Page 45 of Sexting the Don

Seeing her there, knowing she’s safe, I feel a wave of relief wash over me.

She’s so wrapped up in her own world that she doesn’t notice my approach until I’m almost beside her. “Hey,” I greet her, trying to keep my voice gentle.

She looks up, startled, and I can see tear stains on her cheeks. Like me, she’s good at hiding her pain, but tonight, it’s right there on the surface. I sit down next to her, giving her a moment to collect herself.

“How are you holding up? How’s your mom?” I ask, keeping my tone soft.

“She’s okay. She’s resting upstairs,” Mandy replies, her voice a bit shaky. She takes a deep breath and then looks at me, her eyes grateful. “Thank you for letting us stay here. I ... we really appreciate it.”

“You can stay as long as you need,” I assure her firmly, wanting her to feel completely secure. “You’re safe here, both of you.”

Mandy nods, looking back out into the night. “I think I’ll be okay now that Mom’s finally agreed to leave him. We’re not going back,” she adds, a hint of steel underlining her words.

I listen, understanding more than she might realize about making tough choices for the sake of safety and sanity.

“You’re doing the right thing,” I say, meeting her gaze. “And you’re not alone in this. I’ve got your back.”

Her eyes meet mine, and something unspoken passes between us—a recognition of the support, maybe even a spark of something deeper.

She lets out a small, tired chuckle. “I guess this is what family business means for you, huh?”

“Something like that,” I agree with a half-smile. “But remember, this is more than just a place to stay. It’s a new start for you and your mom. Anything you need to make that happen, you just let me know.”

“Thank you,” she says again, her voice steadier. “Really, thank you.”

As we sit there in the quiet of the night, I find myself watching her. There’s a strength in her that keeps catching me off guard. She’s compact, almost delicate in appearance, but there’s a ferocity to her spirit, a resilience that speaks of inner steel.

It’s mesmerizing, and frankly, it’s damn sexy.

Each moment I spend with her seems to pull me in deeper, and I’m starting to feel things that are both thrilling and a bit terrifying. Love isn’t a game I’ve played straight for a long time, not since I took over the family business and my life became a series of strategic moves.

But here, with Mandy, it feels like I'm slipping, falling for her in ways I hadn't planned.

I glance at her, the soft glow of the porch light highlighting her features. "Mandy," I start, my voice low, the words almost catching in my throat. "Would you like to stay in my room tonight? Maybe try something new?"

It’s an offer but also a diversion—my way of navigating these growing feelings and hopefully taking her mind off of the earlier events of the day.

Her response is a smile, slow and almost devilish, that lights up her face and ignites something raw within me. She stands, her movements graceful and inviting as she takes my hand. The air between us crackles with anticipation as we walk into the house and to my bedroom, the magnetic pull between us increasing with each step.

I softly close the door, and the world narrows down to just the two of us. Our kiss is immediate, intense, fueled by the unspoken emotions and the physical desire that’s been building. The way she kisses me back, it’s like a match to dry tinder—fierce and burning.

The conversation shifts to teasing words and bold promises.

“I bet you didn’t expect the night to end like this,” she whispers against my lips, a challenge in her tone.

“Oh, I don’t know,” I murmur back, my hands finding the hem of her shirt, “I’m starting to think expecting the unexpected should be the norm with you.”

Clothes begin to peel away as we continue to tease and taunt each other, each layer discarded, adding to the intensity of the moment. Her skin against mine sends a jolt of desire through me, and from the way her breath catches, I know the feeling is mutual.

We’re lost in each other, the rest of the world fading away as we explore, touch, and whisper fervently, allowing the physical to intertwine with the emotional, driving the darkness away for a while.

Chapter 20

Mandy

"Tonight, I'm going to explore every inch of you.”

His hands trace the contours of my waist, sending fire shooting through my veins.

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