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

I can stop myself I step forward, pushing her up against the wall as I slam my lips down over hers, needing to feel her against me.

I kiss her hard, trying to mark them as my own. Her body reacts to mine as I feel her arch from the wall into me. Without hesitation, I reach down grabbing her hips as I hoist her up. She wraps her legs around my waist, clinging to me. Moving her hands in my hair, I feel her threading her fingers into it, clutching down as her fists try to hold me to her. Holding her up with one hand I work to get the buttons on my pants undone, as an overwhelming need to be inside her takes over.

Her body moves against me as if she too feels it. “Please, Daveon, I need you to fuck me one more time.” I bristle, freezing at her words.

One more time? She says that as if this will be the last time I touch her. Her words are sobering. Backing away from the wall I set her down, stepping away from her.

“No.”

“No?” She looks hurt and confused.

“This isn’t the last time I will have you, and I’ll be damned if I stand here allowing you to think it is.” Spinning light on my feet I make my way to the door, needing to get away from her before I lose it again. My blood started pumping at her words, at her resignation.

11

GIANNA

After Daveon left me to fall apart alone in my room, I didn't sleep. My emotions raged from desperate to heartache as I finally allowed myself to cry for the first time over my fate before my sadness turned hard.

I'm surprised when Daveon doesn't fight me or hold me hostage, or whatever else I imagined he would do when it came time to leave the next day. Following Nico's orders, he returns me home. I don't dare bring up the subject of it all, too concerned over not knowing what he may do. When he returns me home safely he leaves, not giving me so much as a parting word or a lingering look when he walks away. I'm hurt, but I tell myself it is probably for the best, though the disappointment settles over me like a cold blanket. Maybe he just doesn't do goodbyes.

***

I fall back into my routine as the weeks pass by. No news or surprise visits from Enzo help me to relax slightly each day that passes. Good, I hope he is busy for a long time. If I'm lucky forever, but no one has that much luck.

Knowing that soon my time will run out, I begin being careless. Spending most nights at a club, flirting with men and drinking way too much until my guards intervene, dragging me home.

Though my father is displeased at my behavior, he leaves me alone, knowing this is my way of coping with my future. I spend my mornings working out, watching all types of self-defense videos because I refuse to allow Enzo to beat me. I won't be one of those weak women he throws around. The first time he comes at me he will be sorely disappointed when he ends up punched in the face instead. I'm sure it will most likely get me killed but hey, I didn't completely give in to him, right?

Each night I get dressed up before going out to a club. Mingling, flirting, and drinking until I damn near blackout and get carried home. I can handle being alone during the day. It's being alone at night that is the problem. My mind wakes reminding me of things and feelings I would rather forget. I mean if he can forget, eventually, so can I.

Finishing my look I head out. I can see my guards are getting sick of my routine and they begin to slip up watching me, but I don't mind. It gives me a chance to test out my self-defense skills on occasion before they step in.

Walking into the club I can't shake the feeling of being watched, though as I look around, no one in particular stands out to me. Trying to shrug it off, I order a drink and some shots. Downing all four, I make my way to the dance floor.

As the alcohol begins to flow through my blood, my world becomes light and hazy. Relishing in the light freedom it gives me I move around to the music. As if on cue a man moves over to me, grasping my waist as he pulls me into him. Closing my eyes, I allow myself to imagine it is Daveon I am dancing with. I imagine the feel of his hand on the curve of my waist and his other large hand sprawled out over my bare stomach, slick with sweat from the heat of bodies surrounding us and our movements. Arching back into him, I move my hips hypnotically to the beat, grinding against him. Leaning back, I lay my head on his chest. He grabs hold of my waist spinning me around to face him. Pushing his lips to mine my fantasy is shattered when they feel wrong against mine. No!

My eyes jerk open and I find myself staring at some random face kissing me. Forcing my eyes closed, I will myself to keep pretending, not ready for my daydream to end. I draw up my detailed memories of him, how he tastes, how his lips move and feel against mine. How his chest vibrates with a low inaudible growl when he is fighting to stay in control.

I hear a low growl in front of me as I continue to allow the man to kiss me. I guess it doesn't bother him that I haven't been kissing him back. Someone bumps into us sending me stumbling backward into another couple. Turning to look at them, I mutter an apology before straightening up. Looking back over