24. Chapter 24 - Emiliano
W e’re sitting on the couch watching a romantic comedy that Cole picked, but I can’t seem to pay attention. All I see is him. I can’t tear my eyes away. His hair is still wet from our shower, and he’s wearing nothing but his pink boxer briefs with little ducks on them. I smirk. Never in a million years would I have thought that he owned those.
I observe his face. He looks tired, rumpled. There are purple bags under his eyes, and I can’t help but notice he barely has an appetite. I made him his favorite—scrambled eggs with cheese, pancakes, and bacon. And he still barely ate it. I know he’s sad, and he has every reason to be, but the way this has affected him slightly bothers me. It’s as if he’s going through a goddamn break up. But isn’t he? A friendship of almost two decades is broken beyond repair. So, can I really blame him? I don’t know why it’s affecting me this much. I feel it too—I’m walking through life like a zombie, barely functioning. The only one holding me up is Cole. So I guess we’re mutually fucked up over this.
I can’t help but think about how things have been between us, though. We just click. There’s no other way to describe it. I also can’t help but think about the fact that choosing him was the right decision. He’s part of me now. I can’t seem to tear him out of my chest. Matteo will come around eventually—he has to. Right? There’s no way he’ll stay away forever. He has an empire to inherit. He has responsibilities—which he has been neglecting.
As my assistant at the real estate firm, he has been absent. I’ve officially granted him an indefinite leave of absence, but I can’t hold his job forever if I don’t know where he is or if he’s coming back. Where even is he? Where is he living? I know I could find out if I really wanted to, but I want to give him his space. Respect his privacy for once. After all, I know this is a lot to process. I also know I don’t deserve his forgiveness.
I wish I wasn’t falling for Cole, that this was all a dream, but this is no figment of my imagination. What I feel for him is real, tangible even. This is the most authentic relationship I’ve ever had, and it sure as fuck feels like it. I meant what I said to him earlier. One day, he’s going to be my husband, and we’re going to rule this city together. I wonder how fast is too fast. What is an acceptable timeline for an engagement? I have the urge to make him mine. Now. It’s like an itch I can’t scratch. Just like my growing feelings for him.
Speaking of my growing feelings, I don’t know exactly how I feel for him anymore. All I know is that I’m quickly falling for him. I can tell by the way I’ve been acting around him. So fucking soft. Something I’ve never been before. He seems to love it, though. And I wish he’d say those words to me again. I love you . I thought he was going to say them earlier, but then he didn’t. It’s a shame. I would’ve said them back. I think that’s what this is, anyway. The feeling in my chest every time I look at him. As if we’re tethered and he’s pulling my heart on a string toward him. Always to him. I’m powerless to stop it, and quite frankly, I don’t want to anymore. I want to drown in him—in these feelings. Mostly because I know he’ll save me. He won’t let me fall without him. He’s already right there with me.
Cole turns toward me, smiling softly when he realizes I’m looking at him, and my stomach flutters. What the hell is that about? Am I getting butterflies from a mere look? What is this, high school? Fuck, I’m in so deep that I can’t see the light. Then again, I don’t really want to.
“You’re staring again, Em.” Cole smirks. “Are you going to do that a lot?”
“It’s because you’re so pretty,” I answer honestly. Well, almost. I can’t tell him I was noticing how wrecked he looks right now. I have a feeling he doesn’t want to talk about it with me, and I’m not going to push the topic. After all, I don’t really want to talk about it with him either. “Come here.”
Cole straddles my lap, and my cock hardens immediately between us when his ass meets my thighs. He looks down at it and grins, shaking his head, but makes no move to take care of the issue. Shame. “Is this how you want me?” he asks.
“Maybe.” I breathe as he presses his forehead to mine, brushing his nose against mine. He tilts his head and brushes his lips over my own, and my stomach flips at the contact. I don’t know why. It can’t even be described as a kiss. “I want you in all the ways.”
“Tell me more,” he says against my lips. “I want to know.”
“I want you on your back.” I tell him softly. “With your legs over my shoulders. On your stomach, humping the mattress as I fuck you. I want you just like this, riding me, kissing me, driving me fucking crazy.”
“That can all be arranged, Em.”
Cole presses his soft lips to mine, and it feels like I’m floating on a cloud. I’m suddenly dizzy with want. I need him. Need to take him right fucking now. I flip us until he’s on his back, and he wraps his legs around my waist as I suck on his bottom lip, then tug it between my teeth roughly. I can taste blood in my mouth as I soothe the sting, and he moans, rocking against me, rubbing his erection against my own.
He licks the seam of my lips, seeking entrance, and I grant it to him. Our tongues tangle, and we battle for dominance, stroking against each other eagerly. Cole ruts against me faster, frantically, and I hump him right back. Seeking relief, friction. I want to come again. I want him to come just like this. I speed up, grabbing his ass and rubbing him against me harder. Cole’s moans and whines are loud in the silence of the house, and I feel myself cresting, almost falling. I’m right fucking there.
And then the elevator dings.
Fuck, fuck, fuck .
Cole and I still, and I feel my cock throb between my legs. When I hear chuckles and cheers, my eyes close in annoyance. Because, really? They couldn’t fucking call in advance? I gave them the code for emergencies. I just know this is not a goddamn emergency. Cole whimpers under me, burying his face in the crook of my neck just as I turn my head to look at my brothers.
“Bravo,” Giovanni says with a smirk, and I narrow my eyes on him. “Pretend we’re not here. You should finish. Blue balls are no joke.”
Fuck, don’t I know it.
I’m tempted to take Cole to my room and finish us really quick, but those hopes are squashed when Alex opens his big ass mouth.
“Absolutely not,” he mutters. “I will never be able to unsee it as is.”
Cole’s legs tighten around my waist, and I turn to face him. His cheeks are bright red, his eyes wide. He looks delicious. I want to fucking eat him, devour him.
“Go to the room and get dressed,” I murmur against his ear. “We’ll finish this later.”
“Later?” He swallows hard, then shakes his head. “No, Em. I’m gonna go jack off.”
“Don’t you dare,” I say through gritted teeth.
“What are you going to do about it?” he asks with a bratty tone of voice, and my nostrils flare. I want to throw him over my shoulder and show him. Instead, I stay rooted to the spot, feeling eyes on us. “Spank me?”
“Yeah, Em .” Gio chuckles. “Are you going to spank him?”
“That’s kind of hot,” Lorenzo says, and they collectively laugh.
“Can he go get dressed?” Alessandro asks. “I kind of want to sit down. But the couch is tainted, isn’t it?”
“Not yet,” Cole mutters, pushing me off. “But it was about to be.”
“Good thing we came in when we did,” Alessandro mutters under his breath.
Cole gets up from the couch, his erection tenting his boxer briefs, and he doesn’t bother to hide it. Just goes on about his life and heads to our bedroom.
“He’s gifted,” Gio says with a smirk, and I breathe in deeply through my nose, trying to get rid of my boner. Fucking hell. It’s not working. “He has a big cock.”
“Eyes off my man,” I say through gritted teeth, finally getting a hold of myself. “Before you lose them.”
“Oooh.” Giovanni laughs. “He’s got it bad.”
“Are you in love with him, brother?” Lorenzo asks with wide eyes. “You are, aren’t you?”
“None of your business,” I snap. I know Cole lurks and listens to our conversations, and this is not how I want him to find out. I’ll tell him on my own time—when I’m well and truly ready. It’s a big step, saying I love you to someone. I want him to know I mean it. I need him to know that it’s not a lie. “Ask me again at the office, and I just might tell you.”
“Tell him what?” Cole asks, and I flush. He comes around to the couch, sitting next to me in gray sweatpants. I can see the outline of his dick even though he’s wearing underwear, and I sigh.
“Nothing,” I say quickly.
My brothers all chuckle.
“What are you all doing here?” I ask my brothers.
“Can’t we want to spend time with our dearest brother?” Gio asks, and I raise an eyebrow at him.
“Did you come here to talk about your restaurant?” I ask him, and he rolls his eyes.
“Absolutely not.” He huffs. “Business stays at the office.”
“It never has before,” I tell him. “Cole and I were busy, you know. The polite thing to do is come back later.”
“Good thing we’re not polite,” Alessandro says, and this time it’s me rolling my eyes.
My brothers all flop onto the couch next to Cole, and it’s a wonder six grown men can fit on it. But I have an enormous couch for this specific reason. My brothers and I have always spent plenty of time together, and though I don’t admit it very often, I love it. We’re tight knit.
“Alright,” I tell them, defeated.
“I know what we can talk about,” Cole suddenly says, and I narrow my eyes at him. “I want to take the Russians’ house.”
Giovanni chuckles, and Alessandro narrows his eyes at Cole.
“I thought I said no business,” Gio says lightly.
Cole huffs. “This is important.”
“Go ahead, Cole,” Alessandro says with enthusiasm, and I chuckle. He lives for this shit. Work is all he’s ever cared about. He should really loosen up a little, maybe get some pussy. Or dick. I don’t know exactly which way he leans toward if I’m being honest. He’s never brought anyone home. Never even been in a relationship. “Tell us more.”
“In order to end this war, we need a new alliance,” Cole says, and my brothers all nod. “We need to get rid of the ones in charge right now.”
“We can agree with that,” Alessandro says, looking right at Cole. “And how do you suggest we do that?”
“We get rid of the Pakhan, Andrey, and Natasha.” All eyes swivel to me. All eyes except for Cole’s. No. He’s too busy watching my brothers watch my reaction. “What?” he asks.
“Oh, nothing,” Alessandro says. “I just don’t think Natasha should be part of it.”
“And why the fuck not?” Cole snaps.
“She’s innocent in all of this,” Giovanni says softly. Placatingly. “She won’t interfere.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that?” Cole looks at me now, eyes narrowed on my face. But I remain stoic. Fort fucking Knox. “I’m sick of being kept in the dark, Emiliano. Tell me. Right fucking now .”
“Oooh.” Giovanni chuckles. “He called you Emiliano.”
My brothers chuckle again. Everyone except Alessandro. The fucker is so grumpy.
“There’s nothing to tell,” Alex says in my defense, even though we both know it’s not true. “She just shouldn’t be punished for her brother’s actions.”
“Why the hell do you all care?” Cole asks slowly. “It’s never been an issue before—ending everyone.”
There’s a collective silence.
“She’s not fair game, Cole,” I say through gritted teeth, getting irritated. He should be following directions, not defying me. “End of discussion.”
“Fine,” he snaps.
Cole gets up from the couch, going to our bedroom and slamming the door. I deflate, my shoulders lowering as I slump against the couch. I pinch the bridge of my nose, just to hear someone snickering. When I look up, it’s Giovanni, because of course it is.
“And I thought Alex was grumpy.” He grins. “You should check on him.”
“Leave, please,” I sigh, getting up from the couch and heading to our bedroom. “I don’t want to find you all here when I come back out.”
“Fineeeee,” Gio mutters, and I hear the elevator open. “We’ll leave. But this discussion isn’t over.”
I roll my eyes and take a step toward the bedroom, taking a deep breath. And then I go in. I need to fix this. Right fucking now. I don’t want to fight with Cole. We should be happy right now. Together. All over each other.
No.
This won’t do.