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

urging him to follow me. I pull him down the hall into one of the guest rooms before pushing him in and closing the door behind us. “What the hell was that about?” I ask spinning around to face him. He reaches out grasping my wrist in his hand a little tighter than he probably realizes, though I don’t jerk away.

“I should ask you the same thing. I will tell you now I won’t tolerate you pining over other men, especially while I'm standing right here.” His voice is tight with anger and though I can’t see him in the dark room, I can feel the tension rolling off him.

“Would you cut the fucking testosterone overdose? You're acting like a primitive caveman. I wasn’t ogling him. Hell sakes.”

“So you were eye fucking him for what reasons? That man is practically a brother to me Gianna.”

“That is why I was staring at him, if you haven’t noticed he looks oddly similar to you. I was trying to figure out if you were actually brothers, not lusting over him. You may share similar features but that's it. I’m not attracted to him, I’m attracted to you asshole, and for some inexplicable reason I actually care about you and I want you. I’m not going to go lusting after someone else, so you can drop the caveman act and stop beating your chest like an ape.” His grip on my wrist loosens as he leans forward placing his hands next to me on the door, boxing me in.

"Say it again." He commands.

“Say what?” I ask, being coy.

I feel his breath over my temple as he speaks. “You know exactly what I want to hear.”

"I want you, Daveon. Not any other man, just you."

His body hums with approval. "Good because you're mine." He dips low as he takes my lips, possessively staking his claim. Pushing into him I suck on his bottom lip, running my tongue along it before grazing it with my teeth. Instantly he pushes me back holding me an arms length away as he groans. "We should go before I decide to bend you over and fuck you till you scream my name so loud that every one of our guests knows damn well who you belong to."

"Well, I'm not oppos-"

"Get your ass out of the room." He points to the door shaking his head. Turning, I walk to the door as his hand slaps down over my ass. Whipping around I glare at him.

"What the hell was that for?" I reach back rubbing the sting away.

"A reminder."

"Of?"

"That every part of you is mine."

20

GIANNA

When we arrived back, I noticed more people had shown up. During introductions I catch sight of Marina entering with a man beside her. Why does she have to look so good all the time? My jealousy peeks up and out at seeing her regardless that she came with a guy. As she makes her way towards us, the man splits off making his way to Nico.

"Love the new place looks a lot better than the other one." I bristle at her innocent comment.

Of course she's been inside his apartment.

"You look stunning by the way. I know of a couple of shops around town that you would probably die for. I'll take you sometime." Though the fact that she and Daveon had slept together digs at me, I can't help but want to like her. She is right. I would probably die for the shops she goes to.

"Are you gonna be paying for this shopping trip because I know those clothes you buy aren't fucking cheap?" Daveon says, and I instantly want to poke at him.

"Why don't we go to lunch too? Know any five star places?" I ask her, goading him.

“No fucking way, keep talking like that and you’ll be put on a budget.” I flip him off at his retort before turning back to Marina. She has a mischievous grin as she watches us.

"I like you. We should go out, you, Liliana and me. We could do it as a bachelorette party. I know of an amazing club that would be perfect."

Before I can say anything Daveon responds for me. "Yeah, I don't think you two should be hanging out together, especially at a club, and there is no way Nico is gonna let Liliana go."

"Wanna bet? I'm not the Familia's top negotiator because of my good looks, Daveon.” She stops to ponder. “Or maybe I am.” She shrugs. “Anyway there is a reason Nico sends me, not you, to work out arrangements with the families." She places her hand on her hip.

"No, I'm not gonna bet you. I still owe you for the last one." He grumbles.

Speaking up for myself, I roll my eyes at Daveon. "Well, I think it's a great idea. Let's do it." A bubble of excitement fills me at being able to go out and have a girls’ night.

"Sounds good, I'll get everything set up and be in touch." She blows me a kiss before walking away.

"I really don't like the idea of you two going out together. You're enough trouble without Mar's help."

I look at him and give him my best attempt at puppy dog eyes. "I promise I'll be on my best behavior." He rolls his eyes at me.

"I don't think you know what best behavior means."

"Guess we'll see." I spin away from him to go get a refill on wine. I get the sudden urge to pee as I refill my glass. Making my way down the hall I hear hushed voices coming from an empty room.

"I don't need you watching over me Elijah. I'm pretty fucking sure I can take care of myself."

"You're not invincible, despite what ye think. You're so infuriating, you're too damn stubborn for your own good."

"Then stay out of my business and it won't bother you."

"You are my business, and I swear on Donn Marina, the next man ye fuck will end up in the morgue."

"You say