He's Fire and She's Playing with It - Mafia Version

Chapter 2: Control

The customer's cart touched the ladder, which shook. That was all it needed for the top cap to crack under Ally's weight and the slight movement was all she needed to lose her balance.

Leo caught her and almost lost his own balance when she fell into his arms.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

She was embarrassed, her face red and hot, and he wanted to make something else red and hot for not listening to him.

He nodded and put her down while the customer profundly apologised.

"It's okay", Ally said and smiled at them. "It's my fault for standing on the top cap when it's not meant to hold your weight."

After a few more apologies and more reassurance from Ally the customer reluctantly left. She turned to Leo.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay?" she repeated.

Without thinking he grabbed her chin and turned it up to him, so that she was forced to look him in the eye.

"I told you to get down."

She didn't take a step back, instead her eyes met his, a defiant look in them.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you and that you had to catch me. I'm thankful that you did and I'm grateful that you held the ladder, but you can't give me orders."

He liked that she spit back. She clearly had a bratty attitude and he wanted to see how far he could push before she gave it up.

"You knew that it was dangerous being up there."

He still hadn't let go and she wasn't going to move. This was a stare down.

"I knew there was a risk I'd fall, but you think this was the first time? I was in control."

His grip tightened.

"It didn't seem like you were."

She moved her head, as to loosen his grip, but he just turned her chin back to him.

"So, what if I'd hit the floor? I could've landed badly, sure, and that would've been my fault. Why do you care?"

He let go of her chin and she stepped back.

"Because you shouldn't have put yourself in danger. What if you'd hurt someone else?"

For the first time she felt guilty. It was written all over her face, the insecurity hiding just below the surface. She took a deep breath.

"I didn't think about that."

Someone cleared their throat behind his back.

"Maybe you should've. What's your name?"

She threw her hair over her shoulder.

"Ally."

He wanted to grab it, pull her close, and then drag her with him to a secluded place.

"Leo."

She smiled sweetly. He couldn't help but return it and there it was, the stroke of control in her smile. She was challenging him and he liked it.

Ally.

He turned to the customer.

∞

Ally made her way down the stairs. She had changed from her uniform into black jeans, a tank top, and a faux leather jacket. Leo was leaning against an arch that she had to walk through to get to the exit.

"Hello", she said and intended to pass him

His arm shot out, blocking the way.

"Where are you going?"

She grabbed his arm and forced it down. He could've kept it up if he wanted, they both knew it, but he decided not to.

"Home. I don't have activities planned after a ten-hour shift. Why?"

She moved her weight to one leg.

"Do you want to go out for a drink?"

She didn't really have to think it over. She wanted to get to know him, explore the weird chemistry between them, and try it out.

"You have a car?" He nodded. "Drive home and leave it there and meet me in the central, or follow me and we'll have a drink at mine."

He smiled.

"At yours it is."

She could feel the nervousness building up in her stomach. This was what she wanted, but what if they wouldn't have anything to talk about? What if he didn't want to talk? What if she didn't want to?