The Vipers Temptation | Completed (edited)

Chapter 5 - Make Believe

I opened my eyes only to quickly shut them. Whoa, my eyes hurt. Actually, my whole head hurts. What happened?

Let's try this again. I slowly reopen my eyes and blink a few times to clear my hazy mind. Hesitantly, I peel back my covers while getting out of bed. Now, let's see if I can make it to the bathroom. Taking one step at a time, I finally make it, and I almost feel like jumping for joy over making it a lousy five feet. I just finish getting ready when my stomach decides to appear. I guess someone's hungry. I'm weird-don't judge.

At a snail's pace, I make my way out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen. Almost there. At the sound of a loud groan, I jump about ten feet in the air as my heart skyrockets. I swear I'm having a mini heart attack. I peek over to the sound and notice Nico lying on his side with a peaceful, sleepy expression and a little bit of drool on the corner of his mouthwatering lips. Dare I say he looks adorable? That's it, I've lost my mind. I think a drooling Italian god is adorable and insanely sexy. But as impressive as this sight is, I wanna know why he is sleeping and drooling all over my living room sofa!

"Nico?" I whisper, hoping to wake him up. I gently shake him but he still doesn't wake up. "Nico," I speak a little louder, but there is still no movement. That's it. This time, I get behind the couch and yell in his ear. "Nico!" While pushing him off the couch.

That does the trick because he springs up, alert as soon as his body hits the floor. "What are you doing in my apartment?" I demand.

"Fuck! You sure know how to give a man a heart attack!" I can't help but laugh as I turn around and go to the kitchen. I'm still hungry.

"You still haven't answered my question." I point out while grabbing and filling up a glass of water. I chug it down while watching him from the corner of my eye. He looks confused.

"You don't remember last night?" He asks hesitantly.

"Not really. I remember going to that club and then drinking and then...nothing." I shrug, then freeze and slowly turned towards him. "Why? Did we...we didn't...you know?"

"What? No! I wouldn't need to get you drunk for us to have sex." He smirks.

"Keep dreaming, buddy. But seriously, what happened last night?"

"You really don't remember?" He questions.

"If I did, I wouldn't be asking." I snap.

"Okay, okay." He holds up his hands in surrender, then takes a deep breath before continuing. "So, I showed up at the club last night and saw you dancing on top of the bar. I helped you down, then brought you home."

"That's it?" I ask.

"Yes."

"Then what happened to my face?"

He scratches at his beard. "Oh...that...um, you kind of got into a fight."

"With whom?" I wonder.

"Some girl, you're a very violent drunk." He comments while rubbing his cheek.

"And you stayed in my apartment because..."

"I wanted to make sure you were okay and didn't die in your sleep."

"Okay, well, thanks."

"No problem. So you really don't remember anything about last night?" He stares into my eyes, searching for something.

"No," I reply.

"Okay." He sighs. "I have to get going. See you around."

When I hear the door shut, I take off running to my phone on the nightstand beside the couch. Grasping it firmly, I dial the number I know all too well. It keeps ringing and ringing, my stomach in knots from the anticipation.

"Come on, T," I mumble nervously.

Before she can pick up, my phone is snatched from my hand and shut off. I turn to find amused-looking Nico.

"Why are you calling Tamara?" He raises his eyebrows.

"Uh, no reason." I rush out while backing away.

"I can't tell if that was a very stupid or brilliant decision. You could have called the police, but instead, you called your best friend. Why is that?" He looks intrigued.

"W-why would I-I call the p-police?" I question nervously.

"Oh, drop the act, giggles. We both know you remember last night. But I have to say, for a moment there, I honestly believed you didn't. Did you take acting classes?"

"Get away from me," I warn while backing up, which only causes him to step closer. We play this cat-and-mouse game until my back hits the wall.

"Oh, Callie, you know I can't do that." He presses his firm body against mine and stares intently into my eyes.

"I promise I won't tell anyone anything as long as you let me go." I plead.

"You see, you lost my trust when you pulled that little phone stunt. So until I can trust you, I'll be close by." He leans in closer, putting his arms on either side of my head. "Very close by."

At this distance, our breathing is mixed, and I can't help but stare at his delectable lips and wonder what they would taste like.

"This could have all been avoided if you had just listened to me." His words shatter my lustful haze, and I snap my eyes up to his. Is he serious?

"Or maybe if you weren't part of some crazy gang shit or whatever the hell that was about!" I shout, then add sarcastically, "Bossman." My eyes taunt him.

"It's actually the Mafia, babe. And you actually interrupted some business." Is he serious? Mafia? Interrupted business? This isn't happening.

"Mafia...as in like 'The Mafia,' Mafia?"

"Yes, as in the Italian Mafia."

"Where you kill people and sell drugs and shit?"

He stares at me momentarily, almost as if to see if I was being serious. "You watch way too many shows." I think I'm going to pass out...again.

"So why?"

He looks confused. "Why what?"

"Why get involved in my life? Why bother helping me with the hand, or at the bar or in that room? Why?" I just stare into his eyes. "Why?" I whisper.

He looks like he's contemplating something before whatever it is is gone. "I don't know," He whispers so quietly I barely hear it. "I know that I almost lost you last night. And I would have regretted something."

"What?" He stares into my eyes briefly before his eyes flicker down to my lips.

"This." That is all he says before he slams his lips onto mine. Oh god, why did it taste like heaven?