Page 33 of Sugar Coated

Was I glad to have made my move when I did. I doubted Laina would’ve had the balls to make the move on her own, and I just couldn’t imagine a life without her now. We still had so much to discover about the other, but we’d get there. We had time. I’d enjoy the hell out of every moment I spent with her.

I’d lived my whole life knowing I wasn’t normal. My brother and I were the furthest thing from it. Our peculiarities were accepted by the Luciano family purely due to our other skills. Laina, on the other hand, did not require anything. If she’d never come to me, looking for prosthetic fingers, I didn’t doubt if I would’ve run across her out in the world, we still would’ve been drawn together like magnets.

She accepted me, and I accepted her. You couldn’t ask for more.

We talked a bit more about other things while our meal cooked; she was very curious about my childhood, which in turn led me to ask about hers. I already knew the gist, of course: she’d always tried to make her father proud. Her friend Kelly had led her astray a few times, but by day she always pretended to be the innocent, smiling, supportive daughter.

Besides the kidnapping, you’d think she had a perfectly fine childhood, but sometimes the weight of being perfect all the time pushed back on you, stressed you out to the point where you lost who you were. It was only in that room, while she was kept hidden away for two whole years, that Laina found herself again.

I let her guide the majority of the conversation. There was one thing I wanted to discuss, something involving the man outside, and I wanted until we were seated at the small table, the chicken alfredo finished and portioned off between us, to ask it.

“So, Princess, have you been driving Mike as crazy as I think you have?” I asked the question right as she was taking her first bite of the chicken, and she paused, mouth half-open, to stare at me, as if she was unsure if she’d heard me correctly.

Once the question finally registered, she ate the chicken on her fork, chewing slowly. “It’s good,” she said with a sly smile.

“Of course it is. But back to Mike.”

Laina sighed. “No, I haven’t been driving him crazy. I mean, he hardly talks to me now. He acts like he doesn’t ever want to see me. I think he’s still mad at me for sneaking out to that party.”

“I don’t know him well. Never had many dealings with him or his brother before this, but from what I know, his family has served the Lucianos for… well, ever. They’ve always been the right-hand henchmen. If I had to guess, he’s not used to going after what he wants. He’s more used to being told what to do.”

The corners of her mouth quirked up. “Do you think if I told him to stop pretending I don’t exist, he’d listen?”

Shrugging, I said, “There’s only one way to find out.” I studied her face, how she seemed to pout as she ate. “Mike, Kieran… even your Devil. I want you to be happy, and knowing they’re stressing you out… I don’t like it.”

“I wouldn’t say they’re stressing me out, but—” Laina bit her bottom lip. “—I appreciate it, Fang. You’re very good with words… and that mouth.”

“Not the only things I’m an expert with, trust me.” I chuckled softly to myself when she began to blush. I’d tasted her, witnessed her unravel over and over again while I was buried between her thighs making a feast of her, and yet I could still make her blush like she was new to all this. It was adorable.

That cute blush remained on her cheeks as we continued to eat. Having her here, sharing a meal… it was all so domestic—not something I was used to. In fact, this was the first time I’d ever cooked for someone else with the intent to impress. Sitting across from Laina, talking to her, watching her every move; it was something I could get used to.

Having her here every day would be a dream. I’d never wanted anyone to be in my space before, so it was a new concept entirely for me. Spending days upon days where we didn’t see each other, let alone talk to one another, really made me wish she was closer.

Hmm. Maybe I had to get out more, find other reasons to visit my princess.

After the meal, I told Laina to take it easy while I did the dishes. I hurried, knowing Mike was downstairs, waiting in his car for us to be done with our little date, but there was still one more thing to do.

Dessert.

I found myself on the spot beside Laina on the couch, immediately grabbing her and pulling her onto my lap. I took her left hand in mine and studied my creation as I absentmindedly ran circles around her palm with my thumb.

Laina moved her knuckles, bending the metal prosthetic fingers and collapsing them over my hand. They might not have a grip like true fingers would, but they certainly did the job. The metal was all shiny and new, and quite dainty. It might not totally match her pastel persona, but it fit all the same.

“I really do love it,” she whispered, biting her bottom lip before flicking her pink eyes up at me.

“Good,” I murmured as I lowered my face to bury my nose in her hair and breathe her in. “Now… shall we have dessert? I believe you offered yourself up on a silver platter to me earlier—if the offer still stands, I would gladly devour you in a way I’ve yet to experience.”

Laina giggled. “Why do you have to say it like that?”

I pulled my face away from her and smirked, flashing her my teeth. “How would you like me to say it? Would you rather me tell you that I’m dying to pick you up, carry you to my bed, tear off all your clothes, and fuck you until day turns to dusk?”

“Fang,” she inhaled sharply as she spoke my name, like she was shocked at my language.

“Oh, you’re right. What would Mike think if we made him wait that long?” I paused. “Should we find out?”

She shook her head, eventually saying, “I don’t want to think about Mike right now. I just… I want you. Is that crazy?”

“It’s not crazy. You are my princess, after all.” I brought my lips to hers and uttered a single word more: “Mine.” And then I kissed her hard. My hands roamed across her body, eventually finding their way to her back, and with our mouths still locked, I picked her up as I got to my feet.

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