A Burning Flame by Daniella Kunz (book recommendations txt) 📕

have it. Laying back on my bed, I close my eyes trying to escape my mind, but instead, it takes over. Images of dark amber eyes and tense corded muscles fill my head. Hearing his liquid-rich voice run over me as I imagine him demanding me to beg him for his touch. “Uggghhh!” I groan out loud, rubbing my legs together at the now throbbing ache. Reaching down, I give in to my desire for him as I touch myself, caressing my body, imagining his rough hands over me instead. It doesn’t take long until I am arching against the bed, crying out his name with my release at my fantasies.

***

I try to be patient as I await his call, knowing he should be in L.A. any day now. We only have eight days before Liliana’s wedding, and I’m beginning to panic over not being there. As I come home from yet another therapeutic shopping trip, I juggle my things, trying to open my door. Placing my apple in my mouth, I managed to open the door. Slipping inside, I drop my keys on the side table as I lock the door behind me, grabbing my apple from my mouth.

“Nice little place you have.”

A startled yelp escapes my lips as I drop my bags. Raising the hand holding my apple, I hurl it in the voice’s direction as I turn. The apple misses its target entirely, crashing into a lamp, knocking it off an end table. My eyes, however, land on the face of the man I can’t keep from fantasizing about. Daveon.

Sitting comfortably on my couch, with my TV on low, he raises a brow at my weapon choice and the lamp now lying on the ground.

“Fuck woman.” He shakes his head, standing up. “You really need to work on your aim. That was horrible.”

“My aim is not that bad. I was just startled and threw it before I turned.”

“Do you really think an apple would have stopped me either way? I’m offended.”

“Guess it depends where I threw it.”

“Now, is that any way to treat an honored guest?”

“You know the last guy that said something like that to me had intentions to rape me, so considering you broke into my house and scared the shit out me, yes, I think it is justified.” His eyes narrow and darken at my words.

“Someone tried to rape you?” He grinds out, sounding angry.

“It doesn’t matter,” I say, not wanting to get into it all right now. “How did you get into my apartment?”

He steps away from the couch, walking towards me. “It does matter. Who are you talking about?” Irritation sparks to life at my traitorous excitement over his reaction as he draws near.

No, you can’t care. Stop it! I internally chastise myself. Not sure how to control my emotions, I lash out, trying to hide them with anger. “It’s none of your business Hercules. You don’t need to try to be the hero.”

He keeps walking towards me until I am backed up against my front door. Inches from his body as he looks down at me. “Darlin, I am no hero, far from it, in fact, so you can stop calling me Hercules. That's not what this is.” My pulse picks up again as I stand there, fighting to keep control over myself.

"Then what is it?" The silence stretches between us before he shakes his head before retreating over to the couch. I breathed out, glad he pulled away when he did.

“By the way, your security here is shit. If anyone wanted to get in here, they could. Do you not have guards for hell sakes?”

I clear the thickness from my throat before I speak. “I do, but they don’t come up here. They watch out front and are with me when I leave, but other than that, I am allowed my privacy.”

Shaking his head, he grumbles in response. “That is the stupidest fucking thing I have ever heard.” Looking around one last time, he turns back to me. “Okay, so are you ready to go see your father?”

I’m a little stunned at his eagerness to see him face to face. “Um, sure, I guess...so what's the plan?” He walks back towards me, grabbing hold of the door behind me.

Opening it up, he has a mischievous grin on his lips when he looks back at me. “No plan, we are going to wing it. I hope you practiced your sincerity and begging. My life might just depend on it.” He smirks back at me, walking out the door and down the hallway.

What the fuck? He doesn’t have a plan? What kind of insane person is he? Pulling myself out of my shock, I grab my keys, rushing out the door behind him.

We leave separately so my guards don’t notice him and tip-off my father. I am a bundle of nerves as we drive to see him. Not knowing what the outcome of this little endeavor might be. I say a silent prayer that neither men kill each other as I have no idea what to do.

Upon arriving, I don't see Daveon anywhere as I get out of the car. Making my way inside, I search for my father. Not finding him in his office, I head out back, finding him out in the yard, sitting at a patio table. At hearing me come out, his eyes draw up, looking at me. “Gianna?” He calls out in question, “what are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you to stop by.” I can see him tense, preparing for another battle between us about Enzo.

“I, um, actually was hoping we could talk.”

I look around again, still no sign of Daveon.

“Gianna, I will not discuss your marriage to Enzo anymore. You know this is not up for debate.” He says in a disapproving tone.

I shake my head. “I know that isn’t what I would like to discuss.” His eyes draw together in confusion.

I see him relax slightly. “So, what is it you want to talk