Bodyguard Takes Control

“Does he follow you everywhere?”

For a second, I wonder who my best friend is talking about, but as I follow her gaze, I realize and my heart skips.

Oh, right. Him.

The dark, brooding man my father hired as my protection this summer is leaning against the wall a few feet away from us, scanning the rooftop for any potential threat to my safety.

Luca Romano.

“Unfortunately.”

Having him follow me around is bad enough, but the tension between us has been almost unbearable since we kissed the other night.

It happened so suddenly, and was over just as quick. An impulse, an instinct. One we both agreed could never happen again.

But for the last few days, it’s all I’ve been able to think about.

If Luca feels the same, he hasn’t let on. The man has such an intense poker face that I never know what he’s thinking, and I think he likes it that way.

“Well at least your dad chose someone hot for you to spend your summer with.”

She’s right about that.

Even across the dark rooftop bar, I see every handsome detail.

His dark, tousled hair that always looks like he’s just ran his fingers through it. Those eyes are so deep I feel like I could drown in them. And a jawline so sharp it looks like it could cut diamonds.

It’s a blessing and a curse. A blessing– because there are a lot worse men I could spend my summer with. A curse– because he’s about as off limits as it gets.

Tonight, he opted for something more casual than his usual custom cut suit and tie in an attempt to fit in, but even in jeans and a black t-shirt, the man looks intimidating as hell.

If his tall, strong build doesn’t tell you that, his venomous, signature scowl will.

I’m used to the way he looks at people, and it still gives me chills sometimes–both haunting and sexy.

He catches me staring, and for a few beats, neither of us look away.

“I’m going to go buy him a drink. See if I can get him to loosen up a bit.”

We’re at a club for goodness sake. If he wants to blend in, he can’t be lurking in the shadows the way he is.

I spin on my heel, and take one step toward him when I notice the expression on his face change.

His eyes darken as he sets his jaw, gaze trained on something in the back while striding toward me.

“Hey I was just coming to–”

“We need to go. Now.”

“What? We just got–”

He doesn’t even wait for me to finish my sentence before grabbing my elbow and turning me toward the door.

We only make it two steps before the glass railing surrounding the roof top shatters.

His wide frame hovers over me, shielding me from the shards that fly through the air.

It isn’t until the next gunshot echoes that I realize what’s happening. Someone is opening fire in the bar.

“We have to move. Try to stay down as you walk.”

“Luca, wait. My friends…”

He barely hears my protests as he ushers me toward the door.

“They’ll be fine.”

“I can’t leave them.”

“They’re not the target, principessa. You are.”

The realization makes my stomach twist as he takes my hand and moves us through the panicked crowd.

It’s me. I’m the one they’re after.

The realization makes me freeze, like my body doesn’t know what to do until his voice cuts through the chaos. Familiar and calm enough to bring me back to reality.

“Hey, look at me…”

His hand grips my chin, turning me away from what’s happening behind us and locking eyes with me.

“You’re safe with me. I’m going to get you out of here.”

For whatever reason, I trust that. I trust him.

We move quickly, down several flights of stairs and out the front door before I really know what’s happening.

The noise dies down the further away we get, but in the distance, I hear sirens.

There’s a black escalade waiting at the curb that I recognize as one of my dad’s. Luca opens the door and shoves me inside and then climbs in behind me.

“Drive.”

Luca’s phone is already to his ear as the SUV peels off the curb and onto the streets.

His strong body is relaxed in the seat next to me, a sharp contrast to the way I tremble.

“I’ve got her.” “No, not there. All the family properties are compromised until we know otherwise.” “And the others?” “I’ve got a plan. Keep me updated.”

He hangs up but doesn’t look my way, focused on the logistics.

“Take 37th street to Barrows.”

The driver doesn’t say a word, but flips around and follows Luca’s direction.

“That’s not my house.”

“We don’t know if your house is safe right now. So I’m taking you somewhere that is.”

“Where?”

He stares out the window, jaw tight and still refusing to look at me.

“My house.”

It’s quiet as we drive, the tension so thick in the air I can hardly breathe.

He can sense it, and reaches over, grabbing my hand.

“It’s okay. You’re safe now. No one gets to you now.”

His thumb swipes across the back of my hand over and over, and the touch soothes me a bit.´

The world doesn’t feel like it’s spinning quite as fast now.

Soon, we pull into a dark parking garage. Luca gets out first and comes to open my door.

I follow him into the building and up the elevator, standing a foot or so behind him as he unlocks the door. He shuts the door tightly behind it and flips the deadbolt before tripping the alarm.

“You think we’ll be safe here?”

“Yes. No one knows about this place. Not even your dad.”

My stomach drops at the mention of my dad.

“Is my dad…”

I can’t even bring myself to say it.

“He’s okay. He’s with the team tracking the men down.”

“Do you know who ordered it?”

His eyes darken, jaw ticking as he glances down at his phone. He probably won’t tell me if he does, not that it makes much difference. As an heir to the Bellino crime family, there are probably several people who want me dead.

“We will soon. And your dad’s men will handle it. We’ll just wait it out here until they do.”

I wonder how long that could take. I know that I’m safe with him, but being alone with him after that kiss makes me anxious.

“I’ll be right back. Make yourself comfortable.”

Usually, I don’t have a problem being on my own, but tonight feels different. Even the few seconds he’s out of the room has my heart racing and I try to distract myself by looking around.

I take a shallow breath, surveying his apartment. It’s exactly as I would expect from him–clean, orderly, and quiet. In fact, a little too quiet. It almost feels like no one lives here at all.

“How about some coffee?”

He hands me a steaming cup and I take it, cradling it in my hands. The warmth soothes me a little, and so does his presence near me again.

“Thank you.”

“Mhm.”

His eyes trace my body, lingering on my chest for a few seconds and at first, I think he’s checking me out.

“I, um… I’m going to need to look at that.”

I follow his gaze down to my ribs, and realize for the first time that I’m bleeding.

“Oh my god. Is that…”

He catches my hand before I can touch it.

“It’s okay. You’re okay. I think it’s from the glass, but I’m going to need to take a look. Is that okay with you?”

I nod, staring at my blood-darkened shirt.

“I didn't even notice…”

“You were in shock. Just take a deep breath.”

I do as he says, trying to stay still as he leans closer.

“I’m… going to have to take your shirt off to get a better look. Is that okay?”

Suddenly, I’m very aware of my surroundings. Of the dull pain in my side. Of my racing heart. Of the gorgeous man who just saved my life hovering inches away from me.

And he’s asking if he can take my shirt off.

For medical reasons, but still.

“Sure.”

With my permission, he takes the hem of my shirt and starts to work it up. His fingers brush against my skin and the sensation gives me chills.

“Oww!”

“I’m sorry. I had to get the piece of glass out. Should feel better now.”

He’s right, it does. Especially with his careful touch moving over my skin.

He presses a wet cloth to the cut, and the sting starts to fade.

He’s gentle, but commanding. Caring, but intentional.

My emotions are all over the place after the night’s chaos, but something about being here with him almost feels peaceful.

I trust him when he tells me I’m safe with him, and the tension that’s been building between us for weeks boils to the surface.

A smile pulls at his lips as he seals the bandage to my skin, gently pressing it into place.

“All set.” “You’re really brave, you know… Tonight was a lot, and you handled it really well.”

“Only because you calmed me down.”

Luca holds my gaze for a beat too long, and I reach out for his hand.

“I was scared tonight.”

His admission catches me off guard.

“You? I didn’t think anything scared you…”

When he moves closer, my heart pounds in my chest.

“For a split second, I thought I might lose you.”

Maybe it’s the emotions of tonight or the tension finally reaching its boiling point, but the connection between us feels more fiery than normal.

I need Luca. I need him in so many ways. And by the look in his eyes, he knows it.

We both lean forward, until our lips graze.

Everything seems to still for a moment and nothing else matters.

When he kisses me again, I melt into it.

His kiss sends a wave of feeling across my entire body.

It’s relief, it’s excitement, it’s security in a way I’ve never felt before.

His tongue sweeps through my mouth as I moan, overwhelmed with just how incredible it feels to finally give in.

It’s much bigger than just a sexual release. The pent up tensions between us have been looming for weeks. Begging, aching to be let free.

We’ve had to ignore it. Pretend it’s not there. But tonight…. All bets are off.

Just as I lean in, Luca pulls away, stopping the moment before it really even has time to start.

“We shouldn't be doing this.”

“Luca… we’re both adults. It doesn’t matter what my dad…”

He shakes his head, cutting me off.

“It’s not that, principessa. Tonight… you’re emotional. You’re vulnerable. And I don’t want to take advantage of that.

“I still know what I want, Luca. Tonight doesn’t change anything about that…”

He runs his fingers through his hair, staring at the wall. Confliction lines his face, and I can barely get him to look at me.

I reach forward, turning his chin to face me.

“If anything, tonight has made me more sure of that. You and I… for weeks, we’ve been battling this. And tonight… I guess it made me realize how short life can really be. And I don’t want to pretend anymore…”

There is the smallest bit of him that wants to argue, but when I see the release in his shoulders, I know he feels the same.

“Neither do I.”

Luca reaches for me, his hand lacing around the back of my neck as he pulls me toward him.

His lips find mine in a hungry, desperate kiss.

“If you change your mind…”

“I won’t.”

Luca presses me back into the couch, shoving the pillow to the side to make me comfortable.

His kiss is frenzied. Feverish. Wild, but calming.

Everything feels right with him. He holds me with certainty and purpose and the noise slowly starts to fade away.

Tomorrow, we will have to deal with the shooting, We will have to deal with my dad.

But tonight, all that matters is us.

“Oh, God, bella… I’ve thought about this for so long….”

His breath matches mine as we hold each other.

Slowly, he inches my shirt all the way up and over my head. Fabric pools on the ground, but neither of us notices.

We’re too lost in the moment. Lost in each other.

“Is this okay? Does your side hurt?”

“Not at all. It feels incredible.”

His kiss intensifies as I take his shirt off and then quickly unbutton his pants.

Suddenly, this can’t happen soon enough.

The floodgates have opened up and I have to get to him.

When his hand slides up my thigh, slipping beneath the band of my panties and yanking them down, I know he’s got the same urgency.

HIs touch is soft.

Gentle, intentional, and all consuming…

His thumb twirls against my clit and I almost lose my breath.

And all the while, he never breaks our kiss.

“Ohhhh…”

“So fucking perfect, bella….”

“Every time I saw you… Every time I heard your voice… I wanted this.”

“I did, too.  I’ve wanted you since the moment we met.”

It feels so good to finally say that outloud. To admit it to myself and to him.

His fingers against me, stroking and swirling like he’s playing the piano. Each note is more intense than the one before.

My heart pounds in my chest, echoing in my ears.

“Ahhhh…”

“Still feel okay?”

I open my mouth to speak but the sensations flowing through my body make it hard to speak.

“Mmm. So… good…”

His hand slides up my side and I feel his rock hard erection press into me as he palms my breasts.

“You’re sure about this? I don’t want to…”

I silence him with a rough kiss. If I don’t have him soon, I might die of desperation.

“Never been more sure about anything, Luca. Please.”

A dark, predatory need pools in his eyes as I beg, and he wastes no time.

He slides in easily, and I feel every inch of this thick cock as he eases his way in.

Like most things with Luca, he’s intentional. There’s no rushing, no rash decisions. Even though he holds me like he thinks I might slip through his fingers, he doesn’t skip anything or hurry through.

Slowly, he rocks his hips against mine in gentle succinct thrusts.

“Oh god…”

As he goes deeper, my body throbs for him, each more driving me closer and closer to release.

“Mmmm.”

I hold onto his shoulders as he kisses my neck.

“You’re so fucking beautiful… you know that?

“Oh god…”

I want this to last forever, but I can feel myself teetering on the edge of climax.

My vision gets spotty, I can’t catch my breath a glorious, fiery wave hits before I can even wrap my mind around it.

“Ahhhh!”

“Yes, bella, cum for me.”

Luca falls against me on the couch, our bodies intertwined together as we ride out every last second of the high

The moment was everything I built it up to be in my mind, plus way more.

“Wow.”

“That was incredible.”

“I don’t know how I’m supposed to be around you every day and not want to do that constantly."

“That might be able to be arranged.”

“Fuck. Your dad is definitely going to fire me.”

“Only if he finds out…”