Page 33 of Make You Mine

Ashley ponders on it for a minute, her eyebrows pulling together like she’s running it back in her head.

I can tell the moment she realizes she overreacted. With her hands now on her waist, she purses her lips and asks, “How did you get rid of her?”

“Told her it was Trevor’s birthday and what better way to celebrate than with twins.” I smirk.

She lets out a laugh.

“Is it terrible that I’m still jealous? I hate that she even thinks she could have you. I hate him for making you entertain her.”

A thrill runs through me at Ashley’s words, and I move closer until her back is against the wall.

“I also told her I wasn’t a cheater.”

Her chest rises and falls quicker at our closeness. Swallowing roughly, I say, “I only want one person. The same woman I wanted four years ago and every day since. Those feelings have never wavered since the moment I first saw you. And they never will. But you know that, don’t you, Doll?”

Her pupils dilate, and like she can’t wait another second for our lips to touch, her body crashes into mine. I have to calm my racing heart that’s waited years to have this again, wanting to completely devour her at just the brush of her tongue. We both moan into each other’s mouths, reveling in the taste I’ve longed for so many nights. Relaxing against her, I let her take the lead, enjoying every second of having her in my arms again.

There are kisses, and then there are earthquakes like this one. Opening up every part of ourselves and pouring from the cracks, embedding into the other’s soul. Our bodies tremble and quake, the world around us shifts and molds just like her body against mine.

Ashley wraps her legs around my waist, grinding her hot center against my hard, needy cock.

“Baby, I need to taste you,” I groan, and she whimpers in return.

My head falls back in lust-driven agony. “Me and my hand have imagined that sound so many times over the last three years. Hearing it in person has me ready to come.”

She grinds into me harder at my confession. “The only way I have been able to get myself off is by imagining you. I have a toy hidden in my crafts, but it's not nearly as good as the real thing.” A moan slips past my lips from Ashley’s whispered confession, images flashing in my head and goosebumps covering my skin.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Miss Ashley, we need to be leaving.” Luca’s voice sounds through the door.

“Fuck.” We both pant, our foreheads touching, both our chests rising and falling quickly. “Damn, I’ve missed you.”

“Me too. I think the man on the moon is tired of hearing my voice,” Ashley says, and a carefree smile graces her gorgeous face.

I put her down, straightening her dress and smoothing her hair. “I’ll be over tomorrow.”

“Okay.” She nods, and I swear I see some of the light back in her eyes.

Ashley opens the door and turns slightly. “Trent…” She says my name like a prayer. “Be careful, okay?”

I nod, squeezing her hand once more before she quickly leaves with Luca.

Every time I have to watch her leave and go back to him, it feels like my heart is walking away from me yet again. I’m ready to break her from those chains and put the final nail in Junior’s coffin, once and for all.

Eleven

Asadness that I haven’t truly let myself experience seeps into my bones on the ride back from my parents’ house in Brooklyn. Almost like he can sense it, Nori’s big body curls up beside me on the backseat, and I stroke behind his ear, loving the comfort him being near brings me.

Shockingly, last night, my brother made a call to Luca, asking permission from Junior that I could go visit my mother and spend the night. I found it very out of character that he agreed; however, no part of me wanted to question it. Thoughts of what Junior’s last night in town meant for me had plagued my mind all day. It hasn’t gone unnoticed that ever since Trent saw the bruises on my neck, Luca and Micah have suddenly been much more involved in my daily activities and itinerary.

My mom and I stayed up all night, reminiscing over a couple of bottles of wine. We wept, we laughed, we talked. She told me how sorry my father was about arranging my marriage, but that he was always looking out for our best interests. He knew Gio Senior would not stop until he had what he wanted. I held it together when she said that it always gave my dadpeace to know Junior was so much better than his father. It felt like she was studying my reaction as if fishing for more information.

In the end, I have a feeling he knew exactly how untrue that actually was…maybe my mother does too.

Guilt has been burning in my gut ever since I said bye to her. Deep down, I knew my father didn’t have another choice, but I never let up on my anger toward him because of my situation. Unfortunately, I also allowed that strain to pass down to my mother.

Since he was killed, I’ve been so consumed by figuring out the truth behind my father’s death that I haven’t let myself grieve properly. The second I pulled out of my childhood home and realized my dad would never walk through those doors again, it hit me with a force I couldn’t push aside. Sadness, grief, guilt…all of which I blame on Gio and Junior. Deep down, I know he had something to do with his death.

---