The Devil Is Handsome.

Ambrosia’s P.O.V

The ground rushed towards me, my heart hammering so violently I thought it might burst. My scream tore through the cold night air, and for a brief, terrying moment, I was weightless, free falling to my death.

And then impact.

I yelped as something broke my fall. my body jerked, suspended midair and strong arms wrapped around me like steel bands. my breath came in ragged gulps, my heart still racing as I dared to open my eyes.

Jesus.

I was cradled in Marcello’s embrace. He'd been the one to catch me and he seemed really mad. every inch of his face was carved from fury–his angular jaw clenched tight.

As my eyes were drawn to the vein throbbing at his temple, I noticed his hair was no longer pulled into a man bun. it fell over his shoulders in curly waves, slicked back from his face.

That scar running along his forehead right down to his nose and ending at the corner of his lips twisted with his sneer. his obsidian eyes burned into mine like a death sentence. His tanned skin glistened faintly under the moonlight, and for one ridiculous fleeting moment, I thought:

THE DEVIL IS HANDSOME.

“Have you lost your fucking mind?” His growl shattered my thoughts, deep voice vibrating through my body.

My throat dried up suddenly in fear, rendering me incapable of speech.

“Do you have any idea what would have happened if I didn’t catch you?” He continued, glaring at me with daggers in his eyes. “Your body would be splattered on this stone ground, your bones shattered, with your brain leaking out from your broken skull. is that what you want?”

Marcello’s disgusting description of how my death would have been sent a wave of rage through me, snapping me from my tongue-tiedness. “You’re the reason I lost my grip!” I yelled in his face.

His nostrils flared and he tightened his grip on me. “You should be thanking me for catching your stupid ass.”

“Then let me go! if you weren’t holding me captive, I wouldn’t have to climb out of a fucking window.” I began twisitng my body in his arms, trying to get away from me. “Put me down this instant you monster.”

His lips curled into a dark humorless grin. “Fine.”

And he did.”

The air left my lungs as I hit the ground hard, pain shooting up my spine. I groaned, clutching my side to sit up, glaring at him through the haze of pain.

“Why the hell did you do that?” I snarled.

His grin only widened as he crouched to meet my gaze. “You asked me to drop you, so I did.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“And you’re an idiot.” he shot back.

I pushed myself up, my eyes darting toward the open gates in the distance. my pulse quickened as hope flickered in my chest. if I could just–

“Don’t even think about it.” Marcello interrupted in a cold voice.

I froze and snapped my gaze back to him.

“If you try to run again,” he continued in a terrifying calm voice. “I’ll make just one phone call and take your mother off life support. You don’t want that, do you, Cara mio?”

his words crashed into me and tears burned my lids. “You’re a monster.”

“Your ex-husband thinks so too.” He grinned. “That’s why he gave you up as collateral. You’re mine, Ambrosia. a toy for me to play with until I get bored.”

At his words, fury boiled inside me, eclipsing the fear. I rose to my feet and slapped him across the face with all the strenght I could muster. my palm stung from slapping the grin off his face. he reacted immediately. his jaw tightened. his fists clenched. i could tell that his first instinct was to slap back, but he held himself in check.

god, I deplored physical violence. I should have exercised the same level of patience.

the temperature seemed to drop as he began stepping closer to me. fear crawled back up and I stepped back instinctively, falling back with a foot and then the other until my spine pressed against the wall, effectively backing myself into a corner.

“No one hits me,” he snarled and before I could respond, his mouth was on mine.

it wasn’t a kiss…nor did it feel like a physical human act. it was possession, domination, both battles of which I had no hope of winning. his teeth nipped at my lips, his tongue forcing its way inside my mouth, claiming me with every stroke.

i hated him. I hated the way he tasted–spice and mint, the way his hand gripped my hips, pinning me against the wall. I hated the way my body betrayed me, heat pooling between my legs, my nipples pebbling under the thin fabric of my dress.

god, I needed to push him away, but when my fingers trailed up his shirt, I grabbed his collar and pulled him more into me.

“Fucking hell, Cara,” he growled against my lips, his breath hot as he lifted me effortlessly.

I instinctively wrapped my legs aroud his waist, my body molding to his as he carried me. I barely noticed where he was taking me, lost in the intoxicating haze of his kiss as his large hands gripped my ass.

It wasn't until I felt the soft press of a mattress between me that I realized he;d carried me back to my room.

Marcello immediately straddled me, his weight pinning me down. his hands slid up my sides, cupping my breasts through my thin dress. I couldn’t hold back my moan as he began pinching my nipples roughly, sending a jolt of both pain and pleasure soaring tthrough me.

“No woman has ever dared to slap me.” he whispered again, twisting my nipple so hard I cried out.

I whimpered, caught between fear and arousal. “I’ll keep hitting you,” i finally spat, despite my fear. “You’re holding me against my will!”

he grin and moved away from straddling me. then he stretched out beside me and slid his hand between my legs. “And yet your body says otherwise.”

a gasp tore through my lips as his fingers slipped under my panties, one thick digit sliding into my wet heat.

“You’re soaked,” he murmured moving his finger insisde me. “You want to be here, Amrbrosia. your pussy tells the truth.”

“Fuck you!” I hissed, even as my hips bucked against his hand.

his thumb found my clit and he began to rub in slow circles. I gripped the sheets in tight balls, strung inside out from the pleasure he was giving me. it didn’t take long for me to reach a amazing orgasm and cum all over his hand.

“The next time you cum will be on my cock.” he whispered in my ear and then pulled his hand from my panties and licked his fingers sensually while holding my gaze.

“You taste even better than I imagined.” he said, lips twitching.

I was still gathering my thoughts to respond when he snapped his fingers. The door soon opened after a while and a man in a suit entered, carrying a long needle. He barely even glanced at me as he handed it to Marcello.

“I still haven’t punished you for slapping me.” He murmured turning the weirdly long needle over.

My heart stopped. I didn’t know what he wanted to do with that needle but i bet it wasn’t good.

“No,” I whispered and tried to roll away from him but the man who’d joined us grabbed my wrists and pinned me down to the bed while Marcello forcefully yanked my legs apart and knelt between them.

Panic made me hysterical and I screamed, twisting and turning so he wouldn't be able to do what he wanted but the man pinning me down was so strong and so was the don who caged my legs around his.

“This will hurt,” he said and his voice was almost tender as he ran a hand over my slit, slightly rubbing me. “But I've always wanted a woman with a clit piercing. That is your punishment.”

“No!” I screamed, thrashing as the needle in his hand moved between my legs.

He spread open my labia and then pinched my throbbing clit in between his index and his thumb. White hot pain exploded behind my lids when he finally pushed the needle through my nub and darkness consumed me.