Page 65 of King of Omen

‘What, cara?’ I challenged in a soft rumble. ‘You’re not sure we should kiss, suck, fuck? You don’t want me to fuck you?’

Her cheeks reddened at my raw, rude, sensual utterance. ‘I -.’

‘Rest well, relax, come down for dinner. Everything else will take care of itself.’

She fled, leaving me with my cock throbbing and my soul surging with need.

My fifteenth summer was spent falling in lust for the first time.

Her name was Sabrina. She lived next door in a cozy brick house down the street from my home in Naples.

I was in heat as much as a teenager would be, albeit less with Sabrina than with being 15 and doing things I’d never done before. Drinking wine, making love, staying up past 11 p.m., smoking unfiltered Gitanes and listening to Prince, Coldplay and Bon Jovi on repeat.

Sabrina’s unfettered lovemaking determined the course of my life. I returned to high school from the holidays a changed, confident and somewhat cocky young man.

I flirted with abandon, chased skirts and gained a reputation as a careful and considerate lover.

I kept up the image throughout university, becoming one of the most wanted men on campus.

My motto was never to give my heart away. While I acted like the playboy about town, I was also in training as a covert Omertà keeper.

I’d had no time for a wife, marriage, or affection.

All I’d had time for was familia and our honour code.

Until now.

With the Calibrese family’s purpose changing course and this relocation, I was driven to explore the impulses I’d long held back and kept at bay.

The desire to love and be loved by one woman. The raw longing to be a father, have a family and raise little ones.

Since meeting Mia, this need has become sharper, the thirst for her more insatiable with every hour, and the fight to protect our bond more urgent.

Now, I let Mia escape from the kitchen, my fists clutching the edge of the marble counter so hard that my muscles spasmed.

She had to comprehend though I was as possessive as all hell, I’d never harm her.

Neither would I force her into what she wasn’t ready for, even if it meant holding back the wild urges threatening to consume me.

However, I’d make it very clear to her, as I’d just what my freakin’ intentions were.

I’d push, but I’d never send her over the edge.

I would satiate my hunger in time, but for now, I needed to reinforce the boundaries. We were fighting a necessary battle, and I was prepared to take the required measures.

As for my jealousy, I would never change in this regard.

I was a possessive man. I was also blessed with insight and experience.

No woman in my past came close to what Mia embodied or how she made me feel.

Despite the heat building between us, the emotions we were equally struggling to tame and our undeniable attraction, my priority had to remain to ensure her safety.

I was willing to do anything, even if that meant restraining myself for now.

But first, we had to navigate this new, uncertain terrain.

I pushed away from the counter top and went in search of Mauri.

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