Being Isla’s hero never entered my mind, but I am damn sure I am going to do whatever is necessary to rid Isla of all her demons. My Sweetness belongs in my world, our Heaven. It is my responsibility, even if it is the last thing I do, to create heaven for her here on Earth, vanquishing her hell.
Returning to the nightclub, I find Isla protectively surrounded by the guys who would give their life for me. Clueless for now to the fact, Seth, Liam, and Jared are my closest friends but also my most trusted comrades. We all would die for one another given the correct circumstances. We always look out for each other. Our shared Italian history has seen us in multiple situations where it’s been necessary for us to eliminate potential threats to us and people we love. Being a part of the family, we have an undying connection and always will. Not only have I been trained, my cousins shared the same fate as me when they turned eighteen. We’ve all been assigned our roles. Mine changing after I lost the most precious thing to me: Catherine. The Galante family stole everything from me that day. A hired hit man took out my fiancee’s family. An easy target for the picking, one that would send a clear message. Heartbroken and full of hatred, we took revenge, killing their unit within a one night measured and calculated hit. That night I vowed to be the man I was supposed to be and never take the job for granted. The dazzle and glitz that came with the life was now in the background. I would never let another person I love be destroyed because of the family I belong to. And I swore I would never bring another female into this life to be used against us. She shouldn’t be with me. But I can’t let Isla go. Torn between taking the moral high ground and the way her pussy and body melt for me, I’m taking her as mine. I’ll deal with the fallout if it happens.
Our main drive is to create successful enterprises, not harming innocent people or disputing with other crime figures. Most of our lives are above board now, except if harm comes to anyone we love or someone threatens our corporate worlds… And a potential threat may be headed our way…
Putting on my best poker face, I approach Isla in a dominant way. Eyes fixed on her, my stride unfaltering, people move out of my way quickly. My inner alpha male instincts are taking over. The need to protect her from any and everything is at the forefront of my head. All eyes cross to me as I take her delicate hand.
“Time to go, my Sweetness.” My guys know the look, they’ve seen it before. It’s not a time to argue with me.
Her small voice can barely be heard over the thumping music. “Really? I guess I am kind of tired. It’s been a huge day.” She gradually pulls her legs up from under the table, moving against my side, adoringly tipsy.
“How lovely it’s been to be introduced to you guys. We should do it again sometime soon.” I’m unsure how much Kameron and Seth heard, as Kameron looked to be dominating Seth at this present time, virtually climbing up his body. Jules kisses Isla goodnight, softly speaking as they both start giggling. Isla glances her sweet eyes up to my eyes with a small smirk that is presented on her lips.
“Come on, you seductress. Time to get you home.” Her unconditional smile melts me. “Thomas is waiting for us outside.”
“What about your car? The cost for parking will be extraordinarily expens… ” Her hand covers her mouth as she realizes what she is saying, eyes staring wide into mine.
Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I laugh at how adorable she is.
“I know the owner. I’m sure he will give me a good rate.” She laughs with me.
“Thank you for such a fun time tonight, Alex. It’s been a long time since I have relaxed so much, slipping away from my demons for a short period of time.” She’s snuggling close into my chest, her sensational legs covering mine.
“Why is it I feel so completely protected when I’m with you? I could run into a burning house with you by my side and I would be truly safe. Or I could jump off a bridge, survive a cyclone with you by my side.” Her eyes are closing, her head heavy on my chest.
“Or end my connection with the devil himself and quite likely my existence.” Her voice is barely a murmur. My arms encase her small body, solidly holding her as she speaks a hushed revelation. My strength is now her strength and I am going to make it my business to find out everything I can on this guy. Knowledge is power and if I am correct, I am going to need all the information we can about the Russian Mafia and how Isla could be intertwined with this world.
Isla’s steady heartbeat beats closely next to mine for the remainder of the journey home. She’s wiped out from the events of today, allowing me time to contact Kolton asking him to gain all the information he can on Dimitri Sokolov.
I ask Thomas to contact my uncle, Seth, Liam, and Jared after he safely takes us to my apartment, explaining my concerns. Reinforcements are going to be needed.
My last day of freedom. A surprise is coming my way tomorrow.
The oppressive dullness consuming my head isn’t just from the copious amount of alcohol I consumed last night. Reality would be upon me sooner rather than later if history was anything to go by.
Being in no rush to start this day, I nestle closer to Alex. His delicious essence has my lower region tingling, my panties wetter as the minutes pass by. The calmness of his face and body whilst sleeping is something to commit to memory. Only for his private family and friends.
For me.
I only hope it’s not destroyed because of me. Because of my father’s mistakes.
Outside, darkness filters through the curtains. No orange gleam peeking up at the horizon at all. Still a few hours or so until I should be making my way to work.
My hands take on a life of their own. I’m unable to stop them lingering up and down Alex’s torso, brushing past every ripple and taught bump. Circling his left nipple, moving undeviatingly over to the right one.
Being greedy, I want to touch everything.
My fingers glide back down the way they came, caressing his small tattoo, to the right of his glorious navel. I rhythmically trace over the five rings faintly touching each other, resembling the number five domino pattern. Pondering to myself the significance of these small circles, it’s not until warm fingers slide behind my shoulders, heaving me toward a hot, rock solid frame, that I realize Alex is awake.
“Good morning, my Sweetness. How is your head this morning?”
Seeing the small smirk curling at the edge of his full lips, knowing very well, I should be unsavory this morning, I mutter back, “It’s much like a big truck ran over my head, but it’s worth every bit of pain to be waking up next to you. Maybe you could take my mind off it?”
Moving over, I forget about the small tattoo, opting for another point in time to discuss it. I’ve got better things to be studying this precise second. Dreaming about moments like this one for a long time. Waking up next to a man I love, a man who I can share my reflections and dreams with, someone to hold me when I’m sleeping during the night, protect me, and when I wake in the early hours of a morning, someone I can look at and know he is mine…
Keep going…please…
Alex reverently worships my entire body again and again. Lying on the silky, expensive sheets, I let him have complete authority, trusting him to make our morning something to remember and cherish. My body, pliant and supple, takes in every millimeter of Alex’s magical length, every inch in me. I blow out a string of breaths, bit by bit climbing, trying to savor every vibration and sensation inflicted upon my over-stimulated body, finding that pinnacle rocketing me off this earth into another stratosphere.
My eyes never leave the sight of his formidable body. Together, we reach our wondrous heights. Both releasing our worries and unease into the atmosphere. Nothing and nobody else matters at this split second.
Affording me the opportunity to recover from my induced haze, his large figure rests firmly upon me, securely covering me. Yes… I could wake up to this scenario every morning… Where do I sign up?
His warmth and faint citrus perfume envelops me.
“How can I stop this day from moving forward, Alex? I want to stay in this bed, with you, like this, for as long as we can.” Purring at his chest, I gently plant a kiss there.
“Isla, that can be arranged, faster than you can blink.” Alex’s confident, strong voice and penetrating cerulean eyes, discerns he is not joking at all about this statement. Spluttering out a snigger, I shove his body a little so he rolls onto his side, resting his head on his bent up the forearm. Eyes questioning if I am serious about my request.
Leaning in to seduce my man, fuck that sounds so unbelievable, my lips brush past his chin where new stubble is making his handsome face more attractive, when a phone vibrates. Paying no attention, we both carry on, nipping, licking, touching. The ringing commences again —not even thirty seconds later. I know I can be hot-headed when pushed, and being interrupted by a mobile whilst having my way with a sex god is pushing me beyond my limit. Being unable to concentrate now, on this vibration, I roll over and grab the annoying intrusive appliance.
Without hesitation, I fly out, “What’s so damn important?”
A repeated cough pierces the other end of the phone, like someone trying to clear their throat.
“Come on, what’s so important you keep ringing?” I say without taking a breath or regard for the gruff tone I’m using. Looking across at the clock while I’m waiting for the person to speak, it reveals it’s only 6:05 AM. Looking at Alex’s face next, he looks stunned. Next, a wicked smile crosses his features. He’s pointing at my hand, which is holding the phone.
“Hello, is anybody there? I’m going to hang up. It’s rude to be ringing me at this time of the morning and then not to say a word. It’s beyond rude.” My voice is getting quieter only because Alex seems to be finding this call very amusing.
A female voice speaks, “Oh, good morning. I’m calling to speak to Alex.”
What the fuck? Why are they ringing my cell to talk to Alex?
My face must register shock, as Alex points again to the hand holding the phone. One second later, the device I’m gripping appears before my eyes, and it’s not mine. Fuck!
The next millisecond Alex is rolling around the bed laughing in hysterics due to my unknowing faux pas.
Mortified, I drop the phone like it’s a hot potato in the direction of Alex and jump out of bed to go and take shelter in the bathroom.