Chapter 4

Alessia 

I groan loudly, wincing as a sharp pain shoots through my back. Why does everything hurt so much? 

I try to piece together why my entire body aches so badly. Fragments of memories start coming back, and suddenly, I gasp, sitting up in bed with a rush of panic. 

I look around, my heart pounding as I take in my surroundings.

I'm completely naked, Oh God.

Did I just lose my innocence to a stranger? And now, it's gone to someone whose name I don't even know.

The only thing I remember about him is his unique eye color. 

I slowly pinch my arm, trying to convince myself that this is all just some cruel trick. But the sharp sting makes it real. 

My father must have bragged about my innocence to him. If he discovers the truth, he'll see it as the ultimate betrayal. 

In our world, such treachery doesn't just bring shame, it brings death. 

And the thought of being the reason for such destruction makes my stomach churn. 

A loud knock at the door jerks me out of my frantic thoughts followed by the echo of approaching footsteps. 

I know it's Livia. She must be worried out of her mind, wondering where I've been all night.

"Alessia," she gasps in shock as the disbelief. "You had sex with a man you don't even know! Have you lost your mind?" Livia whisper-yells.  

"Don't you think I know that?" I hissed in fear. "Please, Livia, no one can find out about this," I plead. 

She grips my shoulders, slightly shaking me. 

"Put yourself together, Alessia. Your father is here to take you," I know she's scared for me and herself. 

Livia's mother works as a servant in our house, and if this scandal comes to light, her family's livelihood will be at risk.

Quickly, Livia pulls a small perfume bottle from her bag, spraying it in the air and on my body. The scent fills my lungs, making me cough violently.

The loud footsteps echo down the hallway, tightening the knots in my stomach. 

"Miss Alessia,” I hear the unmistakable voice of Roland. "Your father is waiting for you outside. 

Sweat trickles down my face as I know I can't fool my father.

My father is cruel and heartless. Sometimes, I wonder why fate made him my father. 

I step out of the room with trembling legs. My breath hitches when I spot my father, his hands tightly clasped behind his back. 

He's calm on the outside, but a calm Leonardo is the most dangerous.

"Daddy, I swear I didn't do anything. I just wanted to be free for a day before I'm shipped off for marriage," I blurt out in desperation, trying to convince him, though I know it's futile. 

"Take Alessia back to the mansion," he commands, without breaking eye contact with me.

The disappointment in his eyes is like a dagger to my heart. 

I turn away, walking towards the waiting car, my body numb with fear and shame. 

***

I ache my back, pressing my nipple against his mouth. He takes it eagerly, sucking hard, grazing it with his teeth, it sends a sharp jolt of pleasure through me. 

I moan softly as my fingers tangle in his hair, and I pull him closer; I need more. 

His lips slowly release my breast, trailing down my body, leaving a burning path of kisses and licks until he reaches my navel. 

Then, I feel cool yogurt drizzling over my skin. I gasp as his warm tongue follows the sticky trail, licking, teasing, making me shiver. He moves lower until his lips brush against my clit.

My legs tremble, and my body arches to give him more access. His lips hover at my entrance, teasing, playing, while electric pleasure shoots through me. 

My hips roll in response, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I mutter incoherent pleas. 

He sucks. He bites. Just enough to make me shudder. 

"For fuck's sake..." I shouldn't want him. This sexy stranger has haunted my thoughts since that night. 

I grind my hips, matching the rhythm of his tongue as he devours me. Just as I think I might explode, he pulls away, his lips capturing mine in a deep kiss. The taste of me stays on his tongue, intoxicating, wicked. 

One of his hands cups my breast, squeezing with just the right amount of pressure, making me arch into his touch. 

"I want to feel you inside me," I plead, my body trembling beneath him. 

He smirks against my lips. "Not so fast, my lady," he murmurs. "I want you to beg for it. Tell me you'll take no other cock but mine." 

"Please." 

He groans, his cock twitches against my skin as I reach for him; my hand trails down his chest until I wrap my fingers around his cock. 

I guide him to me, as I rub him against my clit, teasing us both. He's driving me wild. 

"Will you take another man?" His voice is rough. 

I stare into him, my blue eyes locked with onyx unreadable eyes. I feel myself falling into him, drowning. 

"No," I whisper. "No one but you." 

That's all he needs. In a swift motion, he flips me onto my hands and knees, gripping my waist as he thrusts inside me. A scream of pure pleasure rips from my throat. 

But before I can fully surrender to the ecstasy, a sudden shock of cold water splashes over my face. 

I jolt awake, gasping. My heart pounds as reality sets in. 

It’s a fucking wet dream about him. Again. 

My breath is still shaky as I blink through the water dripping down my face. Then, I look up-right into the furious glare of my stepmother. 

I sit up quickly, wiping my face, my body still thrumming with leftover arousal. 

"You just have to make your stupid existence known, don't you?" Her voice drips with venom as she steps closer, her eyes are burning with fury. 

"What the hell were you thinking, running off like that? Do you realize you've made everyone in the villa know what a slut you are? Opening your legs to every stranger?" 

My heart pounds as she advances on me. "Mom, I can explain. I didn't-" 

"Didn't what?" she sneers, cutting me off. "Do you think your fiancé will still want you once he realizes you're not pure? That you've spread your legs for every man that crosses your path?" 

It's the same accusation she throws at me whenever I feel suffocated and leave the house for a little freedom. 

She's always been wrong, but until now, there's nothing I can say. 

She scoffs as her nails dig into my jaw and grip it tightly, forcing me to look at her. I flinch at the harsh touch. 

"You're so dumb, do you have to whore yourself out to other men too?" 

Her words hit like a slap, but I didn't give her the satisfaction. 

"You should be grateful your father arranged your marriage to Vincenzo. Do you honestly think any man would willingly take you as a wife?" 

I lower my gaze, biting the inside of my cheek to stop myself from speaking. I know how this ends if I talk back. 

"You spread your legs for men outside this house, and even that's not enough-you get fucked in your dreams too? How despicable can you get?" 

This is how it's been ever since I returned from that night. 

"You're nothing but a filthy slut." She yanks my face up again, forcing me to meet her cold gaze. The sheer disgust in her eyes makes my stomach twist with shame. 

I barely have time to process things before she grabs a fistful of my hair and yanks. 

I wince as I could feel pain across my scalp. I know I should fight back or scream. 

But I don't. 

"Tomorrow is your wedding day," she says coldly. "I know Vincenzo will find out you're not pure. And you know what that means for your father. He promised you were untouched." 

My heart slams against my chest. My worst fear is finally coming to light.