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

spin around. What the hell? I hear as he surfaces, water sloshing around him, behind me. Grabbing my waist he pulls me back to him. He spins me moving us to the edge as my back hits the rough concrete. Looking up to meet his gaze, his eyes mirror the dark hooded expression from earlier.

“Ever been fucked in a pool?” A smart ass comment is about to spill from my lips before he silences me growling out. “It was a rhetorical question, but the answer to that had better be a fucking no.”

“And if it’s not?” I say, wanting to prod at him.

“Then whoever he is, better hope it was the highlight of his life because that will be the end of it.” The dark edge to his voice tells me he isn’t bluffing, and for some sick reason it turns me on. I wrap my legs around him, feeling his body wet and slick beneath mine.

“Then I guess it’s a good thing he is non-existent. I would hate for Hercules to become the villain.”

“Darlin’, he always was the villain.” Grabbing my face he pulls my lips to his as he claims them. Moving against me with the soft caress of the water surrounding us.

***

It’s around six when Liliana arrives with Nico in tow. “I don’t know why we had to come so early, you should have stayed upstairs and relaxed.” Nico grumbles to her as she leads him inside.

“Hey, you didn’t have to come down. You’re the one who insisted on having to accompany me, I told you I was going to come down and help her. Go have a drink with Daveon. You're being suffocating.” She lightly shoves him towards the balcony.

“Fine.” He grumbles before walking past. I raise a brow at her and their odd exchange.

“Everything okay?”

She waves her hand around. “Yes, he is just being ridiculous and overbearing all of a sudden.”

“All of a sudden?” My voice is unbelieving at her choice of words. “Trust me that man is always overbearing and ridiculous.” I laugh out.

“More so today than usual. So what do you need help with?”

“Well, the caterers are here so they are working on getting food and everything put out, so maybe just help me grab some wine, liquor and glasses?” She follows me into the kitchen where I pause and look around. “Soooo, I don’t really know where everything is yet, so we may have to search for it all.” We begin opening cupboards in search of glasses and I see Liliana dragging a chair up to the counter. She climbs onto it to open a couple that she couldn’t reach when an angry voice behind us lashes out.

“Lil, what the fuck are you doing?” Whirling around we see Nico tense behind us.

“I am looking for something.”

“Get off the chair, why didn’t you just come get me? You could have fallen for fuck sakes.” He walks over grabbing her by the waist as he lifts her off, setting her on the ground. She rolls her eyes so hard, I worry they might get stuck in the back of her head.

“You had better stop it Nico, this is absolutely ridiculous!” He narrows his eyes at her before turning and opening the cupboards she was trying to get to. As he opens one I see the glasses.

“That one!” I say pointing to the glasses. He grabs them down before turning to Liliana.

“No more climbing on shit, just come get me if you can’t reach something.” He gives her a stern look before storming back outside to Daveon.

“Okay, so you're right he is being a bit excessive. What the fuck is his deal?” She takes a deep breath shaking her head.

“Who knows.”

***

Other guests begin to show up a little after eight. Most of which I have no clue as to who they are, but Daveon stays by my side, introducing me to each and every one.

I notice as another large man, similar to Daveons physic, arrives. Instead of a semi-formal attire he has on a plain dark grey shirt. Both arms are covered in tattoos. I notice the beautifully designed lotus flower inked over his hand as he clasps Daveon’s shoulder. “It’s been a while brother.” Daveon says to him.

“Yeah, almost long enough to miss your ugly mug but not quite.” He retorts back blandly.

“Gianna, this is Ciro. Ciro, this is Gianna.”

“Giving him hell, I hope?”

“Every day for the rest of my life it seems.”

Daveon places a hand over his chest, feigning offense. “You say that as if you’re not head over heels and looking forward to this union.” I roll my eyes and catch sight of Ciro doing the same. He seems awfully serious, even in his banter there isn’t any playfulness to his expression or words. His eyes look void of light and emotion as he watches us, though I can still tell he is close to Daveon. In fact, he reminds me a lot of Daveon.

Maybe they really are brothers? His hair is pulled back from his face in a low bun and his ears and nose are pierced. I can see his tattoos running up the side of his neck in some kind of tribal design before disappearing down his shirt. I feel Daveon shift beside me as he leans over, close to my ear. “Careful darlin’, I would hate to have to break his nose because you wouldn't stop ogling him.”

Ciro must have heard as he cracks his knuckles in his opposite hand. “I would love you to try it, I’ve been looking for a good fight lately. Everyone I am sent to is so cowardly and pathetic it's not even fun anymore.” I panic at the thought of them going at each other here. I grab hold of Daveon’s arm as his hands bunch to fists.

“It was nice to meet you Ciro. I’m sure we will see you around, there is liquor in the kitchen if you would like to help yourself.” I smile politely before jerking Daveon’s arm back,