Page 1 of The Almost One

CHAPTERONE

RIVER

Ihave nothing…nothing.

Depressing as this thought is, I’m struggling not to break out into song. Everything is fucking fucked and I can’t do a thing about it.

When did my life become so out of control that I’m in this position…?

In an ex-client’s home—one who happens to be my husband, a mafia boss,andthe man who has been an immovable rock in the storm that is my life.

“You didn’t have to burn my fucking apartment down to make me stay here, you know, Marco.” My hands are on my hips and a smirk is playing on my lips as I stand in front of his desk, watching him watching me, his hands steepled under his chin.

“I’ll buy you a new one,Tesoro.” He raises a brow and narrows his eyes, waiting for my next move.

The last few days, he’s been great at keeping me from wandering into the dark depths of my own mind. And as much as I want to follow the path to my self-pitying destruction, Marco won’t allow me to do that. Which infuriates the Hell out of me, mainly because he’s not wrong, but also because I’ve never been that girl; the one who combusts at the first sign of trouble or difficulty. I’m the girl who gets back up again, who moves forward, no matter what.

It’s going to take some time to get back to being that girl, but this determined man in front of me won’t let me fail.Asshole.

“No. I’ll take a look at some listings this afternoon, maybe I’ll find something closer to Hell’s Kitchen.” I match his raised brow, knowing full well I will be looking at fuck all, but it’s fun to tease him.

As much as I’ve been living in the shadows, he’s been right there with me. He’s been spending every moment he’s not with me in here, his office, working harder than any man I’ve ever known.

Finding out which member of the team Enzo called in for clean-up in my apartment will tell us who the one to burn it down had been, but it’s proving to be difficult. Apparently, it wasn’t in their briefing because it draws attention that Marco doesn’t want.

No shit, Sherlock.

Having the police turn up at my brother’s home almost had me confessing to everything, and when they told me my apartment was practically ashes, I thought that was it. The moment my life would completely crumble. But then I looked around me, at the faces of everyone I love, and I knew I had to keep going.

Now though, it’s my turn to ease the mind of this man in front of me. To give him something to keephimgoing. The circles under his eyes have been getting darker, and I know it’s because of the nightmares that keep me from finding peaceful sleep.

“Are you teasing me, Tesoro?” The devious smirk on his pink lips widens and he moves his hands behind his head, leaning back in his lush leather chair. The way the black material of his button-down shirt tightens around his biceps sends a jolt of pleasure straight through me, but I try not to tense up, knowing the surprise I have in store for him.

“Well now you’ve gone and ruined it.” Folding my arms over my chest, I fake-pout. “Well, fuckedy fucking fuck, asshole.”

That ought to do it…

“Oh, Tesoro.” Marco rises from his chair, palms flat on the desk in front of him, eyes full of desire. “Are youtryingto make me punish that sweet ass of yours?”

“Oh, no, I would never…” Moving close to the desk, I pick up the pen he was just using and drop it on the floor. “Whoops.” Like I’m acting out a cheesy porn film, I slowly turn and bend to pick it up. The short, skater-style red dress I’m wearing barely covers my ass, so as I bend down, I’m giving him a full view of everything I know he wants… with a little extra surprise.

I hear a sharp intake of breath, followed by a low growl as Marco moves so quickly, I’m barely standing before he’s behind me. Pushing down on my back to hold me in my bent position, he strokes over the globes of my ass and down my bare crack.

“This is new.” As he reaches the toy I bought today, I almost combust at the pleasure running up my spine when he gently tugs at it. His fingers continue their journey to my pussy, no doubt feeling the wetness beginning to drip down my legs. “You’re so fucking wet. I’m not going to waste a fucking drop.”

I’ve never needed to lube up with this man, it’s like he has a direct link to my cunt and he’s never letting go.

My eyes almost roll into the back of my head and I groan when Marco drops to his knees and licks me from ankle to apex, where he sucks my clit into his mouth. His nose nudges at the new butt-plug, causing all kinds of sensations to spark over every inch of my body. He still has one palm on my lower back, holding me in position while the other slowly creeps up my thigh, his fingers following the same path as his tongue did moments before.

“Fucking delicious.” Two fingers find their way inside me, and oh, holy motherfucking Jesus, that feels so good.

“Fuck, Marco.”

Slap!

Once, twice on my right ass cheek, sending vibrations through the butt-plug and no doubt leaving a red handprint. A handprint he is now gently soothing away as he rubs slow circles into the sting before spanking me once more.

With the combination of his fingers inside my pussy, his mouth on my clit, and the butt-plug in my ass, I’m not surprised my building orgasm is on the brink of exploding as he reddens my flesh.

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