Page 26 of Hunting

I turn to him. My hip bumping into his. “We can go see him if you want.”

His eyes soften a bit, but his words are still harsh. “No.”

The anger in me builds. What has been the point of this then? He wants me to get to know the people in his life, yet he doesn’t want me to meet the one that should be the most important. “Yes.” I counter with my own anger laced in the word.

Without breaking eyes contact, Massimo addresses the room. “Leave us.” One by one, everyone stands and exits. Luca and Elena are the last to leave.

“Tell her. She needs to know.” Says Luca.

Elena puts her hand on Massimo’s shoulder. “You were the one who said you want her to know you. This is knowing you. The good, the bad, all of it.” Elena then turns to face me. I wouldn’t say we are friends. Not yet. I could see it happening someday. Maybe. “You said you trust her. Show her you mean it.”

Then she turns, accepts Luca’s offered hand and vanishes around the corner.

Suddenly I’m lifted into the air, and plopped onto Massimo’s lap. I’m straddling his thighs. My mind flashes to the night he stripped off my clothes.

I can’t think about that now.

“Need to hold you.” He grumbles as he pulls me in tight. His face is buried in my hair. I let him hold me. He has done this a lot over the last few weeks. At first I always protested it. I didn’t want him to touch me. Now I crave it. I like feeling the evidence of his desire pressed against my thigh. “My dad’s an alcoholic.”

I use my arms to pull Massimo’s face out of my hair. I gently cup his jaw. It’s a move he’s done several times to me. I find it comforting. I’m hoping he does too.

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you the whole thing someday, but basically we were poor. My dad worked a lot to try to change that. Mom was unhappy. She cheated on my dad. When he found out he wanted to work things out. She didn’t. She ran off with the guy she was seeing. We haven’t seen her since. Dad loved her. Her leaving broke him. Hasn’t been the same since.”

“I’m so sorry Massimo.” I lean my forehead against his the way he likes.

“After that, I had trouble trusting people. And I don’t give second chances. I don’t like cheaters, liars, or manipulators. It’s why I’m keeping you close. I can’t stand the thought of you with another guy. I wasn’t lying when I said I want you safe. Need you safe. It’s more than that. You’re gorgeous. Beautiful. It wouldn’t be hard for someone to steal you from me.”

“Yes it would.” His eyes grow big at my admission.

“No it wouldn’t.” He counters. His shoulders slumping.

I dig my fingers into his cheeks harder. Then slam my lips into his for a punishing kiss. I want that thought out of his head. He takes a moment to respond. When he does, he is putting every cell of his body into that kiss. I have to break away after a few minutes to catch my breathe. I was on the verge of passing out from oxygen deprivation.

“Yes it would.” My hands are still on his face. My eyes locked on his. “I love you Massimo.” His grip on me tightens and I swear I feel his already large and hard erection grow even more. “You’re stubborn and a pain in my ass most of the time. But I love you. No one will take me away from you.”

“But the other guys…” He still doesn’t understand what I did on those missions. I tap my pointed finger on his nose. “Did you just boop me?” He asks with a laugh.

“I did.” I reply with a smile. “Massimo, I never slept with any of those guys. Never took off my clothes. I kissed one. I didn’t want it, and I hated it. You’re the only one I want. The only one I have ever wanted, and the only one I will want.”

He looks only half convinced. I suck in a deep breath. Preparing myself to share my final secret with him. “I’m a virgin.”

I think he stops breathing. He is frozen in my arms.

“Massimo?”

He doesn’t respond.

“Honey?”

He sucks in a breath. His eyes blink away the far away look they had taken on.

“I was waiting for the right person. One I too could trust. I trust you Massimo. I love you. I only want you.”

“I want you too. Only you. I’ll never cheat on you, I swear. I’ll never touch another woman.” That brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart.

“Good.” I wrap my arms tighter around him, and bury my head in the spot between his shoulder and neck. It’s where his cologne and natural scent is strongest. My Massimo. He claimed me. Now I’m claiming him.

“Fuck yes!” Shouts Val from the doorway.

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