by Lylah James
Our tongues mated together in a slow, sweet loving. We kissed until we were breathless. And when we pulled apart, my heart felt like it had been restored. By the look Alessio was giving me, I could tell he felt the same.
My lips still tingled from the kiss. I could still feel him there, and a dreamy smile spread across my lips.
“I dreamed of you before you came into my life. When I was still a little boy, I dreamed of you. Black hair and green eyes, with a beautiful smile,” Alessio said gruffly, his voice tight with emotions.
I stuttered, and he smiled. “You were always meant for me, Ayla.”
“I was.” I nodded in agreement. “I just wished I had found you sooner, Alessio. Then you wouldn’t have needed to wait for me for so long.”
“It doesn’t matter. You found me now, and I’m never letting you go.”
“I don’t want you to ever let me go. Even if you tried, I’ll just come back,” I teased, although the words spoken rang with the truth.
“Good.” This time, it was Alessio who took my lips.
The kiss wasn’t sweet as before. He devoured me. He kissed me a like a madman. Like an animal craving for his mate. He took my lips deeply and possessively. Alessio kissed me with all he had.
His tongue shoved past my lips, kissing me with a frenzied desperation. I moaned against his lips, my hands going to his hair, my fingers tightening. He nipped at my bottom lip, and I leaned more into his kiss, demanding more.
When he pulled away, I could feel his pounding heart against mine. Alessio stared down at me with soft eyes, although the lust was blazing there with ferocious intensity. I trembled in anticipation for him.
“Do you forgive me?” he asked, his voice rough with desire.
Smiling, I combed my fingers through his hair, gently grazing my nails on the back of his neck, just the way he loved it. “I do. I had already forgiven you before you even dragged me here. Actually, I was coming up to talk to you but you beat me to it.”
“Yeah?” he asked, his eyes roaming over my face and then staring into mine deeply, looking for confirmation.
“Yes, Alessio,” I nodded. “I forgive you.”
And then his lips crashed to mine again. Giving me a hard, bruising kiss, he left me breathless. When he pulled away, I groaned a little. I could feel his hard on between my parted thighs.
I was turned on. I needed him. I forgave him.
“I forgive you, but I’m still a little mad that you touched Sasha,” I mumbled as his lips started to descend toward mine again.
Alessio froze, his lips mere inches from mine. “I know,” he mumbled back.
And then there it was. That smirk I loved so much. The corner of his lips tilted up just a little, and I had to suppress my moan.
Before I could say anything else, he rolled us over quickly, eliciting a shocked gasp from me. Alessio laid on his back, his head on his pillow as I straddled him, my knees on either side of his hips.
Alessio gifted me with his perfect smirk before slightly pushing upward and rolling his hips against mine. This time a moan escaped past my lips unashamedly when his hard cock pressed into me.
“I know,” he said again.
And then another roll of his hips.
He teased me, his rigid length rubbing deliciously against my covered crotch. Even through his slacks and my panties, I felt him. Hard, warm and ready.
“You can give me any punishment you want,” Alessio replied gruffly. I stared down at him through hazy eyes, and he sent me a wink, raising an eyebrow in suggestion.
Alessio slowly moved the hem of my dress upward, his fingers moving over my bare thighs. He drove me crazy with his teasing touch. When I finally got what he meant, I let out a small laugh.
He was impossible. Insatiable.
I hummed, giving my hips a tentative roll. Alessio groaned, slightly bucking upward. My hands went between us, and I cupped him through his slacks.
“Fuck,” he hissed.
I gave him a small squeeze, teasing him in return. I almost let out another moan at the feel of him, the hardness of him, pressing into my palm. I rubbed him over his pants, my hazy eyes on his lustful ones.
“Any punishment? Anything I want?” I asked, continuing my slow teasing touch.
“Yeah,” he groaned. “Anything.”
Leaning forward until my face was inches above his, our lips almost touching, I whispered, my voice coming out huskily. “Anything?”
“Anything, kitten,” he readily agreed, rolling his hips upward again, pressing into my palm.
Smiling, I gave him a quick kiss on the lips and then leaned back. Letting go of his cock, I raised an eyebrow of my own.
“Fine. You can’t touch me for three days.”
Alessio’s eyes widened as he froze, his mouth falling open in shock. “What?” he sputtered. Before he could stop me, I rolled off him and quickly got out of the bed.
He sat up, still staring at me in complete bafflement. “You heard me. You can’t touch me for three days.”
“No,” Alessio snapped. “We are not doing this. One fucking week of being away from you, not touching you. And now another three days? No. Fucking. Way.”
“Yes,” I replied back calmly. “That’s your punishment.”
Rubbing a hand over his face in frustration, he growled. “I had another type of punishment in mind.”
Oh yeah, he definitely did. I wouldn’t have minded either, but this time, it was my turn to tease him. I was going to enjoy it.
Alessio stared blankly at me for a few seconds before he smirked, his eyes turning dark with lust again. “Kitten,” he said huskily.
Oh no. No. I knew what he was doing.
I took a step away from the bed as he got off, stalking toward me. “No, Alessio.”
“I know you want me,” he continued, his hand going down to cup himself. He was still hard.
I was in trouble. I couldn’t deny him, especially when he was like this.
Placing a hand out, I tried to glare, although I could already feel myself growing wet. Ah! Get yourself together, Ayla.
“No. Stay,” I ordered.
He paused, cocking his head to the side. “I’m not a dog, Ayla.”
“Your sexy voice and sinfully delicious, beautiful body is not going to work on me this time,” I muttered. I meant it to be low, but he heard the words.
Wanting to smack myself, I only glared at Alessio when he chuckled low. “Hmm…so you like my sinfully delicious, beautiful body?”
Rolling my eyes, I crossed my arms. “Stop it.”
Alessio stalked toward me until he was standing in front of me, our bodies almost touching. “There is nothing wrong with that. You’re my woman. You have every right to appreciate my body and call it whatever you like,” he muttered in my ear, his breath tickling me there.
“And if you stop being stubborn, you can do anything you like with it too.” He placed a kiss on my ear, his tongue moving downward to my neck, leaving a wet trail. He kissed, licked, and sucked until it was almost impossible to refuse him.
“Alessio,” I breathed.
“You want my cock inside of you, don’t you? I know you’re wet right now, dripping for me.”
He was right. This infuriating man.
“Alessio.” Placing my hand over his chest, I pushed him away. “Behave. It’s only three days.”
“Exactly! Three fucking days of torture!” he growled, crossing his arms over his chest. “One day,” he tried to bargain.
Not happening.
“Nope. Three days.”
“One day, kitten. That’s all you’re getting.”
“No.”
“Fine! One day and a half.”
“No. Three days.”
“Ayla, stop being stubborn,” Alessio glared.
“You stop being stubborn. You said any punishment.” I glared back.
“Two days! That’s it. No more,” Alessio snapped.
“No.”
“Two days
, Ayla. Whether you like it or not, I’m coming for you in two days,” he said, the promise clear in his eyes and voice.
Throwing my hands in the air, I huffed. “Fine! Two days of no touching.”
“Can you wait for that long?” he asked, coming closer again.
No. It was going to be torture.
“No,” I replied honestly. “You’re right. It’s going to be torture.”
Alessio sighed before wrapping his arms around me. “Then why?”
“Maybe I am still a little mad?” Returning his hug, I placed a kiss over his chest. “I forgave you. But that doesn’t mean I’m not still slightly hurt.”
“Okay. Two days,” he mumbled in my ear.
Alessio pulled back, and I leaned on my tip-toes, kissing him soundly on the lips. Pulling away, I pressed my palm over his chest. “I need to get back to work.”
He brought his hand up and trailed a finger down my cheek. “I’ll see you down for dinner.”
Chapter 17
I left Alessio in our room and joined Maddie in the kitchen. Without giving her any warning, I pulled her away from the oven and twirled us around. She looked surprised at first but quickly let out a laugh.
Coming to a stop, I hugged her tight before letting go. “I see everything went well,” she remarked.
“Yes. It was perfect. Maddie, he is simply amazing,” I gushed in utter contentment. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve him. But I’m selfish. I don’t want to be without him.”
Maddie smiled, her face glowing with happiness. “I’m so happy for both of you. Don’t give up on him, okay?”
Shaking my head, I promised, “Never.”
It was a promise I was going to hold close to my heart. He was mine, and I was going to fight for him every day.
“I’m surprised you came down so fast.” Maddie raised an eyebrow at me before going back to the oven to remove the roasted chicken.
“Umm…yeah about that. Itoldhimhecan’ttouchmeforthreedays.” I said the words so fast they ran together before snapping my mouth shut in embarrassment.
“Huh?” Maddie asked, confused.
Sitting on the stool, I cleared my throat before speaking again. “I told him he can’t touch me for three days because I was still mad.”
Maddie stared at me for a second before busting in laughter. “You’re withholding sex? Oh my God, this is priceless.”
I shrugged. “But it’s two days now. He tried to bargain with me.”
“Of course. This is Alessio we’re talking about. I’m surprised he even accepted two days.”
“It was a hard bargain,” I agreed.
“I’m proud of you, girl,” Maddie said, her chest puffing out proudly. “Alessio needs to know what he did was wrong and won’t easily be forgotten.”
I nodded and helped her out. Maddie and I switched to small talk about anything and everything when I heard a very familiar voice.
My back straightened, and I saw Maddie freeze.
The voice came closer, and I held my knife tighter.
Nina.
What was she doing here?
I saw Maddie glaring at the doorway, and I took a deep breath. And then I heard her.
“Maddie,” she greeted. “I just need a glass of water.”
Maddie didn’t reply. Turning around on my stool, I faced her. She was wearing a pretty tight black dress that barely came to mid-thigh. Her red heels were pretty but so tall I wondered how she walked in them. Her blonde hair curled beautifully around her shoulders. Her face was glowing, her lips red with lipstick. In other words, she looked absolutely gorgeous.
Nina looked at me up and down, sizing me up before scoffing, rolling her eyes. “I’m surprised you’re still here,” she mumbled.
“What?” I asked, placing the knife down on the counter.
“After what you saw, I thought you would be all butt hurt and poor you would be running away in embarrassment,” she replied frankly.
“I’m still here,” I said.
“I can see that. But for how long? None of his fuck buddies last very long,” she shot back. “Except me.” Nina flipped her hair over her shoulder and leveled with a look.
Was she serious?
I saw Maddie glaring holes into Nina from the corner of my eyes. Oh, she is definitely scary when angry.
“Oh well, it’s not like he’ll still be interested in you after a few weeks.” She shrugged.
“Why do you say that?” I asked as calmly as I could. Deep inside, I felt slightly embarrassed, but that wasn’t what I was trying to control. It was the anger boiling inside of me that I was trying to keep at bay.
Giving her my best smile, I waited for her answer.
She scoffed, shaking her head. “Have you seen yourself?”
Confused, I looked down at myself. “I see myself every day in the mirror,” I mumbled.
“You are so…stiff,” she said through gritted teeth. “Do you really think you can keep Alessio interested for long?”
“That’s enough, bitch!” Maddie growled on the side.
“Oh please. I’m just speaking the truth. Truth hurts, doesn’t it?” Nina snapped back. Turning toward me again, she continued to hurl her insults.
“You are so plain. Stiff. Looking at you, I can already say you are probably a shit lay. Alessio needs someone adventurous. Someone who can keep him on his toes. Someone who isn’t as frigid as you.”
Calm down, Ayla. Take a deep breath. It’s okay. She’s just trying to hurt you. Don’t let her win.
“You little—” Maddie started saying, but Nina talked over her.
Walking closer to me, she continued. “Do you really think he would leave me for you, someone he had just met?”
My hands tightened into fists, and I stared blankly at her.
“I’m more like him. We have always been compatible. In bed and outside the bed. Whether he is fucking me or if we’re just working.”
Jealousy was a red haze in front of my eyes. And so much anger.
She licked her red lips and then smiled. The smile wasn’t friendly at all. It was mocking me, daring me to prove her wrong. “I’ve known him for years, and he always comes back to me. Alessio always comes back for more. And when he’s done with you, he will be back in my bed. You will be long forgotten, like every other stupid woman in his life.”
That’s it. I have had enough!
Quickly standing up, I caught Nina by surprise, and she took a step back, her eyebrows pulling together in confusion. Without thinking, I reached across the counter, my hand blindly reaching for something. Anything.
Too bad, my hand caught the cake Lena had baked this morning.
Everything happened so fast then.
One second I was standing in front of Nina while she glared at me, and the next, the cake was planted in her face.
She squealed and took several steps back, the cake falling from her face to the floor. Nina swiped her hands over her face furiously. “You fucking bitch. You’re going to pay for this.”
I didn’t give her a chance to react. Bending down, I grabbed the leftover cake and smashed it in her face again, smearing it all over her beautiful blonde hair and perfect face.
“You stupid ugly bitch!” I growled.
Chapter 18
My loud voice resonated in my ears and rang around the room. I never swore. Ever. And I had never been this mad before. I was seething, my heart pumping fiercely with the need to extract revenge on the woman standing in front of me.
How dare she?
She not only insulted me, but Alessio also. She insulted what Alessio and I had. Our relationship was not perfect, but our feelings for each other were pure. I wasn’t going to stand there and watch someone else taint it.
Nina’s face was covered in chocolate cake…my favorite cake, actually. Lena had baked it for me, and for a moment, I felt a pang of sadness that it got spoiled, but the anger—my body was shaking with it. I was blinded.
All I could hear were
Nina’s horrendous words.
She tried to reach for me, but I quickly stepped out of the way and reached for her hair, wrapping my fingers around the strands that weren’t spoiled by the cake.
“Let go of me!” she yelled. My fingers only clenched tighter.
“Don’t you ever speak about my relationship with Alessio like that,” I hissed in her face. “You are so wrong and so blinded by your hatred to see what Alessio and I have. Maybe if you open your heart just a little, maybe then you will understand what love is and how pure it is.”
“Love is stupid. And you’re stupid to think Alessio loves you. He can’t love. He doesn’t know how to love,” she snapped back.
“You are wrong again.” My fingers fisted in her hair, and I pulled her face closer to mine. “Everyone says he’s heartless, but I have seen the man behind the cruel monster. He might be hard and ruthless…” I paused, thinking about Alessio and his confessions. I thought about all his sweet words, kisses, and gentle caresses. Looking back into Nina’s furious eyes, I continued, “But he can love. I believe in him.”
“And that will be your first and last mistake,” she replied, her harsh laughter ringing in my ears cruelly.
My patience had been hanging on the end of a small thread, but it just snapped. I was blinded by a sudden rage that tasted bitter but surprisingly satisfying.
“My mistake would be listening to your hateful words.” Before she could say anything else, I was dragging her out of the kitchen, pulling her by her hair.
“Let go of me!” Nina screamed, her voice loud in the estate.
Nina’s fingers wrapped around my wrist, her nails digging almost painfully into my skin. I winced but didn’t let her go. She scratched me, and when a stinging feeling spread across my wrist and arm, I knew she had drawn blood.
Ignoring the burning sensation, I finally reached the main doors, which were thankfully already open. I dragged and pushed Nina out, releasing my grip on her hair.
She tripped and fell down on her knees before quickly standing up again. Turning to face me, she was seething with anger. Her body was shaking with it.
“Don’t come back again, and stop sprouting your hate and insecurities on others. You have not only insulted Alessio and me, but you have also insulted yourself in the process. Be with a man who can love you and make love to you. Not with someone who will only fuck you and then leave you to sleep with other women. That’s nothing to be proud about.”
