Amara“You don’t hate me,” I say with a smirk. “You never did.”Matteo stares at me like he’s trying to unravel me piece by piece, his green eyes sharp and unrelenting. The weight of his gaze makes my breath hitch, and I don’t know whether I want to look away or lean into him. Before I can decide, he moves.His mouth crashes against mine again, and the intensity steals what little air is left in my lungs. His lips are bruising, his hands possessive as they grip my waist, pulling me flush against him. Every inch of him feels hard and solid, just like his kiss. There’s no tenderness, no hesitation—nothing about Matteo Dragonetti is soft or gentle.And yet, I find myself giving in, matching his intensity, my hands tangling in his hair as if I can hold on to this moment, onto him, even though I know I shouldn’t.When he pulls me closer, his body settling between my legs, my pulse races wildly. His weight is heavy, but it sends a jolt of panic through me when his hands start to roam, one
AmaraMatteo strides into my room without knocking, as if he owns me—and maybe in his mind, he does. His presence fills the space, and before I can form a question or complaint, he’s in front of me, his hands cupping my face as he leans down to press a kiss to my lips.It’s not soft, and it’s not exactly gentle. It’s possessive, calculated, like he’s reminding me who he is and the hold he thinks he has on me. The shocking part is… I don’t pull away.When he finally leans back, his green eyes searching mine, he smirks faintly, as if he knows how much he’s throwing me off balance. “Lunch,” he says simply, offering no explanation for the kiss. “Come on.”Still stunned, I blink at him. “Lunch?”“Yes, princess,” he says, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “It’s a meal people eat in the middle of the day. Now, move.”I glare at him, my cheeks heating. “You don’t have to be an ass about it.”He chuckles as he steps back, giving me just enough space to slip past him. “I’d argue that being an as
MatteoI tell myself this will be the last time. The last time I let her pull me under, let myself drown in her. But as I stand in the shadows of her room, watching her chest rise and fall in peaceful sleep, I know it’s a fucking lie. I watch her sleep for a moment; her features soft, her lips slightly parted, completely unaware that I’m here again, invading her space like the fucking predator I am. She doesn’t even stir as I crawl onto the bed, spreading her legs gently, careful not to wake her too soon.I pull her panties down and my mouth finds her center, hot and slick and already begging for me. I bury my tongue between her folds, moving slow and teasing. Her body responds even in sleep, her hips shifting, her breath catching, and it makes me harder than I have any right to be.Grinning, I look up at her as my tongue circles her clit, teasing and relentless. Her eyes are still closed, her head tipped back, but her body betrays her. Her hips roll against my mouth, her thighs tremb
AmaraThe first thing I notice when I wake up is the cold. The bed feels empty, the warmth that Matteo always radiates nowhere to be found. I shift, my hand brushing the space where he had been, and it’s cool to the touch. He must have left hours ago.I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts swirling in a tangled mess. The events of last night come rushing back with brutal clarity—his touch, his words, his tongue and the way I had given in so easily, like it was the most natural thing in the world.I press my hands to my face, trying to drown out the flush creeping over my cheeks. I let him in, not just into my bed, but into parts of me I swore he’d never touch. Matteo has been claiming me since the moment he dragged me from that church. Every look, every touch, every goddamn word he’s spoken has been a declaration. But this time, I wasn’t just the unwilling captive. I gave him something willingly.Why?The question sits heavy in my chest, a weight I can’t shake. I don’t love
AmaraFor a moment, I hesitate, not out of fear but because I’ve never done this before, never even thought about doing this before. But Matteo? He’s different. The way he looks at me, the way he consumes me, makes me want to give him whatever he demands.When I don’t move fast enough, his grip tightens slightly, his thumb pressing into my lip with just enough force to sting. “Now, Amara,” he growls, his tone sharp, cutting through my hesitation.I part my lips, my heart pounding as his feral grin spreads wider.“That’s my good girl,” he mutters, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip before he gets to his feet and pulls out his cock. My eyes widen when I see the size of him.Then he presses the head of his cock against my tongue. “Now let’s see if you can back up all that fucking talk.”He guides himself to my lips, the weight of him heavy against my tongue as he pushes inside. The sensation is foreign, overwhelming, and my hands clutch at the sheets as I try to adjust. He’s slow at
AmaraThe door clicks shut behind Matteo, and the sound seems to echo in the silence of the room. I stare at the ceiling, my thoughts a tangled mess of confusion and frustration. The warmth of his presence still lingers in the air, and I hate that I notice it, hate that I feel the cold settling in as soon as he’s gone.I pull the blanket tighter around me, trying to shake the lingering sensation of his kiss, the weight of his hand on my jaw, the dangerous promise in his voice when he said he’d deal with me later. It’s maddening how much space he takes up, even when he’s not here.What is wrong with me?I should be planning my escape, not lying here thinking about the way he looked at me, the way he touches me like he owns every part of me. And maybe he does.My stomach twists at the thought, and I press my palms to my face, trying to block it out. But the questions won’t stop.What hold does Matteo Dragonetti have over me? How did it come to this?I never asked for this—to be taken,
AmaraI’m ripped from sleep by the weight of him—heavy, warm, and unmistakable—pressing down against me. My heart jumps to my throat before I fully wake, my body instinctively trying to move, to push him off. But the second I recognize him—his gorgeous cologne—everything inside me stills.Matteo is back.His face is buried in the crook of my neck, his body caging me against the mattress. He’s holding me so tightly, it’s like he’s afraid I might disappear. His breaths are ragged, hot against my skin, and I can feel the tension vibrating off him, coiled and dangerous.I should shove him away. I should say something cutting and remind him that he left me here, locked up, like I was nothing more than an afterthought. But I don’t.Because the way he’s holding me—the desperation in the way his arms crush me to his chest, the way his lips are pressed to my throat, barely moving but there—makes my heart clench. It’s silent, wordless, but I feel it. He missed me. He’ll never say it, but it’s
AmaraBefore I can respond, his hands are on me—one gripping my waist, the other sliding up beneath the oversized shirt I’m wearing. His touch is slow, fingers trailing over my skin in a way that makes my breath catch in my throat.“Matteo,” I warn, my voice trembling despite myself.“What?” he drawls, his lips grazing the shell of my ear, his tone mocking. “Afraid you’re going to break first?”I clench my teeth, refusing to answer, but Matteo’s patient. Torturously so. He trails his fingers lower, skimming over my hip, my thigh, his touch light enough to drive me insane. My back arches slightly, chasing the contact even as my mind tells me to resist.“You can keep your mouth shut all you want,” he murmurs, his breath hot against my skin. “But your body doesn’t lie, Amara. You’ve missed me. I can feel it.”I force out a laugh, sharp and breathless. “You’re delusional.”“Am I?” Matteo’s grin widens, and his hand slides higher, teasing the sensitive skin along my inner thigh. “Let’s see
MarkusI close Nadya’s door behind me, my chest still rising and falling from the high of her falling apart under my mouth. Her taste lingers on my tongue, sweet and intoxicating, and I drag a hand through my hair. She’s my new favorite addiction. Every time I see her unravel beneath me, it’s like a shot of adrenaline straight to my veins. I’ve tasted power, blood, and control my entire life, but nothing compares to the way she shatters for me.It’s pathetic how much I already crave more of her. The way she clutches onto me, how her lips part with those little gasps—it’s like she was made to be ruined by me.I can’t believe I was trying to avoid this. Her. It’s fucking laughable.Shaking my head, I adjust my sweats and head down the hall, the cool air doing little to calm the fire still burning under my skin. Just as I turn toward the stairs, one of Matteo’s men approaches.“Boss wants you in his office. Lukas is already there.”Great. If Matteo’s calling us both in, it’s either a sh
NadyaThe first thing I notice when I wake up is the scent. Markus’ cologne is all over the pillows, warm and woodsy with a hint of something darker, something unmistakably him. My fingers tighten on the fabric as reality sinks in.Last night happened.I sit up slowly, the covers pooling around my waist as I press a hand to my chest. My heart is racing—not out of fear, but something else entirely. I don’t want to name it, don’t even want to think about it too hard. If I do, I’ll lose myself in the mess Markus left behind.But still, my mind replays every moment, every touch, every word. The way his lips moved against mine, the way his hands gripped me like he couldn’t bear to let go, the way he looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.I shouldn’t feel this way. Not about him. Markus is dangerous, unpredictable, and yet… last night, he was none of those things. He was gentle, almost tender, in a way I didn’t think he was capable of.My cheeks heat as I remembe
MarkusI lift her off the ground, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carry her to the bed. Her tank top rides up, exposing more of her soft, pale skin, and I have to fight the urge to rip it off her.“Markus,” she murmurs, her voice soft and hesitant.I pause, my hands gripping her thighs as I look down at her. “What is it, Nadya?”She smiles faintly, her fingers brushing against my cheek. “You’re not as scary as you think you are,” she says, her voice teasing but warm.I chuckle, the sound rough. “Don’t tell anyone,” I say, my smirk widening. “I’ve got a reputation to uphold.”She laughs softly, and the sound is like music, light and carefree in a way I’ve never heard before. It’s beautiful, and it’s all for me.I lower her onto the bed, her hair fanning out around her like a halo. She looks up at me, her eyes wide, the faintest hint of uncertainty shadowing her expression. I brush my knuckles over her cheek, reminding her she’s safe.“You’re beautiful, you know that?” I murmur.
MarkusThe door clicks shut behind me as I stride into my room, the dampness from my shower still clinging to my skin. The towel I used to dry my hair sits discarded on the floor, and I’m pacing, my mind a whirlwind of anger and frustration.She was jealous.That thought has been gnawing at me ever since I left her room. Nadya, my fierce, stubborn Topolina, was jealous. Over me. Even after I spelled out in graphic detail why I’m the last person she should want, she still looked at me like she couldn’t decide if she wanted to slap me or kiss me.I rake a hand through my hair, my bare chest heaving as I try to calm the storm inside me. She wants me. The knowledge is like a double-edged blade, cutting through my defenses while carving deep into my control.What the fuck am I supposed to do with that?I glance at my reflection in the mirror, the hard lines of my face twisted in frustration. My jaw clenches as I remember the way she looked at me earlier—her blue eyes blazing, her cheeks fl
NadyaI storm into the gym, my hands shaking as I wrap the tape around my knuckles. Anger burns in my chest, but I don’t even know why I’m this furious. Markus isn’t mine. He owes me nothing. But that doesn’t stop the bile rising in my throat when I think about the way he smelled last night—like perfume, sweat, and sex.The scratch marks on his neck didn’t help either.I pull the tape tighter, ignoring the sting as it bites into my skin. My movements are jerky, uncoordinated, and the anger bubbling beneath the surface isn’t helping. He had the nerve to come into my room, to sit beside me and offer comfort, while reeking of another woman.Does he even care about how that makes me feel? No, of course not. Why would he? I’m nothing to him. Just some damaged little thing he’s stuck babysitting because he felt guilty.I grab a pair of boxing gloves and slip them on, trying to channel my rage into something productive. When Markus walks into the gym a moment later, his expression is neutral
MarkusI slam the door to Lukas’ office harder than necessary, the wood rattling in its frame. He doesn’t even flinch, his boots propped up on the desk, a whiskey glass dangling from his fingers. His eyes flick to me, then back to whatever bullshit report he’s pretending to read.I, on the other hand, am ready to crawl out of my fucking skin.“Do you ever do anything useful, or is this just your default setting now?” I ask, stepping inside.“What crawled up your ass?” he asks lazily, not bothering to look up again.“You know damn well what,” I snap, crossing the room to stand in front of his desk. “I need advice.”Lukas arches a brow, finally deigning to meet my gaze. “Advice? From me?” He snorts, setting his whiskey down. “Must be a bad day if you’re coming to me for help, brother.”I glare at him, but it only makes his smirk grow. “It’s Nadya,” I grit out, my fists clenching at my sides.“Of course, it is.” He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “What’d she do
MarkusThe gym echoes with the sound of Nadya’s labored breaths and the soft squeak of her sneakers against the mat. She’s been pushing herself harder each session, her determination a force to be reckoned with. Even though her body is still catching up to the hell it’s been through, her spirit is unrelenting.“Come on, Topolina,” I taunt, circling her. “Is that all you’ve got?”She glares at me, wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. “I’m saving my strength for the moment I crush you,” she snaps, her thick Russian accent making the threat sound a little more serious than it should.I smirk, rolling my shoulders. “You couldn’t crush me if I handed you a sledgehammer and stood still.”Her lips curve into that defiant little scowl that always makes something inside me twist. I don’t let myself dwell on it. She squares up again, her stance solid but still rough around the edges. She’s come a long way, though. A month ago, she could barely keep her balance. Now? Now
NadyaThe gym smells faintly of leather and sweat, the air heavy with the lingering tension from our earlier sparring session. Markus stands a few feet away, adjusting the gloves on his hands as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. But there’s nothing natural about him—not his sharp green eyes, not his towering frame, and definitely not the dangerous air he carries around like a second skin.I can’t stop watching him.He moves with a quiet confidence, each motion calculated and precise, like a predator sizing up its prey. Even now, leaning against the punching bag with a towel slung over his shoulder, he looks like he’s ready to strike at a moment’s notice.It’s unsettling how easily I can pick out the details: the way his hair falls slightly into his eyes when he tilts his head, the sharp angles of his jaw that seem to be carved from stone, the tattoos curling up his forearms.Markus isn’t just a man. He’s a weapon. A deadly, beautiful weapon.And I hate that I notice.I sip
MarkusNadya moves across the mat with precision, her blonde hair tied up in a messy bun that’s starting to come undone. Strands fall loose, framing her delicate face, and I catch myself staring for too long. Again. I grit my teeth and glance away, pretending to adjust the gloves I’m wearing, but my eyes betray me, snapping back to her almost immediately. She’s doing the warm-ups I taught her, her small frame moving with surprising grace despite the tension I know she’s carrying. She’s wearing a simple tank top and leggings, but there’s no hiding the lithe, graceful figure beneath, a body that could’ve belonged to a ballerina. But I know better. Whatever dreams she might have had died the moment someone decided she was better suited as a commodity.I lean back against the wall, arms crossed, watching her. It’s not the first time I’ve caught myself staring, and it won’t be the last. There’s something about her that draws my eye—something fragile but not breakable, delicate but not we