AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mateo holds his tongue pressed to me as I ride the waves of orgasm. I don’t care if I can be heard over the music. At this moment, there’s nothing in the world I’m concerned about outside this private balcony.
Mateo crawls up to the couch and sits next to me. He puts his arm around me and I put my head against his chest. I can feel the rise and fall of his lungs as he catches his breathe.
I run my fingers across his chest and stomach. I’ve had one night stands before. I’ve hooked up with someone I met at a club before. But I’ve never actually hooked up with someoneinthe club.
“That was fun,” I say, wondering if I actually said it out loud or just thought it.
Mateo runs a hand through my hair, brushing it behind my ear. “It was.”
Both of us know that’s all it was. Just fun. Mateo didn’t give me any impression that he wanted anything else. And I don’t need more than that right now. I wasn’t lying when I said I was busy with work. I don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon.
I feel Mateo’s chest rise as he takes a deep breath. I sit up and kiss his cheek. “I should probably get going,” I tell him.
It’s nice laying here with Mateo. It feels really good. But it’s over.
Mateo’s eyebrows twitch up briefly and then he nods. We both stand. Mateo buttons his shirt and pants, then tucks the shirt back in, buckling his belt.
I adjust my underwear, straighten my dress, and try to smooth down my hair.
“Do you need a ride or anything?” Mateo asks. He sounds genuine.
“No. That’s ok,” I say, looking up at him. “It was nice to meet you. Thank you.” I reach up and give him a soft kiss on the lips. There’s a part of me that wants to stay.
Instead, I walk over to the stairs to head out to the exit. I glance back at Mateo one more time before I step down the stairs. He’s running a hand through his hair, looking down at the ground.
4
MATEO
I knewit was a mistake to go to the club. Not to say that I didn’t enjoy taking out some of my anger on Vinny. But it didn’t really change anything.
Riccardo, my driver pulls into the private section of the garage in my building. I take the elevator up to my penthouse and turn on the TV. It’s late. But I’m too wound up to sleep.
I can’t help thinking about Klein. I liked spending time with a woman without knowing exactly what was going to happen. It’s been a hell of a long time since I’ve met anyone interesting. I guess I’m not really looking, either. Everything about tonight after I shot Vinny was unexpected, though. Some men take their anger and aggression out on the women, but I’ve never been like that. I’m more the silent type, and nothing much catches me off guard. It’s irritated a lot of the women I’ve met in my life, but I never cared. It just made it easy to keep it casual and break it off without getting too close. Sex when I want a physical release, but always home alone in my own bed. This time, instead of making me feel more relaxed, it’s got me on edge. She was clear what it was. Just for fun. That should be what it was for me too. What it always is.
The TV plays a rebroadcast of the evening’s local news.
I check my phone. Klein and I didn’t exchange numbers. It’s a good thing I won’t ever see her again. Getting interested in someone could only make things even worse. And this is the worst time for things to get any worse.
I’ve seen the effect relationships have on guys in my line of work. One of the most promising soldiers I have fell in love this summer. Raf is still good at his job. But it’s obvious that there’s something else more important to him now.
But I’m the Underboss, and if there’s something or someone more important to me than my work, everyone under me loses. I’ve seen and felt that loss. It can destroy your whole world. My father has never been the same since my mother died. I respect him, but I won’t let that happen to me. To let something change you so intensely.
The thought of Klein is still stuck in my head, though. So much so that I think I see her in a group of people on the news. I grab the remote and rewind a few seconds and replay it.
I wasn’t imagining it. It is her. Her slick black hair tied up, showing the length of her neck. That neck I was kissing a couple of hours ago. I can almost smell her perfume. Her expression is subtle, like she knows something everyone around her doesn’t. A slight, knowing smile. I remember how she looked at me. Her eyes piercing below the surface.
Klein is standing with a group behind the District Attorney. The headline below them reads “Organized Crime Bust.”
“Ho-ly shit,” I breathe.
That’s my disaster of a deal. My men. My money. My mess.
Klein works for Nicoletti.
I replay parts of the night in my mind. She must have known who I was. She had to.
I laugh to myself. Maybe I will be seeing Klein again after all.
