Chapter 7
Dominic
I find myself grinning at my phone like a lovesick teenager. It's been a few days since the elevator incident, and I've been texting Gia regularly. Each message is a delicate balance of teasing and suggestion, pushing the boundaries without crossing any lines.
"Looking forward to our dinner date, Red. Hope you're ready for a taste of something... exciting," I type, hitting send before I can second-guess myself.
Her reply comes quickly: "Careful, Esposito. I bite back. Hope you can handle the heat."
I chuckle, my mind immediately going to places it shouldn't. "Bring it on sweetheart. I like it spicy."
Before she can respond, Sal enters my office, his face serious.
"Boss, we've set up the meeting with the Colombians. Midnight tonight, at the old warehouse on the pier."
I nod, switching gears from flirtatious to business. "Good. Make sure we've got backup nearby, just in case. And Sal? This needs to go smoothly. We can't afford any... complications."
As Sal leaves, my phone rings. It's my mother. I take a deep breath before answering.
"Dominic, darling," her voice comes through, warm but probing. "How are you? Are you eating enough? And when are you going to bring a nice girl home? You’re nearly thirty four. It’s time."
I roll my eyes, but can't help smiling. "I'm fine, Ma. And actually... I am seeing someone."
There's a pause, then an excited squeal. "Really? Who is she? Tell me everything!"
I hesitate, knowing this won't go over well. "Her name is Gia. Gia Romano."
The silence on the other end is deafening. When my mother speaks again, her voice is tight with anger. "Romano? Dominic, have you lost your mind?"
"Ma, listen," I say quickly. "I know it's complicated, but... I really like her. And I want to try to end this feud. For good."
Another long pause. Then, to my surprise, my mother's voice softens. "Oh, Dominic. You always were a romantic at heart. Are you sure about this?"
"I am, Ma. Will you help me? Help us end this?"
I can almost hear her smile through the phone. "Of course, my son. I'm proud of you for trying to make peace. Your father... he would be proud too."
After we hang up, I text Gia to confirm our plans for tonight. As I get ready, I can't help but feel a mix of excitement and anticipation. This isn't just a date. It's potentially the start of something much bigger. I was already in over my head with just the physical attraction after the electric sex we had, but knowing she’s the artist creating those paintings that move me so deeply? That changes everything. I’m done for.
When I pick Gia up, my breath catches in my throat. She's a vision in a red dress that hugs every curve, her dark hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders.
"You look fucking incredible," I say, my eyes raking over her body.
She blushes slightly, a small smile playing on her lips. "You clean up pretty well yourself, Esposito."
I step closer, my voice low. "You know, we don’t have to go to dinner. We could-."
She steps past me and out her door. “Don’t even think about it. Let’s go.”
Amused, I follow her out of the building. I’m so unaccustomed to women having a smart mouth with me. No one speaks to me like she does. I fucking love it.
The restaurant I've chosen is one of the best in Queens, discreet and elegant. As we walk in, I feel the eyes of the other diners on us. Whispers follow in our wake, and I see more than a few nervous glances. I place my hand on the small of Gia's back, a clear sign of possession.
We're seated at a quiet table in the back, away from prying eyes. As we peruse the menu, I catch a waiter staring at Gia a little too long. I clear my throat, fixing him with a hard stare until he scurries away.
"Jealous much?" Gia teases, raising an eyebrow.
I lean in, my voice a low growl. "I don't share what's mine, Red."
Her breath hitches, and I see the flash of heat in her eyes. "And who says I'm yours, Esposito?"
I reach across the table, taking her hand in mine. "Give me time. You will be."
The waiter returns, nervously taking our order. As he leaves, Gia turns back to me, her expression turning serious.
"So," she says, "are we going to address the elephant in the room?"
I lean back, meeting her gaze. "You mean the fact that our families have been at each other's throats for generations? Or the fact that I can't stop thinking about getting you out of that dress?"
She kicks me lightly under the table, but I see the flush creeping up her neck. "The family feud, Dominic. Let's start there."
We spend the next hour discussing the history of our families' rivalry, enjoying our exquisite meals as we talk. I'm impressed by her knowledge and her determination to find a solution.
"It's all so pointless," she says, shaking her head. "All this hatred over things that happened before we were even born."
I nod, my expression serious. "I agree. But ending it won't be easy."
"But you're willing to try?" she asks, her eyes searching mine.
"For you? I'd do a lot more than just try," I say, my voice low and intense.
As we move on to dessert, I find myself becoming increasingly distracted. Gia's lips wrap around her spoon as she savors the tiramisu, and I feel a jolt of desire shoot through me.
"Enjoying that, are you?" I ask, my voice husky.
She looks up at me through her lashes. "Very much. Want a taste?"
I lean in, my eyes never leaving hers. "More than you know."
The ride back to her place is charged with tension. When we pull up outside her building, I turn to her.
"I'm coming up," I say, not a question but a statement.
She hesitates for a moment, then nods. "Okay."
As soon as we're inside her loft, I pull her to me, my lips crashing down on hers. I press her against the wall, my hands roaming her body as our kiss becomes more heated. She moans into my mouth, the sound driving me wild.
I’ve waited too long to have her like this, and now that I do, I’m going to savor every second.
I grab her hips, lifting her off the floor as I carry her to the couch, not breaking the kiss. When I lay her down, I pause for a moment, looking into her eyes.
"Tell me you want this, Gia," I murmur, my voice rough. My hand cups her cheek, my thumb brushing over her bottom lip.
Her breath is shallow, her pupils dilated as she looks up at me. "I want this... I want you, Dominic."
I claim her mouth again, this time slower, deeper. My hands trace the curves of her body, memorizing every inch of her. Her dress rides up as I slide my hand along the smooth skin of her thigh, higher, until I feel the lace of her panties beneath my fingers.
"Red," I growl against her lips, pulling back just enough to look at her flushed face. "I’ve been imagining you like this, writhing beneath me, for far too long."
Gia moans softly, her body responding to every word, every touch. I shift lower, kissing along her jaw, down her neck, biting just hard enough to make her gasp. I want her marked. I want her to feel me long after I’m gone. I nip the sensitive spot at the base of her neck, soothing the sting with my tongue.
Her fingers weave through my hair, tugging as her breathing grows more erratic. "Dominic…"
I smirk against her skin, loving how easily she falls apart under my touch. But I’m just getting started. I drag her dress up over her hips, exposing more of her to me, and with one swift motion, I pull it over her head and toss it aside. My gaze roams her body, taking in every inch of her. She’s perfect—too perfect for me, but I don’t care. I quickly shed my jacket and shirt, kicking off my shoes as I settle above her.
I kiss my way down her body, tasting every part of her. Her skin is soft, and the way she trembles under my lips drives me wild. I reach her stomach, planting open-mouthed kisses that have her squirming.
"Dominic, please," she whispers, her voice shaky with need.
"Please, what?" I tease, nipping at her hip bone. My hands grip her thighs, spreading them wider, holding her in place.
"Stop teasing," she breathes. "I can’t take it."
A low chuckle rumbles in my chest. "You’ll take everything I give you, Red. And you’ll love it."
I hook my fingers under the lace of her panties, dragging them down her legs, slowly, torturously, never breaking eye contact. She’s panting now, her chest rising and falling quickly, and it only spurs me on. I toss the fabric aside and settle between her thighs.
I run my hands up her legs, feeling the tension there. "Relax, Gia. Let me take care of you." I lean down, my mouth hovering over her most sensitive spot, my breath warm against her skin.
Her eyes widen, and her lips part in a silent plea. I give her exactly what she’s begging for, using my mouth to claim her in a way that no one else ever has. Her taste is intoxicating, and the sounds she makes as I explore her drive me to the edge of control.
I move slowly at first, savoring her reactions, but as her moans grow louder, her fingers gripping the couch cushions, I can’t hold back any longer. I slip a finger inside her, then another, and pump in and out of her slick center. I use my tongue to push her higher, faster, until she’s gasping my name, her body arching off the couch.
"That’s it," I murmur against her, my voice thick with desire. "Come for me, Red."
Her body tenses, and she cries out, shuddering as I take her over the edge. I don’t stop until I’ve wrung every last bit of pleasure from her, until she’s limp and breathless beneath me.
I sit up slightly, my hands on either side of her hips as I look down at her. I hold her gaze, the raw satisfaction of watching her unravel coursing through me. Her chest rises and falls with each shaky breath, and the sight of her laid out beneath me, completely undone, stirs something primal deep inside.
“You’re so beautiful, Gia,” I rasp, my voice low and rough. My hand moves to her cheek, gently brushing her wild hair back from her face. Her lips part, her breath still coming in soft, uneven pants as she gazes up at me through half-lidded eyes.
I can’t help myself. I lean down and capture her mouth with mine, slow and deliberate this time, tasting her like I’ve got all the time in the world. The kiss deepens, and she responds instantly, her hands sliding up my arms, fingers digging into my skin as if anchoring herself to me.
I groan into her mouth, my control hanging by a thread. Her taste, her scent, the way she melts beneath my touch—it’s all driving me wild.
Gia's hand presses firmly against my chest, and I let her push me back into a sitting position. My heart pounds in anticipation as she slides off the sofa and drops gracefully to her knees in front of me. Her eyes lock onto mine, burning with intent, and I can barely contain the growl rumbling low in my throat.
Without a word, she reaches for my belt, her fingers working with steady, deliberate motions. The sound of the buckle clinking open echoes in the silence, and my entire body tightens with anticipation. Her hands make quick work of my pants, dragging them—and my boxer briefs—down my hips. My erection springs free, thick and aching, and Gia’s eyes go wide.
For a moment, she just stares, her lips parted slightly, her breath shallow. I can't help the smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth, watching her take me in, the weight of what she’s about to do sinking in.
"Gia," I growl, my voice thick with need. The way she’s looking at me is going to make me lose control.
But she doesn’t hesitate. With a flicker of a grin, she wraps her delicate fingers around me, and my body jerks involuntarily at the first contact. Her touch is soft but firm, stroking me slowly from base to tip, and every nerve in my body feels like it’s on fire. I clench my fists at my sides, struggling to hold myself together as I watch her, her lips parting as she leans in closer.
The moment her warm, wet mouth closes over the head of my cock, my world narrows to just her—her lips, her tongue, the way she takes me in inch by agonizing inch. A low, guttural groan escapes me, and I let my head fall back, eyes closing as pleasure ripples through me.
"Fuck, Gia..." I grit out, barely hanging on as she starts to move, her mouth sliding down my length, taking me deeper than I thought possible. She pulls back, then takes me in again, her rhythm steady, driving me to the edge of sanity with every stroke.
Instinctively, my hand finds her hair, and I grab a fistful of it, possessively guiding her movements as she bobs up and down. She lets out a soft moan around me, and the vibration shoots straight through me, making me groan deep in my chest. She’s relentless, her lips sealing tight around me as she works, her tongue swirling, teasing, driving me closer to the brink.
My grip on her hair tightens as I guide her, pushing deeper, my cock sliding further into the hot, tight warmth of her throat. She doesn’t falter, her hands bracing against my thighs as she takes me in again and again, swallowing me whole.
"Look at me, Gia," I demand, my voice ragged, possessive. Her eyes flick up to meet mine, glazed with lust, and the sight of her like this—on her knees, mouth wrapped around me, completely at my mercy—is nearly enough to undo me.
"Good girl," I groan, tightening my hold on her hair as she takes me even deeper, her lips stretched around the base of my cock. The pleasure is unbearable, and I know I won’t last much longer. She’s too good, too eager, her movements too perfect. It’s better than anything I’ve ever felt before, and I’m completely at her mercy. But I’m not ready for this to be over yet.
I guide her head back, my cock sliding out between her lips with a pop. She looks confused as I stand, then squeals when I toss her over my shoulder and march into her bedroom before tossing her on the bed.
She’s a vision, sprawled out before me, every inch of her flawless. Gia’s breath is still ragged from what we’ve already shared, but it’s not enough. I can’t get enough of her.
I grab her ankles and shove them apart, climbing over her, settling my body against hers, feeling her softness, her heat. She trembles beneath me, her nails digging into my shoulders, pulling me closer, needing more of me.
I position myself at her entrance, teasing her, watching the anticipation flicker in her eyes, the way her lips part as if begging for me without saying a word.
“Look at me,” I growl, my voice low, possessive. I press forward, burying myself deep inside her in one powerful thrust. She gasps, her head falling back, her eyes fluttering shut as her body tightens around me.
“Fuck, Gia,” I groan, the heat of her nearly undoing me. “So damn tight…you were made for me.”
Her body responds to every word, every movement, her hips lifting to meet mine as I pull back and slam into her again. My hands grip her waist, holding her in place as I take her, each thrust harder than the last, and her moans grow louder, filling the room with the sounds of her pleasure.
I lean down, my lips brushing her ear. “You feel that? How you fit around me like you were made just for me? That’s because you are, Gia. You’re mine. Always.”
Her breathing quickens, her hands sliding up my arms, over my chest, her nails leaving marks in their wake. Her body clenches around me, and it only drives me harder, faster, needing to watch her fall apart beneath me.
But I want more. I want to see her completely undone, to watch her take what she needs.
Without warning, I flip us over, pulling her on top of me, her legs straddling my hips. I look up at her, her body silhouetted in the dim light, her hair cascading over her shoulders, her breasts rising and falling as she tries to catch her breath. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, and I want to watch her take her pleasure.
“Ride me,” I command, my voice rough, filled with need. “Take what’s yours, Gia. Show me how much you want it.”
Her eyes flash with hunger, and without hesitation, she begins to move, her hips grinding against mine as she sinks down onto me, taking me deep. A low groan escapes me as her body envelops me, her heat and tightness almost too much to handle. My hands fly to her hips, gripping her hard as I guide her movements, watching with rapt attention as her head falls back, her body swaying with the rhythm, the sight of her breasts bouncing with each thrust driving me wild.
“Fuck, Gia…you’re perfect,” I breathe, my voice husky with desire. My fingers dig into her skin as I slam into her from underneath, watching the pleasure play across her face, the way her lips part, her eyes half-lidded with lust.
She rides me harder, faster, her hands gripping my chest for leverage as she takes me deeper, her moans filling the room, her body trembling as she reaches for her release. My eyes never leave her, mesmerized by the way she moves, by the sheer power of the pleasure building between us.
I’m lost in her, in the heat of her body, the feel of her wrapped around me, and suddenly, it hits me—she’s the only one I’ll ever want. No one will ever compare to this, to her.
I’ll never get enough of her.
I reach up, cupping her breasts, watching the way she gasps at my touch, how her body responds to me so perfectly. “You’re mine, Gia. No one else will ever have you…ever.”
Her moan is my undoing. She’s close, her body trembling, her movements becoming frantic as she chases her release, and I slam into her harder from beneath, giving her everything I have, watching her fall apart above me.
And in that moment, as I watch her come undone, her body shuddering with pleasure, I know it. I’m in love with her.
“Gia,” I groan, my hands gripping her hips as I thrust up into her one last time, pushing her over the edge. “I-.”
Her eyes snap open, her body tightening around me, her release crashing over her in waves. She cries out my name, her nails digging into my chest as her climax takes her, and I follow her, my own release ripping through me like a storm.
As she collapses against me, her body still trembling, I hold her tight, my heart pounding in my chest. I’ve never felt anything like this before—this overwhelming need, this desire so deep it consumes me.
She’s mine. And I’ll never let her go.