Dom's Ascension (Mariani Crime Family Book 1) Read online

  “No. Mario’s family does. I’m keeping an eye on it for them while they’re out of town.” He unlocked the front door and let us in. The place was gorgeous. Marble entryway, high ceilings, hardwood floors. I followed Dominico into a living room that was about the size of my entire house. Stylish leather furniture was arranged around a beautiful contemporary rug, all angled toward a gorgeous stone fireplace.

  “Nice pad,” I said, spinning around to take it all in.

  He nodded and carried the bags past the living room into the kitchen. “What do you like on your pizza? There’s a great pizzeria not far from here. Thought I’d call us in an order.”

  I shrugged, buzzing with entirely too much energy to be hungry. “I like pretty much everything. Surprise me?”

  “You got it,” he said with a smile. “Can I get you a beer or a glass of wine?” He peeked into the refrigerator. “They have a decent Riesling. It’s kinda like those fru-fru drinks you always get.”

  I giggled. “Fru-fru drinks, huh?”

  He already had the corkscrew working. He splashed some into a glass and offered it to me. “Try it.”

  Fruity wine sounded fabulous. Especially since the way Dominico was looking at me had my stomach twisted in knots. I needed to relax. “Mario’s family isn’t gonna be upset about us drinking up their wine?” I asked, accepting the glass.

  The look he gave me made me feel ridiculous for even asking such a thing. “No. They won’t care what I touch. And when the maid comes in, she’ll restock it.”

  “Well then.” Feeling completely out of my element, I held the glass up in a mock toast, “Bottoms up.”

  I couldn’t believe I’d said something so stupid. Why did my nerves always turn me into a dork? Desperate to settle myself down, I drained the glass and nodded for him to pour me more. He filled my glass and grabbed a beer for himself before leading me out to the patio, where he stripped off his jacket and tie, draping both over a chair. With his jacket off, my gaze was drawn to the gun holstered around his waist. Watching me, he removed it and set it on the table.

  “I know you have questions,” he said, sitting on the wicker couch and tugging me down beside him. “And I appreciate that you’re not freaking out on me. I… there’s a lot of shit I can’t tell you. My job’s pretty top secret and demanding, and sometimes I have to disappear for a while.”

  The mob. He worked for the mafia, and I suspected he was high up in his family. He didn’t have to tell me, because I already knew. I did, however, need him to be honest with me.

  “I know what you do, Dom,” I said, still eyeing the weapon. “I’m not stupid.”

  He chuckled, relaxing his shoulders. “I know you’re not, and I figured you knew, which is why I tried to stay away from you. I don’t usually date. It’s impossible to reach me and work often calls me away, as you’ve seen. I had a great time with you on our last date, but I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want you to expect something I can’t give you. You understand?”

  Not really. It felt like he was breaking up with me, but we weren’t even together. My chest constricted as I stared at his tortured expression, wishing I could do something to help him while simultaneously plotting his demise if he’d brought me here just to tell me goodbye. Needing to steady my nerves, I downed the rest of my wine.

  “I really like you,” he said, sounding amused and a little nervous as he watched me set the empty glass on the table beside his gun. “When I dropped you off that night after our date… everything went to shit on the job front. Made me realize I can’t… I don’t have the time to be in a relationship. And it’s not fair to you. I tried to leave you alone, but I couldn’t stay away. I can’t stop thinking about you. I… I had to see you.”

  Staring at my empty wine glass and wishing it would refill, I nodded. He was saying everything I wanted to hear, but made it sound like goodbye. Why did he call me? Why was he screwing with my emotions like this?

  “Are you… Is this goodbye?” I asked.

  His body tensed beside me. “What? No. Not at all. I’m trying to explain why I can’t let you go. I should, damnit. My being with you puts you in danger, but I’m too goddamn selfish to leave you alone. I know you need more than my silence, so I’m tryin’ to lay this shit out and hope it doesn’t scare you off. But you deserve to know what you’re getting into.”

  I got it. Dominico lived a dangerous life. He couldn’t promise me tomorrow, or even the next hour. I should be upset about that, and want more stability and safety, but I didn’t care. Whatever this thing was between us, I wanted to explore it. Relieved he wasn’t dumping me, my brain was entirely too jumbled to answer him with words, so I leaned in and kissed his lips.

  He seemed startled at first, then Dominico shifted, pulling me onto his lap and deepening the kiss. A little voice in the back of my mind screamed at me that we were alone and this thing between us had the potential to go further than I’d ever gone with a guy, but I didn’t care. I needed him as much as he needed me. In his arms, I wasn’t worried about college bills, or Papa’s depression, or restaurant stress… There was danger and fire, and strangely enough, it felt almost like floating.

  We made out until the pizza came, then we broke apart long enough to eat and drink more. The conversation was easy and flirty, like it had been during our last date, and by the time I changed into my swimsuit, something big had changed between us.

  “You look… wow,” he said, eyeballing me as I emerged from the bathroom.

  The swim trunks he wore rode low on his hips, drawing all my attention to his sculpted abs. Maybe it was the wine, but I had the sudden, foreign urge to run my fingers—and possibly my tongue—all over his stomach. My entire body heated at the thought.

  “Thanks, you too.”

  “I mean it, Net. You have no idea how gorgeous you are.”

  “Net, huh?” I paused midstep, thrown off by the nickname.

  He grinned and leaned forward and ducked down until we were almost nose to nose. “Yep. It’s fitting. You’re definitely ensnaring.”

  He’d gone and given me a sweet nickname, making me feel even more warm and fuzzy inside. I needed to combat these feels with a witty retort, but before I could form one, he spun around and headed outside.

  I followed him into the hot tub and leaned against the side. Stars lit up the Vegas sky, and a slight breeze chilled my exposed skin. I sank deeper into the hot water and let the jets massage my sore muscles. Everything felt so wonderful. Closing my eyes, I leaned my head back against a head rest. Despite the wine, the heat, and the jets, I was far from relaxed. My entire body felt charged, alert, and acutely aware of the proximity of Dominico’s shirtless body.

  Opening my eyes, I checked him out again. His shoulders were broad, and the muscles of his arms and chest were as defined as his abs. He slid closer to me until our legs and arms were touching, and I continued my visual investigation of his body.

  A thick scar ran down the side of his left pec and another one circled his forearm. Feeling way more brazen than I ever had in my life, I reached out and traced the one on his forearm before letting my fingertips trail up to his pec. His body shivered beneath my touch.

  “Sorry,” I said, pulling away.

  He grabbed my hand. “Don’t be. I like it when you touch me. You can touch me anywhere you want.”

  A loaded invitation if I’d ever heard one. My fingertips went back to their exploration of his pecs and my gaze drifted to the water bubbling against the middle of his stomach. Wanting to touch him with so much more than my fingers, I licked my lips.

  Dominico wrapped his arms around me so fast my hand was trapped between our chests. Firm, demanding lips found mine, effectively capturing me as his tongue explored my mouth. He tasted like beer and desire, and as I melded my body against his he pulled me closer. Pressed hard against him, I still wasn’t close enough. I wanted more of him all over me.

  My hands drifted down his sculpted sides and abs. A strangled moan escaped from his lips before he pulled me from the hot tub and toweled me off. I wanted to return the favor, but he picked me up and carried me into the house. He laid a blanket on the rug in front of the fireplace and pressed the button to start the flames. Then he sat me down on the floor in front of him and brushed my hair over my shoulder so he could trail kisses down my neck.

  “Can I take this off?” he asked, hooking a finger under my bikini strap.

  Nervous but wanting to be naked with him, I nodded.

  He tugged the tie free and released my breasts. Leaning back, he looked me over. Feeling exposed, I reached for the corner of the blanket, but he grabbed my wrist.

  “No. Don’t cover up. You’re gorgeous.”

  Releasing my wrist, his hand traveled up my arm to my breasts. He shifted to his knees, freeing up both his hands to explore. I leaned back on my arms, giving him complete access. Soft, gentle caresses evolved into kneading and squeezing. Then his hands were replaced with his lips. Flames ignited in my core. Wanting to explore his body as well, I balanced on one arm and tugged on the waistband of his shorts.

  He chuckled. “These in your way?”

  I nodded. “Please take them off.”

  He slid them over his hips, and his cock sprang free. The sight stirred both desire and fear within me. I’d never been a chicken, though, so I trailed my hands down his stomach and wrapped them around his shaft. He moaned, so I gave him a little squeeze.

  “Net,” he breathed out, nibbling at my neck. “I want to fuck you so bad right now.”

  The desperation in his voice was both thrilling and terrifying. Releasing him, I laid on my back and let him tug off my bikini bottoms.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said, staring down at me as he slid them over my feet.

  Then he trailed kisses up my calf, between my knees, all the way to my inner thigh. I stilled as his lips drifted over my core and ghosted kisses and hot breath from thigh to thigh, effectively teasing me with a whisper of what was to come. I wanted more—wanted him—fisting the blanket, I tried to get myself under control. He chuckled and grabbed my thighs, spreading them wide. His tongue teased my clit, flicking it back and forth, before plunging into my pussy. Ohmigod. Overwhelmed with the sensation, I had no idea what to do. Thankfully, Dominico did. He licked and sucked on me while his hands roamed up to squeeze my breasts and pinch my nipples, intensifying my pleasure with every second. The sensation of it all drove me to the edge of bliss, but right as I was about to find release, his mouth disappeared. I heard the rip of a package, and then the next thing I knew, the throbbing head of his penis was nudging my folds.

  He pushed his upper body away and looked me over again, his eyes dark and hungry, before slowly sliding into me.

  My god, the size of him… it hurt. I cried out and he stilled, brushing kisses all over my neck. Still inside of me, his hot kisses moved to my lips. We made out as he reached down and fingered my clit, pleasuring me through the pain as he started moving again. Slowly, he slid in and out of me, each stroke feeling better than the last. He released my lips to suck on a nipple. Nibbling at and teasing my breasts, he continued to stroke my clit until a wave of pleasure swept away the last of the pain.

  I could tell he was holding back, but I didn’t need him to anymore. Ready for the rest of him, I angled my hips to give him full access.

  “You okay?” he asked, his eyes locked on mine.

  In answer, I kissed his neck and squeezed him inside of me.

  He groaned. “You feel so fuckin’ amazing,” he said, plunging deeper inside me, sparking more pain, but also more pleasure. He kept his pace slow, burying himself inside of me and withdrawing, over and over. Sweat beaded across his forehead and collarbone as he gritted his teeth. He was still holding back. The pain faded again, and pleasure continued to intensify with each controlled stroke. Taking my hands in his, he held them above my head and continued to fuck me. The feeling of being contained—of being held down—only increased the fire within me. Desperate for more, I wrapped my legs around him.

  “You better stop it,” he said in a low growl. “You’re gonna make me lose control.”

  That sounded fun. “Good,” I said, grinding my hips against him and squeezing his dick in my pussy again.

  Still holding down my hands, he fucked me harder, faster.

  “You like that?” he asked. “That what you want?”

  Release was so close I couldn’t talk. I nodded.

  “Not yet,” he said, pulling out of me.

  “What? Why?” I asked. My body practically thrummed with need for him to finish what he’d started.

  “Because I want more. I want you every way I can take you.”

  Before I could respond, he kissed me, capturing my lips until I was breathless. Then he tugged my hands up, lying back, and pulling me on top of him.

  “Ride me.”

  Slightly nervous and not entirely sure what to do, I kneeled on either side of his hips and took his length inside me while Dominico watched, his eyes heavy with lust. He moaned, and bucked, driving himself deeper inside me. Up and down his shaft I slid, encouraged by his reaction I rocked my hips back and forth. His hands squeezed my breasts and pinched my nipples while I rode him, building momentum and once again stoking the fire within me. Harder. Faster. When I was about to come, he gripped my hips and held me still as he pulled out of me.

  “Not yet,” he said.

  I growled, and he chuckled as he sat up and wrapped his arms around me.

  My body quivered as I began to come down again. He stood, pulling me up beside him. He kissed my cheek, my neck, and finally my lips, slow and soft, while I tried to keep myself from jumping on him and making him finish me off.

  Releasing my lips, he whispered, “I like you like this,” against my cheek. “All horny and shit. Now you finally want me as bad as I want you every time I see you. Want me to let you come?”

  “What do you think?” I asked.

  He pulled me back to the floor and positioned me on my hands and knees. Gripping my hips, he entered me from behind. There was nothing slow or controlled about it when Dominico finally let go. He pounded my pussy, sending waves of pleasure and pain throughout my body. Then his fingers found my clit again, stroking and circling, rocketing me into a blinding orgasm. He came with me, and then released me to collapse onto the blanket in blissful exhaustion. Dominico laid beside me and wrapped me in his arms.

  “Stay with me tonight,” he whispered, nuzzling my neck.

  I couldn’t move, let alone get home, in this condition. Eyes still closed, I nodded. He might not be able to promise me tomorrow, but tonight had been perfect.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Dominico

  I WATCHED ANNETTA sleep, beating myself up for being so fucking weak I’d broken down and called her. My older, more responsible brother was currently out on a date with Zeta Caruso, like the good little capo’s son he was, while I lie beside the girl I should have been strong enough to stay away from.

  Annetta stirred, shifting the blanket I’d covered us with, to reveal her left breast. My body responded, instantly hardening with need. I thought fucking her would get her out of my system, but it had backfired. Now I just wanted her more.

  Before last night, she’d been a virgin. I hadn’t even considered that complication until I saw the blood. How the hell did someone as gorgeous as Annetta reach her 20’s with her cherry intact? And why the fuck had she been so willing to give it to me? She said she knew what I did, so she had to know my life belonged to my family.

  My thoughts drifted to Gino, who had willingly given up his life to serve the family. A guy like Gino, coming from an upright family in the sticks, couldn’t have understood the price he would pay. Now he did, though. Carlo had set him up with a wife and told Gino to get her pregnant so the Durantes would have something on him to keep him in line.

  “I had no strings. He wanted to tie me down with baggage… give me somethin’ to lose if I turned out to be a snitch or a mole,” Gino said.

  Which was beyond screwed up since Gino was a mole. I stared at him, wondering what to say.

  “She’s pregnant with our second kid… another boy. We’re naming him Franco after my grandfather. The oldest is Antonio. We call him Tony. He just turned two, and he’s a handful.” Gino chuckled. “Cutest little asshole you ever saw. I know I’m not supposed to get attached to them, but they’re innocent in all this, you know? I didn’t think it would be like this, but I can’t help but feel responsible for them.”

  A year older than me with a wife and two kids I hadn’t known a damn thing about. How the hell was it possible? I nodded, still too shocked to form a reply.

  “It’s not like I love her or anything,” he hurried to defend himself. “But she’s a good woman, and she doesn’t know anything about this… about what I’m doing. If this goes south, and I… Will you keep an eye on them?”

  He didn’t have to be here. He’d given everything to come work for my family and now he needed me to protect his if he got caught by the Durantes. There was only one answer I could give him. “Yeah, of course.”

  He sighed, his shoulders instantly relaxing. “Thank you, Dom. You won’t be able to help them directly, because she can’t ever know who I really am. It’ll put them all in danger. But… whatever you can do.”

  I clapped a hand on his shoulder. “I get it, man. I’ll make sure they’re okay.”

  “Thanks again. You don’t know what this means to me.”

  “You don’t love her?”

  I don’t know why I couldn’t get past his confession. Maybe because I wanted to believe I could force some sort of feeling into an arranged marriage.

  Gino’s eyebrows rose. “I’m a family man, Dom. It’s business. You don’t get too close, you know?”

  Yeah, I did know, which is why I swore off Annetta Porro that night, knowing the more time I spent with her the harder it would be to marry Valentina. I locked down my feelings and vowed to do my duty like Gino had. Like Michael was. Family had to come first. If Gino could live that way, so could I. I was determined.

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