Chapter 6
Chapter Six
MAURIZIO
Icouldn’t tell who moved first. One moment we were sitting side by side on the couch, the next our lips met with a hunger that surprised us both.
My hand found the back of her neck. My fingers tangled in her soft hair as I pulled her closer.
The taste of wine lingered on her lips, sweet and intoxicating.
All our earlier concerns about Lordes, about danger, about family loyalty dissolved in the heat between us.
Right or wrong, this moment was ours alone.
Labria shifted, sliding onto my lap with a fluid grace that took my breath away.
Her skirt hiked up around her thighs as she straddled me.
Her hands framed my face as our kiss deepened.
I ran my palms up her sides, feeling the warmth of her body through the thin fabric of her blouse.
The subtle curve of her waist, the fullness of her breasts pressing against my chest—these were sensations I was still getting accustomed to, still marveling at.
“Upstairs,” I murmured against her lips when we finally broke for air.
She nodded, eyes half-lidded with desire.
I stood, lifting her with me, her legs wrapping around my waist. She was light in my arms, her body molding perfectly against mine as I carried her toward the stairs.
Her mouth found the sensitive spot below my ear.
Her teeth grazed my skin in a way that made my knees weak.
“Careful,” I warned, steadying myself against the wall. “Or we might not make it upstairs.”
She laughed softly. The sound vibrated against my neck. “Would that be so terrible?”
“No,” I admitted, starting up the stairs with her still in my arms. “But I want to fuck you in my bed.”
The possessiveness in my voice surprised even me. My bed. Where she belonged. Where I’d imagined her countless times before she ever walked through my door.
We made it to the second floor, never breaking contact. Her fingers worked at my shirt buttons as I carried her down the hallway to my bedroom. The dim light from the hall spilled into the room, casting long shadows across the unmade bed. The maid had today off.
I set her down gently at the foot of the bed, my hands immediately finding the buttons of her blouse. She shivered slightly as my fingers brushed against her skin, working each button free with deliberate slowness. The anticipation between us built with each inch of skin revealed.
“You’re beautiful,” I told her as her blouse fell open, exposing the delicate lace of her bra.
“You always say that.” She replied as her hands returned to my shirt, finishing what she’d started on the stairs.
“Because it’s always true.” I pushed the blouse from her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor.
Labria’s fingers trailed down my now-exposed chest, tracing old scars and newer muscles with equal curiosity. There was something in her touch that felt like claiming, like she was mapping territory that now belonged to her. I had no objections. I wanted her forever.
She reached for the zipper of her skirt, but I gently moved her hands away. “Let me,” I insisted.
The zipper made a soft, sensual sound as I lowered it, letting the fabric pool around her feet. She stood before me in matching black lace underwear, her brown skin glowing in the faint light from the hallway. I took one step backward, just to look at her.
“Maurizio,” she said, my name almost a question on her lips.
I answered by closing the distance between us, my hands sliding around her waist as I kissed her again.
More insistent this time, more demanding.
She responded in kind, her fingers finding my belt, working it open with practiced efficiency.
My pants joined her clothes on the floor, and then we were tumbling onto the bed together, a tangle of limbs and half-removed clothing.
I hovered above her, supporting my weight on my forearms as I trailed kisses down her neck to the swell of her breasts.
Her back arched as I pushed aside the lace of her bra, taking one nipple into my mouth.
The soft moan that escaped her sent heat coursing through me.
My hand slid down her stomach. This woman was a dream that had now become my reality.
My fingers hooked in the waistband of her panties.
“Yes,” she breathed, answering the unasked question. “Zio.”
“Zio, what?” I chanted, hoping she would say the words.
“Yes, Zio, fuck, me.”
I pulled the fine lace down her legs, my mouth following the same path.
I moved down her stomach, over her hipbones, along the inside of her thighs.
Her fingers twisted in my hair, guiding me where she wanted me most. I obliged willingly, my tongue finding her heated center, tasting her arousal.
Her thighs trembled on either side of my head as I worked her with my mouth, bringing her closer to the edge.
“Maurizio, please,” she gasped, tugging at my hair. “I want you inside me. Deep inside me.”
I moved back up her body, pausing to remove my boxers before settling between her thighs.
Our eyes met in the dim light, and something passed between us.
There was an acknowledgment that this was more than just physical release.
This was connection, communication, comfort in a world where all three were increasingly rare.
I pushed my cock into her slowly, savoring the feeling of her body accepting mine.
Her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me deeper, and I groaned against her neck.
We found our rhythm quickly, bodies moving together with an urgency born of desire and the knowledge that tomorrow would bring fresh challenges.
For now, there was only this, her skin against mine, her breath in my ear, her nails digging into my shoulders.
“Look at me,” I whispered as I felt her begin to tighten around me.
Her eyes opened, dark and heavy-lidded, finding mine in the shadowed room. The vulnerability in her gaze nearly undid me. I increased my pace, one hand sliding between us to where we were joined, my thumb finding the sensitive bundle of nerves on her clit that would push her over the edge.
“Come for me, Labria,” I urged, my voice rough with need.
She did as she was told. Her body arched beneath mine, my name a prayer on her lips as she shattered. The sight of her coming apart was enough to trigger my own release. I buried my face in her neck as I followed her over the edge, my hips jerking erratically against hers.
For several long moments afterward, we lay tangled together, sweaty and breathless, neither willing to break the connection.
I rolled to my side eventually, bringing her with me, her head resting on my chest. Her fingertips traced sensual patterns across my bare skin as our breathing slowly returned to normal.
“That was...” she began, then paused, apparently unable to find adequate words.
“Yeah,” I agreed, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “It was magical.”
We didn’t need to say more. In the quiet aftermath of passion, words seemed redundant. I pulled the sheets up over our cooling bodies, tucking Labria closer into my side. Her arm draped across my stomach, possessive even in relaxation.
“What are you thinking?” she asked after several minutes of comfortable silence.
I considered lying, saying something light or romantic, but I’d promised her truth. “I’m thinking about Tuesday. About you going to Lord’s house.”
I felt her tense slightly beside me. “I’ll be careful. He won’t be there.”
“I know, but I still don’t like it.” I traced my fingers down her spine. “What if he changes his plans? What if he has someone watching the house?”
“Nicco promised he’d be gone,” she reminded me. “And Nicco said he’ll have a man there to help me.”
“Still,” I insisted, “I’d feel better if I came with you.”
She lifted her head to look at me, her expression serious despite her tousled hair and kiss-swollen lips.
“That would be a mistake. If Lord found out you were in his house, with me, going through his things, he would really be pissed. Lord can kiss my ass, but I’m not going to intentionally do anything to antagonize him. ”
I didn’t need her to finish the thought. It would be the ultimate provocation. A line that, once crossed, could never be uncrossed.
“You’re right,” I conceded reluctantly. “But at least call me when you’re there.”
She considered this for a moment before nodding. “I will. I’m just packing up my shit and bouncing. I don’t have much there. Most of my things are back in Chicago, and the things we bought together he can keep.”
I pulled her back down to my chest, satisfied with this small victory. We fell silent again. The gentle rhythm of her breathing against my skin was hypnotic. Outside, the night had deepened, the moonlight casting silver patterns across my bedroom floor.
For this brief moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, we’d found peace. Tomorrow would bring fresh worries, new dangers. Lord’s silence would continue to haunt us, a sword hanging over our heads.
But tonight, we had this. Each other. A temporary sanctuary in the storm that was coming soon.
I tightened my arm around her, feeling her drift toward sleep.
I made a silent promise to protect what we’d found, whatever the cost. I could never say this to her, but fuck Lordes and whatever game he was playing.
There was no way I was going to give Labria back to him without a fight.
Hell, I wasn’t going to give her back at all.
He fucked up, and I stepped up. I didn’t know this new relative, and I didn’t owe him anything.
I was willing to take this to the mattresses.
He couldn’t have her back. She was mine now.