LEONARDO'S POVIf this was some sort of vivid dream, I'm hoping to high heaven that I never have to snap out of it. Rosalina Russo, my fiercest rival in the hotness department, the one who both drove me crazy and intrigued me, was reacting to my touch. She gazed at me with those eyes, the golden sparks swirling in her pupils becoming so gentle, that it was almost hypnotic to watch.Meanwhile, a wave of discomfort surged through me, a stark reminder of my own physical response. My dick was hurting like a motherfucker against my flyers and all I wanted was to take refuge in her wet heat until I was thoroughly spent. "Leo," her voice was almost a soft plea, her fingers tracing delicate patterns on my chest through the thin fabric of my shirt. I brushed a strand of hair away from her face, my fingers lingering against her skin. "You're an inferno beneath me, baby, and I want to stoke that fire until we're both consumed by it. Tell me you want this as much as I do." I demanded, leaving n
Just as our passion threatened to consume us completely, a familiar, infuriating sound shattered the air. The ringing of my phone pierced through the haze of our desire, the jarring intrusion on our intimate moment.Rosalina's eyes, heavy with desire just moments ago, now widened in surprise and frustration. I growled under my breath, torn between wanting to ignore the call and wanting to pick it up to see if it was important or not.With a frustrated sigh, I reluctantly withdrew from her embrace, reaching into my pocket to retrieve my phone. The display showed an incoming call, and I cursed silently at the timing of it all. As much as I wanted to remain lost in the intensity of our connection, duty called.Rosalina watched me, her lips slightly swollen from our kisses, her chest rising and falling with the remnants of desire. The more I watched her, the more I wanted to throw away all the responsibilities I had and go back and lose myself inside her. I fished my phone out of my pock
ROSALINA'S POVLet him go. I said to myself, brainwashing myself into thinking that this was nothing more than a waste of time, a useless fling that would lead to nowhere. However, my heart had a different narrative. The way he stared at me as if I were the most ruthless woman in the world, left me with such an awful feeling.Guilt. I wasn't afraid of getting slapped, but I was scared of falling in love. Of falling for someone so hopelessly, it left you crippled. I didn't have feelings of love for Leonardo, but being around him did make me feel strangely vulnerable, just like before.He was right. I was running away from him for this reason. Yet, the idea of vulnerability never crossed my mind as something potentially enjoyable. Submitting to his skillful touch left me craving for more, even practically pleading for them. My annoyance knew no bounds when he received that stupid call, abruptly shattering the illusion that I shouldn't have given in so quickly. I didn't want to become
ROSALINA'S POVLeo hadn't come back to his apartment last night after our argument.For some reason, that idea made me sore to my stomach. After my breakfast of oatmeal and a smoothie, I found myself re-reading the motivational quotes on my walls. They had transformed from beacons of inspiration into mere strings of empty words, taunting my doubts. With a sigh, I left my apartment behind, stepping out into the world outside. I didn't see Leonardo anywhere in sight, even Frankie asked about him and I acted like I wasn't the reason Leonardo had left, maybe to never come back again. Today, the ballet studio beckoned. Its polished floors and grand mirrors seemed to hold promises of escape from my chaotic thoughts. As I entered, the warm smile of Mr. Bennett, the director, greeted me. He had been back after days of his stay in France for a famous performance. "Good to see you again, Alina," His use of the name 'Alina,' a moniker I'd never taken to, washed over me. It was my mother's nam
LEONARDO'S POV I leaned back in my leather chair, my fingers tapping idly on the mahogany desk as I watched Agent Matthews. His sharp regard met mine, and I couldn't help but suppress a smirk. The hound had come sniffing around, looking for answers."So, Dante, huh?" I said, feigning casual interest. "Last seen at my casino, you say?"Agent Matthews' eyes didn't waver, his demeanor unflinching. "That's right, Mr. Salvadori. Any idea about his whereabouts?"I shrugged, my smile widening. "Well, you know how it is in the casino business. People come and go. We don't exactly keep track of their vacation plans."He arched an eyebrow, his gaze piercing through my facade. "Surely, you must have cameras, records..."I arched forward, my voice laced with amusement. "Of course we do, but you think I have the time to keep tabs on every Tom, Dick, and Dante who walks through those doors?""You seem awfully nonchalant about this. Considering your connections and resources, I find it hard to beli
ROSALINA'S POVThe distant echo of a car passing by outside was the only reminder of the world beyond these walls. I had just returned from a grueling evening at the ballet, my muscles still tingling with the memory of every graceful movement of the white swan. I had avoided Mr. Bennett as much as possible after he kissed me at his office. Being kissed by a man as old as my Papa made my skin crawl, and I had the urge to give my mouth a serious soap-scrubbing session.I stood in the dimly lit hallway, the faint hum of the overhead light casting a warm glow on the worn carpet beneath my feet. The air held a subtle hint of lavender, remnants of the scented candles I had burned earlier. As I fumbled with the strap of my ballet bag, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor.Glancing upwards, I caught sight of the apartment door opposite mine creaking open. His presence seemed to fill the narrow hallway, his tall frame dominating the space. The weariness in his eyes was s
ROSALINA'S POV I reached down for my toes in a long, satisfying stretch, The echo of the ballet studio fills with the gentle rustle of my breaths and the faint scent of worn wooden floors Stacy's voice broke through my reverie, a burst of vibrant energy that seemed to bounce off the walls. "We are gonna pick you up at seven, sounds good?" Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the 'party' Stacy had been gushing for a week. I had nearly given up on the idea, but I figured my days were turning repetitive, so a break from ballet's rigidity wouldn't hurt. Plus, I missed wearing flashy dresses, tall heels, and bold makeup. "Yep, I'll text you the address," I said with a friendly smile that I always seemed to have to fake with these two. Maybe it was just me, but these two felt too artificial, too... Fake. Nina's voice piped up, "Oh, and the color theme is red, so you should wear red to the party." I chuckled at that. "Alright, I'll humor you guys with a red dress." Suddenly, the studio's a
ROSALINA'S POVThe sound of my knuckles meeting the door felt like the echoes of uncertainty bouncing back at me, reminding me of the questions dancing in my mind."Come in."The metal handle felt cool against my skin as I opened it and as soon my eyes met Liora's steely blue eyes, something close to panic knotted in my stomach. Mr. Bennett on the other hand, gave me a look of uninterest as if I were merely a pesky interruption of his day. He focused his full attention on Liora, who sat on the chair beside him with her spine straight, face impassive but eyes eager for him. Mr. Bennett got up and cupped Liora's cheek. "I'll see you tonight."For the first time, Liora smiled and gave an obedient nod before getting up to leave. She cast me a glance as she reached the door as if she was... sorry for me. This little...After Liora left, I closed the door and faced Mr. Bennett head-on. "I'd like to speak to you.""About what?"I bit the inside of my cheek, curbing my resentment towards hi