Chapter 7: Dangerous Appetite

**Stefano's POV**

The car rolled to a stop outside the Castellano house, and I stepped out into the afternoon sun, dressed in a black suit.

The guards in front of the house shifted uneasily, their eyes darting to one another, their hands tightening on their weapons. I watched one of them swallow hard, and a slow smirk curved my lips.

That's what my name did to people in Milan.

Armando stepped out to greet me, wearing that familiar slick grin I longed to wipe off.

Soon Stefano, Soon...

He offered his hand and led me into the house.

Then I saw her again.

Elena Castellano.

Her burgundy gown clung to every curve, a sight that stole the air from my lungs. Her eyes found mine and didn’t look away, and in that moment, every plan I’d made just slipped out of reach.

She wasn’t what I expected, not from a family like this, and definitely not from a world like ours.

I’d seen her before, but right now, it felt like I was meeting her for the first time, all over again.

Fuck!

She was even more beautiful up close — long golden hair, eyes so blue they looked painted on. I caught myself staring, and it pissed me off.

I don’t lose control, not over a woman, especially not one from a family I’m supposed to ruin. But there I was, my pulse racing, wanting her in a way that scared me.

“Elena,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady even as my pulse quickened.

“Mr. Bernardo,” she replied, polite yet cautious. I noticed her fingers tremble just slightly when I took her hand.​

I bent down, lips brushing her knuckles. She inhaled sharply and yanked her hand back as if she’d been burned, her cheeks turning pink.

Her father stepped in, clearing his throat. “Please, call him Stefano. You’ll be family soon.”

Lunch dragged on as Elario talked about business and alliances, his voice a dull sound in my ears.

I nodded when I had to, barely hearing a word.

My eyes kept drifting to Elena — how she twisted her napkin, fingers restless, lips parting as she tried to steady her breathing. She looked everywhere but at me.

At that moment, I knew I shouldn’t touch her, not here, not now, but the urge was too strong. I just wanted her to look at me.

I slipped my hand under the table, fingers brushing her thigh. She went instantly rigid, a shiver running through her, and for a second, she just froze.

I felt her breath hitch, a tiny, audible sound before she quickly crossed her legs, pushing my hand away.

I looked up, and she was staring right at me, cheeks red and her breathing quick.

Mission accomplished.

As soon as lunch was over, she pushed back her chair and left without much of a glance at anyone.

Her father continued talking, but his words just bounced off me. I couldn’t concentrate. All I could think about was Elena.

I needed to get my head straight and remember why I was here in the first place.

I excused myself and made my way to the guest bathroom, closing the door behind me.

Cold water on my face did nothing to erase her from my mind. I gripped the sink until my knuckles turned white. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I muttered.

I’ve dealt with temptation before, but this... this was different. It was so fucking real, and I hated how much it rattled me.

“This wasn’t part of the plan,” I told myself.

A soft click interrupted my thoughts as the door opened and Lucia entered.

“Lucia,” I stared at her in disbelief. “Are you insane? Someone could see you.”

I don’t care,” she snapped. Her voice shook with anger. “I saw the way you looked at her.”

“Lucia…”

“Don’t lie to me. I know you, Stefano. I know what it looks like when you want something.” Her voice quivered. “And you fucking wanted her.”

“You’re imagining things.”

She moved closer, eyes fierce and glassy. "You touched her, Stefano. I saw her reaction, you can't deny it."

I sighed, rubbing my temple. “It was nothing.”

“Nothing?’’ She shook with rage. "I’ve risked everything for you! I’ve lied, pretended to love that fool Elario, and given you every secret this family has. I fucking sold my soul for you and told you things that could ruin them, and you humiliate me like this?”

“This isn’t about you,” I stated quietly.

“You said once it’s all over, we’d be together.” Her voice trembled violently. “Was that a lie, too?”

I met her gaze, “No, it wasn’t.”​

“Then why does it feel like I’m already losing you?” she whispered, her eyes fixed on mine.

Mascara streaked her cheeks, and her breath came in shaky gasps as she looked at me as if she didn’t recognize me.

“You can’t keep using me like this.” Her voice cracked, eyes pleading with me.

“Careful, Lucia,” I warned. “You knew what this was from the start.”

She stepped in closer, her voice almost a whisper. “I can’t keep watching you with her.

“Then don’t,” I snapped.

For a moment, she just stared at me, then she closed the gap between us, pressing her hands firmly against my chest before her lips crashed into mine.

I pushed her away, but she kept going; she knelt, and her hands trembled as she struggled to unfasten my belt.

“Lucia…”

“Don’t tell me to stop,” she whispered against my skin as she undid my buckle and pulled my cock free.

She wasted no time; her tongue traced my entire length before taking me fully into her mouth, her lips gripping me tightly.

What the hell am I doing? This can’t happen here.

My hand gripped her hair as a deep groan escaped me. "Lucia... stop..." I breathed out.

I knew I should have pushed her away and told her to stop, but I didn't. Maybe if I let her finish, I could finally free Elena from my thoughts.

Her fingers dug into my hips, holding me steady as she deepened her efforts. My breath quickened, my body tensed as I was at the edge of release.

Then she stopped intentionally, right before my climax, as if to show she was in control.

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stood, a sly smirk curling her lips. “You may marry her, Stefano, but you’ll always belong to me. Don’t ever get any ideas about her,” she purred.

My jaw clenched, fists curling tightly at my sides, with every muscle in my body tense from anger.

She turned to leave, and something snapped inside me. The idea of her trying to control me, to make me feel weak, made my blood boil.

Nobody controls me.

I grabbed her arm, yanked her back, and slapped her hard across the face.

She stood there, one hand pressed to her cheek, eyes wide and shining with shock.

"You’re getting reckless, Lucia. Don’t you ever try to control me again in your life," I said through gritted teeth.

Tears filled her eyes, but she didn’t say a word. She just turned and walked out, shoulders shaking.

I stared at my reflection, barely recognizing the man in the mirror.

Shit! I felt like smashing something.

I didn’t mean to hit her.

Lucia always acted without thinking, but this... this was on me. I can’t let her ruin everything.

I have to fix it, somehow.

For the first time in years, I’d lost control, and it scared the hell out of me.

And it was all her fault. Elena. The one woman I should never want.

​******

​**Elena’s POV**

As soon as lunch ended, I jumped up from my chair and ran, not caring who saw me leave.

I kept my head down, barely breathing, and didn’t stop until I slammed my bedroom door shut behind me.

My heart pounded in my chest, my breathing coming in fast and hard.

I curled up on the floor, knees pulled tight to my chest, face buried in my hands.

"Damn him," I whispered. "Touching me like I’m his, like he owns me already. Who the hell does he think he is?"

No one’s ever touched me like that before. Not ever.

And the worst part? I felt a shocking surge of heat spread through me.

Crap!

I pushed myself up and started pacing, fingers tangled in my hair, breath coming in ragged gasps as I tried to get a grip.

Everything about that lunch was off. The looks, the words, the touch, it all felt wrong.

I needed someone, anyone, to talk to. Someone who’d actually listen and not judge me, or make me feel stupid for feeling this way.

So I called Lucia.

She showed up fast, barely knocking before entering.

Her eyes appeared red, making it clear she had been crying.

"Lulu, what happened to you?" She looked like she’d been through hell, and for once, I forgot about myself.

She brushed it off with a small shake of her head. “I’m fine. What’s going on?”

‘’No, you are definitely not. Were you crying?’’

‘’Of course not,’’ she smiled faintly. ‘’Something entered my eyes, I‘ve been trying to get it out,’’ she replied as she rubbed furiously at her lashes.

I looked at her closely, unsure whether to believe her or not.

“Alright, if you say so.’’ I shrugged as I started pacing, my fingers twisting together, words stuck in my throat.

"Something happened at lunch," I managed to say, my eyes fixed on the floor.

Lucia frowned. “What do you mean?”

My eyes darted to her and then quickly away. ‘’He touched me,’’ I finally whispered, my voice shaking. ‘’Under the table. His hand was on my thigh.’’

​Lucia's face flickered with something unreadable, her eyes briefly widening. “He... Stefano?”

I nodded.

"I couldn’t move," I choked out. "My father was right there, everyone was there, and he just..." My breath hitched. "He acted like it was nothing."

Lucia's face drained of color. "Maybe he didn't..."

"Don’t defend him!" I snapped, my voice harsher than I intended.

Lucia’s jaw tightened.

I sucked in a shaky breath. "I’m sorry for snapping at you, Lu. He’s just so freaking scary. I hated the way he looked at me..." my voice trembled. "And my father wants me to marry him, like I’m some prize to be handed over."

“Lena… sometimes we don’t get to choose,” Lucia whispered.

I met her eyes, and a fierce determination suddenly surged through me. "Maybe it’s time I make my own choice. For once."

She blinked slowly, her expression shifting from surprise to alarm. “What are you saying?”

“I won’t marry Stefano!”