Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.

Beta'd by HollettLA.

Chapter Ten

Santino/Sonny POV

When I got to the corner, my head whipped to and fro, trying to spot her.

But I had no such luck.

Jogging was a bitch with having to weave around people and shit. Once I got closer to Third Avenue, there was almost no one on the street, no bodies.

Running was even easier when I plopped my nine into the bag I'd been carrying.

By the time I got to Ridge Boulevard, I saw Maggie.

She had been running, pretty fucking fast, too.

Maggie stopped to catch her breath, and she was still crying, which made her let out this hacking cough that turned into a dry-heave.

My heart broke just watching her, and I'd slowed down. "Maggie!" I hollered.

With her hands on her knees, she turned to see me, but then she took off again—booking it.

"Fuck!" I ran even faster since she had half a block on me. "Stop runnin'. Christ!"

Unless you're running for exercise, or from some zombies, it's not very dignified.

Though I could dig chasing a chick.

Seems legit.

"You wanna ride?" Kylie asked to my left; my uncle was driving and slowed to keep up with me.

"Don't let her get away, Sonny!" Carlisle cackled. "Get that bitch!"

"Oh my God!" Kylie was laughing, too.

I gave them the finger, seeing my uncle pick up speed. He drove down the block, heckling Maggie by the sounds of it, and I was afraid they'd spook her even more.

Was she on the fucking track team?

"Maggie, stop!" I shouted, but she was already easing into a walk. "Thank you." I held my side, continuing to catch up to her.

"Want another cigarette?" Kylie threw one at me, damn near hanging outta Carlisle's Mercedes. "You need more cardio in your workout regimen." She wasn't lying, but I was doing just fine.

"Just go to dinner!" They were getting on my nerves.

"I gotta know how this ends," my sister said.

"I'm sure Maggie'll call you." I huffed.

"Good luck!" Carlisle pulled my sister into the car.

Much to Kylie's dismay, he made a U-turn, going back toward Fourth Avenue, and Maggie watched them.

I got the impression she'd only stopped because of my sister. "Hey," I said.

"I've wanted to run home and get under my covers all day." She stared at the sidewalk. "I wasn't running because of you. I just wanted to go home."

"Well…I was running because of you, to catch up to you." But neither Kylie nor my uncle gave any insight as to what I should say if I caught her. Suddenly, their presence wasn't such a nuisance, but what's even worse than sounding like a bitch?

Having your sister hold your hand through an awkward conversation. "I've noticed a double-standard, too. A female shouldn't run after a man, but a man can run after a woman?" I asked.

Maggie pushed her hairband back. "When a female is…it's perceived as…desperate, pathetic, almost tragic. But, a man runs after a woman, that's…heroic, romantic, and sweet. I don't know why…a lot of movies and stories end that way, whether the chase is metaphoric or literal."

I hummed. "This was quite literal." I hoped this wasn't the end of anything. "Um, do you like to run?" I'd never asked her that.

She palmed her face, embarrassed. "I need a bigger pair of balls. I'm like a mouse—"

"No," I disagreed. "And, for the record…sometimes men need to be ran after, or hunted down, because they're stubborn. They might leave without hashing shit out and with the wrong information, to avoid getting hurt." My heart had yet to slow since I was nervous. "I could use a hero every once in a while…to save me from putting my foot in my mouth, drawing certain conclusions." I quickly realized exactly what'd happened.

As fast as Maggie tore the walls down from around me, I'd built them back up…to hide behind them, my personal fortress.

"I didn't kiss Damion, but you were right." She gestured to me. "I don't even know what…I'd hoped to gain or achieve by…spending more time with you." The lip quivered again.

"Stop it. Don't cry," I begged.

"I'm sorry. It's been a very emotional day for me."

I waited for the upcoming period excuse that never came. "I can imagine." I copped to my own fucked dome. "Trust me."

"I'm…shy, very private. The things I've told you, experienced with you, it was all with you, you know?" she asked; I nodded. "All afternoon and then feeling relieved when you…" She paused to take a deep breath. "And I don't do well with…humiliation, being embarrassed." She sniffled, her stomach quivering. "Hindsight, I did a lot better than usual. My better instincts told me to run home hours ago…wish I listened to them, could have listened to them."

"Tell me what happened today." I stepped closer to her. "What'd Dame say? Did he—" Knowing he doesn't do well with rejection… "Did he hurt you?" Seething, my entire body stiffened, and I waited with bated breath for her answer.

"No, he didn't." Her voice was small, quiet. "Nothing happened. We talked, which… I don't know what to make of it, the things he's said." She shrugged. "It doesn't really matter, nor make a difference, though. Does it?"

"Fuck circumstances, I wanna know." I chuckled without humor.

She stepped back. "You're angry…don't be, and I really wanna go home." Maggie was wary, and she looked as though she might take off again.

I groaned, my shoulders slumping. "I am…angry, but not with you." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Whatever happened today, tell me 'cause you want to. I'm not gonna force you to tell me." A part of me wished I could. "And I don't think anyone does well with embarrassment, least of all me." I rubbed her bicep to soothe her, but she moved from my touch—almost as if it'd caused her pain. "You wanna get something to eat? Maybe talk some more?"

She shook her head. "No, thank you. I'm not very hungry, but yeah, okay…no." Maggie closed her eyes. "I should just go."

She turned and walked away from me.

I widened my arms at her retreating form, and then I started following her.

Now…it was no longer a choice I had to make but a compulsion, as I needed to know how this ended, too…more so than fucking Kylie.

Thankfully, Maggie didn't run.

But I decided to walk faster and sidle up to her. "I'll walk you." I placed my arm around her, and, fuck me, my stomach started its garbage.

Maggie shrugged me off. "Don't…" She wouldn't even look at me. "Is this where you'll promise we'll be friends? Gimme the brush off? Just don't. Don't say anything. I get it and I totally agree."

"But it still hurts the same." I used her words, which were apt for me as well.

"Yeah," she whispered. "Why prolong the inevitable? No matter how much I wanna sleep with you again, it'll probably hurt more if we did that, and then we had to…part ways. And I'm not saying I'd need a marriage proposal to sleep with you; don't think I'm crazy or clingy. I'm trying to make sense of all the realities in the situation and make the best decision for me, so I won't be hurt in the end."

I fucking beamed down to her, even if this moment was kinda bittersweet.

Once again, I adored how forthcoming and straight she could be.

"I don't even know how long this is gonna hurt. God forbid, we spent more time together, and I fell in love with you. How do you cope with something like that?" She finally looked at me.

"I don't know. I guess we'd have to spend even more time together," I said, my heart hammering away. "If we do, in fact, fall in love, that'd be the most logical and easiest thing for us to do."

"Be realistic." She grimaced.

I laughed and shrugged my shoulders. "Baby, I think that's as fuckin' realistic as it gets."

"I'm in high school and then I'm going to college—"

"Your age doesn't bother me, and I've told you that a few times by now. I'm sorry for assuming you messed with my brother. But the information came from a… Well, he was a trusted source. I don't know how much I trust him now." I chuckled. "I fucked everything up, and it killed me…to say what I did. But if you'd decided you wanted Dame, what was left for me to say? I don't own you. We spent a couple of amazing days together, but…" I tried to get my words together. "I can't promise you marriage, or even…love, and I'm sorry for that too." She had no idea how sorry I was about that, that I couldn't give her any guarantees.

"But, Maggie—" I stopped her from walking "—anything is possible, and I don't want to say goodbye just yet, either." I palmed her cheeks, needing to see her eyes. "This…me and you, what we have…even after a few days, I can say it's the most meaningful connection I've ever had…as a man." I stared at her lips, wanting them badly. "There are many obstacles in our way, but the possibilities could be endless…if we let them, if we go with the flow to see where this goes."

My words were pleading; I was begging her to give us a chance.

What I don't know could fill a library, but I knew I needed more time with her.

Good, bad, or indifferent.

Parting ways felt wrong.

No matter where this takes us, I felt we needed to take the ride…together.

And that had to mean something.

Hopefully, the road'll be paved with great things, and it won't end with some thousand-foot drop off a cliff. No, I'd never let that happen. I'd push Maggie outta the car first, take the fall myself, and knowing that eased my conscience.

"I want more time with you. I want you more than I've ever wanted anyone. I thought about you every second today, and I counted down the minutes." A weight had been lifted, being as honest as I was. "But you are eighteen, you're just starting your life, and my ex is about to have my kid." The world was back on my shoulders. "It'd be cruel to promise you more than I could deliver. That's why, hiding from reality, taking you to the Waldorf was…it was amazing."

She nodded as quiet tears spilled.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you." I wiped them away. "That was never my intention, but you have no idea—no fucking clue as to how painful it was hearing about you and Dame." I took another deep breath.

"Then, why tell me to be with him? Act like I wasn't important? That was… Christ, it was like a knife." She held her chest. "Even if you thought… I don't know. I guess it's foolish to wonder why you wouldn't fight for me. Especially if you thought I'd done something to hurt you."

"Oh, I fight, and I fight dirty…but not with this stuff." I placed my hand on hers. "I'd want you to choose me because you wanted me, not because I lasted however many rounds." I smirked. "I'd win, have no doubt about that."

"You misunderstood me." Her gaze was panicked.

"Relax." My voice was soft, not wanting her to get worked up again.

"You were quick, too quick to just…let me go," she whispered. "Without hearing my side, the truth, you just…"

"I know," I admitted. "Adding you to his situation would be fucked, but…it'd be less complicated than adding you to mine. If you were happy—if you and Dame could be happy, who am I to mess with that, when we had no commitment?" It made sense to me. "Sure, thinking that hurts, but I was hoping…I'd deal." The fact remains that I might still be in a similar situation; I might have to say goodbye and then grieve the loss, mourn all the what-ifs…an unexplored opportunity, a chance at a little or a lot of joy I'd lost.

"I am older than you but not necessarily wiser when it comes to this stuff." I smiled. "But I know a few things. I know that when you find something that brings you happiness, you gotta hold on to that shit and never let it go—"

"I wouldn't be happy with him. Santino, he's not the Cullen I want, and I'd hope you'd be more selfish than that." She stepped closer. "That if you want me, in any way, you take me—I mean, tell me," Maggie spluttered, nervous-like.

I grinned. "I wanna keep you, take you away with me. We could have more days together, and…take each day as it comes our way, see what happens." Fortunately, or unfortunately—I wasn't sure yet—I was back at that happy place, staring down at Maggie's pretty face. She managed to part the clouds again, and I felt the sunshine…no matter the actual night sky.

"If you need a label, be my friend." I didn't care how cliché that sounded, or how desperate my next words might seem. Because it was the God's honest truth. "If nothing else, I want you to be my friend. I've always had to prove myself to everyone to gain whatever—whether it's trust, loyalty, or respect. Name it, what you want, and I'll prove I can be that…person for you." It came out sounding even more pathetic than it'd played out in my head. Damn. And I couldn't believe the lengths I'd actually go to in order to spend more time with Maggie.

Worse than that was this sense of irrationality.

Because if I was throwing caution to the wind, going with my truest instincts, I'd just ask Maggie to be my girl—to be mine—and then that'd be it.

She'd be mine. I could rightfully defend her, fight for her, and have her on my arm for the world to see.

If the end result is love or some horrifically bad breakup…

At least I could say I gave it my all.

I'd shoot for the moon, give it my best shot while hoping—

I was reluctant to do that, though.

There was the potential we'd both get hurt in the end, and I wasn't willing to go into it knowing that was a possibility.

Ugh. But then I didn't care…I just fucking wanted her!

That also had to mean something.

"Just be you, Santino, and I'll be me…'cause I want you, too. But I want you, not who you could be for me." Maggie's shoulders dropped; she placed her forehead to my chest and wrapped her arms around me, and I was quick to embrace her. My hold on her was nearly frantic, even if the relief was evident in our stances.

"Thank you." I squeezed her, kissing her hair to plant my nose into it.

Maggie sighed, nuzzling her face into my shirt, which made me smile wider. "Tighter."

I happily obliged.

And I managed to snag this heart-searing kiss that drove me wild…

Maggie and her kisses are trouble, the best kind—a fact that had me soaring near the clouds while we walked back up the avenues to my car.

She'd already spoken to her father, or Kylie did, and it was too late for her to pop in for another school uniform. Maggie's voice was muffled; she was smashed into my side, but she didn't complain that I wasn't letting go.

If we were gonna do this, she had to get used to that shit.

I laughed while I helped her into the passenger side.

"What's so funny?" Maggie grinned.

I tossed her book bag into the backseat. "Life…" I crouched low to hold her waist. "You sure about this, Shaky?" I lifted her hand to smooch on her knuckles and then her wrist and forearm.

"I can't think clearly with your mouth on me."

I chuckled and ceased my kissing assault. "Fair enough." Again, I could relate to that, my mind is fucked whenever her lips touch me.

"I feel…inadequate, maturity-wise?" She scrunched her nose.

Since I could relate, yet again, I nodded.

"I'm as sure as…I've ever been about anything, but I am a kid…kinda." She showed me her palms. "I also feel this could be the beginning of something big, something I may not be able to handle, or…it could all amount to nothing." She was ranting, her voice rising. "It's confusing." Maggie grabbed my hand. "But I can't walk away."

We'd come full circle on the stroll back to Fourth Avenue, back at square one. And I wondered—if Maggie couldn't—was I supposed to say goodbye? Be the aforementioned adult?

But she cut me off before I could reply. "I'm a worrywart." She rolled her eyes. "I'm terrified, but I know that if I keep worrying about the worst-case scenario, I won't get to enjoy this… If we worry too much, we'll squander the time we have."

I knew that was true. "In life, we don't get many guarantees, if any, to be honest." It was a sad truth. "But we'll never know unless—"

"We try." She leaned forward to kiss me, and I groaned into her mouth, tangling my tongue with hers. She'd wrenched me closer, my feet barely keeping me rooted to the ground, hovering over her. "Let's go." She writhed against me, out of breath. "Start driving." A whimper escaped her.

As I stared into her lust-filled gaze, the heady haze that'd clouded my mind had lifted.

I knew Maggie's wanting me had more to do with sexual desire than actual feelings. That I felt more, in all senses, than she did at this point. But that was all right; I'd take it and see where it led us.

Again…

Unable to let go and unsure, what other choice did I have?

"We'll get there." My words had more than one meaning. "I'll take care of you, baby." That was a promise. "Okay?" I nipped those sweet lips once more before leaning away.

Maggie's face and demeanor had changed dramatically. She looked absolutely giddy, happy, as I closed the door and got into the driver's side.

I was fast to pull away from the curb and head toward Manhattan.

Fucking finally.

We were on our way…and I hoped all our worries would be kept at bay.

With one hand on the wheel, I had my other on Maggie's thigh, needing to feel her close. Halfway there, I'd removed it to grab that orange bag by her feet.

"This was for you."

"Oh…" She wouldn't open it. "You didn't—"

"I wanted to." I turned to smile at her.

When she dug through the bag, she squeaked and closed it just as fast. "That's for me?" Her face paled, appalled.

"I…" I was nervous again, felt like I was walking on a tightrope. "If you dislike it, we can go back, get whichever one you want. That's the newest, top-of-the-line—"

"Santino…I-I don't even know what I'd do with it." She inched closer, probably to see me better in the darkened car; she was staring at me so hard.

"What…?" I asked. "You'd use it to—"

"On who?" She bit her lower lip.

I slumped my shoulders, remembering something. "Gimme that." I placed my hand into the bag to dig out my heat. "This—" I held it up, and she jumped back, trying to disappear into the seat "Whoa! Relax." I placed it into my jacket. "It's mine…my nine. You've seen it."

She nodded. "I've never…so I'm a little afraid."

"That's understandable. If I taught you how to use one, how to respect it, there'd be nothing for you to fear," I explained.

"Except…the damage, the harm it could do. Why do you even carry one?"

To buy myself some time, I pointed to the bag. "That—that is yours, for you, the phone."

Luckily, Maggie didn't do too much protesting, but she had comments. "This is crazy expensive. I appreciate the gesture, Santino, really—"

"Baby, how much it cost me, means nothing. All right? Being able to talk to you, contact you…" I paused to stop at a red light. "That's fucking priceless." Glancing her way, she was still staring at me, wearing that swoony-face, and she sighed as predicted. All of which told me my words, my intentions were golden. "Enjoy it. Text Kylie with your new number." I squeezed her thigh. "You know how to use it?"

She nodded. "I know how to use Kylie's. It's not any different, really."

"Nope," I agreed, smiling and waiting for her to bring up my nine again.

But Maggie didn't utter a word about it.

At this stage of the game, there was no way I could tell her about that part of my life. If she found out by other means, that'd be a different story—more like gossip, as I'd allegedly be implicated in something.

Coming straight from the horse's mouth…?

There were just too many risks, none of which stemmed from her walking away, or my fear of her judgment. And if she didn't know already…? I didn't understand how she had no knowledge as it was, but there was obviously a reason behind it, one I'd wait to uncover.

It's not as if I list "mobster" or "criminal" as my occupation.

Regarding outsiders, there's always been a widely spoken, warned about rule. It's deny, deny, deny…unless mitigating circumstances change.

Until then, I'll be seen as paranoid about protection in Maggie's eyes.

And I refused to feel guilty for lying by omission because…I don't see my involvement as a defining attribute.

/=/=/=/=/

The valet parked my car while Maggie and I walked to that same pharmacy from the other night. She said she needed something but asked me to wait outside. I knew she wasn't doing anything secretive. The little I know about Maggie, she just wanted to get whatever it is without me paying for it.

I smoked a cigarette as I waited for her, and that's when I noticed I had two missed calls. One was from Kylie and the other from Damion.

My anger flared, staring at his name, but I chose to ignore it—ignore him—and I called Kylie. My sister is the only person who knows we're here. Well, she knows we're at a hotel. I'm not sure if Maggie shared all the details with her. But if something was amiss, I needed to know.

"Hello!" Kylie was frantic.

I blew my smoke out. "What's up?"

"Is she with you?" she whispered.

"Yeah." I smiled. "You'll see her tomorrow afternoon."

Kylie squealed. "Oh, that's fucking awesome! I'm so happy," she sighed. "Maggie doesn't work tomorrow, but tell her to stop by. I got her text, telling me she gotta phone… But I didn't know if you gave it to her to be a nice guy, or…"

"Or…" I flicked my cigarette butt into the street. "She doesn't work tomorrow?"

"Nope," Kylie replied.

I nodded. "Okay. Well—"

"We just finished eating."

"That was quick," I commented.

"I was starving. You have no idea. I'm still at Unc's. Ant's home and Carli's here. We're gonna pop open a bottle of wine and watch some lame rom-com—"

"Where's Mom and Dad?" I cut her off to keep her on track.

Kylie sucked her teeth. "They're at some hotel. Tell me, why'd they go to a hotel if I'm not even home? If no one's home?"

"A hotel?" My stomach dropped, knowing my father's ritzy ass loves this place. He's the reason I came here, as he's always going on about how romantic it is…or whatever. "Which hotel?"

"I don't know, Sonny," she giggled. "Dad's probably plowin' Mom as we speak, but give him a call."

"No, thanks." I calmed down because…that's exactly what our father is doing. There wasn't a chance in hell we'd run into them. If by some coincidence they are here, they won't leave their room. "Everything else is cool?" I looked up and down the block, albeit wary now.

"Yeah…Oh, Gio's calling—"

The call ended; I placed my phone into my pocket at the same time Maggie left the store. "What'd you get?" I asked.

She showed me the plastic bag. "It was really nice for that shopper lady to bring bras and stuff, but…I can't wear that kind of underwear to school. They're too sexy." There was a package of Hanes panties. "Some stockings…" They were black and looked thick.

"Cool." I placed my arm around her. "You coulda told me—"

She shook her head. "Let's not talk about it anymore."

Taken aback, stared down to her.

Maggie grinned up at me. "It's silly."

"Okay." I was content to let the subject drop, but... "You wearin' fancy panties now…?"

She giggled. "I changed into normal ones before school."

On our way up to the suite, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. The closer we got to the room, the more relaxed I felt. I'd almost forgotten about the possibility of my parents being here.

Maggie kicked off her shoes, placed her bags down, and then looked to me for direction.

I found that to be funny.

Did she expect me to attack her? Be on her from jump?

Well…that's exactly what I wanted to do, but it's not what I did.

"Just relax." I walked past her to grab the phone. "And take off your clothes."

Her eyes widened. "I thought...you'd do that part."

I dialed zero, waiting for the operator. "Relax," I said again.

Maggie slowly undid her shirt buttons while I was connected to the concierge. From my conversation, Maggie understood my meaning. I wanted some laundry person to come up and grab her uniform. It'd be cleaned, ironed, and delivered before we'd leave in the morning.

In her underwear, Maggie ran into the back bathroom to get the bathrobe.

I followed to run the Jacuzzi. "After such a long day…" I trailed off when she leaned into me, the water nearly forgotten. "Damn, baby." In a simple white bra and cotton boy shorts, she looked absolutely gorgeous. "Look at you." I placed my hands on her hips and they roamed down to palm her ass.

Maggie wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer.

As soon as our lips touched, there was a knock.

I groaned into her mouth, quickly tangling our tongues, only to pull away. "Take a bath, relax." I did not want to let her go. It took everything I had to leave that bathroom, but I did it.

After gathering her uniform, I jogged to the door to hand them over. I tipped the dude well, telling him to just leave it on a rack in the hall—not wanting the disturbance.

Peeping Maggie in the tub, I ordered us a bunch of food, salads, cheeseburgers and fries, some champagne and strawberries for dessert. It wasn't too late just yet, and my stomach tied in knots with how much I wanted to join Maggie.

Again, I didn't.

Knowing the food would take at least fifteen minutes to arrive, I took a quick shower in the other bathroom.

I was actually just drying off when there was another knock.

In my towel, I grabbed the food cart and pushed it all the way into the bedroom.

Now that I'd showered, now that we're in our little slice of seclusion, I was very relaxed. Actually, I was kind of exhausted and hungry. But before I told Maggie about the food, I collapsed back onto the bed to cover my face with my forearms.

Today had to be the longest motherfucking day in the history of days…

But the end result made me smile.

"How long was I in there for?" Maggie asked.

I smiled wider, leaning up on my elbows to look at her. "Not long at all…I just move fast." I've always been that way. If there's shit to be done, I fucking do it as quickly as possible.

Maggie giggled while she dried her hair.

"Come here." I called her with my finger.

She and her happy face hopped onto the bed, landing on her knees next to me.

"Thank you…for being here." I grabbed her hand.

Maggie didn't answer me with words. She threw her leg over to straddle me, and I groaned—fucking ecstatic—my hands quick to hold her hips.

"Today was long," she whispered, her eyes on my chest.

I hummed, happily, loving her soft hands caressing my abs. "Yeah…too fucking long. I've waited for this…all day." My stomach was in knots again, this overwhelming sensation—one I could hardly explain—encompassing me. She was literally sitting on top of me, and yet I needed us to be closer somehow. I wanted to squeeze her, my hands and arms flexing. I wanted to kiss her, touch her…just be closer.

As she stared down at me, the butterflies ran amok, my body was tingling, like electricity flowing through me. This anticipatory feeling was too much and yet glorious at the same time.

"I missed you," I whispered.

She gulped and nodded, her eyes dancing around the room before coming back to me. "I…" Maggie was at a loss for words.

"Tell me." Trying to relax, to be nonchalant, my hands rubbed the outside of her thighs…which wasn't my best move. It did nothing to calm me down, my cock got even harder.

Her eyes met mine. "Like you said before…about me being on your mind all day. You were on mine…all day." Maggie bit her quivering lip.

"Are you upset?" That sobered me. "Hey." I palmed her cheek.

She shook her head rapidly. "I'm not sad or upset. No way." Maggie planted her hands down onto my chest, and they were warm—felt fantastic.

I eased back, trying to relax again. "Then…what's up? Are you hungry? I got us food." I jerked a thumb to the cart.

"I'm fine." She licked her lips. "I—I want, uh…I thought about you all day, but I've been dying to…since—" she wiggled her hips, and my dick loved that "—I'm fine, really."

I nodded, reaching up to place my hand on the back of her head, as I sat up a bit. "Kiss me."

Maggie knocked me back down, her lips smacking onto mine. She kissed me deep, and I tried my hardest to go slow—tried not to throw her down and get the party started.

I wanted to go at her pace.

And there was no way I'd deny her.

Not now. Not after the past fucking day. Not with how much I yearned to fuck her.

When Maggie leaned away, my hands followed to untie her robe and push it from her shoulders.

She let me do it. Her eyes never left mine—I felt them on me—but I gawked at her beautiful body. Her breasts were full, her nipples erect, and her flat stomach quivered with every choppy breath she took.

I stopped at her navel to lick my lips, my eyes riveted to hers. "God, you're breathtaking."

She turned her head to grin into her shoulder.

"Just stay here." I thought she was the prettiest sight I'd ever seen. I loved just having her sit on me. "Tomorrow, you're not working. I'll pick you up from school." I'd actually hopped up to palm her cheeks. "Let's just—" I nipped her lips "—see how long we can get away wit' it?" I was out of breath, and it wasn't because of exertion. It might be because of nerves—a little bit—but the rest was excitement. "I'll take you to and from school, every day."

Judging by Maggie's wide-eyed expression, she didn't expect that shit to come flying outta my mouth. "Um…"

"When your mom comes back, we'll think of something else." I shrugged, hugging her body tightly to mine.

Once again…The only thing separating us was the fucking towel wrapped around my waist, but she wasn't close enough. As sick and twisted as it sounds, I'd never wanted to consume somebody else before. If I wasn't scared I'd break her ribs, I'd squeeze the fuck out of her. "Maggie…" I was scaring myself here. "Uh, shit." My hands shook as I picked her up and brought her over to my side...I was afraid I'd ravage her, lose control, scare her, or be too rough.

Getting her farther away from me seemed like the smart thing to do.

"What's wrong?" She grabbed on to my forearms.

There was no way I could tell her all that shit. "Nothing."

Everything…

"I don't know how many times I can say I'm staying over with Kylie," she whispered. "I can't miss school. Every absence needs to be called in—"

"I'd take you and then pick you up." I scooted closer so our legs touched. "We'll take it day-by-day. You can even go home after school, see your dad a bit, do whatever. Then…I don't fucking know, but I want you here. With me." I pulled her to be on top of me again. "We'll make it work. If you don't wanna, hey, I get it. And there'd be no hard feelin's. You just gotta tell me. I mean, you know that you can leave whenever you want to. Right?"

She nodded.

"I don't want to pressure you either." I clamped my eyes closed, not wanting to say any more. "And it's not because of sex," I blurted as an afterthought. "I genuinely enjoy your company, and—"

Maggie cut me off with her lips, and then leaned back to smile.

"Thank you…for shutting me up." I threw myself down, feeling even more tired.

"We'll take it day-by-day," she said, her fingers trailing along my chest. "Can some of it be because of sex?"

My grin matched hers. "Most definitely… It's all about you." I cupped her face, drawing her closer. "All about you. Whatever you want, you tell me."

"I just want you," she said.

"I'm yours." I swallowed, our noses touching.

Our kiss went from slow to fast in a matter of seconds. A few moments after that, my hands started to roam, and our roles reversed.

Maggie was on her back while I quickly eased between her thighs.

Since it was tangled and awkward, I pulled the towel away before I sat back on my calves.

Maggie followed, her movements frantic, as she kissed me again. "I want you," she panted.

I agreed without sound, my lips trailing lower on her neck. "So fucking sexy," I breathed into her ear.

She shuddered, tilting her head to give me more, and I took advantage of that. Low on her neck and near her shoulder, I marked her. It's too early for labels and rings, but that shit was an indication Maggie was mine if anyone saw it.

She whimpered, pushing into my mouth, and I held her tighter—my fingers kneading into the flesh of her ass.

"Lie back." I bit her lip, sucking it into my mouth before bringing her down.

Her chest heaved as she stared up at me, and her feet came to rest on either side of me.

Maggie was completely exposed, looking overheated and fucking sexy…

I hissed at the sight as my hands glided up the insides of her thighs, adding some pressure to widen them. And I was back to that crazy place. My insides were going wild while I was trying to…go slow, and figure out what I was going to do next.

"Touch me." She moved her hips, seeking an impossible friction since our bottom halves weren't touching. "Santino, please." Impatient, she sat up to grab my cock, her touch too delicate again. But the sensation made my body jolt. And if it weren't for the fact that I'd come in her hand, I would have let her continue.

Without words, I nudged her back down to hover, wondering where I should start. I knew my eyes might look a little crazed, which would match how I felt.

"Can I lick you?" I palmed her breasts, squeezing once before I dove for them. I tweaked one with my fingers, suckling the other, while my cock rested against her heated pussy. She was soaked, judging by how I kept sliding. And although I wasn't inside her yet, that shit felt fantastic.

Maggie writhed below me while I picked up a slow rhythm, knowing the shaft of my dick was massaging her clit, teasing her hole. And my mouth hadn't relented in its assault on her tits.

When her legs wrapped around my waist and she pulled my hair, I groaned, scooting lower to eat—taste her pussy.

She stopped me, her hips still moving. "I want you inside me—to fuck me." Her nails dug into my shoulders, trying to pull me back up.

Crazed, I wanted that more than anything. "You want me to fuck you? You want my cock?" I went lower to search her eyes, and she nodded.

Faster than I thought possible, I dug a condom outta the nightstand, but I'd paused to show her the full box. I wasn't sure what garbage Damion or other family members had put into her head. But I hadn't fucked anyone since her on Halloween. I can't imagine how I could, or would have, when Maggie's been in every thought of every minute of every day since that night.

The thought of being with someone else never crossed my mind.

It has been all about her, all about this moment…

"I believe you." There was trepidation in her gaze, which made me wonder what she was apprehensive about.

Since there was no turning back—not if I had anything to say about it—I asked, "You okay?"

"I'm…more than okay. I just—" She groaned, pulling me down once more to kiss the fuck outta me. Maggie was like this little firebug filled with passion, and I dug that to no end. "I want you…bad."

"Me too, baby." I kissed down her neck, widening her thighs with my knees. "I can have you?"

"I'm yours, Santino. I want you to enjoy my body."

"Stop saying you're mine, or else." I tore the wrapper to roll the condom onto my cock.

Her eyes followed. "Or else?"

On my knees, I grabbed her waist to pull her even closer. Her thighs hugged my torso, and we were perfectly aligned. "I'll keep you." I hovered to kiss her deeply, our tongues tangling, exploring…a kiss so deep and sloppy, it was perfect, and never-ending.

Eventually, I came up for air, needing to see her face as I pushed forward. Her eyes widened when I entered her, only the tip of my dick inside of her. That was when I paused to make sure she was okay. The hard part happened on Halloween, but even with the absence of her cherry…she was too tight.

She drew in a deep breath when I finally exhaled. "I'm okay," she rasped, quick to clear her throat.

I nodded, holding my breath once more to get in deeper and deeper, until she finally sheathed me. "You sure?" I asked. Because, while her snug-as-fuck pussy felt fantastic, it slightly pained me. Pleasure and pain is always a unique—not necessarily bad—combination, one I was sure to enjoy. So, I wasn't sure what she'd be feeling. "Christ." I collapsed forward a bit, resting my forehead to hers. "You feel amazing, baby…so good." I peppered her face with kisses.

Every muscle in my crazed body was stiff from holding back.

Maggie caressed my cheek with the back of her hand. "You're inside me…and you don't feel close enough. I don't understand."

Elated, my heart the happiest it's ever been, I smiled. "I understand, uh, how you feel." I swallowed and nuzzled my nose to hers. "But I don't know what that means." A groan, almost a growl escaped me as my hands roamed up and down her sides. "My beautiful girl." I reached between us, refusing to move my hips as my finger made circles on her clit.

Maggie sighed, easing farther back, relaxing a bit, and widening her legs. "I'm not—not gonna break." Her hips moved, causing my cock to do deeper. "Fuck me like you would anyone else."

I withdrew my hand, leaning down, our chests nearly touching. "You're not…just anyone." It came out strained from holding myself back. "I, um, I might not last that long." That was the problem on Halloween, and it was OK because it was her first time. But she was almost as snug as the other night, only wetter—fucking soaked.

Maggie moaned, trying to move her hips again, but I had her pinned.

And I couldn't take it anymore.

That moan…

Her body…

"Fuck, baby." I grabbed her hands and held them above her head, pulling my hips back and thrusting forward with force.

She gasped but I covered her mouth with my own, kissing her furiously. Her thighs hugged my torso even tighter as I slowed a bit.

"Still—Still OK?" I groaned out.

"Yes," she mewled with her eyes closed, her hips moving, slightly meeting my careful strokes. "You-you can go faster. Hmm, my God." She gasped for air, her hands moving within my own. "Can, can I-I touch you?"

I let go; she ran her hands up my chest, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.

Holding the outside of her thigh, I brought her leg up to hitch it around my waist—get in there better, deeper, hit it harder. "Fuck—" My hands roamed down to grasp her ass, to get as deep as I could. I'd come all the way out, just to slam back into her without much force.

By now, it was killing me to go this slow, this easy.

Every cell in my body was screaming to go faster, fuck her harder. With my insides still going wild, I fought hard to restrain myself. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt her, or…finish too soon.

When I felt the fire pooling in my gut, I paused to kiss her, and we both moaned into the kiss. "Santino…my God." We shared the same breaths as we stared intently into each other's eyes and I started to move again.

Our bodies rocked together, slow and steady, my hands resting on her head.

The way she looked at me…

I couldn't tear my eyes away.

And how I felt—how good she felt to me—this was probably the most erotic moment of my life.

Everything I felt…

I couldn't even begin to describe many of the emotions going through me.

And just how fucking special this was.

"Harder," she moaned, biting my lower lip.

That move sent me into overdrive, and my thrusts grew more vigorous with each buck of my hips. Now our chests were touching, and I was as close as I could be, only moving my hips, unwilling to move an inch away.

How was it that she still wasn't close enough?

Maggie's touch became more aggressive, more needy. And I gave her more. I moved faster, giving her every inch of unrelenting cock I had, hugging her the tightest I could as we kissed.

I tore my mouth away to catch my breath, resting my head in the crook of her neck as I continued to fuck her.

When she stiffened and tightened around me, I fucked her even faster, enjoying the feeling to no end—picking up more speed while she came, shouting my name.

And I followed right after, slamming into her hard, my cock going as deep it could. "Fuck…hmmm." I kissed her shoulder, making a trail up her neck and to her mouth, all while I tried to catch my breath, tried to keep my weight off her. "Baby, that was…" I had no words to describe that shit.

Maggie hummed, still panting but wearing a glorious smile.

"Beautiful," I murmured.

She palmed my cheeks, drawing my lips down to hers to kiss me passionately. "Now…I'm hungry." Maggie let out this little giggle, her eyes on mine.

"Sorry that…it was so short." I nuzzled my nose to hers, knowing we'd work on that. She won't be as tight, more like a perfect fit for my cock, the next time we fuck.

She smiled wider. "We can…again."

"Until I get it right?" I teased.

"It was perfect, but if you feel that way—" she giggled "—we can keep at it."

"That was my plan." I stared into her beautiful eyes, wondering how I got this lucky, wondering why fate, or karma, had given me such a precious gift.

But I knew one thing for sure.

If love was this crazy leap of faith…

I was ready to jump!

The End

Well, it's not really the end. LOL. To continue, you can always read and/or re-read Riders on the Storm from CH20 and on for the rest of Santino and Maggie's story :-)

Thank you for reading.

I hope youse enjoyed this! I had a fun time writing...as this was something I felt strongly about fleshing out. We got to see everyone fall in love...except Sonny & Maggie.

Please leave me your thoughts.

Next on the agenda is wrapping up that chunk of Edward/Skip POV for "After the Storm," which should post soon. As far as the rest of my WIPs, please stay tuned. Again, I plan on completing each and every one of my stories.

And thank you for your patience.

Thank you for reading!