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10: The Morning After
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2025-03-12 08:24:05Maria woke to warmth.
Not just the kind that came from thick blankets and soft sheets, but the kind that seeped into her bones, a heavy, steady heat pressed against her back.Her eyelashes fluttered as consciousness slowly returned, the memories of yesterday drifting into focus—Edward, the divorce papers, the rings, Luca—Her breath hitched.Luca.The realization sent a bolt of awareness through her.He was behind her.Close.Too close.Maria’s entire body went rigid as she took in the situation. Luca wasn’t just lying beside her—he was molded against her, his chest pressed to her back, his arm slung low around her waist.His warmth surrounded her.His scent—smoke, leather, and something darkly spiced—lingered in the air, wrapping around her senses like an invisible cage.She barely breathed.She needed to move.Slowly, carefully, Maria tried to inch forward.
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THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 11: A Day In The Avancii Estate
Luca had already left for work when Maria began exploring.She wasn’t sure when he had slipped out, but by the time she finished having her bath, the house was quiet, the lingering scent of his cologne the only trace of his presence.It left her with nothing but time—and an entire estate to acquaint herself with.The Avancii estate wasn’t as large as she had expected. It was grand, yes, but not the overwhelming kind of wealth that screamed opulence. Instead, it was refined, designed for comfort rather than excess.The main house had seven bedrooms, meant to accommodate Mr. Collins—or Cole, as Luca called him—along with the two cooks, and now, Maria herself. The rest of the staff lived in the boy’s quarters, a separate building housing the gardeners, security, fish workers, house keepers, and drivers.A swimming pool gleamed on one side of the house, reflecting the early morning sun.And beside it, a small patch of land lay stubbornly bare, unlike the rest of the land.Maria paused, ti
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-13THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 12: Crossing Boundaries
Maria hesitated at the doorway, fingers trembling against the smooth wood.She should leave.She should ignore the way Luca’s voice had curled around her like smoke, whispering promises in the dark.But her body was already betraying her.Slowly, she turned back.Luca had shifted his laptop to the side, his chair angled toward her as if making space just for her. His dark eyes flickered with something undeniable, unreadable—a warning and an invitation all at once.Without speaking, he lifted a hand, fingers beckoning.And Maria moved.Each step felt heavier, like the air had thickened around her, wrapping her in something hot and electric.When she reached him, Luca’s fingers wrapped around her wrist—warm, firm, commanding. He pulled her closer, guiding her onto the desk with effortless strength.Maria let out a soft breath as the cool surface kissed the backs of her thighs, but she barely noti
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-14THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 13: The Ministration On His Desk
Maria's breath stuttered, her body trembling as Luca's mouth moved over her, slow and deliberate, tongue lapping through her slick folds with practiced ease.He had been at this for minutes now-teasing, tasting, savoring.Maria was a wreck against the mahogany desk-legs spread wide, robe fallen away, the cool air making her nipples pebble, heavy breasts rising and falling with each desperate breath.Luca's grip on her thighs tightened, fingers flexing against soft skin as he pinned her open.He was loving her like this-bared, breathless, needy.He could feel the way she pulsed against his tongue, taste the way she was already soaking for him, her body offering itself up, willing, desperate.And he loved that she still had the nerve to act like she wasn't.Maria let out a ragged little moan, fingers tugging at his hair, trying to pull him deeper, closer.Luca let her.Let her take what she needed.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 14: Unspoken Boundaries
Morning light streamed through the sheer curtains, casting golden streaks across the bed. The sheets beside her were cold.Maria turned her head, staring at the empty space where Luca had been.Gone.She wasn’t sure why she expected anything different.Her thighs still ached from last night—her skin tingled with phantom touches, and her lips were swollen from the way he had kissed her, claimed her, devoured her. She squeezed her thighs together, remembering the way he had pulled her apart with nothing but his hands, his mouth, his voice.And yet… he had left without a word.Maria let out a slow breath and sat up, pulling the sheets over her bare body. The heavy silence of the room felt suffocating.She hated this.Hated how her heart clenched at his absence.Hated how she missed him.Last night wasn’t supposed to mean anything—at least, that’s what she told herself. It was just a moment of weak
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-16THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 15: A Package And A Warning
The morning was bright, the sun casting a warm golden glow over the estate as Maria knelt on the small patch of barren land, her fingers digging into the soil. Sweat trickled down her temple, and a light breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass from the other side of the garden. She had spent the past hour working, determined to bring life to this neglected patch of earth. The estate itself was beautiful, nestled in the quieter part of the city, surrounded by tall trees that shielded it from prying eyes. It was a world of its own—a place where silence was only broken by birds chirping, the distant hum of the fountain, and the occasional laughter of the staff moving about their tasks. Maria wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and leaned back, surveying her progress. The land still looked lifeless, but she wasn’t giving up. Just then, the crunch of approaching footsteps made her look up. Mr. Collins, or Cole as
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 16: A Storm Brewing
Luca stood at the entrance of the hospital room, his eyes fixed on Maria’s unconscious form. Bruises marred her delicate skin, a stark contrast against the sterile white sheets. The sight made something dark and violent coil inside him.She had almost died.Someone had dared to touch what was his.His jaw tightened as he exhaled sharply. "Stay with her," he ordered the doctor, his voice sharp and cold. "If anything happens—if she even stirs—you call me immediately."The doctor nodded nervously.Luca turned on his heel and stormed out.He had business to take care of.The drive back to the estate was silent, but his mind roared. Every second, every breath, was consumed by an uncontrollable rage.By the time he arrived, the entire household was already awake, summoned by his wrath before he even stepped inside.His men stood stiffly in a line, eyes wary, their shoulders tense. The housekeepers,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-18THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 17: The Devil's Bargain
The phone call ended with a sharp click, but Edwards Kale barely registered it. His fingers clenched around the device, the plastic creaking under his grip. His breath came in short, uneven bursts, his heartbeat hammering against his ribs.Luca Avancii.Even the name made his skin crawl.That man had walked into his life like a storm—violent, chaotic, and merciless. And he had taken everything.Maria should have been his.She had no parents, no siblings, no one else to run to. She should have depended on him.That was always the plan.He had never meant to divorce her. No, that would have been too easy. Too clean.He had wanted her to feel trapped.She would cry, she would beg, but she wouldn’t leave—because she would have needed him. Relied on him.And then, when she was too exhausted to fight anymore, he would have married Grace. Maria would have accepted it because she wouldn’t hav
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-19THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 18: Just Maria
Maria’s recovery had been smoother than expected. After a few days in the hospital, the doctors finally discharged her, much to Luca’s relief. He had arranged for a private nurse to check on her at home, ensuring she had everything she needed.And for the first time since their engagement, he was home on time.Every evening, Luca would return early, making sure she ate, took her medications, and rested. He didn't hover, but he was there—always watching, always aware of her every move.Maria noticed it all.The way his fingers would brush against hers when he handed her a glass of water. The way his gaze lingered on her when she shifted on the couch. The way his arm would settle around her waist at night, as if he were afraid she’d disappear.He was trying.But she couldn’t forget the growing doubt in her chest.She didn’t pull away at first—she wasn’t sure why. Maybe because, for a brief moment, it was nice. The way he t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-20
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THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 78: Tears And Tethers
First round had been punishment — this was pleasure, wicked and indulgent, tangled with the remnants of anger he hadn't quite managed to shake.Luca couldn’t stay mad at her forever. No matter how much Maria defied him, no matter how she pushed and tested — she was his. Always his. His anger melted into something darker now, something possessive and hungry.His gaze pinned her down, unreadable, heavy.Then he leaned in, slow, deliberate, his breath a sinful caress against the shell of her ear. His lips barely grazed her skin when he whispered, low and vicious,“Keep crying for me.”The words dragged along her spine like silk and steel, a cruel promise and a dark demand wrapped into one.Maria whimpered, fresh tears brimming in her eyes. The saltwater clung to her lashes, trembling, before spilling down hot onto her flushed cheeks. Her thighs trembled from the effort to stay open, vulnerable beneath him, but she didn’t dare move. Could
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 77: A Lesson In Defiance
Maria crawled onto the bed, her breath shallow, her heart hammering against her ribs as Luca’s dark gaze pinned her in place. The room was thick with tension — the kind that made the air itself feel heavier.“Middle of the bed,” he said, voice low, dangerous.She obeyed instantly, moving to the center of the cool sheets. Her body was taut, strung tight with anticipation, her pulse skittering wildly beneath her skin.Luca stood against the dresser, shirtless, his sculpted chest rising and falling slowly. In one hand, his phone; in the other, a belt, the leather flexing menacingly between his fingers. The dim light carved hard shadows across his body, highlighting every muscle, every ruthless line.The phone rang once. Twice. A sharp click as the call connected.“Voss,” he said, his tone clipped and cold.Maria's stomach twisted.No.She pushed up onto her knees, desperation creeping into her voice. “Luca, please—”
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 76: Bound By Consequences
Luca rolled his eyes before speaking in a clipped, almost bored tone. “Take your ass back to Domus Vossus, Alexei, before Voss ruins the whole country down looking for you.”Maria opened her mouth to interject, but before she could get a word out, Luca’s sharp glare snapped to her.“Stay out of it,” he bit out, voice as sharp as a blade.Maria flinched at the coldness in his tone. Her lips pressed together, the urge to argue bubbling in her chest, but she forced herself to swallow it. Luca was rarely this outright harsh with her, and if he was, it meant the situation was far worse than she initially thought.He exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face before muttering, “Eat dinner before you leave, Alexei.”Maria watched the tension in Luca’s frame as he poured himself a drink. His fingers gripped the glass too tightly, the muscles in his forearm flexing as he took a slow sip. It was a silent warning—one she ignored.Later i
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 75: Familiar Stranger
Maria adjusted the strap of her handbag and cradled her belly as she stepped out of the museum. The cool evening air greeted her, mingling with the faint scent of old parchment and polished wood that still clung to her senses. She had spent the last few hours indulging in one of her new habits—shopping without checking the price tag. It was something she was still getting used to, but Luca had made it clear: she was his wife, and his wife would never want for anything.Her guards trailed behind her, arms laden with bags filled with delicate artifacts and paintings she had acquired on impulse. They weren’t just purchases; they were pieces of history, stories carved into stone and woven into canvas, each one adding to the growing collection she had started curating for their estate.Just as she was about to step into the car, a voice cut through the street noise.“Maria!”She barely turned at first, assuming it was just some overly familiar stranger or a paparazzo trying to get her a
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 74: A Game Of Kings And Queens
When he pulled away, Maria smiled beautifully, her lips barely brushing his as she whispered, “Do I have to?”She was almost whining, a soft, breathy sound that sent a flicker of warmth down Luca’s spine.His lips quirked. She knew what she was doing.He chuckled, his fingers tightening slightly on her waist, thumb tracing the dip of her spine in slow, idle circles. “You’ll get what you want, mi reina,” he murmured, amusement laced in every syllable. “But I expect proper compensation.”Maria squealed, delighted, throwing her arms around his neck. Her warmth pressed against him, and the scent of her perfume—soft, floral, and distinctly hers—wrapped around him like a drug."Thank you."She had always known exactly how to win.Her excitement made him chuckle, a deep, indulgent sound, but before she could pull back, she added, “Oh! When can I see Gina?”Luca hummed, his lips trailing lower, brushing against the delicate shell of her ear. He felt her shiver, barely perceptible, but it was
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 73: The Art Of Persuasion
Sitting in his study, with Maria staring at him like she always had, Luca sighed deeply. The dim glow of his desk lamp cast flickering shadows over the rich mahogany furniture, the faint scent of aged paper and leather-bound books filling the air.His fingers curled around the sleek black pen in his hand, but he barely glanced at the documents before him. Instead, his focus remained on her—the woman who had mastered the art of distraction with nothing more than a lingering gaze.“What is it?”Maria blinked, feigning innocence. Her hazel eyes gleamed with mischief, catching the light just enough to make them dance. She even tilted her head slightly—the same way she always had when she was about to manipulate him. A habit he knew too well, yet never quite managed to resist.“Nothing.”Luca exhaled through his nose, the sound sharp against the thick silence. He set his pen down with a quiet click, fingers smoothing over the fine grain of his desk before he lifted his gaze to hers.“Mire
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 72: The Power She Wields
Luca Avancii was a man who prided himself on control.Every breath measured. Every movement calculated. Every decision made with the kind of unwavering certainty that turned empires into dynasties.And yet, at this moment, his focus was fractured.The contracts spread across his mahogany desk should have commanded his full attention. The numbers, the clauses, the final steps in dismantling Kale Industries were all laid out in pristine, paper-bound authority.But his wife was in front of him.And she was staring.Silent. Still. Expectant.Luca knew better than to look up right away. He kept his eyes on the papers, his pen tapping lightly against the rim of his glasses as though he could will himself to ignore her presence.But that was impossible. It had always been impossible.Another five seconds passed. She didn’t move. Didn’t shift, didn’t cough, didn’t even tilt her head—just sat there in his study, her delicate fingers drumming lightly against the arm of the chair, her body so ut
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 71: Ginger Biscuits
Maria barely had a moment to breathe before he thrust into her again—slow, deliberate, dragging out every inch of pleasure as he filled her completely. The sensation was overwhelming, a heady mix of overstimulation and raw desire that left her gasping, her fingers gripping the counter as if it were the only thing keeping her tethered to reality.The wet, obscene sounds of their joining echoed through the kitchen, each thrust a slick, lewd melody against the backdrop of their breathless moans. The air was thick with the scent of sex—heady, intoxicating, laced with the remnants of last night. Luca was still inside her, and she could feel it, the remnants of his previous release making everything even hotter, even messier."You're dripping everywhere, baby," he murmured, his voice dark and amused, one hand gripping her hip possessively while the other trailed down the curve of her stomach. His fingers traced lower, teasing, smearing the evidence of their union against her skin.Maria w
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME 70: Saturday Morning Indulgence
Luca stirred awake to the warmth of sunlight filtering through the tall windows of their bedroom. The sheets were slightly cool beside him, telling him Maria had already left the bed. He groaned softly, stretching his arms before rolling onto his back, his mind still hazy from sleep.Then he remembered.Gina.He exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. That brat had made him worry for no damn reason. After all these weeks, she'd managed to fake her death, stay hidden, and even keep it from him. Luca smirked to himself. He had meant to tell Maria last night, but one thing had led to another, and well… priorities.Pushing himself up, he walked into the bathroom, letting the hot water wake him fully. By the time he stepped out, towel wrapped low on his hips, the scent of ginger and something sweet drifted through the air.Maria.The morning sun cast a warm glow over the marble floors as Luca stepped downstairs, the scent of ginger and sugar wrapping around him like a slow, teasing invita
