part0023

Jessica was sitting alone in the living room, enjoying a burger with fries, watching one of her favorite TV shows. The TV was on, but her mind was roaming. A miracle that a man she felt closer was a man she'd never expect him to be. She picked up a fry, twisting it around, before eating it. She was more excited she'd meet Francesco than other times.

This time, they were going to stay at one of the top hotels in the city. The two had been going out for a few weeks, sometimes spending almost their entire nights out in hotel rooms. Before daybreak, they would sneak home. The two were forced to keep their relationship hidden and only Jessica's grandmother knew. Every time Francesco and Jessica met, it was more thrilling than the previous. Every time she looked into his eyes, she saw a man who completed her.

No one was at home at the Lombardi Mansion beside the groundskeepers. Giovanni woke Jessica up early before leaving. A few weeks ago, she would have lashed out at him for ruining her precious sleep. Lately, she's been able to sleep well. At the beginning of her day, she starts off jogging and then after breakfast, looks over her lawyer notes. She often daydreams about Francesco while studying but around this midday, she's interrupted by the phone, ringing. Skipping from joy to it, she answers.

"Francesco! Hi. How are you?"

"I need to see you."

"Yes! I miss you so much."

"You couldn't wait until evening, huh?"

"No, I can't. I need you to come meet me right away. Are you busy?"

"No, I'm not. I'll get ready and come. You sure you're alright?"

"Yes, sweetheart. I am. I'll be waiting."

Jessica hung up excited, but she felt a slight pain in her calf; a cramp which clawed its way from the calf to her thigh that made her groan. She moved her leg around, before limping her way to her room.

After feeling better and getting dressed, Jessica called for a taxi to take her to the Plaza Hotel, their usual meeting spot for lunch. She waited in the lobby of the Plaza Hotel, donning her sunglasses and fixing herself in the mirror before proceeding to the reception. A young woman, with black hair, greeted Jessica.

"Hello Miss, how may I help you?"

"I have someone here I'm meeting."

"Can I have a name please?"

"Of course, it's Timothy Barn."

"Thank you." "You're welcome. Enjoy your stay."

Jessica went to the elevators and pressed up. It was a shame they had to use an alias to see one another but Jessica knew if her father found out, the city would turn to a cemetery.

Jessica tapped on the door and Francesco opened it, only wearing a pair of boxers. His abs turned Jessica on. She jumped into his arms, embracing and kissing him. "I missed you, honey," Jessica said before kissing Francesco again. "I missed you, too" He held her tightly but it seemed insincere.

Jessica walked inside, heading for the minibar, pouring herself a gin. She sat on a leather couch across the king-size bed. "Is everything alright?" Francesco was pondering what to say. She never saw him look so worried but waited for him to answer.

"Yeah, everything's fine." Jessica put her drink on the table and walked over, slowly removing her clothes. She wanted Francesco to take her again like he had done every time they met. "I don't think you are telling me something, Francesco? Should I be worried?" She wrapped her arms around him, kissing him softly on the neck.

"No, everything's fine, really.”

Jessica placed her hands on his face and stared deeply into his eyes.

"You know you can trust me."

"Then what's wrong?"

"Business bullshit."

"Business bullshit that has you agitated."

"What happened now, baby?"

"There's nothing you can say that will change how I feel."

"I love you, Francesco if you wanted to know.”

That was the first time Jessica said 'I love you'. Francesco was shocked. He never heard a woman tell him this before. The murder he committed today, the detective's warning and now Jessica's love had him confused. Francesco smiled for the first time all day.

"I love you too, Jess."

"Then what is it, sweetheart?"

"I killed somebody today."

"It's not the first time."

"No, but today it was wrong."

"Then how come you're sad?"

"I ruined our families by doing so."

Jessica stepped back and sat over on the dark leather couch. "Come here, Francesco, tell me what happened." Francesco came over, passing his hand through her hair.

"I killed Andrea Saltinotti."

"My brother was there to meet him this morning."

"I saw Giovanni as he was leaving.”

"It was just Andrea and a few men."

"What’s the problem, then?”

"There was a witness."

"An FBI agent came to Castello earlier and told me."

"They have nothing, Jess but they know everything."

"If he has nothing, there’s nothing to worry about."

"They'll figure it out eventually."

"We can worry about that later."

Jessica got on Francesco's lap and faced him. She leaned in and kissed, with her soft hands moving up and down his chest. The kiss and her hands were fading his worries away slowly. They kept kissing, with each kiss following another a brief conversation. "Have you ever thought of leaving everything behind?" Jessica paused as she kissed his lips.

"Every time." he groaned returning.

"Why don't we just go then?" Jessica said making a trail of kisses from his ear down to his neck.

"I can't. Not yet" Francesco moaned softly, pulling Jessica closer. Their bodies were grazing. "

When this is all over?" she kept kissing down his chest.

"When the job is done, yes."

Francesco lifted her and carried her to the bed. As Jessica lied back, she pulls off her dress.

They spent the rest of the afternoon making out. Nothing else was on their minds as their worlds kept spinning. The time only stopped for them.

Later, they spent the evening in bed, with Jessica sleeping on Francesco's chest while Francesco was watching TV. The news coverage of the Saltinotti murder was brief and he was glad. The bad boy Lombardi felt mighty having Jessica under his arm and for the first time in his life, it felt a different kind of love; one that was magnetizing him.

Francesco turned off the TV set and within minutes, their snores echoed the silence of the large hotel room.

The next morning, Francesco woke up first and headed for the shower, trying not to wake Jess. He called for room service and ordered breakfast. Jessica woke up from the sound of the door opening. "Yes, thank you very much. Here's something for you." Francesco closed it, bringing inside a tray.

Jessica sat up half-naked and went to Francesco smiling. "Good morning, sweetheart." She kissed him before heading to the bathroom. "Good morning," he said putting the tray down. After Jess showered, they had breakfast together. Jessica took a sip of coffee, putting her legs on Francesco's lap.

"What will we do today?"

"It's been a while since we went to Castello."

"Indeed! I'd love to have an afternoon gin."

"You are an alcoholic, you know that?"

"Says that guy who drinks nonstop at 11 AM!"

"That was a long time ago."

"It wasn't that long ago."

"And I'm sure you'd go drinking right now if you weren't with me."

"I love my wine, okay?"

"And I love gin," Jessica said smirking, looking into Francesco's eyes. She couldn't take them off of him. She moved her legs, pushing Francesco's legs playfully, but then felt another cramp, making her grunt. "What's wrong?" "I got a cramp," she said moving her legs about, trying to find a spot that wouldn't hurt. "Where does it hurt, baby?" Francesco moved his hands from Jessica's calf to her thighs. "Right there." Jessica pointed and Francesco started massaging that area, slowly. Jessica put her cup of coffee on the table, enjoying Francesco's arm massaging the area causing her pain to turn to enjoyment.

Francesco kept stroking while leaning in for a kiss every few seconds. "I guess we have a little bit of time left before we leave." "I think so." Jessica moaned with pleasure as his hands went further up.

They spent two more hours making out then hastily got dressed and left; leaving their breakfast on the table untouched. Francesco and Jessica walked arm in arm through the hotel lobby, giggling. "So, 6 PM at the Castello?" "Sounds good." Francesco grabbed Jessica and kissed her goodbye until her taxi arrived.