“Tell me you don’t feel the same or tell me that this is only a friend helping a friend fix someone, and I’ll leave you alone before you have the chance to…”
She pulls me back down onto the couch, holding my hand. “To what?”
“To destroy me.”
She leans forward, crawling across the couch, closing the space between us. My breath hitches, and there’s an ache deep in my chest as I keep my eyes locked on hers. Arlo’s in my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck before I can process what’s happening.
I stare into her green eyes, too scared to move. “What are you doing?” I ask, my voice deep with need.
Her face is so close, I can feel the warmth of her breath. “Showing you how I feel.”
She settles her weight in my lap, pressing against my dick, which is already pissed at me. “Arlo,” I whisper, moving my hands to her back to hold her. “Maybe we…”
She puts her finger to my lips. “Shh, Mello. Stop talking,” she whispers.
I can’t take my eyes off her as she moves forward, pressing her lips to mine. The soft warmth of her mouth feels right against mine, and I flatten my hands, pulling her closer.
The kiss is light at first, me testing the waters and her seemingly unsure. But within seconds, her lips part and her tongue sweeps across my lip, letting me know she’s not wavering at all. I open to her, letting her take the lead, not wanting her to regret this moment.
Her fingers twist in my hair as she shifts her bottom against my dick before a moan escapes her lips. I’m panting, inhaling everything she’s giving me, feeling light-headed from the contact.
I press her back into the couch and cover her with my body, careful not to touch her ribs. “I could do this all night,” I murmur against her lips.
“Me too,” she breathes.
And I do.
I kiss her until I can’t keep my eyes open anymore. Pulling her against my side, I easily drift off to sleep for only the second time in the last eleven years.
14
The next morning, Arlo’s body is plastered against mine with her arm slung over my chest, and I’m surprisingly okay with it.
“Morning,” I whisper, sliding my hand down the soft skin of her arm, seeing her eyes open too.
“Hey,” she says, tipping her head back. “You’re still here.”
“I am.” I smile.
“We slept so late. I don’t remember the last time I slept this long.”
“What time is it?”
“Ten.”
“Ten?” I ask, shocked.
“Yeah.”
“Fuck,” I groan, wishing I could stay like this all day. But it’s Sunday, and that means family.
If I didn’t show up at my grandparents’ house, I’d be in trouble with my grandmother first and be barraged with questions from everyone else.
Sundays are sacred, and unless you have a good excuse, your ass always shows, and you are on time too. Nonna doesn’t play around with tardiness, and neither do my parents.
“I can’t stay long. I have family shit today.”
She lifts up on her elbow, stroking my chest with her other hand. “It’s okay. I have work to do.”
“Lily said you’re a writer. What do you write?”
“Articles mostly, but I’m working on a novel.”
“I have a cousin in Chicago who’s a writer. You’re from Chicago, right?”
“Yeah, and I know all about Bianca. I love her work.”
I blink. “You know who she is?”
Arlo slaps my chest playfully. “Carmello, she’s super popular. I don’t know anyone who reads romance and doesn’t know who Bianca is. She’s that big, and Lily told me about her too.”
“Well, damn. I didn’t know. To me, she’s just another cousin.”
Arlo snuggles back into my side. “I’ve spoken with Bianca, actually. She’s the one who gave me the courage to chase my dream of publishing a novel.”
I move my hand to her lower back, tracing her spine with my fingertips. “Always chase your dreams, babe. Always.”
“Is Inked your dream?” she asks from my chest.
“It always was. I could’ve gone to work with my dad, but my idea of a good time doesn’t involve sitting for twelve hours on a stakeout or getting my ass shot at by a cheating husband.”
Her hand stops moving on my chest. “What?”
“My dad and uncle own a security slash private investigation company. They’ve had a wild ride at times, but it’s more boring than exciting most days. I had two paths to choose from…Inked or ALFA. I chose Inked and haven’t regretted that decision a single day.”