MY CASANOVA MAFIA CHAPTER 6

The room was drenched in the silvery glow of moonlight, and its light spilled over the walls and furniture. Valentine sat at the edge of the bed, her heart heavy with fear and curiosity. Arnulfo's deep, even breaths filled the silence, reminding her constantly of his presence.

She moved carefully, bare feet silent on the cool floor, making her way to him. Her pulse leapt with each step but steeled herself in resolution. She needed him to be asleep.

Drawing closer, she froze, her breath catching in her throat. Even in sleep, there was something magnetic about Arnulfo, a kind of robust strength and raw masculinity in his face. The faint scent of his aftershave floated in the air, clean and woodsy, curling around her senses like some forbidden temptation.

Valentine hesitated, her eyes tracing the sharp line of his jaw, the way his dark lashes fanned against his cheekbones, and the subtle curve of his lips, which, for once weren't pressed into their usual hard line.

She came an inch closer, curiosity ahead of caution, and his chest rose and fell steadily, and she let a breath out she didn't even know she'd been holding.

"No problem," she thought, her voice hardly above a whisper. "He's asleep. I can look my fill."

A faint, bittersweet smile twisted her lips. If only he were a nice guy.

It was something to continue pondering on, a fleeting glance at the alternative reality where Arnulfo Vegas is the man who usurped freedom from her. In another life, could she have loved a man like that? It sounded utterly impossible, but the idea clung to her heart stubbornly.

Her fingers itched to reach out, to touch his face, to find out if he felt like he looked. But she was stopped by herself, her fists clenched at her sides.

Don't be stupid, Valentine, she warned herself. He’s the reason you’re trapped here. Don’t forget that.

But however much she wanted to be able to hate him, she couldn't deny the odd hold he seemed to have over her. And this duality confused her—cold and brutal one moment, almost tender the next. It made her doubt everything, even her own feelings.

She straightened, forcing herself to step back. Her freedom wouldn't come from indulging in useless fantasies about what could have been.

She threw one last look at him before turning aside into bed.

"If only." she whispered once more, the words dissolving into the silence of the room.

Valentine had scarce returned to the bed when she heard the subtle change in Arnulfo's breathing. It shifted, deepening for a split second before stalling totally. Her stomach twisted, and her instincts screamed at her that something is wrong.

Before she could act, he was like lightning, his powerful frame suddenly towering over her. His hands caught her wrists and pinned her to the bed, his dark eyes boring into hers with an intensity that stole her breath.

"Enjoying the view?" he drawled, his voice low and teasing, but carrying that ever-present undercurrent of danger.

"I—what—" she stammered, her face flushing as her mind rushed to fabricate an excuse.

Arnulfo smirked, coming closer until his nose nearly touched hers. "Don't play coy, Valentine. You were hovering over me. Did you think I'd not notice?"

Her pulse pounded in her ears and she attempted to look away, but he caught her chin, making her meet his gaze.

"I wasn't—" she started to say, but he cut her off.

"Hmm," he said, his lips curling into a wicked smile. "If you were planning something bad, I must say. I'm intrigued. Should I be worried? Or." His voice dropped, turning husky as his thumb brushed along her jawline. "Should I be excited?"

Valentine's breath hitched, her body stiffening beneath his weight. "Let me go," she spat, trying to wrench her wrists free, but his grip only tightened slightly, holding her firmly in place.

"You're so tense, mi reina," he said, his tone mockingly soft. "Relax.You can tell me what's on your mind. If you wanted something, all you had to do was ask."'

She glared at him, her defiance flaring despite her vulnerable position. "You're delusional."

Arnulfo laughed, a deep rumbling that sent shivers down her spine. "Am I? Hmm. Maybe. But I can see it in your eyes, Valentine, and I can feel it you feel the same way!” Arnulfo leaned in, his voice low and husky with urgency and yearning. "You want me as much as I want you,my sweet Valentine. Just say the word, and I'll give you everything: my body, my love, my soul all of it."

His words were both seductive and taunting, putting Valentine momentarily speechless at his feet. She was aflame in the face, but she refused him the satisfaction of seeing that she was ruffled.

"You are disgusting," she hissed, her voice shaking with both anger and something she did not care to name.

Arnulfo tilted his head to one side, studying her reaction with maddening calmness. "Am I? Or are you afraid of what you feel?"

"You want me as much as I want you,my sweet Valentine. Just say the word, and I'll give you everything: my body, my love, my soul all of it."

His words were both seductive and taunting, putting Valentine momentarily speechless at his feet. She was aflame in the face, but she refused him the satisfaction of seeing that she was ruffled.

"You are disgusting," she hissed, her voice shaking with both anger and something she did not care to name.

Arnulfo tilted his head to one side, studying her reaction with maddening calmness. "Am I? Or are you afraid of what you feel?"

He pressed forward, his lips closing around the rim of her ear as he whispered in low tones, "You cannot lie to me, Valentine. Your body betrays you each and every time."

She heart slammed within her chest, for the moment she thought that maybe she would scream her lungs off. But instead of all that, she had gasped sharply and she used all her strength pushing against him.

"Off of me!" she snapped.

To her surprise, Arnulfo pulled back just enough to release her wrists. He sat up, his smirk still firmly in place as he regarded her like a predator who had cornered its prey.

"Fine," he said, his tone infuriatingly casual. "Run if you want. Fight me if you must. But you'll learn, mi reina. You'll learn there's no escaping me."