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THE ART OF CONTROL
Last Updated:
2025-10-31 23:59:30
Latest chapter
His Contracted Temptation; Velvet Lies ROUND ONE
VALERIAYeah, I lied. Obviously. But I was genuinely hyped about the whole store hunting... past tense—I was excited till I had to inspect eight stores, none of which fit into my perfect Elle Woods meets Sophia Vergara aesthetic.Trust me, it's hard to settle for less when you've had a certain idea ingrained into your brain for years. Every single spot had something wrong with them and I just knew I couldn't picture myself serving coffee in any of those sad, dusty little buildings. By the ninth store, I was bracing for another round of disappointment, but it turned out perfect. Too perfect.I mean, why else would it be across from Matteo's office? Cute coincidence, right? I know, I thought the same when I suggested a popular café to meet with my interior designer only to find out it's also a few streets away from Matteo's home. God really loves arranging my steps like Pinterest boards.Which is why I'm parked across from my new store, in one of Dante's Mercedes, munching on a double c
His Contracted Temptation; Velvet Lies THE ONE WHERE CRYING BECOMES A STRATEGY
VALERIADiego won’t stop calling. Every time he does, he makes me swear I’m not about to do something crazy, and every time I swear I won’t. And I won’t. Something crazy would be storming straight to them with no plan, killing them, and ending up in handcuffs. I’m not stupid. A bit crazy, sure—but definitely not stupid.I don’t think Diego believes me, though. Not completely. He’s still dragging his feet on sending the rest of their information, but eventually he’s going to run out of excuses.My eyes drift lazily over my laptop screen as I read about Matteo. Turns out he’s in the same city as me. He lives in one of those fancy, schmancy suburb bungalows in Rosehill; three kids, a wife—basically a dealer who hides behind a construction company. I wrinkle my nose at his picture: clean-cut suit, a haircut trying to disguise a receding hairline, and that billion-dollar “I’m a relatable businessman” smile. My stomach turns. I shut off the screen.Fucking rapist.That’s enough research for
His Contracted Temptation; Velvet Lies THE FOURTH MAN
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS GRAPHIC SEXUAL VIOLENCE, RAPE, ASSAULT, MURDER, TRAUMA, STRONG LANGUAGE, AND REVENGE THEMES. READER DISCRETION ADVISED.VALERIAAs a little girl, I dreamed big—actress, a pop star, designer maybe or a model... basically anything that would slap my face on Vogue and of course lots of paparazzi attention.Well, here I am... margarita in one hand, phone in the other, scrolling—when I see a picture of me and Dante on the Daily Mail. My lips curl at the headline; Blue Cyber CEO spotted with new lover. New lover, alright.I take a sip of my drink, grinning in satisfaction, then proceed to go through the pictures, analyzing which ones captured my best angles. Shots of other attendees pop up too, most faces I don't recognize, all except Alex—or do I call her Alessio? She has on one of those Barbie smiles that does a good job hiding her vile personality, blonde waves fall over shoulders, not a single strand out of place... the typical nepo baby who thinks she's A
His Contracted Temptation; Velvet Lies CROSSED LINES
DANTEI leave the house earlier than usual. Work’s one reason. The bigger one? Staying in the same space as Valeria after last night is… distracting. Annoyingly distracting.The drive is quiet. Calm. Exactly how I like my mornings.But her voice keeps sliding back into my head—her laugh, her dumb jokes, that ridiculous “thanks for all the orgasms” line she tossed out like she was talking about the weather.Most women cling after sex. I’m used to it. They hover, get soft-eyed, start asking all the wrong questions—one of the many reasons I don’t do commitment.But Valeria? No. She jokes. She eats her breakfast like nothing happened, teases me like nothing has changed.And that should make things easier. Really, yet it doesn't.I pinch the bridge of my nose lightly as the car comes to a halt, the door opens, and I step out. The image of her from this morning flicks through my fucking thoughts. Again—messy blonde curls, swollen lips, wearing my T-shirt like she owned it. And all I could t
His Contracted Temptation; Velvet Lies VALENTINO & FLORA
VALERIAAfter three rounds of sex, your body tends to remind you that you're only human. I don't think I've ever felt this stretched–like my body still remembers Dante. I turn to my side slow and careful not to wake him up.Dark waves fan his pillow, chest rising and falling with each breath. A small smile tugs my lips as last night comes rushing back... Dante is like a fucking energy drink, and his libido is, oh my God. It's a wonder he still had the strength to clean us up– I was fucking exhausted.My back and hips ache when I stand. The swollen ache between my legs makes me hobble; I silently promise myself to tone it down next time.After freshening up, I head to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. I could get revenge, but since I'm in such a good mood, I stick to a traditional meal of butter-toasted corn cakes with cheese and scrambled eggs with tomatoes and scallions. Perfect for two people with a huge appetite.Coffee comes next, Cafe Colombiano–strong black coffee, brewed slow.
His Contracted Temptation; Velvet Lies LET ME FALL
VALERIAFucked up.It's always been like this. Things get good, then bad. Every damn time. A fucked up carnival with a looney at the wheel. And each time I walk out stronger, fiercer... at least that's what I tell myself—with a smile plastered on like a mask.I shut the door and rest my forehead against it for one long, shaking breath."Breathe in." I inhale deeply. "Breathe out. Don't let them see your weakness."Then slump into my bed about to let out a scream when my door clicks open. Shit. I forgot to lock it."You lost," Dante says, smirking as he rubs his palms together. "How does that feel, Valeria?""Well, I was kind of looking forward to it, so I don't really mind." I shrug, pulling myself up. A flicker of amusement lights his eyes, lips curling in that slow, wicked smirk.I cross my arms, raising my chin. "Lemme guess... you cheated?"Dante shrugs, as casual as ever, closing the distance."Me?" He taps his chest, all fake innocence. "All I did was add a little spice to your
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