Luca (I Love the Way You Lie #1) (28 page)

I watched her toss and turn. Sweat matted her hair to her face. Seven years ago, she had that same look. The look that took hold of my heart and never let it go. Panic ran through the air. She was having a panic attack. I knew it and she knew it, but she wouldn’t admit it. I silently reminded her that I would never abandon her, hurt her, and would do anything to keep her safe. Her breathing quickened and her scent filled my nose from across the room. I cherished her more than she did herself. It was my honor to do so. I buzzed with scotch and perverse irritation. She was going to get herself hurt, and I’d do everything to make sure
that
didn’t happen.

I quietly made a few calls, ensuring my little firefly’s safety. She wouldn’t know it, but she’d have security up the ass. I didn’t want to manipulate the situation, but she left me no choice. Her health and well being was paramount to mine. If she continued, I’d never sleep again. Unacceptable. I finally decided to change, shower, and get some overseas paperwork out of the way for the morning. Sleep wouldn’t come tonight; that was for fuck sure.

I opened my laptop, waking it, and emailed Archer. I knew he was a night owl. Odds were good that I’d have a quick response.

@ArcherMichaels

Send the wire transfer. Let’s move ahead
.

A few minutes later, my emailed sounded.

@DDeLuca

You sure? Paulie gave his opinion. I didn’t take it lightly. *See attachment
.

I opened the attachment, even though I already knew what his feeling was on this deal.

Sterling is under the B family. (B for Bonono) It was in code. I laughed. As if someone couldn’t figure it out.

“If you merge Sterling with Alastair, it will start a thing (war) between already questionable working relations. Call it a favor. No one needs the grief. We could always talk over coffee…ciao.”

@ArcherMichaels

Move ahead with the deal. No rest for the wary
.

A second later:

@DDeLuca

Done

Later that morning

A meeting was called at ten AM this morning with all senior staff. Two words I didn’t want to hear from Archer’s mouth:
damage control.
Thankfully, I didn’t. Sheer excitement wound through me. I took my seat at the head of the table, slamming the gavel. Archer was to my right; behind me, someone was taking the minutes down. The documents before us were already voted on. This was more about posturing than anything else. The deal was done and my bed was made.

“As you have heard already, we’ve sent the funds securing Sterling last night. The due diligence of Sterling’s financials was forwarded to each of you personally. As the CEO of this company, I made the sound decision to close the deal.” The office hummed with executive voices murmuring congratulations and pleasantries.

Archer braced his hands on the table and leaned in. “I want to thank each of you for every effort, long nights, missed lunches, and lost sleep. It’s been a rough couple of months for all of us. We are now officially in
Telecom
.” A few of the younger executives banged their hands on the table in excitement. I sat deeper into my chair, letting the energy sweep through me. It was intense and I was alive with it.

The meeting ended and I wanted to talk to Archer before meeting with the attorneys. I shook his hand. “Thank you, man. It means the world to me—you having my back in this deal.”

He nodded and then reminded me, “
Our
deal. I’ve always had your back. I’ve always had confidence in this deal. I just wasn’t sure you’d walk on your father’s toes or not. Telecom, is the future, and it’s going to make us millions.”

I agreed. “Right now, my concern is strictly the maximization of those profits. I want to dominate.”

“Don’t we always,” he said, gathering his folders. “We’ve got this,” he added before leaving me alone in the room. We did. I was confident in that fact. However, the family was an entirely different animal.

Archer still didn’t understand the way it all worked: my father, the family, and me. I was raised around these guys, had an intimate understanding of their minds. They were soldiers through and through. Men of honor. The only other people they harm or kill are other family members like themselves, who also made like-minded decisions. When they put a hit out on you, it’s nothing personal…just business. Yeah, it would go down something similar to.
Bang. Bang. Bang. You’re dead, asshole
.
Crossed the wrong person. Oh, and by the way, “It’s just business.”
It was a fucked up way to look at things, but it was the way
they
were. There was a justification for any hit they made.

I didn’t want to worry Archer. However, another pair of eyes on us wouldn’t be a bad thing. As a business owner, I took personal interest in marketing in order to be successful. However, I wasn’t going to let my father dictate what I decided to acquire. Being aggressive, firm, and building relationships keeps you visible. My name would be on everyone’s tongue today. Alastair Capital was ever evolving. In doing so, it solidified our viability in the marketplace. My hope was that Alastair would be widely recognized as a global powerhouse.

I looked at my watch, checking the time. I’m sure I’d be getting a phone call to sit down with dear old dad anytime now. Actually, I was surprised it hadn’t come yet.

~~~

I made a point to order a box of long stem roses for tomorrow’s event at NYCWC. I’d tuck that under my arm and present her with something representative of my affection—commitment. That something would have to be unique to our relationship. We were on a new journey. One of which I expected to end with her sharing my last name. So I flipped through my roll-a-dex, looking for the Jewish jeweler my family’s done business with for years, and set up a meeting for later this afternoon. Speaking with him sparked a memory of happier times…when my father bought my mother expensive baubles.

Jacob, the jeweler, shuffled in without even a knock. He was an old family friend, and after our phone call, was excited to the point of stuttering at my consideration. He was an older man, bald, but dressed in conservative schlepp. He was Jacob, and he hadn’t changed in all the years I’d known him. Despite his appearance, everyone used him because he had the best stones around.

“Damon.” He hobbled over, hauling his signature black brief case chained to his wrist for a quick hug. “So, you’ve found ‘the one’?”

My face instantly heated. I was still a little boy in his eyes, and having my own beauty, I’m positive had him feeling his age. “I have.”

I offered him the large table in my office to unpack the gems he’s selected for me. He asked of how we met and I told him the entire story as quickly as possible. He assured me he’d select something perfect to represent my love for her. And I had all the faith in the world he would come up with something perfect and suiting. He unlatched the case, easing it open slowly. Then, he placed several black velvet pieces flat on the table. His fingers dug into the elastic toward the back of the case, pulling out three black velvet drawstring bags.

He spilled the contents of each bag on the three previously laid out cloths. “Twenty-five million right here, kiddo,” he said as he spread his hand across the gems, flattening them out. Most jewelers of the Bowery owned stores crammed side by side in a large ground floor space that was actually in Chinatown. Mostly, the Jewish and Chinese worked there. However, the Jew in front of me was located on 47
^th
Street. The diamond district. When you visited, you were invited upstairs, into offices, into back rooms, and inside wall-safes. Money brought them out of their holes, briefcases in hand that were filled with gems as far as the eye could see. I fingered through the gems as he held out the loop for me to see any imperfections that couldn’t be seen with the naked eye.

“I want a single stone, four carats, and without inclusions.” Three hours and dozens of stones later, I found one single perfect stone and a setting that suited my love.

“Van Cleef & Arpels, a splendid choice fitting of any queen.” He drew it close to his loop, eyeing it for a good few minutes. “The stone is Swiss,” he said, offering his congratulations.

I shook his hand, feeling better, lighter, and confident in my choice. Our love is precious and fragile, yet strong. I would give her my strength, asking for hers in returns. I held the band in my hand, marveling at its simplicity. A circle that will encircle her finger every day she wears it. Year in and year out, my love with forever circle her.

“Have it ready for tomorrow please,” I said, walking him out. I poured two-fingers of scotch and sipped it by my window. The iconic view of Manhattan and beyond was one I treasured. Symbolic of my struggle, it was sophisticated, unforgettable, and twisted.

The high morning sun beat down on my aching head relentlessly. My eyes were still shut as the sheets were slowly being pulled across my bare ass. Luca was awake. He woke up every morning—famished. I couldn’t help but grin at that. Not a bad way to wake up, especially when your days are an emotional tsunami. He leaned into me with his hard cock…letting the heft of it trace along my lower back. I bit my lip, holding back a moan, and burrowed deeper into the pillow, feigning sleep. I never had the strength or will to resist his touch.

His tongue started to trace along my spine, leaving behind a hot, wet trail to the cleft of my behind. A spot we haven’t explored. I shivered, letting him continue his morning exploration. The tip of his nose brushed against my opening. I arched for him, giving him access to beautifully manipulate my clit with his tongue, teeth, and fingers. I didn’t have a preference, and I loved it all. He was masterful in the art of pussy. The gentle licking currents of warmth started. Now, there was no denying that I was awake. My body shuddered, twisted, and bent to his touch. The palm of his hand came to rest on my back, easing me into the bed while the other lifted my ass to meet his mouth for better contact. His tongue traced the shell of my pussy, finding the tender places to tease. He blew softly, and his warm breath set me on fire.

“Please…” I begged.

He rose between my legs, heaving his thick cock onto the back of my ass. “Greedy for this, my love?”

“Always greedy for you,” I whispered into the pillow. I tried pushing to my knees. However, his hand was resistant.

“You’ll get it when I’ve had my fill of this delicious, sweet pussy that drives me fucking mad.” He answered me by sticking two fingers in with a quick pinch of my clit. He leaned over me and whispered into my ear, “Taste…” He inserted his finger into my mouth. He had a kink and loved to see me taste myself on him. “Ummm, I’m never washing these fingers. I want to smell what’s mine all fucking day. My cock will be constantly hard from the smell you. Then, later, you’re going to bounce on it the way I like. With that lush ass facing me.”

Fuck. He was in a mood this morning. I didn’t answer, but rather just sighed at his dirty mouth. His heart pumped a fast, strong beat against my back. Just as mine did to the mattress below me. My body was on fire, and it was threatening to boil over. A wave of heat hit me. Finding its way into all the hidden barriers inside me, cascading down my neck, down my chest and down, down, down between my legs.

He sat back and I looked behind me, taking him in. Naked, thick thighs spread, messy morning hair, his twinkling green eyes, a devilish smirk, and his jutting cock twitching as he breathed. There was no better sight in the world than Luca between your legs—naked. He hadn’t a clue how utterly beautiful he was, and my heart ached because of it. The way he touched himself, touched me, caressed me—loved me. A sexual Magellan on a quest to explore and conquer my pussy and heart. And he did it with rapt skill and precision. He placed a chaste kiss on either side of my behind before pushing into me, setting a quick rhythm. I spread my legs wider to get the angle I craved. He hooked his arm around my waist, pulling me to him. I moaned and he answered with a gruff growl.

“Fuck.” His voice was rough and raw.

He stretched me until I was fully open to him, stroking deeply inside of me. Each time, he drove deeper and pushed harder. I pushed back, deliciously grinding myself against him. Our thrusts were fevered. I looked back, meeting his now crazed eyes, and smiled. That earned me a few hard slaps on my ass. His cock thickened and hardened still. He was close, and his movements became frenzied.