The Return of My First Love novel Chapter 43

Alessio

It was meant to be brief, just a show to silence any doubts Dad or Uncle had about us, but the moment our lips met, something shifted. I could taste the sweet fruity lipgloss on her lips, and needed more.

Gently, I moved a hand to her waist, gripping her bare skin with my hands. I pulled her closer and licked her lip with my tongue, wanting to see how far she was willing to go. She opened her mouth slightly, inviting me to deepen the kiss, and I did.

The reason behind the kiss—all faded away until there was nothing but the warmth of her lips against mine. Fuck it, it wasn't just for show anymore. We were both into it, and to deny that would've been a crime.

I slid my hands to her ass before lifting her up, and sat her down on the edge of dad's office, neither one of us daring to cut off the kiss. I might've even thrown some of his papers on the floor in the process, but who cares?

I didn't give a damn about anyone in that office. We were both desperate for air, yet neither of us dared to break away. The understanding was clear and mutual. There wouldn't be a redo of this moment so it was better to enjoy it while we still could.

I guess we both weren't stupid, and knew this was bound to happen, but we also knew that this couldn't happen.

"We get it, man. You're getting pussy." Donni commented from the back, saying what those two stiffs were most likely thinking.

Hearing Donni's words, Emily pulled away, and I swear I wanted to kill him. As long as no one said a word, I was even willing to take her right then and there, on Dad's desk.

There wouldn't be a next time, because I couldn't allow there to be a next time. If she hadn't been stuck all her life with that shrimp dick in Texas, we could've had our fun, but I wasn't about to give in to my desires and risk her getting too attached.

I had seen what happened after our little conversation, the way she looked at me ever since because I had done the same. It could not go any further than it had already gone, and that was final.

Our gazes locked as I put her back on her two feet. She tilted her head, her eyes displaying a storm of Emilyotions. Surprise, confusion, perhaps a call to the Lord for an explanation for what had just happened.

A part of me wanted to erase her confusion, to pull her back in, to show her she wasn't going crazy, and I had felt it too—that 'spark' people always spoke of.

Unfortunately that was a line I wouldn't cross again.

"Do you love me?" I asked in a final attEmilypt to persuade Dad. The kiss was enough, but hopefully this would shut him up.

"Yes," Emily responded faster than I had expected, still out of breath from the kiss. Her answer caught me off guard and for a second, I almost believed her.

She was a good actress, very convincing too.

I side-eyed Dad, who hadn't moved a muscle. His face looked defeated and that's how I knew I had won before the game could even start.

"Donni?" I looked from him to Emily, motioning to get her out of the room.

"Oh, yes," Donni snapped out of it. "Come on." he grabbed Emily by her arm and led her out of the office.

I looked at Dad, then at Uncle, patiently waiting for thEmily to come with their next argument. They couldn't force thEmilyselves to look at me, so they eyed each other instead. Hopefully to reconsider their stance on Emily.

"And you!" Dad included Levi, just like Stefano had done. "How do you feel about the maid?"

I glanced at Levi, my eyes warning him not to put me into any more trouble. Apologizing to the Baldinis was already bad enough.

"I understand your concerns, boss, but I've had the pleasure of driving her and her daughter around, and I assure you—that they are two of the most genuine people you'll ever meet." Levi spoke carefully, giving me a nod every once in a while. Even though his words seEmilyed rehearsed, the respect he had for Emily sounded real.

He continued, "Emily doesn't have a bad bone in her body. She's respectful, stays in the background, and all of that—beats that she doesn't come from a good family."

"Explain," Dad pressed, strangely enough listening to Levi.

"Emily doesn't have anyone," Levi explained. "She is willing to become a Fanucci while Maxine or any other woman you had in mind would never be fully committed to the family or carrying the Fanucci name."

He had a solid point.

I should've used that against thEmily from the start.

Uncle cleared his throat. "So you're saying we should put loyalty above alliances."

There were men here who had been with us for years and still had to do little side jobs. Having Levi, who had only been here for a few months, doing the big stuff would make me look bad. With him being my close friend in such a short amount of time, I didn't want to hear shit about favoritism from the grown ass men working here.

Besides, he was okay with being my driver, a simple job where not many could see his face. He had a daughter, and I wanted him to still be alive one day to see her walking down the aisle.

I had many friends, too many who were ambitious and only tried to hang out with me to climb higher up. I liked his presence because I thought he was different, honest and straightforward about his goals. Maybe I was wrong.

"Ales, wait!"

I turned around to face him. As always, his blue eyes, which usually express calmness—something we all lacked here—were now full of worry. "I didn't mean to screw you over, it just...Stefano asked about my daughter, and I didn't know he would use my personal opinion against you—"

"Don't shit yourself," I chuckled at him, watching as he ran his hand through his dark hair. "Unless you're secretly undercover FBI, we're good."

I stuck out my hand and waited for him to give me a shake. When he wanted to let go, I held on for a bit longer. "You single-handedly fucked up and saved my plan all at the same time," I said, impressed. "But don't ever do that again."

"I got you."

I patted him on the shoulder. "And you got yourself a promotion, from the big boss," I added, making it clear I wasn't the one that gave it to him.

"I swear, I didn't mean to."

"I'm sure you didn't," I agreed. "But since you did—you get to come with me when I apologize to that family. We'll leave in a few days, be ready."

He blinked. "You don't have to take me."

"Oh, but why wouldn't I?" I spoke sarcastically. "It's part of the promotion."

If he was going to be part of this world, he needed to understand the risks involved.

The first challenge would be facing the Baldinis and hopefully walking out of there alive.