Page 22 of Unspoken Ties

“So,” I began, crossing the room and sitting on the edge of the bed. “What are you reading?”

“Ah, well,” she sheepishly looked away from me. “It’s from your bookshelf. I saw you had one the other day when the office door was open.” Liria turned bright red and began crossing her arms back and forth in a flustered manner. “I swear I wasn’t snooping, just reading!”

“I know you weren’t.” I plucked the book out of the hands and looked at the cover. “The Outsiders. A classic.”

“I actually have never read it before,” she admitted.

“Well,” I said thoughtfully, turning the old paperback over in my hands. “You’re in for quite a story, then.” The worn pages were yellowed with age, the ink faded in places but still legible.

I passed the book back to her, noting how she gingerly took it from me, cradling it as if it were a precious artifact.

The cool air of the night flowed through the open window, and the full moon cast a radiant glow that illuminated part of the room. For a rare moment in bustling New York City, a few stars twinkled above, their distant light reaching down to touch the earth.

“You want to go look outside?” I asked, pointing to the picturesque night sky.

Her eyes lit up as she looked at me. She had that childlike innocence and curiosity that made her so endearing. “Sure... I’d love to,” she replied, placing the book on the bedside table before getting up from the bed.

I opened the balcony door and stepped outside. I held my hand out to help her on to the terrace, and after hesitating, she held it. It was soft in mine; a stark contrast to my rough, hardened grip. I could feel her pulse quicken slightly at the contact.

We stood at the railing next to each other, our bodies lightly touching. The ghost of a touch sent an electric spark through my nervous system, having her near me, but not quite close enough.

She leaned against the railing, watching the sight of the large moon in the sky. I couldn’t care less about the moon. I was more interested in watching Liria’s side profile as she admired the view.

Liria was so damn hot. I had been doing my best to push these thoughts out of my mind, but they came barreling through like a train wreck. Her perfect lips formed an “O” shape as she looked at the moon, and my mind went to different places. She would look so good on her knees as I slipped my cock between those pretty lips, stretching them open even further.

And then, I would push her on to my bed and-

“Are you just going to stand there and gawk?” Liria interrupted my thoughts and turned to face me.

“Probably.” The wind had slightly messed up her hair, and I tucked a lock of it behind her ear. After finishing, I left my hand on her cheek, enjoying the moment.

“H-huh?” Liria turned bright red, but her body betrayed her. She leaned into my touch, pressing her body closer to mine.

I needed to know what she tasted like. I could only hope to have enough self-control to stop once I had a small sample. My thumb ran along her jaw as I leaned in to catch her lips. She shyly tilted her head towards me, her eyes fluttering shut.

Just a taste.

A loud bang reverberated through the area, causing me to instinctively jump back and reach for my gun. My heart raced as I quickly assessed the situation, eventually realizing that it was just a car backfiring.

The moment had been ruined. Liria had curled into herself and was looking at the floor.

“I should go to bed,” she stammered, before bolting through the balcony door.

Fuck. But maybe it was for the best. It was like I was a teenager again; I had a raging hard on from just touching her. I probably wouldn’t have been able to stop with just one taste.

I watched as she disappeared into the apartment, slamming my bedroom door behind her. Cursing the car that had interrupted the moment, I laid down on my back on the bed. I unzipped my pants and freed my throbbing length from its confines, letting out a sigh of relief as I gave it a pump.

I fucked my fist, my mind’s eye filled with images of Liria.

Chapter eleven

Liria

Istared at the ceiling, lost in my thoughts. The uncomfortable lumps and unevenness of my air mattress weren’t even registering in my mind.

My heart pounded in my chest as I relived the moment when I almost kissed Ettore. The realization of what almost happened left me dizzy and disoriented. Why did I allow myself to get so close? In the short time we had been together, I had begun to see a different side of Ettore - one that was kind and charming. And under the moonlight, he looked almost too handsome to resist. My mind raced with conflicting emotions as I tried to make sense of it all.

You like him.The little voice in the back of my head whispered. I told it to shut up, again. I needed to figure out how to put a muzzle on it.

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