7. Piper

7

PIPER

T his is wrong. I know it down to my marrow. And yet… as Elio's lips press against mine, warmth and tenderness flood my senses. It's been so long since I've felt this. Safe. Cherished. With Gabriel, intimacy, when it happens, is a chore. He doesn't care about my feelings, my pleasure. For him, intimacy is devoid of any real emotion or passion. Thankfully, he's found other ways to fulfill his sexual needs. Today, Gabriel's touch involves pain, filling me with fear and dread, not the security and love I crave.

Elio's kiss reignites a long-buried spark within me. His strong hands gently cup my face, his thumbs caressing my cheeks as he pulls me closer. I melt into him, all thoughts of right and wrong fading away. In this moment, there is only Elio and the overwhelming need to feel loved and alive again.

He's right about our past. We did love. We laughed. We made promises to build a life together. Back then, our future had seemed so bright, so full of possibility. But then it was all snatched away, leaving me broken and alone. I should push him away and demand to know how he can waltz into my home acting like he didn't abandon me and our baby. But he slants his head, taking the kiss deeper as his arms wrap around me, holding me like I'm the most important treasure in his life. How can I fight against that?

Despite my better judgment, I respond to his touch, my hands gripping the lapels of his coat as I pull him in deeper. I know this is wrong, that I'm betraying the vows I made to Gabriel. But in Elio's arms, I feel alive again, the dull ache in my heart finally soothed.

His hands stroke my back as his lips glide along my neck. "So fucking beautiful," he murmurs.

Tears prick my eyes at feeling seen. Feeling valued. Elio was always like that even when we were younger. It always felt like he lived for my happiness.

"I need you, Piper… I need you so fucking bad."

No. I should tell him no. But what woman can resist a man desperate for her, aching for her? Not me. Not a woman who desperately needs to feel desired and loved.

His hands slide under my shirt, the warmth of them making me sigh. A rush of desire I haven't felt in years ignites a fire.

"Tell me you feel it… you need it too." His hoarse voice reverberates against my neck.

"Yes." I can't believe I'm doing this. I can't believe I'm giving in to Elio. After all these years, after all the pain and heartache, I'm letting him pull me back into his arms.

Elio lifts me off the ground, carrying me upstairs. I feel like I'm in a romance novel. I know it's wrong. I know it can't last. But for once, I want tender kisses and passion.

He stops at a guest room but then continues down the hall until he finds the primary room. A part of me feels like I shouldn't be taking him to my and Gabriel's bed, but when he looks at me with naked desire and something more… love? I simply surrender.

Our hands are desperate as we remove clothing and then fall onto the bed. Our bodies tangle together. My hands roam over his body, noting the slight differences. There are more muscles. He's broader. He's a full-grown man, not the teenage boy I'd once known.

He moves on top of me, his lips trailing down my neck, and I can't help but moan at the sensation.

"I love the noises you make," he says. His comment reminds me that he liked to talk during sex. That for him, the act was more than simple pleasure.

He kisses me, his tongue exploring my mouth with hunger. It's like he's trying to devour me, to consume every last piece of me. I arch toward him as he kisses me deeper.

"Let me rediscover you, Piper." He moves lower, his lips finding the sensitive skin of my throat before moving down. He licks a nipple before sucking it.

"Oh!" I gasp and arch again as a shock of pleasure jolts through me.

He moves to my other breast, taking it into his mouth, his tongue flicking against it. My body trembles with growing desire.

He kisses a trail down my stomach, his fingers tracing the curves of my body, moving lower still until he reaches the apex of my thighs. My pussy clenches in anticipation. He kisses me there, his tongue tracing the folds.

"Oh… God…" My fingers thread through his thick, dark hair, holding him to me as pleasure ratchets up and up.

"Come, Piper," he murmurs against my sensitive flesh. "Let me taste you." His tongue is on me again, licking, sucking, thrusting. It doesn't take long. My body tightens and then shudders as the sweetest orgasm floods through me. He continues to lick and suck until I'm writhing and another orgasm moves through me.

"Elio." I gasp and tug at him, needing a reprieve.

His lips slide back up my body until they capture my mouth in a firm kiss. I can taste myself on his lips.

"Do you feel how much I want you?" His breathing is ragged as his dick presses against my belly.

I open my legs, needing to feel him inside me more than I need my next breath.

His lips cover mine again as he thrusts inside me, deep and powerful. I wrap my legs around his hips, my arms around his shoulders, and hold him to me. The feeling is more than a physical pleasure. It's like I'm being made whole again, and I want to savor it for as long as I can.

He rocks against me. "So tight, baby… so good. Do you feel it?"

I do. Of course I do. He's thick and full, each movement sending delicious sensations through me. He dips his head, sucking my nipple as he moves in and out. Every nerve in my body is firing from the onslaught of his touch, his taste, his body consuming mine. I give myself over to it, moving with him as need coils tighter and tighter.

"Fuck… I'm close… Piper…" His hand slides between us, rubs over my clit.

I cry out, my body trembling as another powerful orgasm slams into me.

"Yes… Fuck…" He groans, his movements becoming more frenzied, harder, faster until he yells out again, his body bucking with his own release, warmth filling me.

He collapses on me, and even then his dick is pulsing, my pussy squeezing, until finally, our bodies, our hearts, our breaths calm.

He rolls off me but tugs me close, his arms around me as he kisses my temple. The gesture is so sweet that tears come to my eyes. This is wrong, but I'm not ready to let it go just yet. So I lie, my body tangled with his, savoring this feeling of being cherished.

But it isn't long before guilt rises. I've betrayed Gabriel. I can't believe it. I'm not the sort of woman who cheats. Not on someone she loves. Okay, so the love I had for Gabriel left years ago. But it doesn't change that I made a vow. A vow he doesn't keep, but that doesn't excuse me.

But it's not just guilt that is threatening to consume me. It's worry. The joy I felt moments ago is replaced by a growing unease. What will Gabriel do if he finds out? Will he leave? Maybe, but not without hurting me both physically and emotionally. He could try and take Ellyse. Or worse. He's threatened worse.

"I missed you." Elio's lips are gentle on my cheek. I close my eyes, trying to deal with the torrent of emotions warring inside me.

"I missed you too," I admit even though I know I shouldn't.

A phone rings and I tense. If it's mine and I don't answer right away, Gabriel will know something is up.

"Fuck." Elio slides out of bed, finds his pants, and pulls out his phone. "Matty." He listens as he watches me. "I'll meet with him. Reason with him."

There's something about his word choice that tells me he followed his father into organized crime. It seems like that's the sort of thing that should have been a deal breaker, but corruption is everywhere. I don't know the details of Gabriel's work, but I'm aware he uses shady practices. Perhaps I'm just making excuses to justify my feelings for Elio. In the scheme of things, my falling for a Mafia member is low on the ladder. The worst is having Elysse grow up in fear.

"I'll be there in thirty. Listen, can you contact Rinella? I'd like to meet again. Tonight." He hangs up and starts to dress.

I don't want him to leave, and yet I'm relieved. I've just made a bigger mess of my life and I don't know how I'll clean it up.

"I'm sorry. I have… business."

I arch a brow. "Family business."

He nods. "You'll be glad to know we have many legitimate establishments now."

I want to tell him it doesn't matter because we can't see each other again. Ever. But I don't want to ruin this moment. I want to be able to remember this day sweetly, even if it's filled with guilt.

When he's dressed, he comes to the bed and leans over me. "You're mine."

I open my mouth to protest, but he kisses me.

"I'm going to make you happy, Piper. I promise." He gives me another kiss and then exits my room.

I flop back wondering what the hell is going to happen. Danger bells clang. Not just danger from Gabriel finding out and punishing me, but danger for my heart from falling for Elio again.