The city lights shimmered outside my penthouse windows, a glittering sea of neon and glass. But I couldn't see them. My gaze was fixed on the phone, my thumb tracing the edge of my silver case. I was on the phone with one of the estate managers, the one I had a contract with for high-end properties. "Anything available?" I asked, my voice clipped, the words barely a whisper above the city's hum. "Mr. Rossi, you know I only deal with the best. Right now, I have a stunning three-bedroom penthouse in Tribeca, but it's going fast. There's also a beautiful townhouse in Greenwich Village, but that one requires a full renovation. And then there's a lovely modern apartment on the Upper West Side…"I stopped him, "Just the penthouse in Tribeca."My thumb moved to the call-end button, but I paused, my mind racing. She didn't need a penthouse, but I wanted her to have the best. I hated this. I hated how this woman, my assistant, was getting under my skin. I was supposed to be above all this,
Mr. Rossi appeared in the doorway of my office, his presence filling the small space like a tangible force. He tossed me a set of car keys, his expression unreadable. "Go wait in the car," he said, his voice as cool as the marble floor beneath my feet. I didn’t question him, just nodded and walked out, my stomach doing flips. The thought of being alone with him in his car was terrifying, exhilarating, and confusing all at once. I settled into the passenger seat, the leather cool against my skin. My eyes were drawn to the city lights twinkling outside the windows, a mesmerizing tapestry of color against the night sky. Then, I saw him, stepping out of the building. He moved with such grace, his aura radiating power and confidence. His movements were calculated, deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey. He was undeniably handsome, with chiseled features and a jawline that could cut glass.He was a man who demanded attention, and here I was, lost in my own internal turmoil. As he
A month and a half. That's all it had taken. A month and a half of navigating the labyrinthine corridors of Rossi's Enterprise, of dodging the sharp elbows and sharper tongues of the power players, of learning the unspoken rules and the even more unspoken desires. And today, Mr. Rossi wanted to see me. My heart hammered against my ribs as I knocked on his door. The sound was swallowed by the thick silence of his office, only to be followed by a gruff "Come in." My hand trembled as I pushed the door open, and the sight that met me sent a wave of heat flooding through my body.Mr. Rossi sat behind his desk, a mountain of mahogany almost as much authority as he dis. His usual crisp suit was loosened, his tie pulled loose and hanging like a forgotten promise. The top two buttons of his white shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of tanned skin, his nice tattoos and the crisp lines of his collarbone. The sleeves were rolled up, leaving his forearms exposed, strong and tanned, the veins p
The phone buzzed on my desk, the familiar tune of Rossi's Enterprise ringing through the quiet afternoon. I picked it up, my voice calm and professional, "Rossi's Enterprise, how can I be of help to—" "Put your boss on the line," a gruff voice cut me off, the words raw and laced with a chilling edge. My hand tightened around the receiver. "Mr. Rossi is indisposed at the moment and unable to take your call. Can I take a message?" My polite refusal was met with a deafening silence, thick with unspoken menace. It stretched on, each second amplifying the pounding in my chest. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and menacingly calm, sending chills racing down my spine."Put Luca on the fucking line. Or I’ll walk into that building and put a bullet through your fucking brain, Lena Roselle fucking Vargas, as well as your boss if I so please."My blood ran cold. Each word was enunciated with chilling precision. He didn't yell, didn't need to. The quiet threat held more power than an
The wind whipped through my hair as I sat beside Mr. Rossi, watching his profile as he drove. His hands, strong and sure, held mine, one gently guiding the steering wheel, the other warm and comforting in mine. The city lights blurred into streaks of color as he navigated the familiar streets, his focus unwavering, his presence a strange mix of calming and unnerving.He was an enigma, this man, this boss, this… secret lover. I didn’t know what to call him, what to make of him. He had swept me off my feet, but I was caught in a whirlwind of confusion. Who was he? This man who smiled at the mention of a threat, a bullet aimed at both of us? This man who remained calm and collected while I was terrified, who never once flinched at the danger that had been thrown our way. My gaze drifted to his lips, the way they curved into a smirk when he spoke, the way they seemed to hold back unspoken words. I needed to know him, to understand the man that had become both my boss and my secret lover,
Mr Rossi -Luca’s chest rumbled with a satisfied sigh as he gently scooped me up from the floor. My legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, and he carried me back to the bed, his touch firm yet surprisingly tender. He laid me down gently, his eyes never leaving mine, and I felt a shiver of anticipation course through me. Leaning down, he trailed a searing kiss along my collarbone, his fingers working at the clasp of my bra. It came undone with a soft click, and my breasts, still damp with his essence, spilled free. He inhaled sharply, his gaze lingering on their fullness before he shifted to cover me completely. With a swift tug, he pulled my pants down, his touch lingering on my hip, my thigh, the sensitive skin of my inner knee. He paused, his eyes fixed on the juncture between my legs, his gaze making my core throb. I felt hot and swollen, my body desperate for his touch. “Fucking beautiful” he breathed, the word a prayer against my skin. He lowered his head, his tongue tr
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
Lena's POVI grabbed one of Luca's shirts, the oversized fabric swallowing me whole, and headed downstairs to find him."Let's eat," he said immediately when his eyes landed on me.I almost said something about picking up the trash first, but he was ahead of me. "I picked it up," Luca said, preempting my thought. He really was on edge lately, paying attention to the smallest details.I moved over to where he was sitting on the couch and snuggled into his side as we ate. The food was delicious, and we finished quickly, tossing everything into the trash.It was about 2 pm now, and surprisingly, Luca was asleep. I don't think I've ever seeing Luca just… sleeping. Oh, exceot that one time at the office. But apart from that he was always a whirlwind of energy, constantly moving, constantly doing, always working hard. This quiet stillness was unsettling.I went to grab a bottle of water from the fridge, and I felt a presence behind me. Turning quickly, I saw Luca, his eyes red-rimmed and un
Luca's POVI drove, savoring the quiet intimacy of the moment. The world outside the car faded away, leaving only Lena and me. I kept my speed low, almost savoring each mile, each turn. Every few seconds, my eyes flicked over to Lena. She was a vision of peaceful surrender, her chest rising and falling softly, her head lolling against the headrest. Soon enough, I realized she wasn't just dozing; she was completely out... The rise and fall of her chest was even deeper, more languid now. I was still holding her hand, my thumb tracing circles on the back of it.An internal war raged within me. What was this? Love? Lust? Simple compassion fueled by our shared trauma? I was lost in the labyrinth of my own feelings. But one thing, one horrifyingly clear thing, cut through all the confusion: if anyone, anyone ever laid a hand on her again, if she ever went missing again… I'd burn the entire fucking world to the ground until I had her back in my arms. My girl.Okay, too much. Way too much. I
Lena's POVHis locs felt so good in my hand, the texture a familiar comfort as Luca's hands explored my body. God, I'd missed this. Missed the way his large, cool hands felt against my skin, the way he seemed to know exactly where to touch, where to linger. Every graze, every squeeze sent a shiver through me. I hadn't realized how much I craved it until this moment.A low moan escaped my lips, and I knew I had to take control, needed more than just his wandering hands. Leaning close, I whispered in his ear, the words husky and laced with anticipation, "Recline the seats and take your belt off."He didn't hesitate. There was something so incredibly hot about his immediate compliance, the way he moved at my command. And I saw it flicker in his eyes - the knowledge that my taking charge was a turn-on for him too. It was electric. I motioned for him to stand slightly, and he did, anticipation etched on his face.My gaze lingered on the bulge beneath his briefs, the anticipation building i
Lenas POVI was perched on Luca's back, clinging to him like a goddamn koala. We'd been walking – well, he'd been walking – for what felt like an eternity, maybe ten, fifteen minutes. Finally, I saw it. The car. Salvation. "We're here," Luca announced, as if I were blind."I can see that," I retorted, rolling my eyes."Honestly, I can't understand why you're complaining when you've been on my back all through the walk.""I'm complaining because I don't wanna be close to you," I snapped. The truth was, I was tired, and being this close to him was stirring up too many confusing feelings."That's bad. You're going to be in the car with me for a long time.""How long is the drive?""Two, three hours, and I plan on taking my time. So probably a lot longer.""Then you wouldn't be driving," I declared."Why not?""'Cause I'm going to be driving.""No, you won't be.""Yes, I would.""No, you wo-" Before he could finish that ridiculously childish argument, I balled my fists and whacked him on
Luca's POVWe sat there in a comfortable silence, the tension between us slowly ebbing. I rested my chin on her head, enjoying the rare quiet moment. "I used to come here when I was a little bit younger-" I started, wanting to share the place’s significance."Luca, please, I don't care," she cut me off, her voice edged with irritation."Ouch," I said, feigning hurt. "You do actually, you're just mad so shhh," I said, gently placing my hand over her lips, silencing her protests. "I always came here when everything was too much, whenever it felt like I had the whole world on my shoulders. I would jump into that sea and keep my head under the water for about ten minutes and then it felt like I almost free from them. It always felt like I dumped all the problems there.""Open your mouth," I suddenly said, and after a brief pause, she did as I said. I put my index and middle fingers in. After a moment, she started to suck on it, which made me smirk against her head. "All my problems up
Luca's POVThe second the barrel connected with her head, her body went limp, her head lolling to the window. The adrenaline that was coursing through me moments ago dissipated instantly, replaced with a chilling calmness. Her outburst, the raw pain in her voice, it all had become a noise, a static I had to shut out. I had handled it badly, I know that, but she left me no choice. She could elicit any emotion from me and that's what pained me the most.I pulled over at the nearest pharmacy, my movements precise, almost mechanical. I grabbed some Advil and a sedative, just in case. She needed to sleep, and the way she was carrying on, I don't think that was going to happen naturally. I carefully lifted her from the car and moved her to the backseat before I settled in the front, starting the car and pulling out. I glanced back at her through the rearview mirror. Her face was pale, and I prayed the hit was enough to keep her out for a few more hours. I hated the thought of drugging her
Lena's POVAs I sat there, staring out the window, lost in thought, my heart skipped a beat. I saw someone who looked eerily like Luca. My pulse quickened, and I quickly looked away, trying to convince myself it was just a trick of the light. But the pull was too strong, and I looked back, and there he was. It was actually him.He looked...disheveled, definitely not the put-together man I was used to. His hair was slightly messy, his eyes seemed tired, but he still managed to pull off the look. He was putting on a long brown coat, the collar turned up against the cold, and he had a cap pulled low over his head. Of course, he was still in a tailored suit. He lit a cigarette and stood, his back leaning against his car, his left leg crossed over his right as he took a puff of smoke. He looked like he was waiting for someone.A jolt of pain and joy flooded through me simultaneously. Was this a ghost? I tapped Marco's hand frantically, my heart pounding in my chest. “Is that Luca?”“I gues
Lena's POVIt had been two weeks since I last saw Luca, and I was officially losing my mind. Fuck that – I was already crazy. Sleep was a luxury I couldn't afford no matter how hard I worked for it. The days blurred into a monotonous cycle of staring at the ceiling, replaying our last conversation, every moment, every look I'd shared with him and trying not to think about him. It wasn’t working. At all.A loud knock on my bedroom door startled me, snapping me out of my self-imposed trance. I dragged myself towards it, my reflection in the large bedroom mirror confirming my worst fears – I looked like I'd been dragged through a hedge backwards."You look like a fucking old witch, man," Marco said, his face contorted in disgust as he stood in the doorway. "I've been asking you for the longest time where Luca is, but you don't want to tell me. I know you know where he is. You just don't want to talk." He shook his head, a mixture of irritation and concern in his eyes.He then wrapped hi
Lena's POV"It's not really much between me and Marco. He is my boss, like usual, and I work for him. That's it, that's all," Sarah said, her tone deliberately casual."Sarah, you're not going to sit here and lie to me, definitely not," I said, my voice firm. "I saw the look in your eyes when you were around Marco yesterday. I saw the look in both your stupid eyes. You and him.""Marco and I," Sarah conceded. "Okay." She took a deep breath and continued. "If you may put it that way, you can say I'm... I'm in love with him as well."My eyes widened slightly, surprised by her candid confession."I was dead broke about six, seven years ago, and I got fired from my job as a nurse in a government hospital because of him," she continued, a hint of bitterness creeping into her voice. "I started working as a cleaner in a restaurant – well, actually, one of his restaurants. He saw and recognized me, asked me what happened, and I told him. He offered me a job as the nurse in his mafia. I was sc