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Annalisa 14
14ANNALISAA clammy sweat slicked my skin as I jolted awake, the dream clinging to me like a shroud. It wasn’t the first time this nightmare had visited, a recurring torment from a past life I barely remembered. This time, though, the details felt sharper, the emotions rawer.I was trapped in a crowded square, the cobblestones slick with a suspicious sheen. A jeering mob circled me, their faces contorted with a mix of fear and morbid curiosity. In the center stood a rickety wooden platform, the executioner sharpening his axe on a nearby grindstone with a chilling rasp.My throat constricted. This couldn’t be real. It was just a dream, a cruel trick my subconscious was playing on me. But the fear felt distressingly real, the taste of metallic terror thick on my tongue.“Annalisa Dubois!” A booming voice echoed through the square, silencing the jeers. A pompous man in a feathered hat stood on a raised dais, reading from a parchment that trembled in his hand. “You stand accused of the h
Annalisa 15
15ANNALISAI could feel Adrian’s warm breath on my neck as he pulled me closer to him. I was lying on my bed, wearing nothing but my nighties. My heart was racing with anticipation.“Everything will be fine, I promise,” he whispered in my ear.I looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity in them. I nodded, giving him my consent.He started off slow, kissing me gently on the lips. His lips were soft and tender, and I couldn’t help but respond. I parted my lips, allowing his tongue to explore my mouth. We French kissed, our tongues dancing to a rhythm only we understood.Adrian’s hand moved down to my breast, gently caressing it. He squeezed it softly, causing me to moan with pleasure. He took my nipple into his mouth, sucking on it gently. I arched my back, pushing my breast further into his mouth.I could feel the wetness between my legs growing. I wanted him inside me, but I also wanted to prolong this moment of pleasure.“Do you want me to continue?” Adrian asked, his voice husky w
Annalisa 16
16ADRIANThe crumpled note felt like a live grenade in my hand. It had arrived anonymously, tucked discreetly beneath the windshield wiper of my car. The stark message, scrawled in spidery handwriting, sent a jolt of ice through me: “The Dubois case. They framed the wrong one. Look deeper.”Annalisa’s tear-stained face flashed before my eyes, the raw vulnerability she’d shown me that night. The framed murder charges hanging over her like a Damocles sword felt like a personal affront now. Someone, it seemed, wanted justice for her, even if the official channels had failed her.The weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders. This wasn’t just about soothing Annalisa’s anxieties anymore. This was about uncovering the truth, no matter how deep the rabbit hole went.The first tendril of suspicion led me to Caleb, a childhood friend with a nose for sniffing out secrets. He ran a small but well-regarded investigative firm, his cynicism a perfect counterpoint to my relentless optimism.
Annalisa 17
ANNALISAThe shrill ring of the phone pierced the comfortable silence of my apartment. I glanced at Adrian, who was sprawled on the couch, a half-eaten brownie precariously balanced on his chest.“Probably wrong number,” he mumbled, his eyes drooping closed.But the insistent ringing continued, a nagging itch I couldn’t ignore. With a sigh, I picked up the receiver.“Hello?”A clipped, irritated voice filled my ear. “Annalisa? It’s your father.”My stomach lurched. I hadn’t spoken to the Duke since the whole nightmare with the dream and Adrian. The silence between us had been thick, a tense standoff fueled by unspoken disapproval.“Father,” I said, my voice carefully neutral. “What a surprise.”“Surprise, indeed,” he huffed. “The news travels fast in these circles, Annalisa. And let me tell you, the whispers about you and that… commoner… are not doing your reputation any favors.”My blood ran cold. “News? What news?”“Don’t play coy with me,” he snapped. “Everyone’s talking about you
Annalisa 18
18ADRIANWho is the mysterious stranger?The rain hammered on the fire escape, each drop exploding in a miniature geyser against the rusted metal. It mirrored the turmoil churning in my gut. Across the slick alleyway, a figure emerged from the shadows, materializing from the thin sheen of rain like a phantom conjured by the storm itself. Tall and cloaked in midnight blue, they moved with an almost predatory grace that sent a tremor down my spine.This was it. The culmination of weeks of whispered conversations in back alleys and cryptic messages exchanged under the cloak of darkness. My lifeline in this suffocating game of power.“Adrian,” a voice rasped, sandpaper rough against my raw nerves. It held an unsettling allure, both dangerous and strangely comforting, like the purr of a well-fed panther before it pounced.I took a tentative step forward, the ornately carved invitation in my hand threatening to disintegrate into a soggy mess. “You Krom?” My voice cracked, a pathetic squeak
Annalisa 19
19ANNEThe clinking of crystal wine glasses and Annalise’s infectious laughter filled the opulent dining room. Seated across from them, Adrian, the so-called “charming artist,” leaned in conspiratorially, his hand brushing suggestively against Annalise’s. Bingo. My carefully crafted plan was unfolding perfectly.A mischievous glint flickered in my eyes. All evening, I’d been dropping not-so-subtle hints about a secluded balcony overlooking the city. Now, with Annalise’s guard down, a few well-timed words were all it took.“Isn’t the view from the balcony simply breathtaking, Annalise?” I purred, batting my eyelashes at her. “Perhaps some fresh air after all that delicious food?”A dreamy smile played on Annalise’s lips. “Oh, Anne, you’re right! The city lights always look magical from there.” She reached for Adrian’s hand, their fingers intertwining. “Care to join us, Adrian?”He flashed a winning smile, his eyes locking with mine for a fleeting moment. A silent exchange passed betwe
Annalisa 20
20ADRIANThe air in the grand courtroom hung heavy with tension, thick enough to choke on. Annalise, my heart, sat rigidly in the defendant’s chair, her back ramrod straight despite the fear flickering in her eyes. We were facing the Duke, her imposing father, his face a mask of thunderous fury. Anne, that conniving viper, sat beside him, a smug smirk plastered on her face.The Duke slammed his fist on the ornately carved table, sending a tremor through the room. “Trial by ordeal!” he roared, his voice echoing in the cavernous hall. “Annalise shall prove her innocence by walking through the flames!”My stomach lurched. Trial by ordeal? This was barbaric! I stole a glance at Annalise, her face pale but resolute. She wouldn’t back down without a fight. But walking through flames? It was a death sentence disguised as justice.“Your Grace, with all due respect,” I began, my voice surprisingly steady despite the pounding in my chest. “Trial by ordeal is a rather… antiquated practice.”The
Annalisa 21
21ANNALISEI couldn’t believe it, Adrian had finally confessed his love for me. We were lying in bed, our bodies entwined, as we shared our deepest feelings for each other. I had always known that there was something special between us, but I never thought that it would develop into something so profound.As we talked, our hands began to explore each other’s bodies. We had always had a strong physical connection, but now that we had acknowledged our love, everything felt even more intense. I ran my fingers through Adrian’s hair as he kissed my neck, sending shivers down my spine.“I want you, Annalise,” he whispered in my ear. “I want to make love to you.”I didn’t need any more convincing. I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him closer to me. We kissed deeply, our tongues intertwined, as we let ourselves get lost in the moment.As we made love, I couldn’t help but let out a few moans of pleasure. “Yes, Adrian, just like that,” I gasped, as he hit all the right spots.After we had
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