Watching Lena come undone beneath me was intoxicating. The way her body arched, the way her cries filled the room, the way she looked at me with pure, unadulterated desire burning in her eyes - it was a heady experience. But as good as it was, I knew I'd only just scratched the surface of what we could be. She needed more, craved more, and I was more than happy to give it to her. My gaze fell on the flickering candle, its flame dancing in the shadows. The perfect tool for a little… education. Picking it up, I let a single drop of molten wax fall onto Lena's breast. Her scream, sharp and surprised, was music to my ears. A dark smile spread across my lips as I watched the way her breath hitched, the way her nipple peaked under the gentle sting. “Principessa,” I murmured, my voice husky. “You have no idea what pleasures await you.” (Princess) I trailed the candle along her skin, watching the way she shivered, the way her eyes widened with a mixture of fear and anticipation. On her
The morning sun streamed through the window, painting stripes of gold across the rumpled sheets. I stirred, the warmth beside me lulling me back into slumber. Then, I saw her. Lena. Tangled in my arms, her hair a cascade of dark waves across the pillow, a strand tickling my cheek. She looked… not pretty, but beautiful. The kind of beautiful that makes you stop and stare, the kind that steals your breath. A smile stretched across my face, and I reached out, gently pulling her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered open, those ice blue pools that had first captivated me. They were still sleepy, a bit hazy, but the way they crinkled at the corners when she smiled made my heart skip a beat. "Good morning," I murmured, my voice husky with sleep. "Morning," she mumbled, stretching and yawning. We lay there for a while, silent, just enjoying the warmth of each other’s presence. I traced the line of her jaw with my finger, admiring the way the morning light danced on her skin. "How are you feeli
The familiar weight of expectation settled on my shoulders as we walked through the doors of the villa. Every bowed head, every murmured greeting, was a reminder of who I was – Luca Rossi, the Don. It was a title I wore like a second skin, a mantle of power and responsibility that could feel as much a cage as a crown. I embraced the shadows, the power games, the intricate alliances and betrayal. We thrived on it, thrived on the respect, the fear, the absolute control. Even when it seemed like I had left… I did not, not really. I was still the Don of the Italian Mafia and the life, the intrigue, the blood it was all in my veins. Me and my brother's veins I followed Marco through the labyrinthine halls, the scent of old money and subtle menace clinging to the air. My office, when we finally reached it, was a study in understated wealth. Dark wood, leather, a single abstract painting on the wall that probably cost more than most people made in a year. I’d always found a certain ironi
Lena's POV The insistent California sun, filtering through the slits in my curtains, nudged me awake. I stretched, feeling the familiar ache in my muscles from the other night's... activities. Yes, obviously. Mr. Rossi had insisted I take two days off, but the thought of staying cooped up in this expansive penthouse felt suffocating. Besides, a strange restlessness tugged at me – I needed to be busy, to lose myself in the routine of work. As I stepped out of the bathroom, still damp from my shower, my bare foot met a rogue washcloth. I yelped, my hip connecting with the hard tile with a sickening thud. "Damn it!" I hissed, more annoyed than hurt. Ignoring the throbbing in my butt, I slipped into a simple, yet elegant black dress. A touch of perfume, I decided, and then I’d head down for a quick coffee and sandwich maybe, before facing the day. The sharp scent of lilies filled the air as I spritzed my neck, but my attempt at elegance was abruptly cut short. My hand, still clumsy fr
The car rolled to a stop, not in front of the familiar facade of my penthouse, but before another towering structure. My stomach twisted with a fresh wave of unease. This building felt different, colder, somehow. This Mr. Rossi’s other place. Mr. Rossi practically had to carry me out of the car. My legs felt like lead, heavy with the weight of the night's events. We entered the building, the silence stretching between us as we stepped into the elevator. He pulled me closer, tucking me against his side, and I went willingly, desperate for his closeness, for the feel of his strength around me. The elevator dinged, pulling me from the dark spiral of my thoughts. We were on the top floor. Of course. Mr. Rossi’s world existed only at the top. He swiped a key card, and the door swung open. A man emerged from the living room, his back to us, and began speaking. "Luca, I got rid of the car like you said, but those guys—" He turned, and my breath caught in my throat. He was the spitt
I drifted into a sleep I thought would be blissfully dreamless, lulled by the rhythmic beating of Luca’s heart beneath my cheek. I was wrong. My eyes flew open, my chest constricted with a terror so visceral it took my breath away. Sweat clung to my skin, and my heart hammered against my ribs. Mr. Rossi…Luca…he was gone. Just then, the bedroom door flew open, and there he was, his face etched with concern. Relief washed over me, so potent it left me weak. He was at my side in an instant, pulling me close, his hand stroking my hair with a tenderness that belied the steel in his eyes. “It’s okay, princess,” he murmured, his voice a soothing balm against my racing heart. “Just a dream. Everything’s alright. I’m here.” I hadn't even realized I was crying until he tilted my chin up, his thumb gently brushing away the tears. He kissed them away, one by one, his lips lingering on my skin. “Want to talk about it?” he asked, his voice low and husky. I shook my head, unable to find th
The clatter of ceramic on glass pulled me from my reverie. Luca reappeared, a bowl of colorful cereal in one hand and a steaming mug of coffee in the other. He settled into the lounge chair beside me, handing me the bowl with a gentle nudge. “Thank you,” I mumbled around a mouthful of Frosted Flakes, already feeling my mood lifting. The sunrise, the warmth of the sun on my skin, the unexpected sweetness of the cereal – it was all so simple, so pure, so different from the stifling tension that clung to every moment back in New York. I opened my mouth to tell Luca how much I loved watching the city wake up, how the early morning light painted everything in a soft, golden glow, but he stopped me mid-sentence. “No talking with your mouth full, amore,” he chided gently, his tone the perfect mimic of a concerned parent. I couldn't help but smile, a warm feeling spreading through my chest. His concern, even for something so trivial, felt…endearing. I finished my cereal quickly, eager t
My hand shot out, instinctively reaching for my phone, the sleek black surface cool against my palm. A wave of icy dread washed over me as I saw the notification flashing on the screen. It was from the press, a barrage of news alerts flooding my inbox. "Rossi's Enterprise: Scandal Rocks Multi-Billionaire," one headline screamed. Another read, "Mr. Rossi's Underworld Ties Come to Light," the words stinging like a slap in the face. My jaw clenched, the muscles in my neck tightening. Dmitri. The bastard was not only trying to destroy me from within, he was now aiming for my empire, aiming to paint me as a monster in the eyes of the public. I was seething, a dangerous heat coursing through my veins, but then Lena’s hand reached out, her fingers brushing against mine as she tried to see what was going on. Her face was a mask of concern, worry etched into her brow. I shifted the phone towards her, angling it so she could see clearly. A gasp escaped her lips, her eyes wide with a mixtu