Athena
I walked out of the office, following Luciano. It was the close of work, and frankly, I was surprised he had even stayed behind. He had growled and grunted and prowled like some wounded lion all through the rest of the day. It was disheartening to see. A strong, proud, arrogant bastard had been reduced to groaning like a muzzled dog. It was very disheartening.
As the elevator doors closed, enveloping us in a suffocating silence, I couldn’t bear the weight of Luciano’s brooding presence any longer. Okay, perhaps I was just a busybody who couldn’t mind my own damned business, but I couldn’t stand that stiff look on his face. Hell, I would have thought after all these months, I had made progress in thawing through his broodiness. The tension between us was palpable, and it gnawed at my insides, urging me to break through his hardened exterior.
I turned to face him, my voice gentle yet playful. “You know, Luciano, I’ve always found you quite enticing when you’re mad. It’s a look that suits you,” I teased, hoping to elicit some response, any crack in his impenetrable facade.
His gaze met mine, a mix of annoyance and surprise flickering in his eyes. “Is this one of your tricks, Miss Gonzalez?”
I clutched my chest in disbelief. “Miss Gonzalez? Oh, you wound me, Luciano.” I said theatrically.
His face remained passive for a while, and I had nearly given up when to my delight, a tiny spark of amusement danced across his features, breaking the sternness of his expression. It was a fleeting moment, but it was enough to encourage me.
Without hesitating, I reached out and pressed the emergency stop button, bringing the elevator to a sudden halt. The sudden stillness mirrored the peaceful atmosphere between us.
“What are you doing, Raven?” Luciano’s guarded stance softened slightly, his weariness evident.
“Remember the last time you broke that thing?” I said, stepping closer to him.
“You almost had my head for that shit.” He spat, his eyes resentful and his lips almost in a pout.
Good lord.
“You deserved it. You broke my phone.” I taunted, reaching out to grab his jacket.
“You were ignoring me. I hate that.” When I looked up at him, he seemed very vulnerable. Tired lines marred his face, tugging at heartstrings I hadn’t even known I possessed.
“You look tired, Luciano,” I said softly, reaching my hand to his face. He sighed, burying his face deeper into my palm.
“I feel tired. Like I’ve been carrying the weight of the fucking world on my shoulders.” He explained.
“Wanna share some of that burden?”
With my words, I closed the remaining distance between us and pulled him into an embrace, wrapping my arms around him. I felt the tension in his body gradually melt away as he rested his head on my shoulder.
“What are you? My therapist?” He mumbled, and we both laughed. We stood there, entwined in each other’s arms, seeking solace and comfort in the embrace.
At that moment, the walls between us crumbled, revealing the vulnerability beneath the surface. The hardened mafia lord transformed into a man burdened by the weight of his responsibilities. And I, as his confidante, offered a fleeting respite from the relentless demands of his world.
Mahn, I really should get into poetry. I’d be unstoppable. Luciano’s arm tightened around my waist while his other free arm carressed the small of my back. It felt good. Good to be wanted like this.
As our bodies were embraced, raw desire coursed through the air. His caresses became more sensual, and I could feel every nerve tingling in anticipation. Luciano’s voice, laced with vulnerability and longing, broke the silence.
“Raven,” he whispered, his voice husky and filled with need and longing. He pulled away so he could see my face and grinned softly. “I… I would feel better after a kiss.”
A shiver ran down my spine as his words hung in the air, igniting a flame of desire within me. Chuckling, I worked my arm around his neck. “Would you now?”
“Yes. I’d feel so much better,” he replied, leaning closer. Our breath mingled as his mouth hovered above mine.
Holding his intense gaze, I licked my bottom lip and watched his eyes get darker.
“Well, who am I,” I whispered. “To hold back suck medicine from my favorite patient?”
“Your only patient,” Luciano growled, pressing his lips against mine in a fervent kiss.
Fuck, yes.
I loved his kisses. Perhaps it was due to years of expertise or the fact that he was dangerously good at everything. Whatever it was, the man could kiss. He sucked on my bottom lip, licking at it rather sensually. My hands pulled his head even closer. I didn’t want to be teased. I wanted a full-fledged kiss.
Slipping my tongue through his mouth, I stroked against his, eliciting a groan from him. Yes. Exactly what I wanted.
Time seemed to stand still as our lips danced together, a symphony of longing and pent-up emotions finding release. The weight of the world melted away, leaving only the intoxicating sensation of our bodies pressed tightly against each other.
We moved; I had lost all sense of direction, but somehow my back was against the elevator, our mouths still melding together as tiny sounds of pleasure escaped us. Luciano slipped a hand under my leg, hiking it up.
My skirt shifted, baring my tongue. Wrapping that leg around him, he pressed up closer to me, his hardness poised right against my softness, and I pulled away, tossing my head back in a groan.
Every touch, every caress, spoke volumes about the unspoken connection that had been building between us. At that moment, it was as if all the barriers and secrets that had separated us had evaporated, leaving only the raw and undeniable attraction that had been simmering beneath the surface.
“We…” He panted, grinding against me. Fuck that felt so good. So fucking good. “We couldn’t finish earlier,”
“Yeah,” I whispered, delirious with desire. I turned around, placing my hands flat on the elevator wall. Looking back at him, I held his gaze. “We could finish now,”
Luciano groaned as if in pain and pulled at my exposed thong. A sharp burst of pleasure surged through me, causing my back to arch. He delivered a spank that had my ass quivering in anticipation.
Please, I wanted to beg. Please shove it aside and slide your fingers in. He hadn’t touched me in over a week, and I was going mad from wanting. It was unfair. How could he give me a taste of pleasure and then withhold it from me just like that? It was cruel.
“You want this,” he panted, and I heard the sound of his belt unbuckling while his hands pulled harder at my panties.
“Yes… Please, Luciano,” I moaned. Fuck everything else; I just wanted him. I’d figure out the mess I was in later. I’d figure out my loyalties and all that shit later. But now, right now, all I wanted was the man behind me.
“Ah, Cara,” he whispered. When I glanced behind me, I noticed his body trembling as he undid his pants. “You’ll fucking be the death of me.”
“Is everything okay?” A foreign voice intruded, and everything came crashing down.
No, no, no! My body cried. Not now. Not now, please.
Reluctantly, we pulled away, my body tight with need and Luciano’s face in a glare. The interruption from the elevator’s buzz shattered the moment, abruptly reminding us of the outside world and its prying eyes. The security personnel had noticed our prolonged presence and were concerned.
Luciano didn’t budge; I could see him glare at the buzz button on the elevator, possibly considering shattering it to bits. Sighing, I straightened, adjusted myself, and walked with shaky legs to the buzzer.
Through a composed facade, I replied, “Yes, everything is fine.”
Thanks to you, bastards, I’ll be walking like a duck for a while. How else was I supposed to manage my throbbing core?
The security guards, satisfied with our response, assured us that the elevator was functioning correctly. Reluctantly I pressed the button to start the elevator and glanced behind me at Luciano. His pants were done. But he looked like he wanted to bash someone’s head against a truck. The knowledge that we would soon be alone, free from prying eyes and distractions, exhilarated me.
Silently, I glanced at Luciano, noticing the desire flickering in his eyes and the slight smile playing on his lips.
“Well, someone doesn’t look like a brooding twig anymore,” I teased, shuffling to his side.
“I believe that is because I have an amazing doctor,” he muttered, playing along with my charade.
“It’s a good thing we’re going home then,” I told him, brushing my fingers against his bulge lightly. He stiffened, reaching out to stop me.
“I’m sorry, Cara,” he said as the elevator pinged open. “I will not be going home with you.”
Right before the elevator stood Giorgia. And she looked mighty pissed as hell.