17. On A Boat Plus Night Equals Murder
Chapter 17
On A Boat Plus Night Equals Murder
Antonella
I slide the high heels onto my feet, grab my purse off of the dresser, and give myself a few final spritz of the new perfume. It’s delicious. Light and not too sweet, a little musky. Exactly how I like it.
I give myself a final once-over in the full-length mirror on the wall beside the canopy bed. Taking a step back, I admire the woman standing before me, for once. I’m becoming myself again. Not a pathetic, sad, stressed out shell of a woman.
I’m one sexy bitch.
I snap a selfie in the mirror and send it off to Audrina. She’ll get a kick out of seeing me all dressed up. She messages back in only half-a-second—not exaggerating.
Attachment 1 image.
Audie
Who are you and what have you done with my best friend??
Smoking hot!
You finally letting your sugar daddy spoil you?
Omg. He’s not a sugar daddy.
Seriously though, you look amazing. What’s the occasion?
Date night
DATE? YES!!!
With him, right?
Yes
Have an amazing time. You better tell me how it goes the second you get home. Or tomorrow morning… If you know what I mean ;)
Down girl.
Have fun 3
I slide my phone into the purse and clasp it shut. Giving myself another once-over in the mirror.
Deep breaths, Toni. You got this . It’s dinner between two people. Between two friends. Between two close friends. Between two close friends who have borderline fucked .
I sigh. “I spiraled.”
I walk down the hallway and then carefully start stepping down the stairs, one by one . Walking in these heels—a death trap. And I have zero prior experience in this type of heel.
I grip onto the railing for dear life as I go down one step at a time. What am I thinking? Going out in public wearing these is going to be a nightmare . I plant my feet on the tile floor—glad to finally not be on the stairs anymore.
“Oddio, I lived,” I whisper while still staring at the floor.
“ Antonella ,” he growls.
A scream rips through my throat. I’m easily scared, to be fair. Has he been standing there this whole time? My gaze flicks up toward him and I jump, giving a fake smile. “You scared me half to death!”
“Mi dispiace.” He grins at me, not taking his lust-filled eyes off of mine. His chest heaves up and down, as if he’s trying not to laugh. “You are breathtaking .”
A blush creeps across my face and down my chest. I peer down at the ground. He cups my chin in his hand and tilts my head up toward his. He plants his lips directly onto mine.
Claiming me.
He’s kissing me, again. My stomach is full of butterflies doing flips inside of my body—a little flutter deep in my pussy. I kiss him back with equal intensity. Smelling his sandalwood cologne only fuels my desire for him. I’ve become equally obsessed with him as he is with me.
Think about something else .
I pull away from him and place my hands on his suit jacket. I clear my throat and shake my head. “You… are an excellent kisser.”
This isn’t thinking about something else. I failed.
Fuck it.
“Same could be said about you, amore.” He tucks a strand of curled hair behind my ear. His touch sends shivers down my spine.
“Where are you taking me tonight?” I ask, needing a distraction before I take this opportunity to jump his bones right here, right now. Though, I’m under the impression he wouldn’t mind a quickie. However, I’m not wasting all the effort I’ve put into this entire ensemble before we have our first official date.
“Somewhere private.” He holds his arm out for me to take. Always such a gentleman—who only wants to do ungentlemanly things. Pazzo.
I follow him out to the garage and he opens the passenger door of the black sports car. I’m beginning to love the little princess treatment—I can’t lie. He sits in the driver’s seat and locks the doors.
My next question blurts out before I have the better idea to not ask it. “You going to kill me?” I wink.
I’m kidding.
It’s all jokes.
Unless ?
“W-what?” His eyes dart toward me, giving a wide-eyed stare of complete panic.
“I’m kidding.” I laugh, more so to ease my own nerves. “ Relax .” Although, his reaction’s a little off.
Beige flag?
His shoulders drop and he eases back into the driver’s seat. “Why would you ask that?”
“Because, you said you’re taking me somewhere private.” I gesture to the car.
“For the romance .” He pulls out of the garage and drives up to the security gate, punching in the code.
“My mind automatically goes to a serial killer. Your history with me… definitely gives off the vibe.” I laugh again. I can’t let him in on my little internal debate yet. I need to gather more data.
He raises a brow, but with a little hint of a smirk. There’s the humor. “I’m not going to whac— kill you, amore. I want you to be mine.”
“In what way?” My heart jumps into my throat. Was he about to say whack me? Freudian slip?
“You’ll see.”
His statement brings me zero comfort.
After a quick five minute drive, he parks in an empty lot, far off from any public area. Right off the lake. It’s pitch black outside. And there’s a single, large, white yacht on the dock, lit up with a single string of lights around the deck.
“A boat?” I raise a brow. “This doesn’t help the whole not a serial killer case.”
Serial Killer ||
Mafia Man |||
FBI Agent ||
Is a ceo
“Antonella, if I wanted you dead, it would’ve happened long before I fell in love with you.” His tone’s completely phlegmatic. His admission slips effortlessly.
As if it’s easy.
My eyes go wide and my heart stops beating for a brief moment. “Great. Good to know. Thanks for the confession I didn’t get on tape. If I go missing, Audrina knows I was with you tonight!”
“Andiamo, amore.” He smiles, holding his arm out for me to take, completely ignoring me. “Close your eyes,” he whispers in my ear.
“Why should I?” I gulp. If he pushes me, I’m able to swim fairly well. And if I die, I’ll come back specifically to haunt the shit out of him. I’ll hold the grudge—even in death. I know where he lives.
“Do you trust me?” he asks quietly.
I gulp as my eyes slowly flutter shut. Despite my internal dilemma, I’ll trust him. This time.
Until he gives me a reason not to.
A smile spreads across my face involuntarily. The answer flowing easily off my tongue in a whisper, “ Yes . ”
“Brava ragazza,” he whispers. His words send shivers down my spine, directly to my pussy. He places his arm around my waist and guides me up the ramp. I take each step carefully. “Now, open,” he commands with a tad bit of excitement in his voice.
I open my eyes, unsure of what to expect aside from a boat. We’re on the gigantic yacht, lit up with candles and red rose petals scattered all over the floor. String light bulbs are hung above us, surrounding the area.
In the middle of the deck is a large, square table with a white cloth, two red chairs, and a gigantic feast already prepared, waiting for us. In the center between all the different foods, is a glass vase filled with a bouquet of red roses. Off to the side, on a separate table, is an ice bucket with three bottles of different types of wine, one white, one red, and one rosé.
I gasp, covering my mouth from shock. “Questa è bellissima! ”
And downright not at all what I expected. He went above and beyond for a date. If he does murder me tonight— please let it be after the dinner and drinks.
“Yes, you are.” He simpers, taking my cold hand in his warm one. I regret not bringing a jacket, even if it’s the summer. The wind from the lake brushes across my skin, causing goosebumps to rise. I intentionally tighten my grip around his fingers as he pulls my hand up to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on the back of it.
I squeeze my eyes shut, attempting to shy away from him. But once again, he cups my chin with his other hand and pulls my face toward his. He kisses me on the lips gently.
Those flutters in my stomach are unaccompanied by extreme nervousness. This time, it’s mixed with a burning desire for more. I slide my other hand up the front of his chest and grip onto the collar of his burgundy button-up shirt, pulling him in closer to me as I smile against his lips.
Kissing him has become a comfort.
Too comforting.
He groans, releasing my hand. Is he going to pull away? Instead, he places both of his hands on my ass and gives it a squeeze .
Oh .
I slightly lift up, pushing up against his face, deepening the kiss even further. I trail my tongue across his bottom lip—a little tease. He groans again against my mouth, squeezing my ass even harder. His fingertips dig into my flesh through the dress.
I release the collar of his shirt and try to pull away as my stomach growls. I’m starving . Not only for him, but for the food too.
Reluctantly, he loosens the grip he has on me with a low, deep groan. He whispers, “You are driving me wild, amore.”
“We’re only beginning. Mangiamo. ” I wink at him as we walk to the table. He pulls my chair out for me, shrugs his suit jacket off, and wraps it around me. I inhale the scent of his cologne invading my nostrils as I slide my arms into it.
Wow, the princess treatment indeed .
I sit in the chair and he helps me scoot in closer to the table. “So… about those rules…” my voice is quiet, too quiet. It’s been sitting on the back of my mind for a little while now, and I need to know what he’s been stirring up for me.
He snorts and takes a bite of the pasta, but didn’t answer my question.
“Well?”
“Patience.” He stabs his fork into the pasta.
I leer. “ Fine . Then, I have a rule for you if you’re not going to tell me any.”
His thick brown brow arches up. “Che?”
“We stay friends. That’s all we will be. Amici . I don’t want to be hurt when you ultimately decide I’m not worth your time anymore,” my voice cracks.
The truth is, it’s too good to be real. Everything about this agreement between us is too damn good.
His jaw clenches, maybe even an eye twitches a little. “There will never be a second of your life where you won’t be worth my time, Antonella Marie. Mangi. ”
I gulp. He first and middle named me. “You don’t agree?” I bring the fork full of noodles up to my mouth.
“I don’t.”
“Perché?”
“We’re becoming good friends, no?”
“I sense there’s a but coming?” I bring another forkful of noodles to my lips.
His deep, yet soft laughter is like music to my ears, bringing me a sense of comfort in a time of uncertainty. “ But , I want to take this friendship further into a relationship when you’re ready.”
I choke on a noodle. Coughing as I drop my fork, clinking it loudly against the plate.
“Is that all you want me to be to you? Your friend ?” He spits out the last word.
Guilt fills my entire heart, hastily dropping from chest to my stomach to my ass. Am I going to have the nervous shits? First time for everything. Oh, my God. Is there a bathroom on this boat? There has to be, right? It’s a super yacht. There’s probably multiple?—
“Antonella,” he says in a stronger tone, trying to get my attention.
My eyes snap to his, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Yes?”
“Are you going to answer my question?”
“Right. Your question…” I tap my chin with all four of my fingernails as my thumb rests on the underside of my jaw. “The question you asked me. A question is meant to be answered. What’s your question again?”
“Do you only want me to be your friend and nothing more?”
I shake my head. “No… I just—I want to know more about you. You seem to know everything about me…” I trail, nervous all of a sudden. “But, I don’t know anything about you.”
He hums. “What should I tell you? ”
Everything . Where do I even begin? “What do you do at your company?” I raise a brow.
“I own it.” He shrugs.
“ Capisco , Mister King of the Vague CEO.” I reach for the rosé. “I mean, what do you do? ”
“I oversee the day-to-day operations, attend business meetings, monitor sales, handle negotiations—all the boring business stuff.” He chuckles while taking a sip of his wine.
Do I bring up the possible mafia stuff? Or do I let it fizzle out? I mean, I can’t lie—I’m curious. He wouldn’t hurt me if I ask, right?
Right ?
What’s dangerous about a question? I swallow the large lump forming in my throat as a grin twitches at the corners of my lips. “ Interesting. ”
I’m not going to ask. Not tonight, anyway.
“And what do you do? In the journalism.” His brows draw together in curiosity.
“Picture this—a sad high school girl who wanted to get out of a small town—make it big.” I snort at the thought. Make it big . “Clearly, it didn’t happen. I like to write the stories that speak to me. The ones motivating others to do more good in the world full of hate.”
His expression hardens. “Interesting.”
“You don’t seem interested.” I laugh, taking a sip of wine. Maybe I’m blabbing on too much about nothing and he’s becoming bored. I don’t blame him.
My life is as dull as a box of unsharpened pencils.
“I promise, amore, I am.” He pauses, putting down his fork. Which by his standards—means business. “Isn’t it obvious how infatuated I am with you? Every word you say is as if they come from a Heavenly Angel directly. Only… I can’t get the image of you with your legs spread out of my head right now. I need them wrapped around my neck. Now ,” he growls.
My eyes widen and my fork drops out of my hand. Oh, gravity. “But… The food.” I plump my bottom lip out in a pout.
“Can wait.” His top lip curls up as he stands. I know him well enough, if he says food can wait, he means it.
“There’s people on the boat,” I whisper.
“Keep your voice down, amore.” His forest green eyes darken entirely. “I don’t want them hearing what’s mine.”
“Yours?” I gulp and place my drink down on the table. With one swift move, he lifts me up and carries me over to one of the couches on the side of the deck.
He leans down onto his knees, slides my black lace panties down off my legs carefully, and places them in his pocket. He gently kisses up my inner thigh and grips the sides of them with his fingers.
I bite my lip as he puts one leg over each of his shoulders, and pulls me in. I fully have my legs wrapped around his neck. The cool touch of his large, calloused hands slides up the outer sides of my thigh as he eases his way closer to my center with his lips.
“ Fuck ,” I whisper as he uses both of his hands to spread my thighs wider open and licks my clit in a slow, circular motion.
“You taste divine, amore. I could feast on you forever,” he growls against me. The determination flaring in his eyes as he laps me up between my thighs over and over again causes a loud moan to rip through my throat.
I lean back against the side of the boat for support, gripping onto the edge of the black leather bench in hopes not to slide off, though the grip he has on my thighs is enough to keep me in place.
Oh, my God .
The inner walls of my pussy clench around nothing, begging desperately as his tongue flicks my clit once again. Hell, now I need more than his tongue. It’s been entirely too long. Last time he did this left me wanting for more.
My hips buck forward against his mouth, hinting at more friction, his cock, which I’ve yet to have. He’s already got me addicted.
Addicted .
“ Please ,” I beg in an extremely quiet, raspy moan. My grip tightens on the edge of the seat. He laps up the wetness dripping between my thighs as his fingers dig into me. I’m close already. He has a magic touch, with a way of knowing exactly how to get me to cum.
My heart’s racing, practically beating out of my chest. I’m panting as I reach one hand up and tangle it into his hair, pushing him into me more. He groans and sucks my clit as he sticks a finger inside of my throbbing pussy. Finally.
“A—ah,” I moan a little louder than I probably should’ve.
“ Quiet .” He lifts his head up slightly, eyes blackened. “I’m not done tasting you yet.”
My entire view—he’s handsome on his knees for me.
“Yes,” I whisper, throwing my head back.
I stare up at the beautiful night sky as his tongue, once again, sucks my clit further into his mouth. My hips buckle underneath his touch. I’m nearing my peak and unsure how much more I can take.
“I’m going to—” I pant.
He stops everything he’s doing and leans back on his heels. Why did he stop? I’m so close.
“Rule one, remember?” He smirks. “You cum when I tell you to.” He leans back in and flicks his tongue against my swollen, sensitive clit.
“Unfair,” I pant out, squirming as his grip tightens, holding me in place.
“Rule two, no eye rolling. It’s not nice of you to do, amore. I’ll spank you for it.”
I scoff, watching as he lazily drags his middle and ring finger along my center before pushing them deep inside of me once again. I hiss as his fingers stretch me out. “Cruel,” I say mixed with a moan.
“Rule three, stop referring to us as only friends. We’re much more, no?” He fully inserts his fingers inside of me. My inner walls clench around him. “I’ll allow you the time before a commitment, but I don’t want to hear the word.”
“ Ah—aah ,” I cry out. My eyes squeeze shut in pure ecstasy. He sure knows how to tease.
“I’ll take that as an agreement to rules one through three, yes?” He chuckles darkly as his fingers curl up—hitting my g-spot over and over again as his tongue swirls around my clit a few more times.
“Fine,” I breathe out. Stars dance across my vision.
“Rule four, you’re mine. Only mine.” Slowly, he pulls his fingers out of me, leaving me whimpering and empty. My own wetness pools down my thighs. Dripping. Clenching around nothing, again. Aching and needy for him. The pad of his thumb rests on the top of my clit, unmoving. “It’s my face between these thighs, lapping up your cum like a starving man. You wear my jacket. You live in our home. You. Are. Mine .”
“Fuck, please—” I groan, throwing my head back as I rub my pulsating clit against the pad of his thumb for the friction he isn’t providing.
“Rule five.” He hums, removing his thumb. He leans fully into my center and swirls his tongue around my clit. I gasp as my fingers tangle in his now, less than perfect, hair. He glides three fingers up and down my slick pussy, teasing the entrance. Then, forcefully inserts the three fingers inside of me this time.
“A—ah.” I bite down on my bottom lip, pushing my hips down into his touch.
“If I ask you to do something, please don’t ask why. I would never truly ask you to do something if it wasn’t in your best interest.” His tone is more serious than before.
What does he mean, specifically ?
Once again, his fingers curl up, hitting the delicious spot inside of me, as his tongue does on the outside. “Cum on my face, Antonella,” he growls.
My entire body goes tingly. Overwhelming amounts of pleasure washes over me and my jaw drops in a silent scream as I throw my head back. My soft curls which cascade down my shoulders and across my waist fall to behind my back while I ride out my climax.
His fingers on his other hand grip tighter on my thigh as his tongue moves in quick, circular motions. One final lick, before he leans up and moves back on his heels. Staring up at me with one satisfied grin on his face, he says, “You’re so gorgeous when you cum for me.”
A heated blush spreads across my cheeks. And before I can say what I want to him, he holds my panties back out for me to take back. I reach up for them, almost embarrassed that he’s holding my fucking underwear, though he did just have his face on my vagina.
Snappily, he extends his arm out above his head, making me unable to reach my panties. My eyes widen with shock. What is he doing ?
Stronzo.
“These belong to me now.” He smirks, twirling them in his hand before sticking them right back in his pocket.
Why does he want to keep those? I cross my arms and furrow my brows, “I need those back. I’m naked underneath my dress!” I half-yell, half-whisper so the other people on the boat won’t hear.
“You won’t, I promise. ” He pats my head. He never goes back on his promises—so far.
Round two? Fight.