Chapter 2 - Lorenzo

It thrilled me that I would soon be settling down with Amelia, the last daughter of Senator Clayton. From the very first time I saw her at her father's housewarming event, the thought of possessing her and making her mine had robbed me of sleep most nights. Today, I felt more restless than ever. My mind was filled with her image—her tall blonde hair, her hazel eyes that sparkled with beauty, and her curvy hips that swayed with each step she took. The only thing on my mind as we headed to her father's house was how delicious she would be.

I buttoned my shirt as the car pulled into Senator Clayton's driveway. I stepped out and walked toward the penthouse before me. My men stayed outside while Leo, my underboss, trudged in beside me.

Senator Clayton ushered us into the sitting room and offered us seats. “I hear the campaign is next week. I’ll send strong made men to you,” I said as I took my seat.

“You have to. I made a good offer,” Senator Clayton smirked.

The clicking of heels against the wooden floor forced my head to turn toward the sound. There stood the woman who made my heart race. My eyes focused on her hips swaying seductively as her mother led her to me. I continued staring, wondering what was hidden beneath those fabrics. If only I could undress her with my eyes.

Her mother placed her hand in mine with a smile I sensed was false.

“She’s all yours,” Senator Clayton said.

I took Amelia’s hand and ordered Leo to grab her bags.

“We’ll be ready for the wedding,” Senator Clayton added.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a single tear drop from Mrs. Clayton’s eyes, but it was none of my business. Amelia would be my legally married wife in two days, and after that, I would do as I pleased with her.

I led Amelia to the car and helped her inside while Leo stowed her belongings in the trunk. I climbed into the back seat beside my fiancée and watched as Leo slipped into the front. The car rolled away with a gentle sway, and I glanced over my shoulder to see my other cars following behind.

I turned to Amelia. She closed her eyes momentarily and continued to sigh, but her lashes soon lifted to catch my gaze. She frowned.

“Must you stare at me that way?”

“What way?”

“I admit you must have a lethal appetite, but can’t you just wait until after the wedding night?”

“Whether it’s now or the wedding night doesn’t change the fact that you are my wife…”

“Wife-to-be. Two days difference.”

“It doesn’t matter. I can have you whenever I wish—and wherever.” I cringed my brows and stared intently at her distractingly perfect, bow-shaped lips, swallowing the burning urge to kiss them. I imagined letting her hair fall over her body, draping it over her breasts. I thought about dominating her.

“What do you even want from me?” Her voice shrieked, and I sensed her fear. Though she tried to appear bold, she couldn’t hide her apprehension.

“To wake up every day with you in my bed.” I watched her clench her jaws in a fit of rage, and a smile escaped the corner of my lips. “You’re going to be my wife.”

“Wife?” She scoffed. “Even if you were to fall in love with me, I won’t accept being your property or loving you back, no matter how hard you try.”

“Property? Is that what you think?” I knew she was my property now, but she was clever enough to read my mind.

“You’ll hate me because there was no love in the first place.”

“It’s not that I’ll hate you, but I don’t love. Loving you would put you—and me—in danger. I can only protect you as my wife.”

“If I were your wife, would you let me go wherever I choose, do whatever I please, with no questions or recriminations? Would you make no protest while I pursued my dreams? Would you let me have my freedom?”

“I’ll let you, as long as it doesn’t put you in a compromising situation and you give me the attention I need. You wouldn’t let me force you to do that, right?” I watched her sulk.

“I suppose… we could try a sort of… friendship. There’s no need for us to be at odds,” she said tentatively.

“And what would that be?”

“To be free of each other. I’ll continue my life while you continue with yours, and we’ll be best friends. After all, getting a wife is also a huge burden. You’ll have to protect two people at all costs: me—and you. Don’t you think?” She grinned.

“I see you’re doing everything you can to put a wall between us.”

“What if I am? Is it wrong to want to protect myself from you?”

“You don’t need to be protected from me.” This whole discussion was making me angry, and I knew just how to end it abruptly.

“Just because you want something doesn’t make it right. I have to consent first. It’s an arranged marriage; I should be given some time to sort myself out and figure out a way for this to work for both of us. You won’t force me, right? You won’t force yourself on me? It would be rape if—”

I couldn’t hold back any longer. My mouth descended on her warm lips, moving down to her throat as I aimed deeper. I heard her gasp, and that only fueled my desire. The urge to ravenously devour her lips tripled.

My mouth wandered along the tender surface of her neck, down to the pulsing hollow of her throat.

A faint cry escaped her lips as my fingers slipped beneath the thin fabric of her dress, stroking and teasing until her nipples ached and hardened. I rubbed her until she was gasping for breath.

When we were both breathing fast and hard, my mouth pulled up to her ear. “Tell me you don’t want this.”

“No!” I heard her scream as she pushed me backward. “You’re never doing that with me!” She quickly smoothed her dress and pushed open the door. That’s when I realized we had arrived home, and Leo had already stepped out of the car.