“The thought did enter my mind, but I figured it would be too extreme.”
“I’d do it if you asked.” I brushed my cheek against hers, doing my damnedest to invade her personal space. “I’ll do anything to prove it will be different this time.”
She held still and allowed me to continue driving us both wild, while avoiding her mouth. “Let me sleep on it. I’m sure I can come up with a long list of hoops for you to jump through.” The lust in her amber-colored eyes gave me hope.
“Okay, then. You should get my pillow and blanket before I lose control and tear your clothes off. My cock desperately wants to sink into your addictive pussy.”
“Ciro!” She gasped and a gorgeous shade of desire spread across her face, down her neck, and across her chest. “Now that’s playing dirty.”
“All’s fair in love and war, My-la.” I kissed her temple, then the other, and dotted kisses around her lips.
“You’re wicked, and oh so cocky.” She vaulted off the sofa and disappeared down the hallway. Presumably to fetch my pillow and blanket.
I tugged on my shirt collar, feeling feverish. I wanted to fuck her more than anything, but I’d wait for her to be ready.
No question, I would relieve myself in the bathroom after she went to bed so I didn’t have a wet dream. That would be embarrassing…
A large crashand yelling startled me awake. Pippa’s frightened scream launched me off the sofa in a panic just asIsla entered the living room with the baby bundled in her arms.
“What was that?” I grabbed my gun hidden under my sport coat and went to the door. It must have been sometime after midnight.
“That’s Elsie.” She eyed my handgun. “Put that away. I need to help her. Take Pippa.” She held the baby out to me as if this occurrence was a typical, everyday event.
“The hell you will.” I grabbed my phone to call Paolo who was parked on the street in front of the complex, noting the time on the screen: 12:13 a.m.
“He might be hurting her! I need to go help my sister.” She held Pippa against my chest, but I wouldn’t do as requested. “Take the baby.”
“No, it’s too dangerous. You need to think of Pippa.”
“Ciro, please,” she begged, squeezing my bicep. “She might need helpnow. I’m sure a neighbor has called the police already. Do you really want to get involved in this?”
Another crash made Isla jump. Pippa’s cries returned.
“Son of a bitch! Wait here.” I stalked to the door and followed the shouting coming from the unit next to Isla’s. I didn’t like her and Pippa living so close to a violent drunk. I’d put an end to this right away.
I banged on the door. A couple of tenants opened theirs and poked their heads out. I pounded my fist again, not giving a shit if I had an audience.
The door flew open, the scent of alcohol instantly choking me as I came face-to-face with the drunk himself.
“What the fuck do you want?” he roared. I sized him up: average height, lean, semi-muscular, and covered in ink. He looked like a metalhead. I could take him if needed but I preferred to settle this civilly.
“You’re too damn loud and waking up the whole building.” I didn’t want to rile him further by mentioning his drunkenness. Whimpering came from inside the apartment. Isla’s sister, Elsie, no doubt. I couldn’t see her. Rolling my fingers into a fist, I readied myself to teach this prick a lesson for hurting a woman.
“Fine. We’ll keep it down,” he mumbled.
“Is everything all right?” I wanted to talk him down and defuse the situation. “Need anything?” I pulled out my wallet, watching him eye the bills I fanned through with my thumb.
“My woman spent the last of the money on fucking…” He paused, probably thinking up a lie. “Clothes. Yeah, she spent all the money on clothes and… makeup. Damn women, you know?”
“That sucks, man. Maybe you should go out for a drink.” I handed him a twenty-dollar bill and then another. “And maybe some food.” I gave him another sixty. Anything to get the worthless piece of shit out of the building and away from my girls.
He took the money, a wide grin spreading across his face. The filthy dude was missing a front tooth. “Thanks, bro.” He pulled the door closed and ran down the hallway. Once he was out of sight, Isla rushed out of the apartment.
“Oh my God, Ciro. Thank you! Will you take Pippa so I can check on Elsie?”
I gathered the baby into my arms. “I don’t like this.” I was enraged, on the verge of exploding, but held it together. Now wasn’t the time to turn into a tyrant and demand she pack her and the baby’s things. Her sister was hurt and needed help.
“I know. I’ll try to hurry.” She pecked my cheek, a look of appreciation in her worried eyes. “I’ll hurry.”
