, the swollen head of his long, hard cock grazing my opening. My legs fall open for him, desire bubbling in my veins. I lie there, breathless, aching for him to touch me, to singe my skin with his carnal energy. He runs a hand down the length of my body, his soft lips following suit, traveling lower and lower. He caresses the insides of my thighs with his hungry mouth, gripping my legs, lifting my body to give himself leverage as his tongue plunges into my core, sweeping over my clit before each thrust into me. I fist the comforter and pull a throw pillow over my face to muffle the screams, or this would be grounds for Max’s castration at the hands of my dad. I clench with every nip and nibble, my heart thudding with such force, it may just explode with glee. I arch my back, thrusting my hips against his mouth, screeching into the pillow like it’s the first time I’ve ever felt this rush of emotion course through me like a raging flame.

  Because it is. And I don’t want it to be the last time.

  I’m so screwed.

  My body trembles and quivers, shuddering with delicious aftershocks as my breathing calms. The pillow is lifted from my face, and it’s Max’s seductive grin greeting my elated one.

  “You’re done already?” I whisper.

  “Not even close,” he murmurs, tracing the outline of my lips. “Give me a sec.” He reaches down to the floor, and a minute later, he produces a foil packet.

  “Wait.” I lean forward and push him backward onto the mattress with what I hope is a sultry smile. I balance myself on either side of him, straddling him, dipping my head to take his perfect, pink cock into my mouth. My pussy still tingles from the memory of his delicious oral assault, and the greedy bitch wants more, but she’s just going to have to wait a little while longer.

  I slide my tongue down the sides, taking him as deep as my throat will allow, and that’s not saying much since I have a pretty bad gag reflex and he’s hung like a freaking elephant.

  Oh, by the way…thank you, God!

  He clasps my shoulders, digging his fingers into my skin as I nip and suckle, teasing his slit with my tongue. Loud moans spur me on, so I stroke him harder with my mouth, kneading his balls until he fists my hair…just hard enough to make desire pool between my legs.

  This is happening. Holy shit, this is really happening!

  His body quivers and quakes beneath me, and the energy flowing between us short-circuits my brain as I take him deeper and deeper.

  “Stop,” he rasps.

  I lift my head, confused. “What’s wrong? I thought—”

  He raises himself up, eyeing me like a predator who hasn’t eaten in days and is about to devour his prey. “Get up here,” he growls, the low, gravelly tone making my skin prickle with anticipation.

  I bite my lower lip and crawl toward him. He pulls me on top of him, crushing his lips to mine. “That was fucking incredible,” he whispers, gently tugging at my hair and giving himself access to my neck. I let out a tiny gasp. My God, this man is driving me crazy with his lips, those hands, and his body.

  He grabs the condom packet, tears off a corner with his teeth, and pulls it out. All one-handed. Pretty damn impressive. That, or he’s desperate to get it on—literally and figuratively.

  So am I…

  He rolls it on and backs me down to the mattress, rubbing his cock against my clit as he hovers over me. I run my fingernails down the sides of his torso, making him shudder against me, proving that he does actually feel things. His eyes drift closed for a split second, and when they open, those dark pools of desire are raging, showing me that he’s not impervious to what’s happening between us right now.

  I don’t even want to think about what’s happening to me…or what will happen afterward.

  I just want him. This moment. He’s all I’ve ever wanted.

  He lowers his body over mine, the head of his cock pushing inside of me. I swallow a gasp. Damn, it burns when you haven’t had sex in a while.

  Okay, it’s been a little longer than just a while. It’s inching closer and closer to forever.

  But Max takes his time. He moves slowly inside of me, stretching me wide to take him all in. And oh God, there’s so much to take. I tighten my arms around him, hugging him against me, my body urging him to kiss me, to take away the pain.

  He lowers his lips to mine, his greedy tongue plunging into my mouth, swirling and curling with my own. With each thrust deeper, my body opens for him, molding around him like a glove. He slides in and out, rubbing himself against my clit each time. I fist his hair, releasing every shred of emotion coursing through me into that kiss.

  I press my hands into the small of his back, urging him to stay buried inside of me, to never break this connection. I don’t know how we got here, and I don’t really care why. The only thing I know is that I don’t want it to ever end. He’s awoken things inside of me that I never even knew were asleep.

  I draw in a sharp breath, my muscles clenching tight around him. I lift my hips, pressing into him, once, twice, and holy hell…the sparks inside of my core ignite into a raging inferno of unbridled lust and love that words alone could never describe.

  Every cell sizzles as he rocks against me. Hands are everywhere, his, mine…they can’t seem to grope fast enough or clutch hard enough as the euphoric rush captivates our flushed and frenzied bodies. Toe-curling, mind-numbing, body-tingling sensations command me, bright white lights flashing behind my eyes as the explosion shoots out to every extremity, igniting my insides. Max’s perfect lips silence the screams that erupt from deep within my chest, and he thrusts a few more times before tremors assault his own body.

  This thing…whatever it is…is more powerful and more intoxicating than any sick and twisted fantasy I’d ever concocted of the two of us in my mind, and believe me, there have been plenty over the years.

  None of them could hold a candle to the reality of the two of us together.

  I try to catch my breath, but my pulse refuses to cooperate. It continues to race, ready to explode out of my neck. Goosebumps pop up along my arms and shoot down my legs in response to his nearness.

  Max collapses next to me, flinging one arm over his head and dragging his fingertips down my back with the other. “Fuck. That was crazy.”

  “Yeah,” I pant, my chest heaving. I run a hand through my hair, sweeping it away from my face, and roll over to face him. A small smile plays at my lips. He looks so relaxed, so different than he did when he rolled in here a little while ago. Unburdened, uninhibited, and just…happy.

  It’s rare to see. I catch glimpses here and there, but right now? It’s like he’s a different person. Or maybe this is the person he really is…the one who can never seem to make his way to the surface for too long before he’s ordered away, leaving the hardened version on display for the rest of the world to see.

  Why is that?

  Questions…I have so many…

  What does he do when he leaves me after our late-night video game sessions? Where does he go? Who is he with? Is there a future for us? Does a guy with all of these scars even believe he can have a future?

  Do I?

  But I choke them all back, mainly because I don’t really know if I’m ready to hear all of the answers. I squash every doubt because I’m not sure I’m ready to battle any of his demons either.

  Max

  “What was that?” Sloane breathes, her thick eyelashes fluttering over her green eyes as if she’s still trying to make sense of what just happened between us.

  Kind of the way I am.

  I graze the top of her breasts with my fingertips, and she gasps, biting her lower lip. “I don’t know, but I think we need to do it at least another five times to figure it out.”

  She lets out a soft giggle, shivering against me. I wiggle an arm underneath her and pull her into my chest. Her hair is a beautiful mess of long, dark waves that tickle my skin. I ta
ke a deep breath, inhaling the scent of coconuts.

  Makes me think of suntan lotion…blue skies…a secluded beach…sex on said beach…

  “Sloane, I didn’t expect this to happen tonight. It’s not why I came over.”

  “I know,” she whispers, her fingernails tracing the outline of my pecs, and fuck, it feels amazing.

  “I was serious when I said you make me feel different. Better, I guess.” I press a finger to my forehead. Is my mouth ever going to stay shut, for Christ’s sake?

  “You’re doing a lot of talking tonight.” Sloane rolls over and leans forward on her elbows, a teasing smile on her lips. “I’m not used to all the exposition.”

  “I guess I just needed to let some things out.” I tug at my hair, willing my mind to shut down before my mouth starts spewing things I can’t control.

  “Do you feel any better?”

  My eyes meet hers. “Yeah,” I say.

  “Does this have to do with what happened to Mr. Salesi? And the guy who broke into Nico’s house?” She looks down to the thread on the comforter her fingers are occupied with, her hair shielding the expression on her face.

  I don’t need to see her face to know that there are a hell of a lot of questions written all over it. Questions she’s never asked. Questions I’ve been lucky to avoid.

  It’s been weeks since that night, and I know the story hasn’t quite come to an end. And when it does, I doubt it’ll be a pleasant one. “Sloane, I…" I what? I’m in love with you, but I can’t actually tell you anything about my life because it may get both of us killed? Or worse? So that’s why I try and keep my distance but fail miserably most of the time?

  I mean, we’re talking the mafia here. A bunch of crazy motherfuckers who plot shit that make death seem like a welcome alternative.

  “I’m just concerned, Max. My best friend was attacked and shot an intruder in cold blood, on the same day her boyfriend’s father was railroaded by a Mack truck no less. She hasn’t been herself at all lately, and she won’t talk to me. Do you know how helpless that makes me feel?”

  “Shaye’s really lucky to have a friend like you.”

  “There was a time she used to tell me everything. I feel like we’re drifting apart. When she got together with Nico, she just shut down. I feel like she doesn’t talk to me anymore. She’s been sucked into Nico’s world, whatever that is, and I’m left standing on the outside.” She shrugs. “I guess it makes me a little sad. I figured when she moved back up here from Miami that things would be the way they were before she left.” A sad smile lifts her lips. “But I guess she’s on a new chapter now. It was bound to happen, right? That’s life.”

  “Hey, you know she loves you. I just think she’s been under a lot of stress lately and wants to be there for Nico.”

  “Yeah, I get it.” Sloane collapses onto the bed and covers her face with her hands. “Everyone is moving on, and I’m still in the same place, living with my dad, working twelve hours a day.” She peeks at me through her fingers. “I feel like we’re playing one long game of therapist and patient tonight, just alternating roles.”

  “Do you feel better?”

  “To be honest, yes, but only because you’re here right now. I guess I needed to let some things out, too.” She giggles and pulls the comforter over us.

  “Cold?”

  She nods, snuggling into me. I want to stay here forever, wrapped up in a blanket with this beautiful, naked woman plastered on top of me. I don’t think that’s asking for too much. It’s safe, it’s warm, and nobody is going to attack me with an ice pick while I’m lying here.

  “Tell me something good,” I murmur. “I need to hear you talk some more.”

  “Okay. Well, the hospital administrator asked me to give a speech at an upcoming benefit about my charity organization, The Buddy System. I’m really excited about it.”

  “More, please.”

  “There are going to be a lot of donors present, and I have a chance to get people really excited about it.” She peers up at me and bites her fist. “I’m so nervous about it. I don’t want to mess up and risk losing donations. We really need the money.”

  “Do you need a friendly face in the audience cheering you on?”

  She rises onto her elbows, a teasing smile on her face. “Are you inviting yourself to my event, Max?”

  “Well, I think I can make myself available if you need the moral support.” I wink and ruffle her hair. “And if you want me there.”

  “I’d love it if you came.” A bright smile stretches across her lips. “That would be awesome.”

  “Then I’ll be there. Now, tell me more about the kids. What are they like?”

  “They’re so great and positive. They go through so much with their diseases, but yet they try really hard to be optimistic. They’re such an inspiration, and I feel like this is the least I can do to help. So we find volunteers to come and hang out with them while they’re in the hospital. They’re the buddies. And we use donations to buy games and toys and electronics so the kids have things to keep them occupied when their buddies visit. The whole experience keeps their spirits high and their minds occupied so they aren’t thinking about being sick.” A shadow clouds her face for a second. “It’s so sad to know they might never get better, but making new friends helps them through the dark times, you know?” She sighs. “It’s not always easy. There’s this one kid, Eli, who was just admitted. I’ve heard that he’s really unresponsive and confrontational. I still have to meet him and introduce him to the program, but it doesn’t sound like he’d be up for it. I don’t know, I need to find just the right person to pair up with him, someone who can get through to him and help him come to terms with his diagnosis. Someone who can make him smile and look forward instead of focusing on the present which is pretty crappy right now.”

  “You really are an incredible woman, Sloane.” I flip over onto my stomach, leaning over her. “It takes a really special person to put an organization like this together.”

  “Sometimes it’s nice to have someone to talk to and play video games with.” She nudges me.

  “Yeah” I brush her hair off her forehead and lean down to gently graze it with my lips. This girl does so much…she gives so much…she deserves so much.

  How can I possibly give her even half of what she gives to others, knowing my past is on the hunt for me?

  I have a battle to fight, but I don’t know if I can win it.

  I stroke the side of her face, pressing my lips to hers as a reminder that winning is everything.

  It means I actually get to live.

  I crack open my eyes, squinting at the blinding stream of light that managed to cut through the curtains. One of my arms is wrapped tight around Sloane. I drop a kiss onto her shoulder and she lets out a tiny moan, sliding that perfect ass against my cock.

  Which, under normal circumstances, would make me want to fuck her until she forgets her own name and make her scream her hot little head off for hours on end.

  But there are too many other things that keep my dick limp as a fucking noodle…things that can hurt her, things that can destroy whatever this is between us, things that should have kept me tossing and turning in my own bed last night instead of invading hers.

  Instead, I came over here in the middle of the fucking night with a shit storm tearing my mind apart.

  I had no right to show up on her doorstep.

  I had no right to put her in danger.

  I had no right to make promises I can’t keep.

  Her deep, even breaths tell me she feels comfortable, secure, and safe.

  That’s fucking irony for you. I’m the last person anyone should feel safe around. Especially now.

  Waiting is pure torture. I know what’s coming, but I don’t know when, where, or how.

  I only know nobody is safe around me. Yet, here I am, literally wrapped up in the girl I’ve been in love with for as long as I can remember.

  Now she’s at risk…just like ev
eryone else, because that’s how it works when you’re dealing with people who have nothing to lose.

  They take everything because they have nothing.

  They want you to feel the same pain.

  I scrub a hand down the front of my face.

  I have to get out of here. It’s daylight, and my car is parked outside next to hers.

  Anyone could be out there…

  Because today could be that day.

  My phone buzzes on the nightstand and I reach for it without loosening my grip on her.

  Hey, dickhead. I’m back. Did ya miss me?

  I grit my teeth.

  Yeah, it looks like that day is coming sooner than I thought.

  I pull my truck into my parents’ driveway a couple of hours later only to find my dad’s car sitting there. I rake a hand through my hair, my mind still on Sloane and what the hell I’m doing with her. The conversation this morning didn’t go much beyond our latest Victory Royale in Fortnite. I’m not sure there was much else to cover. Can I even offer her anything else right now? Will she be okay with my lifestyle?

  I mean, the sex was insane, but she won’t be happy with that for long. She’s not that type of girl. But how much can she actually handle? That’s the real question…one I don’t know how to ask.

  I get out of the car and jog to the front door, sticking my key into the lock. I walk inside to find Shaye sliding into a pair of boots. She looks up with a surprised smile. “Hey! What brings you here so early?”