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Chapter 11: Sofia
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 12: Sofia
Drew picks me up at my house at six o'clock.He offers me a stunning bouquet of wildflowers after I open the door. Burying my nose in the blooms, I invite him in and arrange them in a vase, adding thoughtful to Drew's list of admirable qualities.We head downtown to have dinner at a popular steakhouse he's secured reservations at. Within the first five minutes in the car, we banter back and forth, cracking jokes and laughing. My concerns about not having enough to discuss over the course of the evening seem unwarranted.There's nothing awkward or stilted about being in his company.Which is a huge relief.As a colleague, I immediately liked Drew. He has a laid-back, affable manner that instantly puts people at ease. And he's knowledgeable and interested in a wide variety of subjects. From politics to musical choices, we run the conversational gamut during the drive.We share a bottle of white wine over dinner. The two glasses I consume don't make me feel intoxicated, just light
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 13: Sofia
As soon as Drew disappears around the corner, I make my way to the bouncer and smile. "Hi, Lucas."He straightens to his full height when he recognizes me. At six foot four and two hundred and fifty pounds, Lucas is a big dude. There aren't many people who want to mess with him. Which is exactly why my brother hired him. "Hey, Ms. Bianchi," he replies. "How you doing tonight?""I'm good." I glance down the block, making sure there's no sign of Drew. He seemed nervous about leaving me alone, so I need to work fast. "Any chance we can skip the line?"With sausage-like fingers, he slides his shades down the bridge of his nose until light blue eyes meet mine. "Are you serious? The boss would have my ass if I didn't usher you inside pronto." He leans in and says, "He'd have my head right now if he knew you were standing out on the street by yourself." Brows drawing together, he twists his thick neck from side to side. "You here with someone, Ms. B?"I want to roll my eyes bu
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 14: Sofia
"What are you doing?" I rasp.Roman slips inside the bathroom and shuts the door behind him.The sound of the lock clicking into place is like a gunshot in the small room. My heart pounds in my chest. I want to run away, but I'm not sure if I can move my legs."Why are you here?" he fires back.I jerk in response. "Excuse me?""You heard me," he retorts in a gruffer tone. "Why are you here?"My shoulders straighten as anger roils through me. Who the hell does this man think he is? I don't owe him any explanations. Roman Santori works for my father. Not the other way around. And he certainly isn't my keeper."I'm here with a," I pause, debating if I should say friend or date. Screw it, I'm not going to hide what I'm doing. "Date."He steps toward me, and I reflexively back away to keep the same amount of distance between us.I take a deep breath and force it out, trying to settle my jangled nerves. Being this close to Roman always sends my pulse skyrocketing. I need a distr
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 15: Sofia
"Yes," I whisper.His fingers dive into the other cup, sliding the lace down until air kisses both breasts. "Gorgeous," he growls, playing with one nipple and moving to the other. "So fucking lush."I moan and wiggle against the erection digging into my back. My tummy trembles as he trails his fingertips down the middle of my ribcage until they hover over the waistband of my skirt."Have you let him touch you?"I purse my lips together. What I've done with Drew is none of Roman's damn business. His fingers slip under the band and slide straight into my panties. A moan slips free as he cups my naked heat. My body is already dancing on the edge. It won't take much to push me over. The sight of us in the mirror-him holding me with his hand wrapped in my hair, forcing my head back while my breasts spill out of my bra-is the most erotic thing I've ever seen.I want to burn the image into my brain."Have you let him play with your pussy, princess?" He squeezes my slick heat poss
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 16: Sofia
"I had a great time tonight." Sincerity swims in Drew's green eyes. "I'm glad we were finally able to do this." I force a smile. "Me, too. It was fun." Unfortunately, that's exactly the way it feels. Forced. I can't imagine getting together with him again. Nor can I imagine this relationship progressing any further. Not when I have such strong feelings for someone else. And not when I allowed one man to touch me when I was out with another.Oh my God, who does that?I'm not that kind of person.I'm not, damn it.I study Drew's face, desperately wanting to feel a tenth of what I feel for Roman. But I just don't.Until my run-in with Roman, I'd had a great time with Drew. I'd forgotten about Roman and the intense feelings he rouses in me for a few hours.I'm embarrassed for responding to him the way I did and humiliated for melting in his arms right after he touched me. I have no willpower when it comes to that man.I blink, and Drew's handsome features blur in front of
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 17: Sofia
Stepping closer, he lifts a hand and softly grazes my cheek. "I shouldn't have laid one goddamn finger on you. That was my first mistake." Anger kindles in his eyes as he rasps, "Now the floodgates have been opened, and there's no turning back. I walked away earlier and allowed you to run back to that other guy. What I should have done is taken what I wanted. I should have thrown you over my shoulder, carried you out of the club, and taken you home myself."Desire rushes through me, warming me from the inside out. It's something only he is capable of stirring to life. I don't understand why, but feel addicted to it nevertheless.I know I should tell him to leave, but the words stick in my throat as I bask in his gentle touch.Roman caresses my other cheek. "I'm going to fuck you nice and hard, princess. I'm going to give us what we both want. What we need from each other. And when I bury my cock deep inside your sweet pussy, you're going to scream my name just like you did
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 18: Sofia
A long, low groan of pleasure rumbles up from deep in his chest as I take him deeper. Beads of salty precum hit my tongue and whet my desire for this man.His shaft swells, his balls drawing up tight against his body. But instead of coming, he pushes me away. The head of his cock pops free as I stare up at him in confusion.He moves a hand to my face and sweeps his fingers across my lips. One thick digit pushes into my mouth. Eyes trained on his, I suck it.He watches me through heavy-lidded eyes with a satisfied smile. "Do you have any idea how many times I pictured you on your knees, sucking my cock?"I moan around his finger, eyeing the erection only inches away. He removes the digit from my mouth and the hand from my hair. "Turn around."I scramble to do his bidding.Once I'm in position, Roman places a hand between my shoulder blades and pushes me down until both cheek and chest are pressed to the mattress and my ass is high in the air. He grips my hips and pulls me to th
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 19: Sofia
I wake in stages as if fighting my way to the surface. Something feels off, but my mind can't figure out what. I stretch my hand out next to me coming away with nothing but air.Which is the precise moment when everything from last night crashes into my brain with the force of a tsunami.Roman.The bathroom at Covet.Him waiting in my living room.Both of us needing more.I don't remember how many times we sated our hunger for one another. He woke me three or four times during the night. It was, in a word, delicious. So much better than any of my fantasies.My eyelids flutter open.Before I let the regret for making such a huge mistake swallow me whole, I allow myself a few moments to revel in every amazing moment that occurred between us.Maybe I'm naïve, but I never imagined sex could be so explosive.Or hot.Or dirty.Exhausted from the long night, I arch my naked body until every muscle has been lengthened and stretched. My hair is a wild, tangled mess spread across the snowy
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Claiming What's Mine Chapter 50: Sofia
Mama moves around me and stands toe-to-toe with Roman, who bows his head in deference even though he towers over her. Her fingers slide under his chin and turn his head from one side to the other so she can take a good look at his bruised and bloodied face. "You were let off easy. Don't make my husband regret his generosity.""I won't," Roman says gravely."I always liked you," she muses. "It's disappointing to realize you spent so many years lying to us."Regret flashes across his face. "I'm sorry about that, Mrs. V. If I could go back and change it, I would." His gaze dips to me. "But then I wouldn't have met Sofia."Mama tilts her head to the side, her fingers digging into his chin as she studies him. "If you hurt my darling girl or this grandbaby, there will be nowhere on this earth you can hide that I will not hunt you down."Roman winces as her fingernails cut into his skin. "I'm asking for the chance to make Sofia happy. I want to give her the life she deserves." Loo
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 49: Sofia
Surprisingly, my brothers release Roman right away.Roman leans against me, trying to hold himself upright so as not to appear weak in front of my family. We stagger toward a leather armchair, and he slowly lowers himself onto it. The swelling and bruises have worsened in the last few minutes. His right eye is almost fused shut and a rainbow of streaks color his chin.As I turn to face my family, my gaze lands on my mother, who I hadn't realized was standing behind me. Grace is there as well, her blue eyes wide as saucers."You don't have to do this," Roman mumbles.I slip my hand into his and rub his knuckles with my thumb. "Yes, I do." My parents, my brothers, and Grace are all on one side of the room while Roman and I occupy the other. I've never felt so isolated from them. My family has always stood together. That's what we do. The Valentinis present a united front to anyone who tries to harm us.And I'm breaking that code by defying them.Is this man worth it?Is he wor
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 48: Sofia
I shoot Grace a questioning look over my mother's shoulder, but the other woman shrugs in response. "I'm just relieved that you're okay." Mama tucks a lock of hair behind my ear and pats my shoulder.I frown in confusion. "Why wouldn't I be?" Is she referring to the Russian situation? I can't imagine my father hasn't kept her up-to-date with the recent developments. "Roman never let me out of his sight, Mama. I was perfectly safe the entire time."Instead of softening with relief, her expression turns murderous. Her dark eyes fill with a mixture of contempt and disgust. She glances toward the wing my father's office is located in. "That man will no longer be working for us."My throat closes. "What are you talking about?"She shoots a nasty glare at the hallway. "He's a traitor.""Roman?" I breathe."Don't ever say that man's name in this house again!" she snaps, drawing herself up to her full height.I thought we had time to make a plan before talking to my father. But we
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 47: Sofia
"Once I earned Enzo's trust, he brought me to the compound himself and gave me access to the heart of the operation. He opened his home to me and treated me like a son." His eyes drop to his lap."He cared about you. He still does. He planned for you to take over since my brothers have no interest," I grate out, unable to hide the fury tinging my voice at how Roman duped my father.Roman shakes his head and runs a hand over his closely cut hair. "I know."His troubled gaze meets mine again, and my heart softens because I can tell he's just as conflicted over the situation as I am."This assignment was supposed to be a two-year stint. I was instructed to make connections in the lower ranks and gather intel. Just as I was about to be pulled out, Enzo took an interest in me. No one had managed to make it into the Valentini inner circle before. My lieutenant and the DA decided to let me stay. But the problem is that you can't work undercover indefinitely. The deeper you get entr
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 46: Sofia
A guard waves our car through the gate, and we pull into the wooded grounds of the Valentini compound.Roman received a text from my father informing him that the Russian threat has been eliminated. I'm no longer in danger, and my security detail has been called off.It's a relief to have one less issue to worry about. My hand rests on my stomach as Roman navigates the long driveway. Neither of us said much during the twenty-minute ride. I think we're both in shock. I know I am. I may have suspected this outcome, but was still unprepared for it. I shift on the seat as Roman glances at me and wait for him to start this much-needed conversation.He doesn't though. He just continues to drive in silence as the test results flash through my brain for the hundredth time.I'm pregnant.I'm going to give birth to a tiny human being in less than nine months.My whole world has just been rocked. There's no going back to the way it used to be. I would be lying if I didn't admit that th
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 45: Sofia
I rush toward my car in the school parking lot with one thing on my mind.And that's stopping at the pharmacy on the way home to get a pregnancy test.In my two years as a high school counselor, I've had several girls pop into my office, frightened that they could be pregnant. The first thing I tell them is to talk to their parents because this isn't an issue they should deal with on their own. The second is to take a test. For the most accurate results, I advise them to make an appointment with their family doctor or Planned Parenthood to run blood work and take a urine test. If they aren't comfortable with either of those options, I tell them to pick up a home pregnancy test.Most of the time, they stop in and tell me their results were negative. We then have a come-to-Jesus discussion regarding safe sex practices. Abstinence is the only foolproof method, but that's not a realistic option for many teenagers nowadays. And I get that. We go over the different kinds of birth con
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 44: Sofia
I scrutinize my appearance in the mirror to make sure I'm at least semi-presentable. Unfortunately, I look like death warmed over. The best thing I can do at this point is call it a day. I'll let Sherry know I'm taking a few hours of sick time and head home. I can drive over to the compound once I feel better and tell my parents about Roman's deception in person.Just as I'm shutting down my computer, Ella pokes her head through the open doorway."Hey, Ms. B, do you have a few minutes?" She smiles."Hi, Ella." I hold my hands up, palms out in a stay-put fashion because I don't want her to get sick if I've picked up a virus. "Don't get too close. I'm not feeling very well. I was just about to head home for the afternoon."Her expression turns sympathetic. "That sucks."I chuckle. Throwing up at work in the middle of the afternoon sucks big time. "It really does.""Hopefully whatever you caught will pass quickly. Is it a stomach bug?""I think so.""I bet some Saltine cracke
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 43: Sofia
I blink back tears, refusing to let him see how much he's shattered me. "You should have done us both a favor and never given in."He scrubs a hand over his face. "Don't you think I know that?" he asks in a low, ugly snarl. "Don't you think I fought my feelings every single goddamn day? Every fucking moment was a battle. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you. You have to believe that."Unable to listen anymore, I stand. "I don't know what to believe. I need to get to work.""I expected you to call Enzo last night." He tilts his head. "Why didn't you?"I look away.That's an excellent question. One I've asked myself a million times already. I should have called my father right after getting in the cab.Papa would have snapped up Roman by now.Which is precisely why I didn't do anything.Because I can't sentence the man I love to death.My shoulders slump as I acknowledge my own truths. This delay doesn't mean I won't tell my family. It just means I haven't placed
Claiming What's Mine Chapter 42: Sofia
Groaning, I roll toward the alarm clock and slap it.My eyelids feel like they've been cemented shut. Prying them open takes a Herculean effort. Unable to force my limbs into action, I lay in bed as memories of yesterday assault me.Roman is an undercover police officer.Never in a million years could I have foreseen this. If anything, I'd wondered if he worked for the Russians.But the police?The Chicago PD?No. I feel completely blindsided by the revelation. What am I going to do? Acknowledging what a mess this situation is makes me burrow deeper under the covers, wishing I could stay in bed for the rest of the day. Maybe the next few. I had a difficult time falling asleep after getting home because my mind wouldn't click off. As a result, I feel tired and irritable.I would love to call in sick, but can't.Two parent meetings and an IEP are on my agenda for today. These parents have rearranged their schedules to come in and discuss their children's educational needs, whic
