Chapter Thirty-Three
The day passed by with mostly video game noises and pizza eating. Mia joined her brothers after a good soak and fresh clothes, playing the game and winning a few rounds. She was happy; her brothers were getting along with Aurelio, she was safe with them around, and when Aurelio walked back through that door, he would be free.
Around nine, they were hungry again, and the pizza was gone, so Mia offered to drive them to a great sushi place. Matty stuck his tongue out, but Mikey and Melvin were down to try it. The place wasn’t far, so they walked over and enjoyed the night air. They all ate their fill, and Matty even ended up loving it before heading home. The walk back was quiet; the streets were dead at almost eleven.
Her phone rang in her pocket. It was Aurelio. “Hello there.” There was a smile on her lips, and Matty “Ooohed” behind her. Melvin grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back, thumping him.
“Hello, beautiful,” Aurelio said, but his tone was off.
“What’s up?” He sighed.
“Please don’t say what I think you’re going to say.”
“What? That I’m at the loft, and it’s empty, and I’m afraid you skipped town right as I became a free man?”
“No shit!” she shrieked. “Free free?!”
“Free free, baby!” he yelled into the phone.
Mia took off. She ran, throwing open the building’s doors and dashing up the stairs. As she rounded the third floor, he was there. The leather jacket, the white T-shirt, and the black ripped jeans. She threw herself at him, wrapping her legs around his waist as she crashed into his lips. Aurelio groaned; his rumbling growl told her how much he wanted her. Her fingers twirled in his hair, which was too short to get lost in but enough to grab. His tongue invaded her mouth, begging for more. She obliged, kissing him deeper, melding their mouths together.
“Get a room,” said a voice from behind them, and Aurelio chuckled as he pulled back.
“Okay.” Mia reached over, still in her boyfriend’s arms, and slid the door partially open. “Found one.” She placed her lips back on Aurelio, who turned and walked into the loft.
He broke the kiss again and looked back at the guys. “Sorry,” he stated, sliding the door closed quickly.
Aurelio walked them to the bed as Mia’s hands held his face to hers. She wanted to stay like that forever. She felt him lower her to the bed, his hands roaming her body while his tongue tasted every corner of her mouth. Mia let him explore, moving along her face to her chin and jaw. He pulled her shirt off as her body fell back onto the mattress. His mouth trailed down her neck and chest as he unclipped her bra and pushed it to the side. He dragged her nipple between his teeth, nipping it gently. He pulled her pants down, her panties falling with them. She helped, kicking them off and letting his knee rest between her legs. Her hands were on him as he moved, touching him; the connection was everything.
Aurelio’s mouth moved down her body, fingers finding her pussy wet and ready. He growled. Mia’s breath caught in her throat; the carnal look in his eyes thrilled her. He kissed her hip, his lips caressing the tattoo there, before moving down to her pelvis. Sitting up, he lifted her leg, trailing kisses up to her knee. He stared at Mia from the corner of his eye. He placed her leg on his shoulder as he moved down, face disappearing between her thighs. She felt him kissing her sensitive flesh back and forth, moving closer to his prize. Mia arched her back against the bed, her body moving of its own accord. Aurelio chuckled, his breath on her labia. He placed a hand on her stomach, pushing her down. Mia met his gaze, biting her lip in anticipation.
“You’re so wet for me, beautiful.” His deep voice rumbled, vibrating through her vagina and making her squirm. “You make me so hard.” He licked her, tongue going deep in her pussy, dragging up to her clit and swirling around the bundle of nerves. Mia moaned loudly, unable to keep the sounds in.
“Fuck, Mia,” Aurelio groaned, going in again. “You taste so fucking good.” His tongue went to work, doing wonders, licking, swirling, and dragging across her lips.
Mia got closer and closer to the edge. “Fuck, Aurelio.”
The rising tide of climax was begging to take her. She felt him smile against her pussy, his tongue still working her into a frenzy. Without fail, she screamed, letting out all that she held in, all the sounds and moans she had been silencing. Aurelio went faster, leaving nothing behind in the wake of his efforts. As she came down, Aurelio climbed up further on the bed, his pants and boxers falling down behind him. His cock slid up her thigh, hard and begging to enter her. She pulled his face to hers. He kissed her, slowly sliding himself inside. She released a moan as his cock hit her spot with a sharp plunge. She wrapped her legs around his waist, letting him gently thrust as he placed kiss after kiss on her body. He groaned, his deep voice coming out in panting breaths as he began to speed up. She felt another wave threaten to take her over the edge, digging her fingernails into his hard back.
“Oh fuck.”
Coming together, they screamed each other’s name. Aurelio fell to the bed, pressing his side against Mia, who was still on her back. Sweat beaded on their foreheads, and large smiles were plastered on their faces.
“Fuck.” He wrapped his arms around Mia, pulling her closer. She giggled as she slid against him, his body hot to her cooling skin.
“Fuck is right.” She turned her head to look at him.
He was smiling wider than she had ever seen, his face seeming younger. The freedom he had earned lifted a weight off his shoulders. She kissed his nose, and Aurelio laughed, pulling her face to his to kiss her properly. They lay there for another quiet moment until a soft knock interrupted them. Mia rolled her eyes, knowing who it was outside the door.
“Ugh, we have to let them in, I guess.” Mia regretfully slid out of Aurelio’s arms.
He let her go, watching as she pulled her pants back on. “No underwear? Oh, that’s gonna drive me wild.” His arms reached for her.
Laughing, she dodged his grasp and grabbed her shirt. “I need to do laundry.” She threw his shirt at him. “Get dressed. We have to let them in. It’s past midnight.”
Groaning, Aurelio sat up and dressed, forgoing the pants. “Well, let me claim the best remote.”
Mia chuckled as he jumped over the back of the couch and reached for a controller. She slid open the door to find Mikey standing there. “Yes?”
“God, you are so loud.” He pushed past her. “It’s truly disgusting.”
“Fuck you,” she retorted, smiling. Melvin came in next, hands over his ears. She slapped him, pulling at his hands. “We’re done! Stop being an ass.”
Melvin smiled at her and winked, letting his hands fall. When he got to the couch, he gave Aurelio a high-five.
“Where’s Matty?” Mia asked, looking out into the hall.
“He saw some cute guy downstairs,” Melvin explained. “They are still talking, I guess.”
“Cute guy? Tony?”
“Yeah, that’s his name. Owns the bakery thing down there.”
“Oh my god!” Mia squealed. “How cute!” She slid the door closed, leaving the lock undone for when her brother came back. She sat on the floor between Aurelio’s legs, leaning back as he leaned forward to play. He smiled down at her and winked. The tension eased; there was a future before them.
Matty came back a couple of hours later when everyone was starting to fall asleep on the couch. As he came in, the energy renewed for a few minutes. All of them clapped for Matty, whose sex glow made his cheeks bright red.
“Fuck off,” he said, moving to the bathroom with a smile on his face.
Aurelio was gone most of Thursday. He said he had to say goodbye to the crew, pay them for the last job, and close the garage till he could spend some time fixing it up and getting it back to what his dad had built. Mia and her brothers lounged around, going out for lunch and finding nice shirts for them to wear to graduation. They all had dress pants but had neglected to bring button-ups. She was reminded of her dress fitting as they went shopping; she still did not have the money to pay for it.
“Maybe I should call and cancel it,” Mia mused, sitting on the couch with the boys after a quick jog to burn off energy.
“Absolutely not,” Matty said. “We can pay for it; we’ll just have to pool it.” Melvin and Mikey had said similar things in the car on the way back to the loft.
“No. I’ll figure it out. You guys have done too much already.” She sighed, “For real, I’ll figure it out.”
They sat in silence for a while, the TV playing in the background. Matty was lost in his phone; his small smiles and giggles let Mia know he was probably talking with Tony. They were set for a date that night at eight, and her friend was very excited.
She contemplated taking a bath. She had no idea what time Aurelio would be back, and he was enjoying his freedom. When she told Matty her intentions, he was so lost in puppy love that all he could do was nod and say, “Uh-huh.” Mia drew the bath; the bubbles filled to the top, and climbed in. The relaxing warmth and soft lavender scent made her eyes heavy. She closed them for a moment, resting back against the tub. When she opened her eyes again, Aurelio was before her with his shirt already off.
“Hey,” she greeted softly; she had no idea how long she had been floating.
“Hello, beautiful.” He slid his pants off, standing in his boxers. “It’s dangerous to fall asleep in the tub.” He gave her a stern look. “I think you need a lifeguard.” His boxers fell, his erection coming free.
Mia gasped and nodded; her body and mind were suddenly wide awake. “Yes, that’s a great idea.” She moved closer to the edge of the tub, reaching out. “How can I repay you for saving me?” she asked, fingers grazing his hard cock.
“Oh, beautiful. I’m not sure, any ideas?”
Mia nodded again, pulling Aurelio closer by his cock gently but firmly. Her lips wrapped around his shaft. She took him in deep, letting her moan vibrate his cock as she sucked. Aurelio groaned, his hand holding her head. She moved slowly back and forth, working his length with her hand as she went, licking the tip.
“Fuck yes.” His fingers twined in her hair. She pulled back, licking the shaft and letting her tongue drag across the warm skin. Her hand worked faster, making pre cum drip from the tip. She licked it off, sliding his cock back into her mouth and swallowing as he reached the back of her throat. He groaned again as she sucked and swirled her tongue. “Fuck, Mia.”
She felt him growing bigger before cum filled her mouth as she swallowed. She sucked it all down, pulling his cock out slowly, licking the tip, and giving it a kiss.
“You…” He leaned down, catching her chin in his hand. “…are fucking perfect.” He kissed her, tongue sweeping into her mouth.
Mia moved back, letting him get in the tub with her. The water was tepid; she had been in for a while, obviously, and her fingers were slightly wrinkly. As he sat back, she laid back on his chest. He began to wash her gently with a loofa, making lazy circles that left little suds on her skin. He moved across her body, one hand caressing slowly while the other stirred under the water. She felt his fingers find her spot; her body shivered as he began to rub her clit. She arched closer to his face, kissing his jaw as he kept his focus on her skin. A finger slid in and out as his thumb passed slowly over the bundle of nerves. She moaned against his neck as he slid a second finger into her pussy, moving faster.
“Hmm,” he hummed as she moaned into him. “I love the noises you make.” His voice was deep, eyes lazily gazing at her face. She was close to coming and felt the buildup as he worked faster. A third finger slid deep, pushing her over the edge. She bit down on his skin as the climax washed over her. Aurelio’s grin was wide and devilish. His fingers slid out of her, thumb giving her clit one more pass. Mia shivered.
She looked at his neck, where she bit, and saw a red welt there. That would be a future hickey. “Oops.”
“Haha,” Aurelio laughed, rubbing the spot. “You’re getting rough on me.” He wrapped his arms around her; the loofa was lost in the water.
She smiled and settled on his chest. “Well, when I don’t get to release as I like… I have to find another outlet, I guess.”
“You will never have to be quiet for me.” Aurelio planted a kiss on the top of her head. “Maybe for your brothers’ sake, though.”
Mia laughed, splashing him with water as she sat up. He pulled her back, squeezing her to him. “I love you,” he said into her hair.
“I love you,” she said back. “Have you had a chance to talk to Mac?” The kid popped into her head suddenly.
“Why are you thinking of Mac right now?” Aurelio asked. “Please don’t answer that. I don’t think I want to know.”
“Eww.” Her face twisted in disgust. “He is like a brother. You said you were gonna find him and talk to him. He was weird the last time I saw him. And Amy said he has been strange the last week or so.”
“Yeah. I don’t know what’s up with him. He was mad because I wouldn’t let him be involved in the last job. I want him out.”
“I know.”
“He doesn’t understand what this life will do to him. He still has time to run,” Aurelio sighed. He saw himself in Mac. And that scared him.
“Maybe I can talk to him,” Mia offered as he rubbed her arm.
“Maybe, but I don’t know where he is. He has been MIA since the day your brothers arrived.” Aurelio’s face was hard with concern and anger.
“Hasn’t been to work at the diner. Hasn’t been to any of the safe houses.” He was really worried. That was almost a week with no contact.
“Wow, and no one has seen him?”
“Amy said she hadn’t, but she was lying,” Aurelio said. “And I’m not into harassing teenage girls.”
“Where could he be?” Mia wondered out loud.
“I don’t know, but I set some bait for him. Hopefully, it will draw him out.” Aurelio smiled. “I told him I was doing a job independently. A brand-new Ferrari F8.” His eyes lit up as he thought about the car. “Of course, I’m not really stealing it, but it should draw him out to meet me.”
“And then you can figure out what’s going on,” Mia concluded, nodding.
“Exactly. Get him to let me in and see what’s wrong.”
“Let me help.”
“There isn’t anything for you to do, not yet.” He shrugged. “You can talk to Amy. See what she tells you. I know she knows something.”
Mia nodded; she could go to the diner for dinner after her dress fitting. “Yeah, I can go after my...” She froze; she hadn’t told Aurelio about the dress, not about the money issue or any of it.
“Your?” he asked, eyebrow raised.
“Mmm, my dentist appointment,” she lied. “Yeah, yearly cleaning tomorrow at four.”
“Weird. I thought you had your dress fitting at four tomorrow.”
“What? How?”
“Melvin,” Aurelio laughed. “I asked if we should take you to dinner tomorrow or Saturday before graduation. Your brother said he didn’t know how long your dress fitting was going to be tomorrow.”
Mia breathed deeply, eyes closing. “Of course, he told you. They can’t keep any secrets.” She shook her head.
“Why did it need to be a secret?” Aurelio asked. “I told you about my suit. Hell, I sent you a picture.” He chuckled. “Why didn’t you want me to know about your dress?”
“Well…” Mia said, thinking quickly. “I wanted to surprise you. I still can by not telling you any more about it.” She looked up at him, batting her eyes.
“Fine; subject changed.” He laughed again. “We should get out before you’re a prune.” Mia nodded; he was right. She was getting very wrinkly, and the water was cold. Aurelio got out behind her, reaching for a towel. He wrapped them up together and held her in his arms.
As they dried off, Mia made note of the finished tattoo, slightly red. She traced it, a small wince coming from Aurelio as she did so. Without a word, she kissed each ring, her mouth moving slowly up his arm. She moved towards him, his fingers brushing her chin as he met her in the kiss. Smiling, they got dressed quickly before heading into the living room. Melvin and Mikey were on the couch, controllers in hand.
“Matty leave?” Mia asked, still drying her wet hair.
“Yeah, sometime between round one and round two.” Mikey’s eyes remained on the screen.
“No way you guys have only played two rounds; the races are so short.” Mia furrowed her brows.
“Not our rounds,” he said, looking at Mia, eyebrows waggling.
Melvin and Aurelio hollered gut-bursting laughs.
Mia rolled her eyes, hand on her hip. “Funny, real funny.”
The night passed in a blur of games, food, and laughs. Matty came home around eleven to a round of clapping again; his face turned red. They all went to bed, and the morning came quickly for Mia. With no plans till the afternoon, she went around cleaning up the loft. She gathered the laundry, her brothers’ stuff included, and ducked out to wash it. She drove to the mat, listening to music on her phone; the old girl sounded great as she pushed her along the streets. As she put the laundry into the washer, her phone dinged.
Aurelio: Headed off to confront the little shit. Be back tonight. Love you, beautiful.
Mia sent back a heart before sliding the device back into her pocket. She continued to load the machine; her own clothes were dwarfed by the amount of men’s clothing she had to wash. Between her brothers and Aurelio, the laundry seemed to quadruple. When Mia sat down to get lost in her phone, she was reminded of the day she met Aurelio and the deep dive she had fallen into, discovering all the articles and lack of information about the world he was in. Mia shook her head; she still didn’t know anything about that world, not really. But she wanted to. Dialing Aurelio, she waited for the phone to ring, questioning if she should be calling. Before she could hang up, the phone clicked, and Aurelio’s deep voice came over the line.
“Hello, beautiful. What’s up?”
“Oh, sorry, I know you’re busy.”
“Never too busy for you.”
“Ha, smooth,” Mia said, giving him a little laugh. “I was thinking about the whole side of you I still don’t know anything about.”
“What do you mean? I’m pretty sure you have seen every side of me by now.”
“Aurelio, I’m serious,” she said with a little irritation in her voice. “I don’t know anything about the jobs you did, the people you knew, and I don’t even know where the garage is…”
“And that’s good.” Aurelio cut her off. “It’s better you don’t, or else someone may try to hurt you to know what you know.” His tone was shifting, Mia pushed.
“But it’s crazy. I should know more.” She let out a exasperated sigh.
“Why do you want to know more?” He was getting angry. “I’m out! Let’s move on from it all; put it in the past where it belongs.” His tone was sharp. She drew back, biting her lip. She heard him sigh into the phone.
“I love you; let me love you and be free.” He sighed again as he finished. “I’m sorry,” he said after several quiet moments. “This shit with Mac has me to close to the shit right now.”
Mia was stunned into silence. Of course, he was probably finding himself in the last place he wanted to be, searching for the teen.
“No, I am,” she finally murmured, her brain rethinking the whole phone call. “I just want to know all of you. And I feel like there is a part of your life I will never be in.”
“Mia.” His voice was calmer but with a slight edge to it. “You are my life now. All of it. The good, bad, and the everything. You are it.”
Despite her best efforts, Mia found herself blushing. “Aurelio, you’re mine, too.”
He was calm and collected again as he said, “Now, can we move past this? Move on with our lives together?” Mia bit her lip. Part of her wanted to know, but another piece could feel him trying to slam that door shut.
“Yes, of course.” She paused. “Good luck with Mac.”
“Good luck with your dress fitting.” Aurelio said, his smile clear in his tone. “Melvin and the boys going?”
“Not sure, I guess so if they want food after.”
“Good, maybe I can meet you at the diner. Mac should be here any minute, and I intend to drag him to a safe house to talk.” He laughed a darker sound than she was used to. “I’ll probably be starving when I’m done.”
“Sounds good. I love you.”
“I love you, beautiful.”
She heard the click of the call ending. Her heart was torn. She wanted to know his past, all of it, but she didn’t want him to have to relive the memories he was trying to forget. Putting a pin in it for later deeper thought, she focused on the laundry.