Indebted to the Mafia King
Heating Up

Chloe

My date with Tony turns out to be lighter and funnier than I imagined it would be. I was still tense and nervous, but not because he purposely caused it, but mostly because I can't control my own feelings. But the wine helped me to loosen up a little around him, and by the time we return to the house, I'm feeling much less stiff and robotic around him.

Tony has this dry humor that I love. I love the way he purses his lips when something isn't to his taste, or the way he is so smooth while talking to people, almost like he knows how good he is to influence them into doing what he needs or wants from them.

He told me a little bit about how life as the mafia boss has been tougher than he imagined it would be, and I felt sorry for him. Like me, Tony grew up in this life, so I don't think he had much of a choice, the same way I hadn't. It's past midnight by the time we arrive back at Staten Island. I feel slightly drowsy, but other than that, I feel great.

"Thank you for taking me out tonight," I say to Tony as we get out of the car and head inside the house. "I really needed it," I confess.

He nods, offering me a side smile. "It was my pleasure. Maybe we should do this more often."

"I'd like that," I blurt out. I hope he hasn't noticed the eagerness in my voice. I don't want him to think I'm desperate to go on another fake date with him.

The living room is dark and empty when we arrive, and there is no other noise around other than our breathing.

"Where is Ellie?" Tony asks with a frown. "I thought your mom would have brought her back by now."

"No, Ellie is staying with her tonight," I tell him. "It's really weird, you know? I have never slept away from her since she was born. I miss her."

"I can imagine. But I do think you could use this break. To have an entire night of uninterrupted sleep? When was the last time you had that?" he asks me, following me to the kitchen where I'm going to grab a glass of water.

"Well, you do have a point there. I don't think I've slept well ever since I found out I was pregnant." The moment the words leave my mouth, I regret them. I didn't mean to share that much with him. I take a huge sip from the water and clear my throat, looking around and trying to find another topic to bring to the conversation. "So, I know my mom did what she wanted with the house and all, but I was wondering if there's anything you didn't like? We could change it if you want." He shakes his head at me, leaning against the counter and crossing his arms in front of his chest. "I actually like what she did with the place. This house never felt like a home before, but it looks cozy now. It makes me want to come home more often."

His words surprise me. He didn't outright say it, but I could read between the lines. He feels at home with us here. With what we've done with the place. I bite my lower lip, overwhelmed with my emotions and thoughts.

"One thing I am not happy with is you playing the role of my wife at home too. It's not what we agreed on, and I don't want you to do that just for me," he insists. He's been mentioning this whenever he has the opportunity, but I honestly don't know why it bothers him so much when I do it out of heart. I like it. I like to do something for him, especially after what he did for me.

"It's the least I can do to pay you back for helping me with Mateo. Besides, I told you I have nothing else to do now, so I might as well make good use of my time," I counter, coming to sit by one of the stools near the counter. I choose to keep a safe distance from him, but we're still close enough that I can see the freckles of darker blue in his eyes and the stubble in his jaw.

His dark hair is still impeccably styled back with gel, but there's a rebellious curl falling out and over his eyes, and my hand is itching to move it back to its place. I wish I could run my fingers over his smooth, curly hair. I wish I could caress his face and kiss his inviting lips. God, how I wish he would kiss me now.

"You don't have to pay me back for anything," he retorts in a firm voice. "That's not why I did it."

"I know, but still... I don't want people having any reason to say our marriage is a lie. Or that we're going through any trouble," I mention, remembering how he told me his men are starting to suspect us. "I might as well play my role perfectly." I smile smugly at him. Then I remember something and my mouth works faster than my brain, blurting out, "Or giving reason for people to think they have any right to barge into my house and claim you as their man."

The image of Estella snarling at me that I'm just a toy Tony is using, calling me a gold digger and affirming I'm not his type is still imprinted in my brain. The audacity of that woman still has my blood boiling with rage. I hate even more the idea of Tony and her together. I grit my teeth, forcing my mind to think of anything else but that.

Tony chuckles in front of me, and I narrow my eyes at him.

"So, you're talking about Estella, right?" he asks, pushing out of the counter and heading toward me. "Still upset about that, huh?"

"Should I not be? The bitch called me a gold digger and said I'm not your type," I grumble. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Tony is moving slowly toward me, each step deliberate. A teasing smile plays on his lips, and I gulp, wondering what he is doing. I feel vulnerable, yet thrilled, under his intense gaze. The air between us seems to have been sucked out of the

room.

"Is that jealousy I smell?" he teases, stopping inches away from me.

"Of course not!" I argue, but I don't dare move away from him.

"Because that'd make no sense at all. Why would you be jealous of a club dancer as if she's remotely comparable to you? You're on another level entirely, you shouldn't even bother with her," Tony says in a low, seductive voice. Shit, he must know how my body reacts to him, otherwise he wouldn't be teasing me like this.

I shrug nonchalantly, attempting to maintain my unbothered facade. But the smirk on his lips tells me he didn't buy it. Damn it.

"I don't see how you benefit from this, to be honest. You're stuck with me and forbidden to have your women at the house, so..." I trail off, hoping he can see my point.

"I benefit from your safety, and Ellie's. That's all that matters to me," he answers in a heartbeat. I'm left speechless, not expecting him to be so straightforward.

His face is so close to mine now that I can barely breathe. As if possible, Tony leans forward, his lips almost brushing mine. His intoxicating cologne invades my nostrils and my senses are scrambled. My head is dizzy and I can't think properly anymore.

What is he doing? Is he going to kiss me? And why do I want the answer to be 'yes' so badly?

His hand reaches up, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from my face and tucking it behind my ear. The brief contact of our skin is enough to set my body ablaze. Every nerve in my system is enticed, desperate, yearning for more of him. I'm aware of my erratic breathing, my heart pumping so hard against my ribcage that I wonder if he can hear it standing so close to me like this.

"You know, there isn't a day in my life I don't wish I could remember more of the moment we spent together that night. Not a day goes by that I don't curse myself for being completely wasted," Tony whispers, his eyes trading to my lips. "That's my biggest regret."

And with that, he steps away from me and turns, making his way out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

My legs and hands are still shaking, my body still tingling as if he is still right in front of me. My core is on fire, and for a moment, I wish he had taken care of that. Just like he did two years ago.

It takes me a couple of minutes to compose myself, the annoying yearning between my legs hard to ignore this time. I hadn't realized I was so needy until now. Yeah, it's been a long time since I had sex with someone, but it hadn't bothered me as much, especially since the only man I could do it with was Mateo.

Now that I'm away from him and closer to Tony than ever, all these feelings seem to be bubbling up and I can't control them anymore. It's annoying and inconvenient, especially when I need to be able to ignore him and pretend to be his wife. I can't do that well when all I want is for him to make me his real wife with all the rights that come with it.