by C. M. Steele
“Come, Isabella. Let’s move your things to another room.”
“I can’t afford anything more than this. It was the cheapest room.”
“You don’t have to pay for it. I stay here when I work late and don’t want to travel all the way to my villa. There is more than one bedroom in the suite.” I tried to reassure her without telling her too much. She was already out of sorts, and the more I told her about me, the quicker she might run.
I helped her pack her things into the suitcase and carried it out of the room while placing my hand on the small of her back. I entered and hit the penthouse floor, sliding my private key into the lock to activate the elevator.
“Wow, are you some big shot? Do you usually bring women up here?” She blushed, embarrassed by her questioning.
“Yes, to your first question and no to your second. I don’t bring anyone into my private spaces. Most of the time, Cosimo will stay in the second bedroom.” The doors opened to the hallway for the two rooms on this floor. The other suites were for dignitaries or the like at an exorbitant rate. I didn’t care for anyone bothering me.
“Wow,” she said as I opened the door to the austere room.
“Please come in and make yourself comfortable.”
“This is absolutely gorgeous. You must be rich.” She blushed again. “Forgive me. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No. There’s nothing to forgive. I am quite wealthy. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just not sure what you’re doing with me.”
“Well, for the evening, I’m giving you a place to sleep, and then we have a date after I finish my work. From there, we will see where we go. Yes?”
“Yes. I suppose I couldn’t ask for more.”
“You could ask for anything, and it will be yours. Speaking of yours. Was there anything important on the laptop that you can’t get back?”
“No, I uploaded everything to an external flash drive. The money was the bigger deal. I’m glad I have my bank card with me, or they’d empty that out, and I’d never get home.” Every time she mentioned leaving, I wanted to protest and demand that she stay, but I realized that she had to want me like I wanted her for it to work. Tomorrow, I’d put my plan to win her into motion.
Chapter Three
Alessandro
Going to bed last night without her in my arms was tougher than I could have imagined. She looked so fragile as I said goodnight that I gave her the gentlest kiss on her lips only burned in my soul. I craved more—one kiss would never be enough.
Quickly, I turned on my heel and went in the complete opposite direction. I had to get away before I did something very stupid.
I spent half the night tossing and turning with my cock staying painfully hard. It wasn’t until I couldn’t get a minute of sleep that I pulled him out of my boxers and stroked the length, envisioning it was her hand, mouth, pussy pulling me to completion. Coming all over my hand and stomach pissed me off. I wanted it all for her, but I needed to sleep. A quick rinse and I hopped into bed, falling fast asleep.
Dressed and ready for the office, grateful that I had fresh suits here, I stepped into the kitchen for some coffee. Isabella came out of the room and let out a tiny gasp.
“Um…sorry. I just came to get something to drink.” I lowered my cup to admire her magnificence in a cute pajama short set that just reached the bottom of her ass cheek.
“Have whatever you want. Please relax here for the day. I’ve taken the liberty of programming my number into your phone should you need me.” I reached out and handed it to her.
“I thought it was dead,” she remarked after taking it.
“I had a charger brought in for it.”
“Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure. I hate to leave you, but I must. If you’re hungry, order room service, but first change your clothes. Cosimo will remain outside the suite should you feel unsafe. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Alessandro.” I turned around and walked out before I reached for her and submitted to the hunger racing through my veins.
Missing her all damn day took over me. I ended meetings short, rushed others to start because I had to see Isabella. Despite my willingness to flirt with the wrong side of the law, all of my businesses were legal which meant the day was always a busy one.
I walked through the door of the hotel suite at five minutes after I promised to be here. “Isabella,” I called out her name. I hoped she wasn’t pissed that I didn’t call or text, but while charging her phone, I completely forgot about mine and went to meetings with vendors without charging it. She came bouncing into the entryway wearing a short pink sundress that kissed the middle of her thighs and hugged all the right places.
“God, you look amazing,” I choked out, fighting the urge to stay in the room and fuck her so everyone knew she was mine.
A blush stole over her cheeks as she bit her bottom lip. Isabella had no idea how incredibly beautiful she was. “Thank you. You look even more handsome than when you left. I don’t know how that’s even possible.”
“Well, thank you, amore. Are you ready to go?”
“Sure. Where are you taking me?”
“I’d take you to a site currently under excavation around Herculaneum, but I don’t want to see another tear in those gorgeous eyes, so we’re going not too far from where we met”
“I honestly can’t promise not to cry if you did, but I still might anyway.”
“Very well. There is much more to see in Napoli, amore.” I brought her hand to my lips and kissed the back of it. Cosimo drove us to the piazza outside the Duomo. I wanted her to see the beauty of the city before we went into the Duomo di Napoli. “Oh my goodness. It’s beautiful,” she cheered, smiling up at me. Forever. That was how long I’d spend giving reasons for her to look up at me like that.
Cupping her chin, caressing her jaw, I confess, “I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.” The blush that stained her face was too tempting. I dropped my head down and pressed my lips to hers briefly, pulling back and watching her eyes slowly open with fear and desire in them. “Nothing more beautiful.”
I took her around to explore the artworks from the 14th century to the 19th century. I had the entire evening planned including her wrapped up in my arms, making our first baby. As I shared my town’s past with her, I wanted to make my future with her. Isabella was mine and I wasn’t leaving anything to chance. After a quick bathroom break, I checked my messages and double checked my dinner arrangements. Everything was ready to go.
She came out of the bathroom just as her phone rang. “Hello.”
“This is Pietro, your tour guide. We lost you, and we have been looking for you all over.”
“And you called now? I stayed in the same exhibit for thirty minutes waiting and no one came for me. Then I searched the museum. My hotel was robbed, but I’m fine no thanks to you. Bye.”
I grabbed her phone before she could tuck it away. Then used my phone to send the number to Cosimo to find out more. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Here you go.” She frowned and snatched the phone from my hand. “Isabella, let’s not let this ruin our nice date.”
“You’re really having a good time with me?” She bit down on her lower lip. I plucked it from under her teeth and then slammed my mouth down on hers, kissing her properly.
Pulling back out of respect for where we were, I grunted out, “I believe I’d have fun doing whatever brought a smile to your face. Are you ready for dinner?”
“Yes, please.” I led her out of the cathedral, wishing it were for another reason. I had no family, but I found the woman who would start ours.
Chapter Four
Isabella
What started off as a bad start to my vacation morphed into a magical fairytale. Alessandro, made my heart slam into my chest when I found his eyes on me which seemed to be every second we were together.
He seemed too good to be true, but I needed whatever he wanted to give me.
Even if it were a fling with a handsome, well-off Italian man who would forget me tomorrow. His voice sinfully sent my body craving things that I’d only read about. I never felt so turned on, in a church no less. I couldn’t wait to get out of it and to somewhere Alessandro could fulfill my needs.
When he kissed me, I nearly moaned aloud for everyone to hear. The echo was strong with the vaulted ceilings.
As we stepped out onto the steps, a black SUV pulled up and then Alessandro nodded and a man riding shotgun stepped out and opened the door. He helped me in and scooted in beside me. He spoke Italian to the driver which sounded perfect. He could be telling him he was about to dump me off the pier and I would have thought he talked about making love to me forever. It was just that sexy. This was my culture and I hardly knew a thing about it.
“So, where are you taking me?” I questioned, hoping that it was to bed where he could do more than just stare. Life was too short to hold back. I craved Alessandro more than I could imagine possible and if he wanted to have my pussy for dessert, I’d lay it open for him.
“It’s a surprise.”
“You’re not taking me somewhere to off me, are you?” I didn’t get that vibe from him, but a good looking man could be a serial killer just as easily as an ugly one.
“The only offing happening tonight is when I’m balls deep into your pussy getting us both off.” Shit, I should be terrified by his intentions, but instead, I let out a moan. He leaned in so they couldn’t hear us and whispered in my ear, “You want that don’t you, Isabella. You want to come for me before I fill you up with my seed.”
“I’m not on birth control,” I let slip without thinking.
He nipped at my neck before sliding his hand between my legs and cupping my pussy. He gave it a squeeze before letting go. He looked up at me and his eyes darkened. A look of triumph with a hint of smugness crossed his face. “Good. So by the time we wake up in the morning, my baby will be growing inside you,” he grunted, kissing my lips gently before sitting back to adjust his massive cock that was straining to come out of his pants.
The guys in the front who I’d completely forgotten about, said something to Alessandro.
“We’re here,” he said. They opened the door and he stepped out first. Just as he reached for me. The vehicle sped off, taking me with it.
“Isabella,” he shouted as he ran to me, but the vehicle picked up speed.
I looked out the back and another black truck scooped them up. “What are you doing?” I shouted at the driver, banging on the back of his seat.
Before I could react, he pulled a gun out on me, pointing it at my head. I duck and he shoots off a round against the seat, missing me, but making a statement, I hadn’t missed. “Now shut the fuck up stupid bitch.” His Italian accent was so thick that the words were muddled together, but the meaning wasn’t lost on me. I was going to die if I didn’t shut up and behave. He’d probably kill me anyway. At least I’d be with my parents.
He drove on, calling someone and shouting in Italian. I looked back hoping to see the black SUV following behind, but it had disappeared from us. I knew that Alessandro had been too good to be true. There was no way that he’d rescue me. We’d only met today. “Ha. Your prince charming couldn’t keep up. He might not even bother wasting money for a ransom. Maybe I’ll enjoy your pussy too and dump you into the ocean.”
He continued racing down the spiral road taking me along the coast. I wasn’t sure how to escape, but I knew I had to try. Shit. Silent tears ran down my face as I looked at the landmarks for reference. Suddenly, the truck came to an abrupt stop, slamming me against the back of the driver’s seat and then onto the floor. Figuring it was now or never, I reached for the handle. As I pulled it, the door opened roughly from the other side.
It was Alessandro. He pulled me out into his arms and over his shoulder, walking back to the other vehicle. “I’m so damn sorry, amore. Never again.” He kissed my hair and my temple over and over as he helped me inside the other vehicle. He closed the door and walked back over to the other SUV. Dragging the driver out by his head. My eyes stayed glued to the scene before me, afraid of what would happen to him if I didn’t.
Alessandro beat his ass and then they tied him up, carrying him into the trunk area. Cosimo took over driving the hijacked vehicle and Alessandro came back to me.
“La casa, per favore.” He wrapped me up in his arms, cradling me and then said, “I’m sorry, amore, but our plans will have to be canceled for the night.”
“How am I supposed to get back to my hotel?”
“It’s not safe there for you.” I knew he had a point, so I rested my aching head on his chest. “I’m so sorry. Tell me. Are you hurt?”
“I have a bit of a headache, but that’s it.”
He rubbed my temples with his big strong hands. “I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again, Isabella.” I knew at that moment that I could trust him with everything, including my damaged heart. “I’m so sorry.” He kissed my temple and held me close the rest of the drive.
Chapter Five
Alessandro
We arrived at the house in just twenty minutes. Still, it felt like a fucking eternity getting to where Isabella would be safe. My heart had never experienced a panic like I had. Everything in my body demanded that revenge be meted on everyone involved. She fell asleep in my arms, so I carried her to our bedroom and laid her down in bed and covered her up. Sitting next to her, I admired her beauty and prayed that she wouldn’t leave me. My life wasn’t always like this, but someone finally saw a weakness in me and decided to take it.
As much as I didn’t want to wake her, I refused to let her freak out when she woke up. “Amore. Isabella. Isabella,” I stated, calling her name two more times before she would look up at me. She looked around and then back at me. Caressing her cheek, I said, “I have to go.”
“Alessandro, don’t leave me.” She clung to my shirt, making my soul burn with more anger than before. The thought that fear invaded her gutted me.
“You’re safe here. I promise.”
“What about you? What if he has friends?” I loved how worried she was for me, but they couldn’t do shit when I had a reason for coming right back to my queen.
“Then I’ll kill them all.” Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her to me and slammed my lips on hers. A low rumble rips through my chest as I slip my tongue into her mouth.
I pulled back, still clinging onto her biceps as I dipped my forehead to hers. “Fuck. I really have to go.” A sigh escaped her lips, and I smiled internally. At the very least, she was going to miss me. “How about you rest, and I’ll be back soon.”
“Promise.” Her pout was so damn cute that I wanted to taste her lips again—and I did.
“Indubbiamente. Without a doubt, cara mia.” She gave me a smile that gave me a little relief that she would be okay in time.
After settling Isabella back down in our bed with some pain medicine and water, I went to handle the garbage that took her from me in the first place. There was something else going on here, and I wanted answers before I disposed of him for good. Others were involved.
Since I’d just met Isabella yesterday, this was an opportunity shot. Still, they fucked up big time because the second I saw her, I’d kill a thousand men to keep her safe.
Since I already had his blood on my suit, I kept it on and went into the room where we kept him. “Ciao, Carlo. Is there something you need to say to me before you meet your father?”
“You are a pathetic fool to fall for a woman. It will make you weak, and the others will get you.”
“The others?” He nodded with a smugness that pissed me off. “Names.”
“I’m going to die either way. Why would I tell you?” he scoffed.
“Okay. That’s the way you want to play it. Fine.” For the next hour, I tortured him before he finally confessed that there were no others. He wanted to ransom Isabella off, and he hoped that I would take the bait. I finished the job with one
between the eyes. Then the men began the cleanup, making sure that Carlo would never be found.
An hour later, I was clean and changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt while my clothes had the fasteners and buttons removed before they were burned. The buttons and buckles would get washed and used for mending my suits if needed.
When I opened the bedroom door, I spotted my woman sleeping on my side of the bed, curled into a ball, hugging my usual pillow. I climbed into bed, trying not to wake her. She stirred and then turned into my embrace.
“Alessandro,” she whispered. “You’re back.” Her mouth brushes gently against my jaw. I loved the way it came off her lips. “It feels so good to be in your arms.”
“You’ll be wrapped up in them for the rest of our lives.”
“What time is it?”
“It’s ten. Are you hungry?”
I’d been so busy that I’d completely lost track of time. “I slept that long. It felt like I just closed my eyes, but I am hungry.”
“Good. Let me feed you, and we can go about getting to know each other as I promised.”
My staff prepared a quick pasta with chicken breast because of the late hour. “So tell me more about you, your family, where you’re from.”
“I’m from Chicago. I lived there my whole life with my parents until they died last year in a car accident.” She choked up on the last bit with the pain of the loss still extraordinarily strong.
“Oh, no. I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, we were happy, planning my send off to college when they were hit on the expressway by a stoned driver. He’d been getting high in his car when he dropped his weed and reached down to get it, veering into the other lane. The bastard survived.”
“I’m sorry. It is a terrible way to lose your loved ones.”
“What about you? Any family? An ex-wife who’s ready to get me.”
