Forbidden Touch

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ISABELLA'S POV.

“That bastard! Who does he think he is?” I raged, storming through the corridors out towards my supposed bedroom; anger coursed through my veins with each step I took. 

He humiliated me, the bastard. How dare he compare me to Alessia? What sort of freak does he tend to be? She shot him.

She shot him!.

Alesia had put a bullet through him, and he was out there drooling about it. I knew he was a sick psycho, but even at that, he was still in love with her.

I bit against my lips, running my fingers through my hair as soon as I slammed the door to my room. I tapped my foot against the floor, anxiety easing through me. 

What exactly had made me change my mind? I had  the bastard, I let him leave and breathe. I spared his life, and that was the thanks I got.

Act like a ricci? I wasn't up to Alessia's standards? I'm his wife now?.

He had a lot to gloat about; merely thinking back to the sick smirk on his lips made my insides churn, burn…crawl. I had… I should have emptied the goddamn bullet in his head.

The door swung open, stealing my attention. It was Antonio standing by the door, a frown on his face.

“You good?” He asked, closing the door shut behind him, approaching me slowly.

“You look like you are ready to murder someone,” Antonio stressed again, his voice slurred out as he stood finally to face me merely inches away from my spot.

“I might actually do just that if another Ricci touches me without my permission.” I groaned, glaring wide-eyed at him.

The frown on his face has grown deeper; an unsettling feeling stirred within me seeing it.

“Luca kissed you?” He asked, his gaze darkened as he spoke. I watched as he gritted his teeth, anger evident in his gaze, and a light hiss eased across my lips as I shoved his arm off as he tried to reach for it. 

“What do you care about who I kissed and kissed? It's not like you care; you aren't any different from him, remember? You left without as much as bidding me goodbye,  Antonio!" I snapped. Pissed the more I thought about it 

He flinched a bit. Hurt by my sudden outburst 

“I care about you, Isabella, and you bloody know it. I didn't have a choice; Luca saved me when your own father held a knife to my neck.” He admitted the sincerity in his words had caused me to be struck by a pang of guilt.

“Did he hurt you? Answer me,”  Antonio demanded. His voice menacing but sentimental, his thumbs grazed over my lips slowly, sending tingles down my spine.

“What do you care if he did hurt me or not? What can you do? Aren't you some other lackey of his?” I asked in defiance, taking slow, cautious steps backwards away from him.

“I care if he has hurt you; I do… I care about you, Isabella, and I follow Luca because I trust him; that doesn't mean I'll let him force himself on you as he deems,” Antonio explained.

His words had touched me, right at the weakest spot in my heart.

But this wasn't the boy I had a crush on; he was my first love,  the first thing I actually cared for, but now he was a man... all grown, broad, thick, and ruthless. He even had a moustache.

He left me, 

But my father had been the odd one, and even right now, I couldn't hate him; I loved him. I was falling so fast, my heart hammering against my chest.

“He did not force himself on me, but he kissed me to remind me I was nothing but a weak, useless moretti—if anyone had hurt me, it was you, Antonio. I loved you. And you left, without a care in the world, to become Lucas' right-hand man? My sworn enemy's best friend?”  I asked, the surprise, disappointment, and embarrassment hinting at my tone, which had given me away. 

Antionas' gaze  fell, his ears red; he was blushing, hurt at my words. Good to know I still had that effect on him. 

“We were in love. You think I dismiss every passing day of it? You think I didn't want to be with you? I missed you so much, Isabella. I wanted to be a man you'd be proud of, a man who could face your father, but it was too late; Luca had his eyes on you… He's the don; I couldn't dare defy him. Do you know how hurt I am? That you are married to my boss?” he asked, his gaze piercing directly into mine 

The still shades of hazel eyes, ones that made me weak in the knees, stared deep into mine; we were lost in our world for a brief moment. 

Antonio’ took gentle steps, closing the space between us, his palms cupping both sides of my cheeks. I knew what was coming; I remained still.

Feeling the rhythm of his heart beating faster against mine, he planted a kiss on my lips, his tongue lapping against mine. 

His touch was needy, his kiss demanding, his hands searching beneath my top for my body. My back, boobs, and belly button.

My resolve broke; how could I hate this man? He was the only man I gave myself up for And my heart too, I parted my lips, kissing him back just as he did, moaning into his lips…his touch.

He pulled away. Panting heavily, his eyes filled with lust…and maybe more…love.

“Tell me to Isabella… Please, if you hate me, I promised I would stop, because if I cross this line, there's no going back; if Luca finds out, he'd kill me, but that's a chance I'm willing to take." So tell me to fuck off, Isabella; let me have karma in full for leaving without a choice in the past.”

He was literally begging me, giving me the chance to call the shots, like a dog, handing his leash over to me…There he was, better than Luca. and maybe I was too greedy, selfish even,

He was right; Luca would murder him if he found out, but I didn't care. I loved this man, toxic or not.

“Shut up, Antonio, and make me yours.” I whispered, letting the gown fall beneath my feet as I stood stark naked before him, his hungry eyes feasting across my body, his hard cock pressing against the fabric of his pants.