My Mafia Stepbrother For Christmas의 모든 챕터: 챕터 11 - 챕터 20

Brielle's POV Friday night found me three drinks deep and finally feeling like I could breathe again.Cassandra had dragged me to a trendy bar downtown. I'd protested at first, but the vodka had smoothed my edges, and her stories about her latest string of dating disasters actually made me laugh for the first time in days. The whole thing was getting to me and it was disturbing."So he shows up to the date wearing Crocs," Cassandra said, gesturing wildly with her martini glass. "Crocs, Bri. On a first date. To a steakhouse.""Maybe he's just confident." I took another sip of my drink, enjoying the pleasant buzz humming through my veins."Confidence is one thing. Crocs are a war crime." She paused mid-sip, her expression shifting. The amusement drained from her face as her eyes focused on something behind my shoulder. "You've got to be kidding me.""What?" I twisted in my seat.My stomach dropped.Across the room, leaning against the bar with the casual arrogance of someone who owned

I couldn't stop thinking of Dante. Every time I closed my eyes, he was there.Dante's hands on my skin. His mouth trailing fire down my throat, lower, between my breasts, across my stomach. Those brown eyes watching me as he settled between my thighs and put his tongue exactly where I needed it most. Fuck.Dream Dante knew every sensitive spot, every place that made me gasp and arch. He took his time, alternating between gentle licks and firm pressure until I was writhing against his face, fingers tangled in his hair, begging for release as I watched him fuck me with his tongue."Say my name," he commanded against my slick heat."Dante. Please.""Louder.""Dante!"I jerked awake tangled in sweat-soaked sheets, heart hammering, body pulsing with unfulfilled need. The clock read 7:47 AM.Fury replaced arousal almost immediately.This was unacceptable. I couldn't even escape him in my own goddamn dreams. He'd invaded every corner of my life and now my subconscious too, turning me into so

Brielle's POV A text came through while I was in the middle of reviewing mockups for a restaurant rebrand.Mom: Grab lunch with me? 1pm at Marcello's. My treat.I stared at the message, stomach already twisting. Mom didn't do casual lunch invitations. Everything had an agenda, a purpose, a hidden objective I wouldn't see until it was too late.But saying no would only make things worse.Me: Sure. See you there.Her response came immediately.Mom: Wear something nice, darling. It's an upscale place.Of course it was. She was on something big now.Marcello's occupied prime real estate in the financial district, all marble floors and crystal chandeliers and waitstaff who moved like people accustomed to serving the obscenely wealthy.I arrived exactly on time, wearing a cream blouse and black slacks that hopefully met Mom's standards. The hostess greeted me by name before I could introduce myself, leading me through the dining room to a corner table where Mom already sat, looking effortl

Brielle's POV The dress Cassandra picked out was the most expensive thing I'd ever worn. Midnight blue silk that hugged every curve before flowing to the floor, with a neckline that dipped low enough to make me second-guess myself three times before leaving the apartment. She'd insisted, promising it would make me look like I belonged in rooms like these.Standing in the glittering ballroom now, surrounded by chandeliers and people wearing jewelry worth more than my entire net worth, I wasn't sure anything could make me belong here.The venue was ridiculous. All marble columns and gold accents, with floor-to-ceiling windows. A string quartet played something classical in the corner while waiters in crisp white jackets circulated with champagne flutes and hors d'oeuvres I couldn't pronounce.I accepted champagne from a passing waiter mostly to have something to do with my hands.Across the ballroom, I spotted my mom holding court with a cluster of important-looking people. She wore a

The music faded. Dante's hand lingered on my lower back for just a second too long before he released me. My skin still burned where he'd touched me, and I hated myself for it."Dinner's being served," he said quietly.I turned away without responding, trying to calm my racing pulse. The brief walk back through the crowd gave me time to rebuild the walls he'd systematically demolished on the dance floor. I focused on breathing, on schooling my expression back into something neutral.Then I reached the assigned table and my stomach dropped.Mom sat between Richard and an empty chair, laughing at something a silver-haired businessman across from her was saying. Her hand rested possessively on Richard's arm. The chair next to her was clearly meant for me.And directly across from it sat Dante.Perfect. Just perfect.I slid into my seat, avoiding eye contact with everyone. A server immediately appeared with champagne and water. I grabbed the water, throat suddenly dry."Brielle!" Mom's vo