Page 57 of Forgetting the Enemy
Chapter 20
Michael
Wow, just wow. I let my guard down for a minute. Just a fucking minute and she worms her way in and settles herself right into my heart. Well hell, she was already there, but I had built walls to keep her out. How does she break them down?Because you’re in love with her, asshole,my subconscious reminds me.
I could get used to afternoons like this. Well, not the hospital part but spending time with her. If I could only get past wanting to fuck her every time I’m with her, it would be a good place to start. Today wasn’t so bad. I only wanted to hold her against the wall and drive my cock into her three or four times. The urge is minimizing; I try to convince myself.
Who the fuck am I trying to kid? I want her heart, her body, and her soul, and I’ll settle for nothing less. And she wants me too. I see it in her eyes. The problem is the wanting that comes from her is all based on a lie. It is what I can’t get passed.
Trying to get my mind off of Zaira, I immerse myself into my work. A few minutes later, there is a knock on my door. “Come in.”
Ricco opens the door and says, “Hey, boss, got an update for you on the hit.”
He’s got my attention, and I’m hoping he will confirm my suspicions. “Whatcha got?” I ask.
“We’ve got confirmation the hit came from Armino and Carmine. Fuckers, we’ve gotta make them pay, boss,” he says. I know Ricco is thorough. He always makes sure information checks out, so I have no reason to question him. He has proven himself a thousand times, and if I questioned him now, it would be an insult.
“We will. We will,” I reply. By the time I’m done with them, they will wish they were never born. Knowing I have the backing of the other families, I say, “Bring them in, Ricco.”
“You got it, boss.”
“Ricco,” I say. “I want them alive.”
“Absolutely.”
I’ve lost track of time and totally missed my nightcap with Zaira.Great.I walk through the house and try to find her, but she is nowhere to be found. When I get to her room, the door is slightly ajar, and I can see she is sound asleep. She must have taken one of her pain meds, and it knocked her out. Good, she needs to rest. It’s been a long couple of days for her.
I turn to leave and head back down the hall toward my room. I’m beat as well and plan on having a good night’s sleep.
***
The storm outside is raging. I’m woken by a loud crack of thunder and lightning that brightens my entire bedroom. Rubbing my eyes to get a better focus on what’s going on, my bedroom door flies open. It’s dark, and I can’t see until the lightning flashes again, and standing in the doorway is Zaira.
“Zaira?” I ask sitting up. “Is everything okay, babe?”
“Oh, Michael,” she says and rushes to the bed. “I remember you!”
I freeze. I’m completely awake now, and I nervously wait for her to continue ’cause I’ll be damned if I volunteer anything.
“I had a dream about you, and I remember you. I remember us playing as children. I remember you and Alex coming to our house with your parents. I remember Gina as a baby and your mom and dad. Michael, I remember!” She cries.
I get out of bed and she wraps her arms around me, and I notice she’s got a short, satin, skinny-strapped nighty on. My dick suddenly stands to attention.Oh, fuck!It’s obvious she’s not mad at me, so I wrap my arms around her and hold her close. Without even thinking, my hands roam to her bottom.Fuck! She’s not wearing any panties.
She moans in my arms as I caress her behind. I bring my right hand to her chin and turn her head so that she is facing me. Her lips part, and my mouth crashes down onto hers. The kiss is passionate and consuming and filled with hunger. I knew it before I kissed her, but I would not let myself face the truth. Now, there’s no turning back. There’s no stopping this no matter how hard I try. Tonight, Zaira truly becomes mine.
I still have not spoken to her since she rejoiced over her memories. Frankly, I think it is best I don’t say anything. It sounds as if she is only remembering her childhood and the things that could rock her world are still hidden in the depths of her mind. I take it as a sign.
I break from our kiss, my hands roaming all over her body. “Zaira, baby, tell me you want this?”
“Michael, I’ve wanted this from the first moment your lips touched mine. I haven’t been the one fighting this. You have. Maybe I should be asking you if you want this.”
Fuck, she’s right. I’m the one who has been pushing her away. I’m the one afraid to face the truth of our feelings for each other.
“Or are you gonna just leave again?”
Damn, right again. I understand her concern, and trying to make light of the conversation, I tease. “We’re in my room. I can’t leave. Me leaving my own room would be kinda anticlimactic, don’t ya think?”
“That’s not funny, Michael. I’m serious. I’m not going there again with you if you’re going to back off. It hurts too much.”
