Page 27 of Bite Marks

His ability to balance the tight line between home and work was refining. Vanessa was still uncomfortable with what he did. So, they avoided talking about those things altogether. According to all the captains he spoke to, it was better that way. It was the man's duty to protect his family, and part of that protection meant keeping them safe from the darkness that often came with his lifestyle.

Part of him wondered if there was a world where he could have both the life he wanted and Vanessa. Often those thoughts were pushed aside in favor of the bliss he found in her presence. He would make his choice when the time came, he told himself, unwilling to spoil the harvest with his impatience.

Their nights were spent in each other's arms. Nunzio learned every inch of her body. He reveled in her pleasure. The sight of her flushed face and sated emerald eyes were all the motivation he needed to bring her over the edge time and time again.

Some nights he would take her to his house. On other nights they would go to hers. Already comfortable in each other’s homes, they had naturally begun to keep small items in each other's spaces. Though it may have been small, the sight of her clothes in his hamper and her toothbrush by his in the sink made him happy.

She expected him, now, in her space and daily routine. They were becoming a part of each other. The neighborhood recognized them as a couple now. The men that used to chase her slowly disappeared as his presence became synonymous with hers.

Vanessa would share her days with him unprovoked, seeming to take comfort in his listening. She was relying on him more and more without realizing it. She lost the hesitation she had carried and offered herself to him freely.

Since she had been busy with the quickly approaching showing for her art gallery, they hadn't gotten to see much of each other in the last three days. When he picked her up from work that Friday, she rushed into his arms, pulling him into a kiss.

The second his skin made contact with hers, heat flooded his body. Though he'd never admit it out loud, this woman had the power to make him do anything she asked. He took her to his house tonight. He had prepared dinner for her, knowing just how hard she had been working.

This showing was important to her, and he wanted to help her in any way he could. Since he didn’t know much about art, he opted to instead make sure her physical and emotional needs were taken care of. He enjoyed spoiling Vanessa and watching her eyes go wide each time she was surprised by his thoughtfulness.

After she had finished her meal, he led her into the shower, offering her a helping hand. She teased him, seductively removing the knee-length dress she wore. Every piece of exposed skin was a gift for his eyes.

It didn’t matter how many times he saw her naked body; he would always need more. The needy moans that escaped her pink lips always caused his shaft to press against the zipper of his slacks painfully. His balls tightened as he imagined her lips over him.

Nunzio lathered her curves, taking his time to trace the contours of her flesh.

As if she were a mind reader, Vanessa dropped to her knees. Her long red hair was plastered to her body by the rivets of water from the shower. She tilted her head toward him.

Nunzio held his breath, taking in the vision beneath him.

Vanessa took control, and he let himself be led by the serpent's call.

Nunzio woke a few hours later to Vanessa smiling up at him. She laid her head on top of his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to him. Their legs tangled together shamelessly. He kissed her forehead, and she blushed. Leaning in closer to him, she brought her face up to him and kissed his lips softly.

“You're awfully cuddly tonight," she said humorously.

"It's a new hobby I picked up," he said.

“Well, I approve.”

“Oh, you do?” he said. “So, how often do you recommend we engage in this hobby?”

“We? When did you volunteer me for the job?”

“Just now. Unless you want me to find someone else.”

Vanessa sat up, her brow furrowed and eyes blazing.Interesting.It looked like she would mind if he wasn’t with her after all.

“Go ahead. I want you to try it,” she challenged.

“Calm down. I don’t want to be with anyone else,” he said. “It was a joke.”

“Yeah, well, it wasn’t a funny one.”

Nunzio grabbed her and pulled her back down to him. He flipped her over, caging her in. Leaning down, he placed kisses on her lips, her shoulders, and her collarbone. Her resistance lasted a few seconds before she arched her head back, giving him more access to her neck.

He was tired of waiting for her to realize that this was a good thing. After the past few weeks, she had to know how he felt about her. At the very least, she had to acknowledge that he wasn't fake anymore. They had crossed that line long ago, and he had no interest in going back.

He brushed her cheek, looking into her vibrant green eyes. He had to take this chance. If he didn’t, he would only be putting himself through more pain in the end. This had to be more than what she pretended it was, and he wasn’t running anymore.

She looked up at him, sensing the mood shift. A question lay in her eyes, but she waited patiently for him to speak. Lifting her hand, she cupped his face. The warmth had him subconsciously lean into her.I can trust her.He exhaled, preparing himself for whatever would happen next. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself. He wasn't going to start running now.

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