LEONARDO(A WEEK AGO, AFTER HE LEFT THAT NIGHT…)“Everything's been set,” Matteo said trailing behind me. “Our men are already moving.”The night breeze slapped me as I stepped out of the building. Matteo hurried in front of me, holding the car door open.“I'll drive,” Matteo said to the man behind the wheel.“No,” I stopped him with a hand. “You're staying behind.”Matteo frowned, his brows furrowed in confusion.“I need a trusted man here,” I said flatly. “If anything happens to me, someone has to hold this place together.”“That’s the reason I should go with you,” he shot back, his voice rough with frustration. “What if something goes wrong? I can’t let you walk into danger alone.”“I can handle it,” I said in an end tone. “I want extra guards on the estate. I need you to watch her while I'm away. No one goes near her. If she steps one foot outside this estate, I'll kill the bastard that let it happen.”“Yes boss,” he nodded, his voice carried so many questions but he knew better t
TESSA Shame hit me first. Then fear. Fear at how he was my undoing. My body still tingled from his touch, but my mind screamed at me, ‘what have you done?’ I reached for the towel, wrapping it around my body, but he stopped my movements. “A second ago you were screaming my name and you're regretting already?” “This was a mistake and we both know it,” I pulled my hand away from his hold and wrapped the towel around myself. “A mistake you say?” He pulled me closer to the edge of the table, holding on to my waist. I could feel the hard length of him pressing against my middle. He grinded into me, and my stomach tightened at the hot, pulsing pressure of him against my core. My lips parted, a needy breath escaping before I could stop it. “Your body says otherwise.” His hips rolled once more, and my nipples hardened under the towel. “I can feel how needy you are. You were dripping all over my fingers,” his voice was low and deep. All shades of sexy. “I… This can't happen again,” m
TESSA His eyes trailed my body and I felt so exposed. He took another step forward, his frame nearly taking up the space, making the room feel smaller. “You—you shouldn't be here.” I whispered, clutching the towel tighter around me, my knuckles turning white. His head tilted, a dangerous half-smile tugging at his lips. “Why were you avoiding me?” “I wasn't,” I said fast, my heart pounding loudly. “Liar.” The smirk grew as he said closer, invading my personal space. I took a step back till I hit the edge of the vanity table. I could feel the heat emanating from his body and my mind was a maelstrom of thoughts. “You should leave. This is inappropriate,” I managed to find my voice. A low chuckle vibrated from him. “When has anything about us ever been appropriate?” One of his brows was raised. I could barely breathe because of how close he was. “Leonardo, please…” “Please what?” He drawled. His eyes roamed over me until heat flooded my cheeks. “Please stop looking at you? Or
TESSA I knew I was treading deadly waters but I couldn’t understand the pull I felt. He was the type that was preached to avoid. My mind and my body were a conflicting mess. Funny. Now I know the power the devil has on humans. It’s not destruction. He simply just grants your deepest desires. And right now, only one name came to mind. Leonardo. I turned off the faucet, leaning on the sink for a while longer. My mind went back to Alex. How he got hurt for stepping in and I instantly regretted it. He was a kind soul. He didn’t deserve that and Leonardo's actions were unjustifiable. Even in my dreams, he still tormented me with his true colors. Why then am I vulnerable whenever he touches me? I let out a sigh and went back to bed, tossing and turning all night till the bright rays of the sun began to come in through the window. I dragged myself out of bed, heading into the bathroom. I stripped out of my clothes and stepped into the shower, letting the warm water roll down my back.
TESSAMy legs could barely hold me up.His hands trailed down my body, cupping my ass while his lips never left mine.“Cazzo,” he muttered against my lips, taking my bottom lip between his teeth and dragging a bit. I tried to suppress a moan at how good his actions felt but I failed terribly at that. The sound only made him go harder, his tongue dancing with mine, exploring my mouth.His palms squeezed my ass. I held on to his broad shoulders. I was falling apart, drowning in this ocean of desire with no safety net. A part of me wanted to let go, to drown completely.“Jump,” he whispered against my lips, lifting me up. I let out a small yelp, holding on to his shoulders for support. I wrapped my legs around his waist. He hissed in pain and I remembered the stab wound. “Stop, you're hurt,” I said and tried to get down but he held me firmly in place.His lips trailed down to my neck, nibbling and sucking on the skin. I threw my head back, my eyes shut as he peppered kisses down my ne
TESSA I scoffed, anger rising in my chest. After ignoring me this morning and walking out on me like I was a nobody he was now acting up? So unbelievable. I took a deep breath, calming myself a little before going back to where Alex was seated. “All good?” He asked when he saw me approaching. I forced a smile. “Yes.” He gave a wide smile. He had a really lovely smile. I nearly swooned over him. If only he was the one I was forced into this arrangement with then I wouldn't complain. I wouldn't even need to be forced into any arrangement with him because first off, he doesn't seem like someone that could hurt a fly let alone kill someone. He'd rather put himself in danger just so he could save a cat. I laughed at that thought. “What's funny?” His brows were raised. “Just my little secret.” “No fair. I want to know!” He whined. “I was just thinking how different life would be if I'd taken a different path.” I exhaled through my lips. The cold of the night now gett