Forbidden Temptations (Tempted Series Book 2) (32 page)

The grand opening of Temptations was in full swing, a no holds barred party, an elaborate display of a gangster’s illegitimate money being hidden to fund a legit establishment. The nightclub was packed to capacity, the liquor flowing and the music blaring. The Pastore family was also celebrating Nikki’s twenty-first birthday. Vic made a big show of that by roping off a special area of the club for her and her friends. He ordered her one of those fancy birthday cakes that probably cost an easy grand. I stood in the corner of the main bar, nursing my drink, welcoming the burn of the liquid down my throat.

I didn’t want to be here, I wasn’t in the mood to party or even have a good time, but then again, no one asked me to lay back and enjoy myself. I was there to work, to make sure no one fucked with Vic, his family, or his crew on a night he, the boss, celebrated. I stared across the bar at him, watching as he held his wife’s hand and laughed along with his posse at some story Jimmy was telling. I couldn’t ignore the foul taste I had in my mouth by watching their phoniness.

My phone vibrated inside my pocket and I pulled it out, accepting the call as I walked towards the bathrooms where I could try to hear the caller but it was no use. I looked down at the caller I.D. and saw it was Jack.

“I can’t hear you, text me,” I shouted into the phone over the music ending the call as I leaned against the wall. I waited for him to text me whatever he was trying to tell me. I finished my drink and walked back towards the bar, placing the empty glass on the wooden surface and signaled for another. I glanced down and opened the message from Jack.

Just about to head out, everything cool there?

The plan was for him to break into Jimmy’s apartment while everyone was here playing nice, celebrating and all that good shit. Jack and the Satan’s Knights were on call to aid in protection should anyone try to dampen Vic’s grand opening. Everything was going fine, the mobster and his clan were well protected by the associates that flocked from all the boroughs just to be here tonight. My eyes diverted across the bar, towards all their unsuspecting, smiling faces and zeroed in on Jimmy, watching on as the no good bastard clinked shot glasses with Victor.
I’m coming for you motherfucker.

All good.

I replied then deleted the messages from my phone and shoved it back into my pocket. I took my freshly filled glass and made my way through the crowd of people, my eyes scanning the faces until I found the one I was looking for.

I caught a glimpse of her dancing behind the ropes that separated the area that had been closed for Nikki’s birthday celebration from the rest of the club. My mouth watered as I took her in from head to toe. She wore some one piece pant outfit that was cut so low the curves of her breasts were exposed. I imagine it would be fun to peel her out of that thing but I didn’t even know where to begin.

She turned around, snatching Rico’s drink from his hand and I caught sight of her bare back. The only thing holding that outfit to her body was the thin straps of fabric that tied around her neck. I made a mental note to start there, to untie that perfect bow and let the fabric fall from her body granting me access to the most perfect set of tits I had ever seen.

She was definitely coming home with me tonight.

She led Nikki towards the dance floor, moving her body to the music as she brushed passed the people that stood in her way. Her smile was intoxicating, a rare occurrence these days, but nonetheless mesmerizing, a reminder of the girl I had fallen in love with. The girl she was before I broke her.

*****

It was Nikki’s sweet sixteen. Despite the fact our relationship was unwelcomed by her father, there wasn’t much he could say that would keep us apart. He had started to give me more and more responsibilities within his organization but I knew the truth behind each order. Vic just wanted to keep me away from Adrianna, so any chance he got he pulled me away from her. He threw me to the drug dealers, bookies and whatever other lowlife he was dealing with.

Adrianna tore up the dance floor with Nikki and her friends, being the perfect older sister that everyone wished they had. Her eyes found mine, her smile widened as she crooked her finger, summoning me to join her.

I laughed loudly, shaking my head and watched her lips contort into a frown, her eyes shining with mischief. I wasn’t much of a dancer,
I could count on one hand how many times I had danced in my life. She put her hands together in a mock plea only for me to shake my head again adamantly. She made a face, one that meant to say
‘suit yourself but you’re not going to stop me’ but I saw beneath the façade and recognized the disappointment in her eyes. I silently vowed to make it up to her. Maybe even dance with her when we were alone, but one way or another I’d erase the disappointment from her eyes.

*****

That night was the last time Adrianna ever asked me to dance with her and unfortunately, I had never made good on my promise. It was the little things, like just one dance, that made me realize just how many mistakes I had made when I had her in my life. I should’ve danced with her when she asked. I should’ve listened to her more. I should’ve run away from here with her. I should never have broken a promise; instead, I broke them all.

I couldn’t peel my eyes away from her, enthralled by her as she moved through the crowd and before I realized it, I was walking towards her. The sisters found a spot on the dance floor, claimed it as their own and started to dance. Adrianna was always a great dancer; a part of me never took her up on her offers to dance because I didn’t think I could keep up with her. Tonight, I didn’t care if I stepped all over her feet or if I made a complete fool out of myself, I was going to dance with her and make good on my promise. So, what if it’s a few years late, better late than never.

She lifted her head smiling and my whole body was affected by that one simple expression. Her eyes found mine, her body went still just as I stopped right behind Nikki. I placed my hand on her shoulder as I kept my eyes on Adrianna’s gorgeous face.

Nikki glanced over her shoulder at me and I forced myself looking at her. “Happy birthday kid,” I said, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

“Thank you,” she shouted over the music. I tore my eyes back to Adrianna, the two of us lost in one another, completely forgetting about Nikki or the people that surrounded us.

“A,” I said, with a small nod before my gaze dipped lower taking her all in, every single inch of her. I licked my lips, pushing down my desire to drag her away and push her up against the wall.

Stay focused, I reminded myself. Give her what she deserves
.

She stared at me waiting for me to make my move, determined not to give me a free pass this time.

That’s okay Reese’s I’ll work for it.

I reached for her hand, pulled her body against mine, and wrapped my other hand around her, laying my palm on the small of her back. She lifted her head to look at me and I smiled down at her before leaning close and murmuring against her ear.

“Dance with me Reese’s,” I pulled back and searched her eyes, as she remained silent. She leaned into me and I started to lead her away from the people that danced around us, towards a quiet corner of the dance floor. I turned her towards me, placing one hand on her hip and the other secure in my hand. I nudged her legs apart with my knee and stepped between them, feeling her wrap her free arm around my neck. The tip of her nose touched mine, her hand cupping the back of my neck as she nuzzled my nose, her sweet perfume engulfing me.

I forced my hips to sway from side to side, front to back, pressing against her before tearing my body away. Her body moved in sync with mine but then again it always did. My hand slid up her naked back, my thumb trailing up her spine and as if on cue, she arched her back, her pelvis grinding into mine. She cocked her head back slightly, her eyes found mine, and she continued to move against me watching my every reaction to her body. I wasn’t sure if she could see into the depths of my eyes. How every goddamn thing she did affected me, but I’m sure she could feel what she couldn’t see pressed against her thigh. I was harder than a slab of cement, my balls ached, and I wondered why the fuck I had ever waited so long to dance with her.

Our bodies mimicked things we had done to one another, things we would do when this night was over. It was fucking bliss but also agony knowing I couldn’t just untie her little outfit and pull her onto my cock.

She turned around, pressing her ass against my dick as she shimmied her hips. Adrianna was always one to entice, to tease, to give you a glimpse of what you were getting. I was always the type to play it off like I could hold off, that I was patient. My patience snapped, and I grabbed her hips, pulling her against me rotating my hips and holding her steady as I pushed against her. She wore her hair in a ponytail, leaving her neck bare. I gave into temptation and ran my lips along the side of her neck, reaching her ear and taking her earlobe between my teeth.

“You still mad at me, Reese’s?” I said roughly.

She tilted her head a fraction, giving me more access to her neck. “Yes,” she responded.

“Good, I like it when you’re mad,” I grunted releasing her ear; my hands touching her shoulders and spinning her around so she faced me. She arched one perfectly sculpted eyebrow at me as my hands cradled her face.

“I’ll take you mad,” I promised. “And then I’ll take you again after you’ve forgiven me.” I swore.

“Twice,” She stated, holding back a smile.

“For starters,” I winked. “You have any fucking idea how beautiful you are? How stunning you are?” I shook my head. “I wonder…”

“You wonder what?” She whispered.

I shook my head dismissing the question before I brushed my lips across hers. I pulled away slightly gazing into her eyes, letting her believe I was done with her mouth. Until I couldn’t resist any longer and captured her, face in my hands and pulled that sweet mouth of hers against mine. Kissing Adrianna was my nirvana and my kryptonite because it could never just stop with one kiss.

I pried her lips apart with my tongue, tasting the sweetness of her, laced with the alcohol she had been drinking. Her fingers gripped my shoulders and she started to push me back against the wall until my back slammed against it. I moved my hands to her hips, ready to lift her up and wrap her legs around my waist, forgetting all about the club, its patrons, or its fucking owner.

The only thing reminding me we were in a public place was the music until suddenly the bass wasn’t pounding in my ears anymore.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

I pushed Adrianna away, frantic screams replaced the sounds of the music, and I sprang into action, as Temptations became a war zone.

I covered my ears with my hands, an attempt to block out the screams and the distinct sound of gunshots, watching as Anthony pulled his phone out of his pocket. He turned around and threw his phone at me, forcing me to react quickly and catch it in the palm of my hand. It was so loud I barely heard him as he shouted at me.

“Go to my last calls, get Jack on the phone, and tell him we need back up,” he yelled as he took the safety off his gun, bringing it to his side and taking a step towards me. He ran his free hand down the side of my cheek as he pierced me with a serious look. “Stay here.” He ordered while scanning the room looking for cover. Eventually spotting a booth to the right of us and dragged me towards it. “Get under the table and make the call Adrianna, do not leave this spot. I will be back to get you.”

I nodded in response. He bent his head and kissed my lips lightly before nodding towards the table. I got down on my knees and crawled under the table, brought my knees to my chest and peered back at Anthony. Once he was satisfied with my position, he gave me a short nod and began to straighten up.

“Anthony!” I called out, finding my voice.

He bent down again and looked under the table at me.

“Please be careful,” I pleaded.

“I’ll be back,” he promised and then he was gone.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

My hands shook as I navigated Anthony’s phone and called Jack. I held one hand over the ear that wasn’t occupied by the phone so I could hear better and then his voice boomed over the phone.

“Just about to go in, brother,” he barked into the phone.

“Jack! It’s Adrianna, Anthony’s … Victor’s daughter,” I spoke frantically into the phone.
     
“We’re in trouble; people are shooting inside of the club. Anthony said to call you.”

“Fuck!” He paused and I thought I had lost the call but then he spoke again. “I’m on my way,” he said before disconnecting the call. I held Anthony’s phone in my hand and crawled out from under the table to see if I could see Anthony or my father.

A haze blinded my eyes, smoke filling my lungs from the gunpowder making it hard to do anything other than close my eyes and cough. The gunfire grew louder, the shots ringing quicker, making me think either more shooters had showed up, or they were much closer than I had figured. I worried for my family, knowing that my mother and sister were out there somewhere.