Page 28 of Unspoken Ties

“I think our situation calls for a little rule breaking, don’t you?” He gave me a smirk that made my heart flutter. “We’re about to go insane from being inside for so long.”

“We don’t have the key,” I tried again, my heartbeat quickening in both apprehension and anticipation.

Ettore simply chuckled, a rich, warm sound that made my insides flutter. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a case filled with thin pieces of metal the size of my finger. The end of each was hooked or curved in a different manner, and it took me awhile to figure out what it was.

“No, but I know how to get in.”

He had the lock picked in less than fifteen seconds. I wondered how often he had to do this in his line of work.

We ascended the stairs, my heart pounding louder with each step. When we reached the top, Ettore pushed open the heavy metal door leading onto the roof. The cool night air rushed to greet us, carrying with it the city’s hum and the distant honking of cars.

The sight of the lights twinkling against the urban backdrop made my breath hitch in my throat. It was beautiful. Towers of glass and concrete sprawled across as far as I could see, their thousand windows glowing with life. The stars were lost among the bright city lights, but the moon shone proudly above us.

Ettore led me towards a corner where two walls met, forming a cozy nook. He spread the ratty blanket on the concrete rooftop, then offered me his hand to help me sit down. His palm was warm against mine, a strange contrast to the cool air around us.

The cold air bit at my skin through my thin clothing. But before I could hug my arms around myself, Ettore’s arm was around my shoulder, pulling me into his side.

My body felt like it was on fire. It was a mix of Ettore’s warmth, excitement that he was holding me, and embarrassment that I had no idea what to do. My heart was beating at an inhuman pace, and I was sure that Ettore could hear it.

“You need to stop overthinking,” he said.

In a fluid movement, he laid me down on the blanket and rested his body over mine, propping himself up on his elbow. My breath hitched at how close we were. Our chests and torsos were unapologetically pressed against one another, and I could feel his warm breath against my skin.

“You-you’re still hurt,” I stuttered, and I was sure my face was bright red. “You shouldn’t lift yourself up like that.”

“I’ll be fine.” Ettore gazed at me intently, his thumb tracing along my jawline.

I couldn’t decide if I wanted him to pull me closer or push me away. My emotions were in turmoil, a constant battle between passion and self-preservation. It was as if I could almost feel my body physically combust at the thought of being near him, but at the same time, I couldn’t bear the thought of him being out of reach.

Ettore closed the gap between us and slotted his lips against mine, claiming my first kiss. His touch was gentle, a feather light caress that left my lips tingling with want. His hand moved from my jaw, his fingers slipping into my hair as he deepened the kiss.

My brain stuttered for a moment, unsure of what to do.Kiss back, you idiot.

I awkwardly pressed my lips against his, hoping I was doing it right. The warmth of his mouth enveloped mine, sending a jolt of electricity down my spine. Ettore’s hand tangled in my hair with a gentle yet firm grip, pulling me closer to him as if he couldn’t get enough. It was as if he was drowning and my lips were the only thing keeping him afloat.

His knee that had been propping him up accidentally grazed my center, and it was like my body had been electrified. The ache for pleasure was magnified by one hundred percent. I whimpered into his lips, wanting so much more but not knowing how to ask.

The sudden noise sparked a primal response in Ettore, igniting a fire within him that I had never seen before. He pulled back from our kiss to gaze at me, his eyes now darkened with a deep and intense desire. The way his jaw tightened and his fingers grazed my skin sent shivers down my spine. In that moment, he looked like a predator ready to pounce on its prey.

And pounce he did. With a rough growl, Ettore’s lips found mine again in a desperate, intoxicating onslaught. My legs instinctively wrapped around him, wanting him as close to me as possible. I started to grind against him, needing relief from the ache that had been plaguing me for so long.

Ettore gave a low growl in response, his hand sliding down my back to rest at the small of it, pulling me hard against him. His lips feverishly explored my neck, nipping and sucking, leaving a trail of molten desire in their wake. I squirmed beneath him, driven by need, my breathing hitched and ragged as his lips continued their scorching trail across my skin.

I felt something hard press against my core through the thin material of my pajamas. I gasped at the intimate contact, my hands flying to his hair, gripping tightly as if he was my lifeline. He groaned in response, the sound vibrating against my neck and increasing the pulsating ache between my thighs.

“Fuck,” Ettore said, ripping himself away from me. “We need to stop. You’re not ready for this yet, Liria.”

“No!” I cried, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. “Please, it aches so badly, and I won’t be able to get rid of it.”

Ettore tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

Shoot. I was too turned on and accidentally mentioned it to him. But I was a desperate mess, and I might as well commit.

“I’ve never…” I turned my head, not able to look him in the eye.

“Came?” he said, finishing my sentence for me.

I nodded my head, still unable to meet his gaze. He reached out and lifted my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes. I was so embarrassed that I hoped to melt into the floor at that very moment.

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