He took his time preparing me. Three fingers working me open while he kissed every inch of my skin. Whispering how much he loved me. How grateful he was. How he'd never take me for granted.
When he finally pushed inside, it was slow. Careful. He watched my face the entire time. Made sure I was okay. Made sure I felt good. Made sure this was about connection instead of just release.
"Okay?" he asked when he was fully seated.
"Perfect. You feel perfect."
He started moving. Long, slow strokes that hit every nerve but never rushed. Never chased orgasm. Just maintained this perfect rhythm that built pleasure gradually.
I wrapped my legs around his waist. Pulled him deeper. We moved together with synchronized breathing. Like we'd been doing this for years instead of months. Like we knew each other's bodies instinctively.
"Touch yourself," he said. "I want to watch you come while I'm inside you."
I wrapped my hand around my cock. Stroked slowly. Matching his rhythm. The dual sensation was incredible but not overwhelming. Just perfectly balanced pleasure.
"That's it. So beautiful like this. Taking me. Touching yourself. Letting me see everything." He leaned down and kissed me. "I could stay like this forever. Just us. Nothing else."
"Me too."
We stayed connected like that for what felt like hours. Building pleasure slowly. Talking quietly. Kissing whenever words ran out. It was the most intimate we'd ever been.
When my orgasm finally built, it was gradual. A wave instead of a crash. I came across my stomach while Sandro watched with reverent attention.
"Beautiful," he whispered. Then he let himself go. Came inside me with my name on his lips and his eyes locked on mine.
He pulled out carefully. Cleaned us both up. Then pulled me against his chest and just held me while the fire crackled and the room grew darker.
"Thank you," he said again. "For everything. For believing in me. For fighting for me. For loving me despite knowing what I am."
"You're welcome. Though you still don't need to thank me for loving you."
"Maybe not. But I'm grateful anyway."
We fell asleep tangled together. Peaceful for the first time in weeks.
***
The peace lasted exactly twelve hours.
Sandro's phone rang at 7 AM. He answered with a groan. "What?"
I watched his expression change. Harden. The tenderness from last night replaced by cold calculation.
"When?" Pause. "How many agents?" Another pause. "I'll be there in thirty minutes."
He hung up and looked at me. "The FBI raided Inferno last night. Federal warrants for financial records, computer servers, employee files. They seized everything."
My stomach dropped. "The RICO investigation."
"They're moving forward. My investigator says indictments are coming within the month. They're targeting me, Matteo, Elio, and Luca. Money laundering, wire fraud, extortion." He got out of bed and started dressing. "Vincent Paglia's testimony is going to be the centerpiece of their case."
I got up and started dressing too. "What do you need from me?"
"I need you to not get involved. This is different from the assault case. These are federal charges. If you help me fight this, you'll be putting yourself directly in the FBI's crosshairs."
"I'm already in their crosshairs. They know about our relationship. They've probably been watching me since I withdrew from your case." I pulled on my pants. "So what do you need from me?"
He studied me for a long moment. "Help me build a defense. You're not my attorney. But you're brilliant at strategy. I need your brain on this."
