Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

GEMMA

It's only as I hear Rhodes' words that I really look at Dario. I wiggle out of his arms and grab his bloody hands. His navy-blue pants are torn and covered in blood. He even has a scratched chin.

I cup his face between my shaking hands and kiss his lips lightly. He winces. "You're really hurt," I whisper.

"I'm okay."

"Your definition of okay is not mine," Dodge says, taking Dario's arm. "You need to sit down before you fall."

"I'm fine," he grumbles, becoming irritated.

"I could sit," I admit, noticing Dario's focus on me. "It's been a long few days."

"I really need to sit down," he admits sheepishly.

Dodge leads us over to some steps.

Dario catches his breath and sits. I sit on a lower step, but between his legs. I rest my cheek on one of his thighs and close my eyes. A shuddering breath escapes me, and I give in to more tears. I've cried more in the last few days than I have in years.

Dario wraps his body around mine and uses his arms to hold me. His palms are cut and bloody and they must hurt like hell.

We're still huddled together when sirens wail across the parking lot, arriving on the scene.

Shouts echo in my head, and it's only when someone gently touches my hand that I look up. "The paramedics are here to check on Dario," Rosie says quietly.

I slowly lift my head and hear Dario's groan of disagreement. "I'm not leaving you." I move to his side and keep a hand on his thigh as the paramedic cuts Dario's pant legs to get to his knees.

He cleans each one before applying bandages. His hands get the same treatment. When he is done, the cops take the place of the paramedic and ask their questions. It doesn't take long, because Dario doesn't know anything other than the direction the would-be killer ran.

When the cops leave, Knox arrives in his truck. He comes over to us and says, "I think you need a ride." I notice how he touches Dario's back in a friendly gesture, offering silent support. Dario nods gratefully, accepting the help as he gingerly stands up with assistance. Knox plays defense for the major league team. "You guys ready to get out of here?" he asks.

"Yes!" I sigh.

"You're going to be sore as hell tomorrow," Knox comments.

"Man, thanks! Just what I needed to hear."

Knox chuckles, but says seriously, "I'm glad you're both okay. If you need anything, you have my number. I mean it, Dario. Call me."

Dario swallows hard and nods. "Thanks."

In the truck, I huddle up next to Dario, needing to touch him so I know he's here with me.

Back at the apartment, Madden meets us outside while Bradford makes sure no one sneaks into their apartment.

I still have no answers as to who is after me. They want me gone, that's for sure. Their violence escalating.

I feel overwhelmed with all these people. I just want to be alone with Dario. He sighs and falls onto the sofa, his muscles aching from being thrown across the parking lot. Mine ache from almost drowning. We're a right pair.

Dario looks at me and holds out a hand before patting the cushion next to him. I freeze. "I need the bathroom." I hurry into his bedroom and then hide in the bathroom. It's all too much. I grab the sink in front of me and look in the mirror. All I can see are my sunken eyes. I'm tired and scared. I know Dario's friends want to help and need to know he's okay, but I just need to keep him to myself for a little while.

Tears fall silently down my face as I undress. I keep Dario's jersey on. The soft click of the bedroom door draws my attention and I stand in the doorway and look at Dario. He is so handsome, even with all the cuts and bruises.

His eyes roam over me. "Are you coming out?"

I shake my head. "No." Breaking our gaze, I scoot to the bed and climb in. I pull the covers over my head and curl up into a ball. It's warm under‐ neath, but it's quiet. No voices. No explosions. Just my own heartbeat and sniffing.

A weight sinks onto the bed and my heart stutters. I stick my head out of the blanket and find Dario. He turns his face and smiles softly. "I under‐ stand, Gemma. It's okay that you need some space." He hesitates. "I hope that doesn't include from me."

I whimper and crawl over to him, wrapping my arms around him from behind. "Never you. It was just too much."

"It's okay, sweetheart," he says softly. "Never be afraid to tell me how you feel."

"It's the situation. I'm scared, Dario."

"Baby, help me get out of these clothes so I can get into bed and hold you. I need you wrapped around me."

Hearing his words, I slide off the bed and kneel between his spread thighs. I feel his eyes on me as I undo the shirt and touch his skin. It's warm and smooth and I can feel his muscles quivering under my fingers. I undo each cuff and then pull his shirt off, letting it fall to the floor beside me. I let out a small gasp as my eyes land on the silver bar through his nipple. The sight sends a thrill through me, and I can't resist leaning in to plant a kiss on his chest, feeling the cool metal against my lips. His breath hitches and I look up to meet his gaze, a silent question in my eyes.

His fingers are gentle as they tangle in my hair, pulling me closer to his hard nipple. I shift my gaze, focusing on the shiny object before swirling my tongue around it. He shudders. Moaning softly, I cover the nipple and silver bar with my mouth, feeling the vibrations of his pleasure against my lips. As I continue to tease and explore, his hands tighten in my hair, urging me on with a low growl of satisfaction.

Smiling, I reach between us and quickly unbuckle his belt and pants, my hands brushing the bulge he can't hide. Dario hisses, breathing heavily. I release his nipple from my mouth and look up at him with a mischievous grin.

I grab the sides of his pants and briefs. "Lift," I say, holding his gaze. He curses under his breath and does as I ask. I force my eyes not to look at his arousal as I remove his pants, briefs, and socks. Now I look. His cock is thick and long, with a thick piece of silver attached to the swollen purple head. Pre-cum oozes from the slit. I run my fingers lightly along the length of his shaft, feeling him twitch under my touch. Dario's eyes darken with desire as I lean forward to take him in my mouth, eager to taste him.

"Gemma," he hisses as I swallow his excitement. My tongue plays with the piercing, and he releases more pre-cum.

"That's sensitive," I comment, wrapping a hand around his length. I cradle it in my fist as I dive down and capture his head with my swollen lips. I love his piercing. My body throbs with desire and an ache pulse between my legs. My nipples are tight with the need for his touch.

"Gemma, come up here."

"Hmm," I murmur around him, enjoying the feel of his pleasure in my mouth. I take him deep before letting him plop free. I hold his gaze and grin as I lick the length of his shaft to his hairless balls. I suck on one before moving to the other.

"Gemma, I need to be inside you," Dario says in a deep, heavy voice as his hands tremble.

My own excitement coats the top of my thighs as I feel his urgency. I scramble up and throw the jersey to the floor. Dario moans as my naked form straddles his thighs. Big hands cover my breasts, and his fingers pinch and roll the piercing I have in a nipple. I arch my back and press my chest against his hand, silently begging for more.

"You're so beautiful, sweetheart." He pants. "I need you to ride me." He winces.

I slide down slowly, giving him my weight as I grip his shaft. "I'm on the pill," I whisper, the plea‐ sure of raw passion heating my blood.

"You're really wet," he groans.

"It's all because of you. You feel good inside me. Big." I squeeze him. "Hard and hot." I squeeze around him, shuddering as his mouth hits my breast with a smacking sound. His hands grip my bottom as I move slowly. His moans of pleasure fill the room as I increase my pace, the intensity of our connection growing with each thrust. The feeling of him deep inside me, sucking on my breasts, over‐ whelms my senses, sending waves of ecstasy through my body.

"Dario," I cry out. "I need more."

He takes my face in his hands and presses his mouth against mine. I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on for this wild ride. Dario shifts and grabs my bottom, helping me ride him faster. The friction his cock creates inside me brings me to the brink of ecstasy. He grunts as I pant and whimper into his mouth. The tight buds of my nipples rub against his chest. With each thrust, I feel myself getting closer to the edge, my entire being focused on the overwhelming pleasure we share.

He holds me on his cock, my eyes going wide as my release explodes through me, leaving me breathless and trembling in his arms. Dario's own climax follows soon after, his body shaking beneath mine. My pussy trembles in response to Dario's release and I feel his warm cum filling me.

I feel like a limp noodle as I collapse over him.

His chest heaves against mine until we both finally settle down, our pleasure spent for now.

"My brain got confused. I forgot to tell you I'm clean." He gasps as I move slightly.

"Does that mean we can have lots of very naked sex?" I rest my forehead on his and smile softly.

"It means you're mine, Gemma." He reaches up and brushes a strand of hair from my sweaty face. "We'll figure out what to do about your job. About my contract. About everything. We'll figure it all out together."

"I'd like that," I admit, close to tears. "Let me get us cleaned up, and then we can go to bed."

"Don't cover up. I want to feel your bare skin against mine."

"Okay." I give him a lingering kiss before heading to the bathroom to get a washcloth.