Falling For The Mafia

The delighted grin that curled my lips would not go away.

"You should wear a jacket," I admonished, although I was grateful for the excuse to hold her.

"Five or more layers are typical for me in the classroom, but I prefer to leave the coat at home when I go out for drinks. I really don't want to misplace it. It's not a big deal for me because I usually just hop in and out of an Uber. "

Without actually saying it, I often found myself wishing she wore dresses that fit a little more snugly. That she didn't put on any extra layers was fine with me.

We made it to my car, a black Telas that I had purchased in cash from a less reputable dealer and was now badly damaged. I didn't want my identity to be linked to that purchase. Since I'd moved to Havard, every action on my part had been deliberate and meant to conceal my true identity.

As cautious as I could have been, I had been. No one was likely to come across me. Emily was in no real danger. And if the extremely unlikely event of danger occurring, I could still defend her.

When she snuggled up to me even more, her unwavering confidence in me made my heart swell. It felt damn good to unleash my violent instincts to protect rather than punish when I defended her from that creep in the bar. In particular, when Emily looked at me with her big blue eyes, as if I were some sort of fuckhero.

The longer I was in her presence, the more convinced I became that I was entitled to her. In order for me to claim her as mine.

Despite my threats, the jerk who touched her might not back off now. If I were there to protect her, it would be best.

As I opened the passenger door and helped her slide into the seat, my resolve hardened. To avoid abruptly ending our physical contact, I leaned in to fasten her seatbelt, keeping my hands on hers for a few extra seconds beyond what was strictly necessary.

She insisted, "I can get it," but her chest tightened.

With a smug grin on my face, I said, "You could." She hadn't pushed away my advances, and her objections had been breathy with ardor.

In all likelihood, I would receive a goodnight kiss.

"Are you sure you're all right?" When I first got behind the wheel, I questioned. I cast a quick glance in her direction to gauge her. Her beautiful eyes glistened like gems in the reflected streetlight.

"What? Um, yeah. Yes,. No, I'm good.

Stun. For weeks, I'd been aware of the scumbag's crush on Emily. I had noticed that he leaned in close to her and kept a watchful eye on her. I didn't like it, but she wasn't mine to begin with. Since I had no right to her, I could do nothing to prevent other men from flirting with her.

Things changed, however, the moment his hands touched her. The rage I'd been suppressing, the primal urges I'd fought so hard to overcome, had erupted in a blaze of fury. It had taken every ounce of self-control I could muster to keep from smashing my fist into his pretty-boy face.

She simply said "thanks" in response. When she covered mine with her delicate hand, I felt a sense of security. There was no need to come to my defense like that.

"I did that, yes." There was no way I could have stood by and allowed him to touch her. Their relationship couldn't work because she was too innocent to be tainted by him.

My palm brushed against hers, and I interlaced my fingers. Her hand was much smaller than mine, but it still fit snugly in my protective clasp.

"What's your home adress? "

"Those are the Every Apartments. Thanks."

"You shouldn't feel obligated to thank me every time something goes right. Yes, I'm more than happy to help out. "

"Oh. Sorry."

My mouth twitched slightly at the corner. Really, she just oozed cuteness. " And you shouldn't feel obligated to apologize, either. "

Her grip tightened in mine, and I could tell she was uncomfortable. I had seen her many times from across the bar, and every time a boy approached her, she would stiffen and start playing nervously with her fingernails.

I didn't want to make her uncomfortable because I wasn't a boy.

At least not in that sense.