So now all his negative emotions were focused on a poor punching bag. No boxing gloves, no tapes. Just Elio's bare, and now also bloody fists.
All he knew was that his brother still hadn’t come around to visiting Savannah.
Thank God.
He didn't know what was holding him back but he also couldn't get involved. They were texting which usually turned into flirting, however, Elio tried to keep his distance just in case. It wasn't something he wanted. All he could think about was going to the girl and finally finishing what they'd started at the event.
"What has this bag ever done to you?"
A female voice rang from behind him. A soft and calm tone that made Elio stop.
Savannah was standing in the threshold of the gym, still dressed in her work uniform. She most likely had just finished her shift since it was after midnight and came straight from work. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves and there were dark circles underneath her eyes. She looked extremely tired.
One corner of his mouth twitched up. "How did you find me here?"
She chuckled. "You forget that people talk. It's not that hard to find out where you like to hang out."
She came closer, her gaze not leaving the man. He was wearing only sports shorts that hung low on his hips, showing a v-line. His muscles were tense as he breathed heavily from the intense workout. His olive skin glistened, sweat dripping from every inch of his perfectly sculpted body. Savannah could only imagine hours upon hours spent in the gym to look like that.
He grabbed a towel from the bench, wiped his face before meeting Savannah halfway.
They were alone, thankfully.
"You shouldn't ask anyone about me, Savannah," he said. He appreciated that the interest wasn't one-sided but people could take it the wrong way. Las Vegas was big but not big enough that it wouldn't reach his father's ear.
"I know. I asked Megan, no one else. I'm not brave enough to do more. Going to the nightclub was out of the question and I hoped you wouldn't be there. Since the gym was close, I decided to check it out."
He raised his eyebrow. "I think you are brave. But do me a favor and don't go anywhere Famiglia-owned without me."
Elio didn't have to tell her twice. She was in no position to frequent such places. She wasn't a party girl or a part of the mafia life to do so. She nodded in agreement.
Her chest tightened as the man came up to her. There was barely any space between them. She had to look up to meet his eyes. The promise shone in them. However, the girl didn't know what it concerned just yet.
His palm stretched at the side of her neck, caressing it lightly. His thumb circled near the jawline. He leaned down, pressing his body against hers. Their lips inches apart and at the moment Savannah wanted to step on her tiptoes and close the space.
She didn't move.
Her coming to the gym was indication enough that she couldn't stay away. She needed him to take the next step so that she wouldn't feel like her feelings had completely overtaken her senses for no reason.
"Do you regret it?" he asked instead, surprising her.
She frowned.
Maybe it was because of how tired she was, but she couldn't figure out what Elio meant. He changed the topic out of the blue and she needed more information to answer him.
"What happened in Ecstasy," he added.
"Would I be here if I did?"
He smiled at the words. "Good."
Without waiting, he knocked the air out of her lungs by crashing his warm lips against her plump, velvety ones. His insistent mouth was parting her trembling lips, sending wild tremors along her nerves, inflicting sensations she had never known she was capable of feeling. Then she kissed him back, deeper.
He leaned even lower and grabbed her butt, pulling her up. She tangled her legs around his hips, her hands scratching his back. Each time he bit her lip, she drew her nails a little deeper which was bound to leave marks. And it turned Elio on even more.
He pulled the zipper of her dress down before grabbing the edge of the material and drawing it up. She immediately stretched her hands, helping him. However, he didn't get rid of it altogether. Instead, he stopped at her wrists, breaking the kiss. His eyes screamed with desire.
"Do you trust me?"
No.
The answer was easy. She didn't know Elio well enough to trust him. It was a hard privilege to earn. But she couldn't say it out loud. Because quite honestly he was the only person who made her break all her rules without much convincing. So there must have been a small piece of trust within her heart.
Elio caught up on her hesitation. "You can tell me to stop at any point," he reassured her.
Savannah sighed, knowing that whatever the man wanted to do, she was most likely going to like it and wouldn't want to stop. She nodded, nonetheless.
He kissed her again, stepping towards the vaulting horse before settling her down on it. Then, he tied the dress around her wrists tightly so she couldn't move them. And she fucking liked it. It was a little bit more sensuous than having Elio gripping them himself. This way he was free to do other things with both of his hands.
Just like that he unclipped her bra and threw it on the floor. Immediately Savannah felt exposed and tried to cover herself, bringing both hands to her chest. Him touching her in the club had been much easier than now. The gym was filled with dim light, however, he could actually see her body and judge what he saw. Desire didn't equal approval. Not always.
Elio wouldn't have it. He gripped her wrists and put them back up.
"Don't," he warned her. "I want to see you."
His lips travelled down to her neck, leaving wet marks. He massaged
