Chapter 06

The heat of a hand meeting skin.

***Andy***

 

 Happiness blooms within me. My friends. The three women I met the same night I met Afon. All of them connected to the Dudnik Circle. Yet Karma not so much because her husband has his own gang. How I missed them over the last few weeks. Karma just became aware she was pregnant right before I left. Ruby, I just heard, is also pregnant. Even though we did stay in contact with a quick text here and there, it’s not the same as hugging them close.

Running forward, we all hug until I suddenly realize something. Pulling back, I look at Tarzan. “Hey, how did you get in?”

I didn’t hear a doorbell, or did they sneak their way inside? Afon has a security system in place with cameras. He told me that he’s got around the clock surveillance. Either Jakov or Vinci keep an eye on things and they both know who these girls are. Did one of them see them coming and open the door? Oh, and let’s not forget Dozor, he would have barked too, yet the dog didn’t make a peep. I’m sure he was in the living room and not locked up in his own room.

Tarzan shoves a hand down her pocket and holds up a key. “This is how.”

I can’t explain what feelings are running through me but it’s unsettling. That’s the reason I snatch the key away from Tarzan. Her eyebrow raises but she doesn’t say anything. The other two stay silent too but their eyes aren’t on me or Tarzan. Nope. They are locked on Afon’s chest. Bare. Inked. Hard. Muscled. Upper body naked on show and for all to see.

“Hey,” I snap. “Ya’ll have husbands. Act like it and stop gawking at...” I swallow my next word because if I didn’t I would have spit out ‘mine’.

Although it will be the truth because two weeks from now Afon and I will be married. Ever since I was a little girl I knew this day would come; to be handed over as a wife without any choice of who my husband would be. My mother prepared me for this ever since I was a little girl who dreamed about a big wedding with a pretty white dress. She used to tell me about a partnership instead of love. No matter what age, or how many times she would explain, I would always get angry. Yet when I look at Afon I have to admit that my anger is not directed at him. The thought of being passed off to him…yes, that does make anger rise.

Ricca swore after what happened to me that he would hold off as long as he could, promising it would turn into me not being married off altogether. The syndicate keeps track of unwed Italian females within the high-class families. Seeing I run my gang along with my brother, Ricca got a lot of requests for my hand in marriage.

“Are you waving your hand at the man? Forgot his name there, Andy?” Tarzan chuckles. “Ah, it’s the muscles dipped with ink, huh? Yeah. I don’t see him like that, he’s more like the brother I never had. That, and I’ve kicked his ass too many times.”

“Out. All of you. Go to the living room, kitchen, whatever. I’ll go change and be right there,” I tell them and start shoving my friends, who are laughing their ugly asses off, out of the room.

Rushing up the stairs, I head for the bedroom and start to strip and walk naked into the bathroom. Turning on the water, I see movement at the corner of my eye, the mirror showing what’s behind me. Afon.

It takes everything in me not to cover myself up. Ever since he told me that he saw me…really saw me, as in all the scars on my body, I’ve been trying not to get self-conscience. That’s the reason why I force myself to ignore him and step underneath the hot water.

“Why did you snatch away Tarzan’s key?” His voice rumbles through the air.

Keeping my eyes closed, I act as if he hasn’t spoken, letting my fingers slide through my wet hair. Because for real…how should I answer that one? ‘Why does another woman have a key to your home while I don’t even have one?’ Ugh. I damn well know she’s his boss but for real...I’m not jealous, I just don’t want any other woman having a key. The touch of a sponge on my back makes me freeze.

“Relax, Andy. I’m just washing your back. I’ve still got my damn shorts on for Christ’s sake. I just don’t like you ignoring me so answer the damn question and I’ll leave.” His mouth is near my ear while he’s still gently rubbing the sponge along my spine.

Shit. If I answer the question, he’ll leave. That’s the right thing to do, right? Except…what would happen if I don’t? Because I’ve never had my back washed by a man. The only one who’s ever washed it was my mother when I was a kid.

He presses a soft kiss on my shoulder and I swear it feels like he slides his tongue over my skin for a microsecond, making me shiver. “You’re so goddamn beautiful, Andy.” His voice is hoarse, loaded with emotion that’s crackling the air surrounding us.

I don’t say anything and decide to just feel. Soft strokes gently sliding down my body until they stop. Afon’s hand comes up from behind me and holds out the sponge. “Go clean the rest. Though I’m fucking tempted to touch you there…I fucking won’t. Not now.”

I’m still thinking over the words he just voiced when the sponge is thrown to the floor. Curses follow as I see Afon stalk out of the bathroom, his shorts still on, leaving a path of water on the floor behind him.

What the hell? And why am I even mad he left me here all…all…dammit. Turning off the water, I reach for a towel and follow the trail of water that leads to the bedroom. Afon is standing naked in front of the closet with a pair of sweatpants in his hands. He manages to put them on before I start to throw words at him.

“Are you shy now all of a sudden? Or repulsed by my scars? You’ve seen them already, you said so.” A humorless laugh escapes me. “Ha. I knew it and damn well told you so. Here’s your chance. Tear up the damn contract and save yourself from this mutilated body.”

The roar that escapes him makes the hairs on the back of my neck rise. When I was standing in a room with all those men ready to attack me, there wasn’t an ounce of fear within me. That’s screwed up because humans can’t live without fear. It’s a survival instinct that keeps you alive. Right now…it’s kicking in full force.

This primal predator is showing his true colors for the first time. His fingers are wrapped around my neck in a tight grip, his face leaning in mine, our noses touching. There’s so much fury in his eyes that I’m sure the inferno of flames is about to annihilate me.

“First and final warning so open those goddamned ears. You’re mine. Nothing on this fucking earth will ever change that. Contract or no contract. And that bullshit you just voiced? Punishment of twenty. Besides me, you’ve insulted yourself so I’ll make damn fucking sure you will feel what it’s like to have words spoken with a lash that digs deep like the heat of a hand meeting skin.” Afon’s voice is deadly.

My throat is so dry I can’t even swallow or know how to use my throat.

“Afon!” Tarzan’s voice snaps from the doorway. “Let her go. Now! Shit. Get some damn control. You’ve never snapped, don’t be starting now. Let. Her. The. Fuck. Go.”

His eyes never leave mine, his voice still steady. “You haven’t seen me snap once, Tarzan, so mind your fucking business. It’s my fucking bedroom we’re standing in and it’s my woman’s fucking neck I’ve got my fucking fingers wrapped around.” His head lifts, connecting his gaze with my friend he demands, “My boss or not…fuck off and close the fucking door.”

Okay. Well. Uhm. It’s screwed up to feel aroused right now, yes? Right. Totally. This also proves Afon was right. I’m sooooo not asexual.

“I’m fine, Tarzan. I’ll be out in a sec,” I manage before shutting up when Afon’s head whips back to mine, his eyes narrowing.

Oooops. Yeah, he just helped to find and release my inner bitch…damn, how I missed feeling like this. I’ve felt so lost, weak, back to the broken girl I was when they crushed me all those years ago. I hear the door close and with that I realize that the man standing before me has many sides to him.

The connection he has with Tarzan is very clear and it kinda makes me jealous. I also realize from what Tarzan has told me over the last few months that Afon was like a brother to her. Someone to confide in, who pulled her out of any situation. Mentally or physically, he was always there.

Just like he did for me. At the hospital when I didn’t even know him, only seen and spoke to him once. When he came for me and took care of me when I went after Marco. And this last week, those seven days of care he gave me without pushing. Until now. Pushing me when I need it. It’s like he has a program to reboot me to the person who I am. Who I need to be so I can be myself.

He moves forward, forcing me to back up until I’m pressed against the door. Afon flips the lock and steps back. “Turn around.”

Two things. I could fight or I could obey. Fighting would be part of the workout we missed because my friends interrupted us. But something tells me this will be different and I’ll get the ‘punishment’ he promised anyway. So that leaves obey. Not really a fun thing to do when you have an Italian temperament. I’ll just take the middle option and see where we go from there.

I raise my eyebrow in a challenge. “Make me.”

“There she is.” A sly smile spreads his face but all I get is a glimpse before I’m swirled around, my cheek hugging the door the next instant.

That’s twice he’s said that to me ‘there she is’. As if he knows me, craves me to be who I am deep down. Yet he also picks me up when I’m shattered and allows me time to get back on my feet. This realization strikes me harder than the fire that’s exploding on my ass cheek. His hand rains down more slaps. I’ve been through a lot in my life but I’ve never been spanked. Not like this.

The heat that spreads shatters in a million pieces, pain crumbling into desire. Flaring my body alive under his touch. I grit my teeth, not only to prevent screaming out but also swallowing back the moans that threaten to spill. All I’ve ever known, all I’ve ever had to endure…the touch of a man against my will…always taking. Repulsion. That’s the only thing that would flare through my body. Yet this…would this classify as the touch of a lover? Even if I challenged him to take charge?

My mind stops spinning when I feel his hot breath next to my ear. His naked chest is pressing against my back while his hand slides possessively around my waist, holding me steady. I can’t believe he’s managed to make my whole body shake underneath his touch. If his arm wasn’t wrapped around me, I’d crumble to the floor.