Indebted to the Mafia King

*Cal*

I can't wrap my mind around the fact that I finally got to have Heidi to myself. Taking her on a date had been a surprise already, but when she agreed on coming here with me, I was stunned. I thought she was going to freak out once she realized I had brought her to my apartment, but one look at her, and her expression told me she was more than pleased.

I didn't think it was possible for her to look sexier than she had when I first picked her up, but she managed to prove me wrong.

A completely different woman showed up in front of me once I began to entice her. The look of lust, desire, longing, and yearning that crossed her face had me on my knees. Literally.

I've had plenty of sexual partners in my life, lots of different experience, but even so, Heidi brought out things in me that I've never felt before.

I couldn't get enough of her.

And never once have I brought a woman to my apartment, let alone my bed.

This is my safe harbor. My home. The only place I feel like myself.

For whatever reason I can't explain, I brought her here without a second thought.

And even now, while I caress her smooth hair, watching her chest move up and down slowly as she sleeps peacefully in my arms, I can't say I made a mistake. Because I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat if I had the chance.

This is the best way I could possibly imagine beginning the new year-with Heidi in my arms, waking up to the sunlight beaming through my window, her sweet scent invading my senses and making me feel at peace. Something I haven't felt in a long time.

She hums softly beside me, shifting lazily and leaning her head against my chest. I wrap her tightly against me, taking the opportunity to hold her in my arms while I can.

As much as I try to convince myself this should mean nothing, and that after today, I should leave her the hell alone, I don't want her to wake up because she will likely regret coming here. She may regret staying here. Hell, she may regret having sex with me.

And I hate to admit that it would kill me to know she feels that way.

Because the truth is, I don't want to stop whatever this is. I'm not ready to break away from her. To not see her again.

"Good morning." Her sweet voice reaches my ears, and I look down, finding her beautiful blue eyes looking at me expectantly. She blinks slowly, her eyelashes moving as if she's trying to hypnotize me. "Good morning," I reply softly. "Did you sleep well?"noveldrama

A smile spreads across her face, her cheeks turning pink and giving her a rose glow. Effortlessly, she is so fucking sexy. "Like I haven't slept in a long time," she confesses.

I tighten my grip around her, pulling her close to me. I inhale sharply, feeling the smell of coconut and lavender from her hair.

God, this woman will be the death of me.

"Glad I could provide you a good night's sleep," I say playfully.

Heidi slaps me softly on the shoulder, rolling her eyes at me. "I knew you had a big ego hidden somewhere," she muses, locking her gaze with mine. "You just tried to hide it last night, didn't you?"

I laugh, placing a kiss on her forehead. "I was trying to give you a good first impression," I tell her, hopping on her banter. "Did it work?"

She hums again, closing her eyes once more, feeling the sun touching her skin. I drink her in, watching the way her tiny frame fits perfectly within my embrace. It's like she was molded specially for me. "Yes, it did," she murmurs in response. Her leg slips over mine, and with my fingers, I start drawing lazy circles on her bare back. Touching a woman like this would provoke an instant arousal for me in other circumstances, and even though Heidi's scent is working against me right now, a huge part of me just wants to enjoy this moment like this, with no sexual tension or anything like that. It's just us, carefree and relaxed, not worried about our next move or what to say.

It just feels...natural.

"What are you thinking about?" she pries, looking at me. "Nothing, really." I shrug. "I'm just enjoying this moment."

And it's true.

But like anything in my life, nothing comes easy. Every time I feel a glimpse of happiness, the universe feels the urge to warn me I'm not supposed to be happy.

My phone buzzes on my bedside table, and I close my eyes, taking a deep breath and cursing myself inwardly for not turning it off last night. Who would call me on the first day of the year at... what? What time is it? It must not even be seven in the morning, judging from the amount of sunlight shining throught the windows. A moan of complaint escapes my lips as I try to ignore the call.

But Heidi shifts beside me, clearly bothered. "Aren't you going to answer it?" The hint of curiosity in her voice amuses me, but I can't focus on it too long because the phone doesn't fucking stop.

"Shit! What's a guy gotta do to enjoy a single morning without being bothered?" I grunt, turning to grab my phone.

Tony's name flashes on my screen, and my stomach twists at the sight of it. Why is he calling me on a holiday? Shouldn't he be enjoying the day with his family? Even a guy like him isn't be working today, right?

"Yes?" I answer, not hiding how irritated his call makes me.

"Sorry to bother you so early, man. But I think you'll want to know what I have to tell you," he informs me cryptically.

"Get to it then," I grumble.

"Can't risk it over the phone," Tony explains.

Fuck.

Of course he wouldn't give me confidential information over the phone. The guy is a fucking vault. "Does it have to be now?"

"Not if you're not in a hurry to catch the bastards after you and your girl," he replies sarcastically.

I look down at Heidi, who's still staring at me expectantly, although she tries to hide it by looking away from me as our eyes meet. It's fucking endearing, and I hate the fact that doing what Tony wants means leaving her behind. But his words hit me hard. The photo I received of Heidi leaving my bar forms inside my mind, and I know I can't ignore it.

Not if it means it will get me closer to whoever is threatening me-and her. Tony wouldn't disturb me if it wasn't important. I know that much. And as much as I hate myself for agreeing to it, I have to go.

"Fine, I'll meet you at the bar in thirty minutes," I inform him before hanging up on Tony, not even allowing him to answer me. "I'm really sorry, but something came up," I tell Heidi, watching the way her expression hardens.

She's still as beautiful as always, but I'd take the glowy Heidi anytime of the day if that meant I didn't have to see the look of disappointment in her face staring back at me now "Oh, sure. Of course. I didn't mean to overstay my welcome anyway," she says, struggling to get out of my grasp. But I hold her harder, keeping her against me and forcing her to look me in the eyes.

"You're not," I emphasise. "It kills me to have to leave this bed-and you-but I can't ignore it. I promise I'll make it up to you, if you'll allow me, that is," I add, unsure if this is indeed what she wants.

For all I know, she could simply want to forget this night ever happened and just go back to her life without speaking to me ever again.

Heidi stares at me, searching for something in my face that I can't quite interpret. I just hope she finds what she's looking for so I can see her again. She nods slightly, and I take that as a yes, not wanting to give her more time to change her mind.

"I'll give you a ride to your apartment," I tell her, finally releasing her from my grip and sliding out of bed to look for my boxers and grab some pants.

Heidi does the same, dressing at the speed of light. Her face is turned from me, but I can tell by the way her muscles are tense and from her body language that she's disappointed in me.

But how can I blame her?

I'm being a major dick for ditching her like this after having the best night of my life with her.

The words are stuck in my throat, though, as I finish getting dressed, watching as she pulls her dress over her head and buckles her shoes, not daring to look at me again.

Not even once.

And because of that, I know I fucked up. Hard. I wonder if I can ever make it up to her and convince her to forgive me.

Tony's information better be good for have fucking cost me this time with Heidi-especially if she doesn't forgive me.