Chapter 15: Claudius

I reclaimed her lips, crushing her naked body to me as the light spray of water from the shower sprayed over us.

I didn’t know how long we’d been in here.

I actually didn’t know what day it was. That wasn’t good, because I was pretty certain there was something somewhere I was supposed to be doing.

Whatever it was, I didn’t care.

What I cared about was in my arms. She was in my arms, kissing me back and giggling against my lips.

My Angel Doll.

“What now?” I asked, rubbing my nose against hers when a slight look of concern flickered over her face.

“Do you think we have too much sex?”

“No, we need to have more.” I pressed her against the granite wall and put my hands out either side of her. I just wanted to look at her again to make sure she was real.

Her cheeks flushed, turning that soft rose color as I stared at her. Her wet hair darkened from the water that trickled through it, but it still looked like strands of sunlight to me. Strands of white gold running down the length of her delicate neck and curling up at the ends near her elbows.

Her smooth skin glowed, highlighting her exquisite beauty, and I could have stared at her like this forever.

She stared back but blushed even more and looked away embarrassed. I guided her face back to me.

“Don’t… don’t look away.”

“You’re staring at me, and I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

“I’m thinking about how beautiful you are and that I haven’t had you in the jacuzzi yet or the other five rooms in this house.”

She smacked me playfully in my chest, and those long, thick lashes of hers swept down across her high, exotic cheekbones.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“I can sleep when I’m dead.”

Her brows lowered. “That’s not funny.”

“Who’s joking? I’m serious. I want you again.”

Light laughter escaped her lips. “I didn’t think this could be us in ten years.” She smiled, but then she looked down at the water running down my chest, and sadness filled her eyes.

I didn’t need to know what she was thinking to guess what was on her mind. All the years wasted. All the time we could have been together and weren’t. Life for us could have been different in so many ways.

“It’s us.”

“It’s us. I guess we’re different though. Right?”

“Not so much.”

“Your hair’s shorter,” she teased.

“I’m growing it out. I lost a bet and had to cut five inches off.” It was a stupid bet with Alex.

“That’s crazy. Am I different?”

I looked her over and had to say that she was. She was more beautiful than words could describe.

“You just got more perfect.”

She smiled. “You’re just saying that.”

“You know I’m not. You’re perfect, and this is us. Imagine the next ten years.” I said that without thinking. Hyped up on whatever the fuck had taken over my mind since she got here.

I really wasn’t thinking because realistically, I didn’t see her staying with me.

Maybe, maybe if she didn’t have a taste of my dark world. Maybe she’d stay. Maybe if all that other stuff didn’t happen, I could try to keep her with me, but I had no right to even dream it. It really was too much. That she was here now was nothing short of a miracle.

“I was thinking of gaining weight so I may look a lot different in ten years.” The softness of her voice cut into my thoughts, and I looked at her. “Kelly makes these amazing cupcakes, and you can’t just eat one. I had six last time and still wanted more.”

“Really?” Please, God, let that be her roundabout way of telling me she at least wanted some part of me in her life.

“Yeah. So, if I look different, remember I gave the warning. I just—”

I pressed my lips to hers, cutting off her words as I kissed her and fondled her tight pink nipples that hardened as I played with them.

“I don’t care how you look,” I spoke into the kiss.

“Don’t you?”

“I don’t give a flying fuck. It’s you I want.” The kiss intensified, and my cock hardened again. “I just thought of something.”

“What?” she giggled.

“You pressed against the glass in the sitting room while I take you from behind.”

“What?”

“Come on.” Before she could answer, I scooped her up and hoisted her over my shoulder.

She laughed and ran her fingers across my back. “Claudius, I’m on top again.”

“Whatever you say, boss.”

***

Another wild night that ran straight into the morning followed, and it would have continued if we didn’t pass out from the craziness of our indulgence.

I woke the next day to find she’d gone.

Much to my disappointment. I didn’t know if this was like the other day when she’d left or if this was just because she had to leave.

It was Monday. It was ten a.m. I was supposed to meet Pa and The Four at noon. I had to see Ava first though. Definitely had to see her first, or else I’d be cranky from the anxiety for the rest of the day.

I went to the restaurant, where I found her talking with her friend Kelly. Like the other day, Kelly saw me first.

I’d never met Kelly properly even though we’d been in Ava’s life for years.

Ava looked over her shoulder when Kelly pointed me out and gave me a coy smile. Instead of hanging back like I would have normally, I thought I’d go over and introduce myself.

Both women looked surprised.

“Hi.” Kelly gave me a pleasant but nervous smile. “I’m Kelly.” She put out her hand to shake mine.

“I know.” I glanced at Ava, who was looking me over with interest. “I hear you make the best cupcakes.”

She gasped and started laughing. “You told him that?” she asked Ava.

“They are very good. I’m just spreading the word.” Ava chuckled.

“Well, now I’ll have to make a batch.”

“Good thing I mentioned it, then.” I gave her a curt nod. “I’m Claudius Morientz.”

She gave me a pointed look. “I think everyone knows that.”

I smirked, knowing what she meant. It didn’t take long before I walked into anywhere for people to recognize me and give me that look. Sometimes it was a look of respect. Other times it was fear.

“Well, now you heard it from me.”

“I appreciate that.”

I knew the power of friendship, and if there was any reservation Kelly had of me, she’d soon tell Ava. Didn’t want to risk that.

“Do you mind if I borrow Ava for a minute?”

“Nope, she’s all yours.” Kelly moved away with a smile on her face.

I turned to focus on Ava, who was already looking at me.

“Is it okay that I’m here?” I didn’t want to assume.

“Mmmm hmmm.” She gave me a sassy smile and tilted her head to the side, allowing the ends of her ponytail to brush over her shoulder.

I didn’t feel that tension between us, so I leaned forward and kissed her briefly.

“Go out with me tomorrow night.” I pressed my nose to hers.

“You’re asking me out?” She giggled.

“Yes.”

“And why tomorrow? You taking some other girl out tonight?” She tried to back away, but I caught her arm.

“Tonight, you’re coming home with me. I’ll pick you up at six. First, we’ll go look at the building on the east side together and you can accept my offer, and then you can talk about New York. Then I’ll eat you.” Couldn’t help it. That was me.

She giggled and gave me a bright smile. “Okay. I can do that. Can you stay for lunch?”

Fuck, I wish I could, but I had to meet with the guys.

“I want to, but I have to get to the office for a meeting.”

I didn’t miss the look of hesitation she gave me. “The office?”

“Work stuff.” The minute I said that, the tension came back. As a rule, we kept women out of business. And definitely a hundred percent the women who were close to us. The less they knew, the better.

“Like what?” She knew not to push, but the significant thing here was, if I had any chance with her, I had to give her something to work with. Couldn’t be this vagueness or the standard one-word answers we used in our circles.

I had to get her to trust me.

“There’s a guy who wants to buy the shipping company.” That told her something without giving too much away, and really, there wasn’t much more I could have said other than tell her it was David Shipel.

That wasn’t important. The important thing was, the sheen of purpose and sparkle in her eyes told me I’d just passed some kind of test.

“Okay.” She ran her finger across my chest, lingering on the bare skin that was exposed there. “Don’t be late. Later.”

“I won’t.” I lowered my head and kissed her again, backing away before I could change my mind.

I only looked back when I walked out the front door. She was watching, but …

As I turned, I swore I saw a dark figure move from the corner of the alley.

In the shadows. I was certain of it.

Experience taught me to take heed. Be mindful.

A normal person would assume it was nothing, but I knew different from the slightest move.

Shiftiness. That’s what it was. A person could have very well just walked down the alley, but my instinct told me otherwise.

I felt for my piece in my back pocket. It had been years since I had to use it, and I hoped today wasn’t going to be one of those fucked-up days.

Moving toward the alley, I looked around and down the length.

Nothing, there was nothing. Just rows of dumpsters brimming with black garbage bags.

Someone was here though. Someone who was following me.

Someone with a death wish, bold enough to be tailing me, the mafia boss.

Who the hell could it be?