by Lylah James
“But what if I had turned out to be the spy? Or the enemy?” I choked on the words, my throat closing up as I suddenly felt nauseous. “What would you have done?”
Alessio stared at me for a second, his bluish eyes penetrating into my soul. “I would have had to kill you.”
Bringing my hand to my mouth to stop the sudden cry, I buried my face into his chest again. “I’m not your enemy,” I whispered.
“I know,” he replied just as softly. His hands were caressing my arms, and I melted into his embrace.
“Why are you lying, Ayla? Is Ayla even your name?” Alessio asked suddenly.
“Yes, Ayla is my name. I didn’t lie about that.”
“Then why did you lie about your last name? What are you trying to hide?” He pushed for more. “Are you in danger? Is someone after you?”
I gave him a stiff nod. Just one simple nod, and then we fell silent. Alessio didn’t ask anything else. I knew he was waiting for me to reply.
“The man I am to be married to.”
I whispered them, and Alessio froze, his body tensing, his arms tightening around me like bands of steel. “What?” he asked, his voice calm and low, but I knew he was feeling anything but calm.
I knew when he spoke in this tone he was at his angriest.
“He wants me, Alessio. It doesn’t matter that I ran away; he will never rest until he finds me, dead or alive.” Taking a deep breath, I sniffled, trying to keep my tears at bay. “I’m his obsession, his prize possession, and he will not stop looking for me until I’m in his bed again.”
Alessio’s fingers dug into my hips, and I winced. “Who is he?”
I shook my head. “Ayla, who is he?” he asked, his voice deadly.
“No.”
“Damn it!” he growled. “Why are you protecting him?”
My head snapped up, and I shook my head wildly. “No! I’m protecting you! And me. He is a dangerous man, Alessio. A mad man.”
His eyes turned into slits. “More dangerous than me?”
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. I knew Alberto was obsessed with me, but to what extent he would go, I didn’t know.
“He is a dead man, Ayla,” he vowed. “Tell me his name.”
The fury in his eyes was unmistakable. But it wasn’t at me. It was for me. It was directed at the man who had hurt me.
I stayed quiet. I thought he would snap, but he didn’t. Instead, he leaned his forehead on mine. “Why are you so stubborn?”
“Because I want to stay alive. I want to live with you. And I don’t want to lose you.”
“Angel,” he murmured. “You are not going to lose me.”
“I might be lying about my name, about who I am, but that is the only thing I am lying about. What I feel for you is the truth,” I confessed, hoping that when the time came, he would remember those words.
“Will you ever tell me the truth?” Alessio questioned.
I wish I never have to tell you the truth, Alessio. For the truth will break you. And I can’t bear to break your heart. But I have to. One day, I will have to tell you. And that day might be the day I lose everything.
“I will. When I’m ready. Right now, I want to forget. I don’t want to live in the past.”
Understanding flashed in his eyes, and he sighed. “I will protect you, Angel.” There it was. Another vow.
I didn’t say anything else. Laying my head on his shoulder, I breathed out a sigh, letting my body relax in his embrace. Alessio laid us down on the bed and pulled the cover on top of our bodies. Not once did he let me go.
“I know I’m not supposed to touch you, but we both know we can’t sleep without each other. I will hold you tonight, and tomorrow, I will keep my promise,” Alessio said in my ear before placing a kiss there.
One of his arms was wrapped around my stomach, my back to his front. He held me tightly, cocooning me into his body. I placed my hand over his and closed my eyes. “I know you will keep your promise.”
“Sleep, Angel. I will watch over you.”
Holding his promise to my heart, I let sleep take over me. This time I was filled with peace. After all, I was in the arms of my savior.
Chapter 20
I glided around the room, moving to the rhythm of the song as I folded Alessio’s clothes. I hummed along, my body light.
It had been two days since my nightmare. Alessio and I didn’t talk about it again. He never pushed for more or asked more questions. He was giving me the time I needed, and I was forever thankful for that.
I should be counting my days. I should tell the truth. But soon, I would.
I just wanted to live this moment for a little while longer before I left my life in the hands of fate.
Once I gave Alessio my truth, he would be the judge, jury, and the executioner. I would have no choice but to accept his decision, even if it meant my death.
I just wanted to bask in this happiness for a little while longer. Maybe I was a horrible person for that.
I didn’t know…but I didn’t care, either. I just wanted to continue being happy.
After folding the last of Alessio’s clothes, I quickly tied my hair in a ponytail. Smiling, I thought about Alessio pulling it down again.
It had been two days. Alessio’s punishment was over. He would be coming for me soon. Anticipation and desire licked its way through my body, and I quivered, pressing my thighs together.
I was about to step away from the bed when I noticed my book on the floor. Shaking my head, I bent down, my fingers grasping the book.
I went to stand up. My back was almost straightened, but I never got a chance.
A hard body wrapped around me. I let out a scream, and a hand covered my mouth, muffling me. I struggled as tears stung my eyes, but the strong body kept me in place.
Fear slithered its way into my body, and my mind started to race, my heart pounding. I was pushed forward, and I fell onto the bed, my eyes closing on the impact.
My body was flipped around so that I was on my back, and the body settled over mine. I squeezed my eyes shut, refusing to look at the man.
What if the devil had found me?
Chapter 21
My thoughts ran wild. The man settled on top of my body, and I froze, fearing what would come next. Taking a shuddering breath, I willed myself to relax and think. My mind refused to cooperate. All I could think about was Alberto’s sinister laughs.
A second passed and then another. He didn’t move, and neither did I. As the seconds ticked, the fear that was suffocating me slowly started to slither its way out. Even through my messed-up thoughts and alarm, it felt like I knew the person.
The way his body pressed into mine, every inch of it, I knew it. I had spent nights exploring it, feeling it. His scent wrapped around me, and I felt my muscles start to loosen.
My body knew him, and it reacted accordingly.
I knew him. And he wasn’t the devil.
My hands instinctively went to his shoulders, and I held on almost desperately. My eyes snapped open to meet bluish-steel colored ones. I stared into his molten eyes. They were hard but filled with so much desire and lust.
Another second ticked, and my body melted under his, the fear evaporating, my muscles unlocking as I gave him control.
And then he smirked, looking so sinfully handsome and devilishly sexy.
“Alessio,” I snapped, my fingers digging into his shoulders in warning. “You scared me!”
He hummed, his eyes growing more heated if possible. Alessio leaned down until his face was in my neck, his body pressing mine into the bed. He ran his nose along the length of my neck, placing small kisses as he went.
“You’ve been a very bad kitten,” he muttered, his voice husky and deeper. Oh God. “Flirting with my men.”
Oh, that! I squeezed my eyes shut in realization. I was in deep trouble. In my attempt to tease Alessio, I played a minx. Maddie was right. I had been playing with fire.
Alessio placed another kiss, and
then he gently bit down in warning. “Trying to get me jealous. Such a bad kitten.”
He kissed along my collarbone and then up again, leaving wet trails from his kisses, licking, sucking, and nibbling on the skin until I was putty in his arms. “Oh,” I moaned unashamedly.
His teeth grazed on the sensitive skin just above my collarbone, and my back arched off the bed as I pressed against him. I felt his hard length between my legs, and he groaned.
“Alessio,” I breathed. The fear was now replaced by desire and anticipation. No longer was I scared. All I needed was him.
He pulled back slightly to look down at me. “I’m hanging on a thin thread right now, Ayla. I won’t be gentle.”
Alessio leaned down again until his lips were next to my ear, his next words causing me to tremble in excitement. “I’m going to fuck you. This is going to be hard and fast.”
I tried to squeeze my legs together when I felt a tingle between them from his words, mixed with the roughness in his voice. But Alessio’s hips settled in between them, stopping my movement.
Through hazy and lustful eyes, Alessio stared at me. “Tell me if it gets too much, because I am about to push your limits.” His voice held a warning, but also desperation, almost as if he couldn’t hold himself in check any longer.
I could only nod, my body hyper-aware of his every movement. As soon as he saw my nod, I didn’t have a chance to blink or think before he pulled away abruptly. Then I heard a rip sound, echoing loud in the silent room.
My eyes widened, and I looked down at myself to see the top of my dress ripped. And then Alessio was on me again, not giving me a chance to react. His lips slammed into mine, kissing me possessively. My mind and body spun out of control from his bruising kiss.
It was clear his control had snapped.
Instead of being scared, all I felt was pleasure. I surrendered myself to him, trusting him to give me the pleasure I needed—we both needed.
His lips never left mine, even as he shifted slightly to pull my dress down. I struggled to help him, both of us refusing to break the kiss. When my dress was finally down to my waist, his hands came back up, and he pulled my bra cups down.
I moaned into his lips when his fingers found my nipples. They strained into perfect buds toward him, begging for his touch and attention. His tongue slid into my mouth, and the kiss deepened, his mouth devouring mine, tasting and nipping at my lips.
His fingers stroked over my nipples, and I trembled in his embrace, pushing into his touch, wanting more. And he gave me more.
His lips left mine, but they didn’t leave my skin. Alessio trailed kisses down my neck until he reached my nipples. I was already wet and dripping between my legs. I ached, wanting to be filled. Alessio swirled his tongue over the tip, my back arching for more. “Uhh…”
“You like that?” he teased.
I didn’t answer. But he gave me what I wanted. He licked, sucked, and played with my nipples, leaving me both hot and cold at the same time. My skin tingled, yet I felt strangely empty.
My fingers wrapped into his hair, pushing him into me, begging him for more without words. His lips left my skin, and I moaned in regret. “No.”
Alessio pulled back and gave me a heated look. “Are you begging, kitten?”
I glared up at him, and he chuckled. “No? Okay, don’t worry. You’ll be begging soon.”
His body left mine. Alessio quickly removed his clothes in haste. He tugged at his tie almost angrily and then threw it on the floor with his suit jacket and discarded shirt.
“Are you taking the birth-control pills Maddie gave you?” he asked. I could only nod, giving him the answer he wanted. His pants and boxers were next.
And then he was standing in front of me in all his naked glory. His hardness bumped upward toward his stomach, and I moaned at the sight.
Another chuckle came from him, and he wrapped his fingers along his hard length. “Remove your dress,” he ordered gruffly as he rubbed himself.
I stared at his hand, biting on my lips in anticipation. “Ayla,” he growled. I sat up at his tone and quickly removed my shredded dress and threw it on the floor, next to Alessio’s discarded clothes.
My body tightened as the cold air kissed my bare skin. I removed my bra, my eyes still on Alessio’s thick, hard, and long inches.
“Remove everything. I want you naked to my eyes,” he demanded. Swallowing hard and suddenly nervous, I slowly pulled my lacy panties down my legs and threw them on the floor.
I knelt, staring at Alessio, waiting for his next command. His eyes flared, and he bit his lips, giving me another sexy smirk.
“Your body is made to be worshiped.”
I wanted to be worshiped by him. The look in his eyes, I wanted it only for myself. And in return, I wanted to give him everything he needed or wanted. I wanted to be his, wholeheartedly.
“Spread your legs,” Alessio said.
I did, almost instantly. His eyes stayed glued between my legs, and he let out a string of curses. Before I could blink, he was on me again. Alessio flipped me over until I was on my knees and hands, my back to him.
I gasped in surprise but didn’t complain. His body molded over mine, and with his knees, he spread my thighs wider to accommodate him.
I couldn’t see him this way. I was forced to focus on my hearing and his every touch. With my cheek pressed against the pillow, I waited with anticipation. I thought he would take me quickly, but instead, his cock laid between my legs, not pushing forward.
Instead he rubbed against me, coating his tip with my wetness, and I moaned at the sensation. I moved my hips with him, wanting more friction, but his fingers tightened around my waist, keeping me still.
“Are you wet for me?” he asked, his voice deep and warm against my neck.
“Yes,” I moaned as I felt the head of his hard length at my entrance.
“Then show me.”
I licked my lips nervously, not knowing what to do.
“I—” I started but Alessio cut me off.
“Place your hand between your legs, play with yourself,” he ordered.
I reached between my legs with tentative fingers, and as soon as I touched my wetness, I froze. “Show me, Ayla.”
Pulling my hand away, I showed him, my cheeks heating as he grabbed my fingers and brought it to his lips, tasting me, licking my wetness from my fingers. He hummed in appreciation at my taste, his hips rocking against mine.
“Alessio…” I moaned again.
“What do you want, kitten?”
“You.”
He chuckled low, his chest vibrating behind my back.
“You need to be more specific.”
Ah! Why was he doing this?
“Please,” I begged.
His lips were next to my ear, his breath tickling the skin there. “Do you want my fingers? My lips?” he paused for a second as my hips pushed back, begging him wordlessly. “Hmm…or do you want my cock? Fucking you deep and hard until you are breathless and begging for more?”
“Yes. Alessio, please!”
“Yes to what? My fingers? My mouth?”
“No!” I cried out.
“What?” he taunted shamelessly. “Say it. I’m waiting.”
“I want—” I gasped and broke off when he pushed just an inch inside of me. But then he pulled out again, leaving me empty again. “I’m waiting, kitten.”
He reached forward and teased my nipples with his fingers.
“Damn it! I want you! I want you to fuck me!” I said, his touch and my desire for him driving me crazy.
That was enough for him. As soon as the words were past my lips, Alessio slammed inside of me in one unforgiving stroke. The air left my lungs in a harsh cry, and I bucked underneath him.
His hard thickness filled me almost painfully. Without the condom, I felt every inch of him, pulsing inside of my wet heat. Pressing my face into the pillow, I moaned loudly.
Alessio pulled back almost all the way, only to drive
back into me with such force that I struggled to breathe. He fucked me relentlessly, and I met each thrust with raw need.
“Shit,” he swore into my neck. “You feel so fucking good.”
I clenched around him every time he slammed back into me. Harder. Faster. Deeper. His controlled strokes losing their control.
“You’re mine!” he growled into my ear, his breathing harsh.
“Yes!” I was achingly aware of his need because I felt the same way.
The sensation was too much. My body was tingling and out of control. Only Alessio could rid me of that feeling, but he wasn’t giving me what I wanted.
Desire pooled in my stomach, and I clenched, the need to come filling my body, driving me over the edge.
Alessio pulled out of me, leaving me empty and hanging. “Alessio,” I protested.
“No, you cannot come. I’m nowhere near done with you yet, kitten,” he growled before pushing inside me again. “Tomorrow, when you are sore, throbbing, and aching, you’ll remember that I made you feel this way. You’ll remember that I was the one fucking you.”
He filled me to the brim with his hard cock. “I’m going to ruin you for every other man.”
Alessio slammed into me repeatedly in furious strokes, showing me that he meant every word he said. His fingers dug into my hips, and I knew they would leave bruises tomorrow.
My fingers tightened around the pillow as I held my moans and screams in. He was driving me crazy, but I couldn’t do anything except surrender to his deep thrusts and submit beneath his hard body.
My hips bucked against him, wanting more, demanding more, but he held back. He held my pleasure and drove me over the edge every time before pulling away, leaving me empty over and over again.
My wetness pooled between my thighs, and I bit on my lips to keep from screaming in frustration. My muscles were coiled tight with the need to come. I heard his groans each time he thrust into me, and I heard my desperate moans every time he pulled out.
