That's Amore

Tyler didn’t make it back on the ice for the rest of the season and despite the Stars best efforts, they were eliminated by the Blues in the second round. With the Dallas season officially over, Tyler had to decide what he was going to do with his summer. On the one hand, he knew he should stay in his adopted home city to be close to his doctors. On the other hand, he wanted to be home, in Canada. And yet, he also wanted to be close to Mariella in New York.

That frustrated him more than anything, his urge to be near her. There was no reason for him to be drawn to her; he had a full and complete life in Dallas, which included plenty of woman to satisfy him. What was it about this one? Sure, he would admit she was sexy, one of the most beautiful women he had ever been with, but she was still just a woman. Maybe she made him laugh a little more than the others, maybe she was a little smarter, a little more successful, a little sassier, but still, she was just another woman. Or at least she should have been.

Instead, she had become one of his closest friends. The first person he texted when Jamie said something hilarious or he saw a really good movie. He thought of her when he was out having fun, wishing she was there with him. And of course, he thought of her when he was alone, late at night, hard and lonely and jerking off to memories of the short intervals of time they spent together.

In mid June, he was on the mend and finally decided he had had enough of Dallas, for a little while at least. Two days later, with his doctor’s blessing, he hopped on a plane and then eventually hailed a cab towards the upper east side.

Mariella’s apartment building was typical of ritzy New York, a pale brick, towering structure with green awnings and doorman in a stiff uniform who eyed up Tyler like he was a common thug. He couldn’t really blame him, since he was casual in jeans and t-shirt, his tattoos brazenly on display. He wasn’t stopped though and he took the elevator to the twentieth floor, then ringing the doorbell to her apartment.

A man answered. Actually, not just a man, a veritable giant, one who dwarfed the tall Seguin in both height and width. And he did not look pleased to see Tyler standing there, but said nothing, only stared.

Tyler’s body flushed with hypocritical anger. How many other women had he had since he met Mariella? How many times had he gone out specifically looking for sex? How many times had she reminded him that he had every right to do so? And yet, there he stood seething over the fact that she had a man in her apartment. He swallowed down the feeling and finally spoke.

“Um…is Mariella home?”

The man in the door just glared at him, until another man stepped into view, pulling the door open wider so both of them could fill the frame with their bulk. The second man was just as broad and only slightly shorter. They were clearly related, as evidence by their matching and misshapen noses, wide cheekbones and narrow, dark eyes. Normally Tyler wasn’t easily put off by men, but these two seemed to positively exude violence. Maybe he wouldn’t push his luck any further.

Under the surveillance of both of them now, Tyler buckled only slightly, thinking he definitely should have called first. “I should have called first. I’ll come back.”

The shorter of the two yelled into the apartment. “Mariella, c'è qualche ragazzo bianco qui per vederla.”

Tyler heard her voice and almost sighed at the sound. “Che cosa? Chi?”

They didn’t answer her, but the two men stepped aside and let him enter, eyeing him closely. Tyler hardly had time to take in the sight of her place when she came down the hall, grinning with surprise, but also delight.

“Tyler, darling. What are you doing here?”

She moved to kiss him, but he offered her his cheek instead, looking uncomfortable under the still intense gaze of the other two men. Marilla laughed and patted his chest as she pecked his cheek.

“Tyler, these are two of my brothers, Marzio and Marsalis. Fratelli, this is Tyler, a friend from Dallas.”

Tyler let out a relieved breath at learning these were not in fact her lovers after all and then gave them a wave that they did not return. Mariella sighed, giving her brothers a harsh look. She addressed them in Italian and although Tyler didn’t understand a word, he got that she was pissed.

“Perché si deve agire in questo modo? Eh? Se solo non avevo fratelli.”

The bigger of the two bit back a retort that was returned in kind by Mariella. The little one, by comparison only, also chimed in, his voice soft, but somehow more brooding. Finally she waved them both off with a sweeping hand. “Aye, enough, addio. I will see you tonight.” This was followed by her pushing them out the door and locking it behind them.

She smiled and came forward to wrap her arms around Tyler’s neck. “Alone at last. What brings you to New York?”

“Do you really need to ask?”

He loved making her preen as she did now, glowing under his teasing. “My own sweet darling. Was it only me that brought you here?”

He raised his eyebrows and smiled. “Well, it wasn’t your brothers.”

Mariella tisked and now made a serious face at him. “I’m sorry about them. I’m the youngest of six, their only sister. They get protective.”

Tyler’s eyes went wide. “You have three more of those?”

“Oh, yes, indeed. You met Marzio and Marsalis, but there is also Marcello, Marciano, and Marino.”

Tyler had to grin at their matching names, it was just too adorable. “And then little Mariella.”

She joined him in laughter. “You can see my parents had a sense of humor. They are Mario and Mara.”

“They all live in New York?”

“My brothers yes, my parents retired in Tuscany.”

“Hmm.” Tyler did want to hear more about her family, honestly, but it had just been so long since he had seen her and she looked just too damn good. He pulled her close, sneaking his hands under the hem of her flowery dress and groaning.

He went to kiss her, but she asked, “How many girls this week, Tyler?”

Internally he bristled at the reminder of the state of his love life in Dallas, almost embarrassed, but externally he just smiled. “None, I swear.”

Mariella grinned. “Good boy. Then you can kiss me.”

He did then and for some reason, it made him weak in the knees. She tasted sweet and familiar, like a favorite dessert he had forgotten how much he enjoyed until he had it again. She moaned between their lips and he smiled, going deeper and holding her body against his.

He kissed her a while more with steadily increasing need and then said, “Show me your apartment.”

“The bedroom, you mean?”

Tyler laughed as he told her, “No, the whole thing.”

She pulled away from him smiling and holding her arms out. “Living room.” She waved a hand towards the front of the space that featured floor to ceiling windows and a balcony with a glass door. “Windows, et cetera.” She walked around her coffee table, her back to Tyler as she reached around to unzip her dress. She threw him a smile over one shoulder as he trailed along after her.

She tugged the dress down her body and off, turning to face Tyler in her black bra and panties as she walked backwards through her home in her bare feet. She waved her hand again. “Kitchen.”

Tyler glanced at the space before he peeled off his shirt, letting it drop to the floor between the living room and kitchen area, his eyes never leaving hers. Mariella kept moving backwards, now removing her bra and letting it fall as she moved down the hallway.

As they moved by an open door she said, “My office.”

Tyler didn’t even look in the room she indicated, but simply undid his belt and let it fall. They passed another room and she said, “Spare bedroom.” She paused only slightly to shed her panties and continued her tour naked, Tyler maintained his few feet of distance as his jeans hit the floor. “Library.”

She nudged open a door with her backside and stepped in, explaining to the now naked Tyler, “Master bedroom.”

Tyler didn’t look around this space either, he only had eyes for her and all that luscious brown skin and dark hair falling around her face. “Beautiful.”

“Thank you. I decorated it myself.”

His hands were on her hips, pushing her onto the bed. “I was talking about you.”

Mariella gasped happily and said, “Charming man.”

“I call it like I see it.” She was reclined on the bed and Tyler knelt between her thighs, running a hand down her chest between her breasts. “God…Ella. When are you moving to Dallas?” He meant it as a joke, but his tone came out demanding.

She laughed only slightly, far too busy remembering how to breath under his gaze and touch. “Never. I love New York too much.”

His fingers trailed down her stomach and then threaded through the black curls on her mound. Mariella let her head fall back, closing her eyes and thrusting her hips up towards his touch gently.

Tyler bent to kiss one breast, his hand between her thighs now sinking lower to delicately stroke her slick lips. He always answered her questions about his other women, but he never asked what she was up to, probably because that hypermasculine part of him didn’t even want to know. But today, for some reason, his curiosity overpowered him and he asked, “How many men this week, Ella?”

She opened her eyes and watched him intently as he continued to lick along her breasts and slowly play with her pussy. She answered, “I’m not you, Tyler.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

Mariella sat up, pulling her hips back and away from his hand. Tyler sat back on his heels and stared at her. She told him, “I’m seeing someone, it’s not serious. He left for Barbados on Monday and that was the last time we were together. So, just one man. He’s the only person I’ve been with since I left my husband, besides you, of course.”

Tyler felt like the earth had fallen away from underneath him. His body felt tense, but out of control as if in a free fall. He reminded himself again that he had no right to feel this way. The questions of his heart repeated themselves: How many other women had he had since he met Mariella? How many times had he gone out specifically looking for sex? How many times had she reminded him that he had every right to do so?

And yet…for some reason, the fact that she only had one other lover seemed like more of a betrayal than his many. Those other girls, while plentiful in number, meant nothing to him, less than nothing in many cases. The only one who he truly cared for was her, his Ella. But her having one lover wounded him deeply. She could easily care about him as she did for him. She could end things with Tyler to be with him, whoever he was. This one man was more dangerous than a million casual lovers because he was here in New York with her, he was the only one she felt comfortable enough to give herself to, he could mean something to her.

Mariella crossed her legs and pulled a pillow onto her lap to hide her body from him as he continued to stare at her, saying nothing, the silliness of five minutes ago long gone now.

“You should leave.”

Now he spoke in response to that directive. “No. I’m not leaving.”

She smiled sweetly. “I didn’t mean it unkindly, darling. I meant that it’s only fair that should I afford you the same courtesy that I ask for. Had I known you were coming, I wouldn’t have been with him this week.”

“Do you mean that?”

“Yes, but why are you so upset? We both know -”

“I know.”

Tyler didn’t need anymore reminders of who he was or how he chose to live his life. He didn’t feel guilty exactly, but perhaps only a little uncomfortable with the reality of it at that moment.

“Who is he?”

“He’s a junior partner at a lawfirm that my office uses when necessary. He’s not my boyfriend and he never will be. We used to flirt harmlessly when I was married and after I left my husband he asked me to dinner.”

“What does he mean to you?”

Mariella didn’t need to consider the question and only smiled as she answered, “Nothing and I am nothing to him. He’s just a man who makes me feel good when I’m lonely, just as I do for him.”

Tyler’s brown eyes were soulful and heavy when he asked, “Like me?”

Tossing the pillow back behind her, Mariella came to her knees and pulled Tyler closer for a kiss. Telling him between presses of her lips to his, “No, my darling. You are my friend.” She held his face and met his gaze. “If you never wanted to have sex again I would still call you every week, still respond to every silly email you send me. I like your company, not just the pleasure you give me.”

Tyler smiled now, reaching around to grab her ass with both hands. It was just what he wanted to hear. She grinned back and asked, “So, you’re not leaving?”

“No. I’m gonna fuck you until you can’t stand.”

“Mmm…a delightful idea.”

They had been silly and then serious and now it was time for sensuality. His hands left her ass, grasping her thighs as his chest pressed against hers, forcing her back against the bed as he laid down flat on top of her, her legs freeing themselves from being tangled with his to wrap around his back.

Their bodies always fit together so well, her tall, slender form perfectly nestled against his muscular broadness. And there was a heat to her skin that no one else possessed. She burned so hot, even when unaroused that merely touching her hand could make him sweat. Underneath him now, all her exposed skin pressed to his, the smouldering increased even more and made him pant in an attempt to cool himself.

He was sweating already, just kissing her and rutting his hips with hers, his cock a heavy, throbbing force against her thighs and stomach. Mariella stroked his arms and turned her head so his kiss trailed off down her neck, smiling in contentment. She had actually seen the relief on his face when she had told him he was different from her other lover and it warmed her in a way few things could have. She didn’t want to hurt him, even if they weren’t a couple. He was something very special to her and he deserved so much.

As he licked along her earlobe and she turned to kiss his neck, tasting his sweaty skin with her open mouth. Tyler groaned and she sucked a bit of flesh between her teeth. He then pressed up on his hands, separating her mouth from him and his from her as he suddenly thrust between her legs.

Mariella emitted a surprised moan and then met his grin with one of her own. Tyler pumped slowly, wanting to drag it out, wishing he could keep this up all day without coming, anything to be able to see her face go slack with pleasure and her tongue lazily lick her lips as she did now.

He staying planked over her, fucking her until her eyes closed and she was moaning with every exhale. He sped up only slightly, making short, hard thrusts against her g-spot as she went silent, mouth agape, nails digging into his sides as she held on. When she came, it almost hurt, for both of them. She was tight and greedy around his cock, her walls swollen and throbbing as blood pumped through her body and pooled between her thighs.

He hadn’t allowed himself to release, because he needed just a little more time like this, where everything was just right. Mariella laid there drawing deep breaths as he continued. Strength returned, she came up on her elbows and kissed the inside of his elbow and then the soft, sweaty skin right above it. Her mouth moved along his beautifully tattooed arm, her tongue tracing the patterns of his art.

This was more than he could handle and he groaned deeply, about to lose control. He shifted, grabbed her hands in his and pinned them to the mattress as he pushed her flattened beneath him. His display of strength and aggression made Mariella gasp and smile up at him.

But of course, she had to tease him a little. “That’s right, Tyler, show me how much of a fucking man you are.”

“Careful what you ask for, baby.”

She opened her mouth to respond, but only a moan came out as he pressed in deep, jerking his hips frantically and making her feel as though she might rip in half from the pure and brute force of it.

She spread her knees wider, opening up and then thrusting her hips to meet him stroke for stroke. He moaned her name in appreciation, his hold on her hands tightening as he leveraged himself against her body.

When she convulsted around him, Tyler stilled, letting go with a shout in his throat that he quickly silenced by kissing her breathless. He only released her hands when he let his weight rest on top of her and he used his hands to caress her neck as he kissed her.

He eventually made his way to his side, resting his chin on her shoulder and nuzzling her cheek. She patted his head and let out a slow breath as she recovered. She turned to face him.

“Can you stay for a while?”

There was nothing to make him leave and everything in this bed that made him want to stay. “Yes, for a while. What are you doing tonight? You mentioned you were seeing your brothers, right?”

“Yes. We’re celebrating my divorce being finalized.”

Tyler sat up, grinning uncontrollably. “You didn’t tell me.”

“I just got the final order this morning. I had planned to call you this afternoon, but then you showed up on my doorstep.”

“This is…great.”

Mariella shrugged and then snuggled her hands under the pillow. “I suppose, although a marriage ending is never a joyous occasion and it really has no bearing on what you and I have together, but…I suffered through several very hard years with him. I am happy to see the end come. It was long overdue”

She was right, her divorce should have not meant anything for them, really. However, he couldn’t help but feel that things were different now. He wasn’t even sure he wanted a relationship with this woman, but knowing that if he did she was now free to be in one made him feel relieved and confident.

He asked, “What do the Bellatonis have planned to mark the occasion?”

“Because they are men and don’t know what else to do with me, the boys are taking me to a strip club, actually. A place I know you’re intimately familiar with.”

“Hmm, I am.” He leaned down to kiss her again, cupping a breast with one hand. “I should come with you guys, make sure you enjoying it properly.”

“Good idea. Sure you can handle all six of us at once? They won’t be nice to you, I can promise you that much.”

“I can handle them. Can you handle me?”

Mariella bit his bottom lip and reach down to fondle his spent and wilted cock. “I’m quite certain I’m an expert at handling you, Tyler. Don’t you think?”

He grunted and nodded. “Yes…yes you are. Then I can come?”

“You can make me come a few more times, then I’ll agree to let you come.”

Tyler rolled his eyes playfully, but started kissing her neck again. “Fine, if that’s what it takes…”

Mariella sighed. “Thank you for coming to see me.”

“My dear, there is no place I’d rather be.” And he meant it.

Notes