His Name- Luciano

-Mina-

I almost choked when I turned to find the same man from the other night sitting there, eating. So, is Luciano his name? I turned back to face Corey. “Please tell me you didn’t tell him I was coming?” Corey’s smile faded, “Do we have a problem? I can kick him ou-” before he continued the man, Luciano approached. “No, I won’t be long. Just wanted to thank her for helping me the other night.” Corey looked at me, then back at him. “Um. Okay? I’ll leave you alone then.”

I felt my cheeks burning. “How are you feeling?” I asked, glancing towards his side. He grinned and sat beside me. “I feel fine, thanks to you. But for real, thank you. I shouldn’t have done that to you, but desperate times, I guess.” I cut my head towards him meeting his eyes, “desperate times? You-” lowering my voice, “held a gun at me when I tried to get you actual help.” He stood, and I followed his motion. Standing to face him. “The least you could do is ask without the gun next time.”

I let it slip right out of my mouth without thinking. There was that burning feeling again in my face. He smiled, “I’ll keep that in mind next time they try to kill me.” He brushed a loose piece of hair out of my face, “Thank you, Mina. I will see you around, yeah?” When he touched me, a feeling I haven’t felt before rushed through my body. Almost like a craving. Why am I thinking about this, about him? My cheeks must have turned red again because he leaned over and whispered in my ear, “I owe you one.” With a wink, he walked out of the bar. I don’t know what just happened, or how long I stood there staring at the door. Corey walked up without me noticing, “hey, are you okay?” he asked as he rested his hand on my shoulder. I nodded.

“Yeah, just an old customer. Took me by surprise, actually.” I turned and walked with him back to the bar and finished my drink. We talked for a bit about what I was going to do for the day. Replying with, “I just needed to sleep, spend time with Spot, and figure out who would be the new cook.” That brought a new look to his face. “Did someone steal or something?” I laughed and shook my head. “No, I was hoping you would be the top man, my manager, actually.”

I saw a smile stretch across his face so big it looked painful. “Oh Mina, I wanted to talk to you since I knew you needed one but was wai-” raising my hand. “I know, I heard y’all talking. Thanks for the respect but dude, speak up, will you?” We laughed as I finished my beer. He offered me another, “Nah, I got to get stuff handled and make use of this day. Oh, the new closing time is one, allowing everyone to leave together.” I tried not to hint at anything happening. He smiled, okayed it, and then I left. I shut the door behind me and turned to head to the alley to go home.

Once I rounded the corner, I ran into someone. I am lost in thought. “I’m so sorr-” His lips were hard against mine. Not gentle. Not questioning. But claiming. I didn’t even have time to process that it was him. Luciano. Before he pressed me against the alley wall, the brick dug into my spine.

His mouth moved like he owned it, like he already knew the shape of mine, like this wasn’t the first time we’d done this. And for a terrifying second, I let him. I let myself lean in. I melted against him. His hand was at my jaw, fingers rough but steady. The same hands that once held a gun pointed at my face. Now they hold my skin like it was something fragile, something dangerous. He pulled back just enough to breathe, his forehead pressed to mine. “I had to do one more thing before I left,” he murmured, voice low and gravel, wrapped.

That voice. That voice was going to kill me, in a good way. I couldn’t speak. Not right away. My brain was still catching up with what had just happened. “Wha-what the hell was that?” I finally managed, hating how shaky I sounded. He didn’t answer, just a grin. His eyes, dark, unreadable, searched mine like he was trying to decide something. Then he stepped back. Just like that, gone was the heat. The press of his body. The sharp edge of his control. “I meant to keep it simple,” he said, his tone flat again. Distant. “But nothing ever stays clean.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, trying to sound pissed when I really just wanted to scream. Or pull him back. I didn’t know. He gave me one last look. One that burned through me like a brand. “I won’t be far, Mina.” Then he walked away. Just walked away like a ghost, leaving me breathless, furious, and so goddamn confused. And the worst part? I wanted him to come back. I wanted more. What the hell Mina, you don’t even know him, I thought. He was gone, and I found myself stuck in the alley. I finally got my feet to carry me home after a while.

Once I was home, I’m greeted by a hungry spot. “Well, don’t tell me you’re that hungry,” I laughed as Spot did the tip-taps with his paws. I laughed as I got him some food. “I need another nap, kid.” I watched him as he took his first bite before going to lie back down. Hopefully this time, he is not haunting my dreams. I laid there for what felt like an eternity, yet no sleep. The taste of him lingered, why was I thinking about this? The first time someone kissed me in years. I drifted off, thinking about the way he held me and pressed his lips against mine. Of course, he was there in my dream again. But thankfully, before he was too close, I woke to the sound of Spot barking. Someone was at the door.