Uh-oh! The temperature is definitely rising in here! Do you think their passionate encounter will escalate further, or will they be interrupted by an unexpected visitor just in the nick of time? Comment your thoughts! XOXO
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Claire Parker, sixteen-years-old... A dress was carelessly tossed my way, landing with a crumpled thud on the small, rickety bed. It was a piece of tattered fabric, hardly suitable for anything decent, let alone wearing. "Put that on," my uncle Tony ordered in his gruff, unforgiving tone. "I've got a guy coming over to collect on his debt, and you're going to pay it back."I curled into a tight ball, bringing my knees up to my chin as I hugged them close. With my eyes squeezed shut, I tried to escape into darkness. "I don't feel well... I think I have a fever," I murmured, desperation lacing my voice.His response was harsh and uncaring. "Do I look like I give a damn about your fever? Get ready!" he snapped back, his impatience cutting through the air like a knife.Tears welled up in my closed eyes, and I found my voice again, pleading with him. "Please, Uncle Tony, not today. I really don't want to."There was a brief pause, during which my heart raced with fragil
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I watched the live feed from the hidden devices in Claire's dress. Watching her engage with Santino, playing the role she was assigned, stirred something unknown in my chest. My jaw clenched as she laughed at something Santino said, her body leaning in closer to his. The way Santino's eyes lingered on her curves didn't sit well with me. I hated how she seemed to enjoy his attention, even if it was all part of the plan.My eyes remained glued to the screen, torn between wanting to protect her and needing her to succeed in her mission. The thought of protection only came from the fact that I was protective of the women in my life. My world changed forever when my mother passed away when I was just fifteen. In the wake of her absence, Aunt Alessia stepped in and became more of a mother to me than I'd ever known. I fiercely protected Alessia, and the same instinct extended to my cousin, Allegra. She and I shared the same Capone blood, making her like a little sister
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"I did the whole meal planning thing and now you have a week's supply of cooked food. I have labeled the boxes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you won't have any problems," I said as I put the lid over the last Tupperware box. Mrs. Johnson sat at the table, watching me with a smile. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and gratitude as she asked me, "Are you going somewhere?" For a moment, I froze, the weight of tonight's task pressing down on me. But then I quickly brushed it aside, forcing a cheerful laugh as I shook my head. "Of course not," I replied with feigned cheerfulness. "I'm gonna be right here with you for a long, long time!"I knew that I might face the very worst tonight. It could be a gunshot echoing in the night, hands tightening around my throat, a bone-crushing force snapping my neck, or the cold steel of a blade finding its mark. The possibilities were endless, and none of them were pleasant.But despite the frightening thoughts that threatened
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"Paint me a picture," I continued, my voice a sensual caress, "I'm sprawled across your bed, helpless, bound by silk restraints, trembling for your touch. And the only thing on my bare, quivering flesh – those exquisite earrings. And you, my love, hold the reins of my every move, every inch of my fevered body at your command, at your mercy." His eyes bore into mine with a dangerous ferocity, a raw intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. His grip on my neck grew brutal, squeezing with such force that it threatened to cut off my very breath.But then, a wicked grin crept across his lips, and his hold softened, allowing me to draw in a ragged breath through my quivering nose. His fingers traced a slow, torturous path down my body, his predatory gaze tracking every inch of the journey."Complete control?" he asked, his voice dripping with a dark promise.I hesitated, the gravity of the moment hanging heavily in the air. A hunger, fierce and unrelenting, flickered i
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I can't take anymore tonight, If I do, I'd lose control just like I did all those years ago. I don't want to go down that road again. So, I mustered up some courage and hid it back under the dresser. I sat there on the floor for a few minutes, before I told myself to stop wallowing in self-pity and do something productive instead. I spent some time painting. It was a lady in a fancy black dress, looking really sexy, obviously, but then I decided to draw her reflection too. It was like her soul was burning while she walked through a freezing forest.Drawing her reflection was like peering into a mirror that revealed the hidden depths of my soul. It was as if I was walking through a forest covered in ice, where everything looked cold and unforgiving, but my spirit burned like a wild flame inside. It was a way of saying, "I'm more than just what you see."The night was still young, still a long way to go before I could find sleep. I pulled out my journal and started
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅My need for him grew with every passing second, aching and relentless. The slow, deliberate roll of his erection against my clit was like a delicious torment, teasing me to the brink of ecstasy but holding back, making me hunger for more.He was teasing me... My hand moved to his belt, deftly unbuckling it, the tension in the air evident, my skin burned. His fingers, still on my back, dipped lower into my sweatpants, and with a swift motion, he lifted me off the counter, wrapping my legs around his waist. The kitchen faded away as he carried me, and he lazily strolled towards my bedroom.I clung to him, my arms tightly wrapped around his neck. His gaze was locked on me throughout the way, lingering on my lips, then delving into my eyes, and back to my lips again. "I really like your hair," he confessed as he gently set me down on the bed. He looked like a modern-day Greek god with his open white shirt, unbuckled pants, and tousled hair. The tousled hair added an
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Vincenzo, typically unemotional and serious, gently laid me back on the bed. His demeanor, though cold and stoic, seemed to carry a faint hint of concern as he silently walked to my closet and took out a towel from the bottom drawer.He moved to the bathroom, the sound of running water filling the room before he returned. His gaze, while still serious, held a fleeting softness as he parted my legs once more. With the warm, damp towel, he began to clean me, his touch still methodical but with a hint of consideration. The towel moved across my skin mechanically, yet there was a trace of gentleness in his actions, erasing any lingering traces of what we had just done.A subtle openness seemed to peek through Vincenzo's typically impenetrable facade. His actions, while still practical, carried a quiet acknowledgment of the connection we had shared, a hint of something more beneath the surface, or maybe I was just imagining things. Vincenzo retreated to the bathroom, th
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I cast a brief, sideways glance at Sarah, who walked me into the building. She exuded an air of sophistication, her perfectly manicured nails clutched a designer handbag, and she looked every bit the socialite she was known to be. We had been seeing each other for some time, though my feelings for her were, at best, lukewarm. She was, in my eyes, a suitable candidate to become the wife of the future Capo of the Chicago Outfit, especially after last night. We entered the elevator to take us to my penthouse, Sarah carefully removed her gloves, her movements precise and graceful. She folded them meticulously and tucked them away, all the while maintaining a poised smile that never quite reached her eyes."Why didn't you tell me that you were coming to New York?" I inquired, my tone measured. She responded with a smile that seemed more rehearsed than genuine. "I wanted it to be a surprise for you, Vincenzo. I've missed you terribly. You've been in New York for five
Hey there,Thanks a ton for sticking around till the end of this wild and long ride! It's been a blast crafting this romance and I hope you've had as much fun reading it as I did writing it.I've loved weaving together all the juicy bits of love, drama, and danger. It's been like piecing together a puzzle but with way more heart-pounding moments.I hope you've been rooting for our main couple through all the twists and turns. They've been through the wringer, but love always finds a way, right?As you close this book, just remember, their story doesn't end here. They'll keep living on in your imagination, popping up when you least expect it.And if this story had you on the edge of your seat, I'm begging you, please, take a quick sec to give it a solid FIVE-STAR RATING. It's not just for me, it's for all those readers out there who haven't stumbled upon this story yet.Seriously, your rating could make all the difference in getting this book noticed. Think of it as your way of spreadin
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅•The First Steps! ❤️"Oh my god, do you have the camera ready?!" I asked, excitement bubbling up inside me as we watched Aurelia tentatively attempt to take her first steps.She was already pulling herself up on the furniture, her chubby little hands gripping tightly as she teetered on unsteady legs. Her blue eyes sparkled with determination, her tiny mouth set in a determined line as she focused on the task at hand. She had gotten her blue eyes from my mama. Vincenzo and I had been eagerly awaiting this moment, always keeping our cameras close at hand in anticipation. Not just us, but the whole house. Salvatore, Alessia, and his brothers, they all celebrated everything she did. With bated breath, we watched as Aurelia took a wobbly step forward, her face lighting up with a mixture of surprise and delight. She stumbled slightly, her arms windmilling for balance before she regained her footing and took another hesitant step."Look at her go," Vincenzo murmured, hi
Note: This chapter takes place after Vincenzo has sent Claire back to New York once he learns the entire truth.Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅She was safe—safer than she had ever been in Chicago before.I had rented out the house across the street and stationed my men there to keep a watchful eye on her. They would keep their distance, she wouldn't even realize that they were there. I was furious with her, consumed by an intense anger that threatened to engulf me. But despite my rage, I couldn't bring myself to abandon her. She was too self-destructive, too chaotic to be left to her own devices.Part of me wanted to confront her, to unleash my fury and make her understand the gravity of her actions. But another part of me, a side that only belonged to her, couldn't bear to see her suffer alone.In the end, my love for her won out. No matter how angry I was, no matter how much she lied to me, I couldn't abandon her. She was a part of me, and I would do whatever it took to keep her safe, even i
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I held Claire close, her body tense against mine, her face buried against my chest as I observed Tony's pitiful state. His once tough presence was reduced to nothingness, stripped of his limbs, his sight, and his dignity. He lay there like a discarded husk, a mere shell of his former self, awaiting the inevitable embrace of death. Claire refused to spare him even a glance, she had stopped coming here all altogether after she had ordered their eyes to be taken out, it was just too much for her. Tony's existence was a grotesque mockery of humanity, stripped of its most fundamental faculties. Devoid of limbs, senses, and any semblance of autonomy, he lay there, a pitiful shell of his former self. The ordeal of surviving without the ability to walk or see had surely taken its toll on his mind, leaving him trapped in a nightmarish existence."Please, Vincenzo, I can't stand to be here any longer," Claire pleaded, her voice quivering with a mix of desperation and di
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I stirred awake, feeling Vincenzo's solid frame enveloping me from behind. The unmistakable presence of his sizable cock pressed against me sent a jolt of excitement coursing through my body. I couldn't resist teasing him, rolling my hips ever so slightly against his length.A low, guttural groan escaped his lips, sending a delicious shiver down my spine. His response was so quintessentially Vincenzo that I couldn't help but smile, relishing in the sensation of his desire coursing through me even before I opened my eyes to greet the day.Last night fulfilled every dream I've ever had about becoming a mother and sharing intimate moments with the man I love. "Are you awake, Mia Cara?"I reached up, my fingers delicately tracing the contours of his forearm where it lay against my ribs, just below my breasts. "Mhmm," I murmured softly. He pulled me closer, his embrace tightening as he buried his face in the nape of my neck. I could sense the gentle caress of his lips
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"Who's been managing things while you've been away?" I inquired, pulling my hair up into a ponytail."I was," he replied, his gaze fixed on me through the mirror. "I know how to run my organization even when I'm not physically there."We stood side by side, him adjusting his tie while I styled my hair. I had been discreet about our baby, wanting the right moment to reveal the news, I wanted it to be special. I wasn't sure if he had noticed my subtle changes, but he hadn't said a word about it.His phone rang, and he quickly grabbed it, a smirk playing on his lips as he glanced at the screen. Without answering, he slid it back into his pocket."Who was it?" I asked, curious.His smirk widened. "Scott Mancini." My eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh my god, he must be so worried about me. You have to talk to him," I urged. Vincenzo's expression remained smug as ever, and he nonchalantly shrugged. "No," he replied, his tone dismissive."What do you mean, no?" I exclaimed,
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Perched on the edge of the bed, I curled into myself, knees drawn up to my chest, and my chin resting on top of my knees. His presence across from me was palpable, his hand possessively wrapped around my ankle, anchoring me to him. Slowly, deliberately, his touch traced a path along my leg, each caress sending shivers of conflicting emotions coursing through me. Despite the state of mind, I knew he was in, his touch was a paradox of gentleness, a stark contrast to the brutality I knew he was capable of. Yet, at this moment, his tenderness felt like a lifeline, a fragile thread connecting us. With each stroke, I could feel the electricity coursing through my body, pulling me closer to him. It was like we were speaking our own language, one filled with longing and love. "You were the anonymous buyer..." I stated. His intense gaze locked onto mine, momentarily stealing my breath. "It was your debut exhibition. I had to support my girl," he replied, his voice dark a
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅My eyelids felt heavy as if they were weighed down by tons of bricks, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't force them open. With a groan, I summoned all my strength and pushed my eyes open, only to be met with the blurry sight of an unfamiliar ceiling.As I blinked away the haze of unconsciousness, the events of the previous night flooded back to me in a rush. Panic surged through me as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings.The room was dimly lit, with heavy curtains drawn tightly shut, casting a shadowy gloom over everything. I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back down onto the soft surface beneath me.Where was I? And more importantly, who brought me here, and why? Dread pooled in the pit of my stomach. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I took in the opulent surroundings of the bedroom. Rich fabrics adorned the furnishings, and ornate decorations adorned the walls. It was a stark contrast to the cold fear grip
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I was four months pregnant, and while the first trimester had been relatively easy, now I was starting to show a bit, and the nausea was hitting me hard, making each day a struggle to get through. I gently caressed my slightly swollen belly, finding comfort in the subtle changes my body was undergoing. Although it wasn't yet noticeable to others, I cherished this intimate connection with my growing baby, a bond that only I could feel.For the exhibition tonight, I opted for a dress that would discreetly conceal my growing bump. I slipped into a black burnout maxi dress with delicate spaghetti straps, its modest neckline offering just the right amount of coverage. As I admired my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence. No one on this earth can tear you down, Claire Parker, not even the man you love with all your heart. The sleek silhouette of the dress hugged my curves in all the right places, disguising my pregnancy with effortle