Enzo (Jinx Tattoos 1)

“So sweet,” he whispered.

She slow-blinked as the world changed its perspective. He lifted her up, and out of instinct, she wrapped her limbs around him. He pressed her against the wall, and they continued to eat at each other’s mouths. It was heaven; everything she’d dreamed of and more. The boy who’d kissed her had become a man and skilled with his tongue. He rolled his hips, and she whimpered. He’s good with other things, too. The friction of his jeans against her soaked underwear had her moving with him. Heat flooded her face and neck. Her head spun.

“That’s it. Let it go for me, baby,” he whispered. His words thrust her over the edge; she arched her back and cried out. He swallowed her noises, keeping the passionate exchange a secret between them.

Shaking, she clung to him as he eased her legs to the ground and buried his face into her neck. “Never doubt I love you, Aibhlinn. I just don’t know how to be in a relationship. They scare the hell out of me. What we have is the closest I’ve ever come to commitment. The thought of fucking up and breaking your heart has haunted me for years.” He placed a kiss to her temple.

“Then let me teach you. We’ve helped each other through everything. Why is this any different?”

“I’ve battled this demon for so long its hooks are embedded into my soul. Not even you can loose those chains.”

“Don’t you see we’re doing everything but having sex and putting a title to us? I love you, Enzo. I’d do anything for you. Hell, I have been your ride or die so long ... I’ve got a list of infractions to prove it. I want to help you. I know we could be good together. I want it so bad, I can fucking taste it. But I can’t continue with the dysfunction. If we can’t go all in ... we need to place boundaries and keep to them, ’cause this thing between us is killing me, and making it damn hard to find anyone else.”

He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers.

Déjà vu struck. Her heart broke. It was so much worse knowing he felt the same why. “You son of a bitch. Why even tell me how you felt if you knew you were going to do this?”

“What do you want me to do, Ave?” he cried out brokenly.

“Stop fighting it,” she said through gritted teeth. Her hand reached down to cup the bulge in his pants. “Feel with me. Don’t manipulate my body, open up your soul and let me in. I’m already there, Enzo. I’m under your skin. I’m in your brain. I know you better than you know yourself.”

His muscles tensed, and his breathing increased. “I—”

“For once, trust in us.” She massaged him, and he rocked into her hands. “Let me take the wheel.” Leaning in she nipped at his neck, embolden

ed by the cover of darkness and privacy of the small parking lot. His body shook. She slipped her hand into his pants, and they both moaned. He was hot, thick, and long in her hands. She gripped him tightly and pumped.

“Aibhlinn.”

“You gave this to me, now I’m returning the favor. Tonight after the show let the cards lay where they may. But right now is our time.” She captured his lips, taking what she wanted for so long. He tasted crisp and clean like mint; his lips were soft and pliable. His moan vibrated through her body. He sucked her tongue, and she whimpered, picking up speed as she brought him over. She swallowed his cries as he spilled onto her hand. The hot liquid felt like a cleansing rain. She removed her hand and brought it to her lips, lapping off his salty flavor.

“Jesus, baby. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dreamed of you like this,” he panted.

She was afraid to hope for more, but for now, at least, she knew the taste and feel of him. The way his eyes turned into a stormy grey when he came. She leaned in, nipped his bottom lip hard, and dragged her tongue across it to soothe the abused area. “Hope you don’t mind going commando.”

“Worth it,” he croaked. His eyes grew serious. “Aibhlinn.”

“Not now, Enzo. Right now, you go to the bathroom to clean yourself up, and I’m going to charm the room and tell them we did collaborate these painting as a way to commemorate our friendship. Our theme was love and pain.”

“You’re brilliant, you know that?” he whispered.

“I try.”

For a moment, the air was cleared and her heart sang. They hadn’t crashed and burned. Yet.

They spent the rest of the evening glued at the hip as they answered questions. Thank God liar’s pants don’t really catch on fire or this building would be up in flames. Her face hurt from smiling. They’d sold their paintings as a set for a hefty five thousand they would split down the middle. Shaking the last hand, they shut the door to the gallery and she slumped against the door. “Finally, it’s over,” Aibhlinn said with a sigh.

“You two were a hit,” her mother crowed. “You should do this more often.”

“Thanks, Mom. I think we’re both ready to crash.” Her stomach began to flip as uncertainty set in.

“I’ll walk her to her car,” Enzo stated, gently taking her by the elbow.

“We’ll see you later, Mom,” she said, allowing Enzo to lead her outside.

“Your place or mine?” he asked.

She paused and shuddered thinking about the women he’d had in and out of his bed. “Mine.”