Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 43928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
"You haven't told them who I am," I whisper, a twinge of sadness tugging at my heart. I'll meet them as my brothers, but they'll meet me as a stranger.
It's my own doing, I remind myself. I have only myself to blame.
That truth doesn't make it hurt any less.
"We can call them right now and tell them who you are, topolina," Mattia says, his voice gentle. "If that's what you want, I'll do it."
Yes, I want to cry. That is what I want. But what happens then? Do I lose Mattia? Does my whole world change again? Does the whole damn rope fray and leave me dangling over the edge? Am I one step closer to losing everything?
"Don't," I whisper, glancing away from him. "I don't want them to know."
He sighs softly.
We drive in silence for a few moments before I feel compelled to speak again. "Why would you tell them when you don't even trust me, Mattia?"
"You know why, little mouse."
He's right. I do know. He'd risk it because he cares about me. I think…I think he may even be falling in love with me. But he doesn't know me.
How can he when I'm a liar?
Fifteen minutes later, the front door slams shut behind us, the echo of it bouncing off the walls like a gunshot. Frenzied desperation consumes me as I push Mattia up against it, my lips crashing into his with an intensity that leaves us both breathless.
My mind is a battleground, and I'm desperately losing the war. I need him to silence the chaos and make me forget.
"Topolina," he murmurs, desire and surprise mingling in his voice as he spins us, capturing my hands to pin them to the cool wood. The unrestrained need in his tone sends shivers down my spine. He never hides how much he wants me. I love that. His eyes flicker across my face. "What do you need, cara mia? Tell me, and it's yours."
I can't help but whimper as I press myself against him. "I want you to fuck me until I forget everything but your name, Mattia."
"Are you sure?" His eyes bore into mine, searching for any hint of hesitation. But all I feel is the overwhelming need to be closer to him, to surrender myself completely to this fierce, commanding man.
"Please, Mattia," I beg, digging my fingers into his shoulders. "I need you. Please."
A growl rumbles from his throat as he swoops down, wrapping his arms around my waist to hoist me into the air. My legs instinctively wrap around his hips, our bodies pressed so tightly together that I feel every heartbeat, every ragged breath.
His lips crash against mine in a fierce kiss.
I cry out in relief, sobbing against his lips.
As he carries me to the bedroom, his mouth never leaves mine. Our tongues dance in perfect harmony, exploring and tasting one another, driving each other higher.
"Mattia," I gasp, raking my nails down his back as he carries me over the threshold into the bedroom. "I'm scared."
"Of what, little mouse?" He sets me down on the edge of the bed, his gray eyes flickering with concern.
Of losing you.
"I don't know," I lie.
But this dangerous, complicated man does. Somehow, he knows.
"Listen to me, Aurelia," he says firmly, gripping my face as he forces me to look into his eyes. "No matter what happens, we're in this together."
"Promise me," I whisper, the weight of those words settling heavily on my chest.
"You and me for life, little mouse. Ti prometto," he vows, sealing his promise with a searing kiss that leaves me trembling with need.
"Mattia," I moan, arching my back as his lips trace a scorching path down my neck. "Please."
"Tell me what you want, Aurelia," he growls, his voice rough with command.
"Fuck me," I plead, too desperate to care how I sound. "Make everything outside of this room disappear."
His eyes darken, a carnal storm brewing in their depths. Without another word, his hands move to the hem of my dress, pulling it over my head in one swift, unapologetic motion.
The cool air hits my skin, causing goosebumps to rise all over my body. I moan in response.
Mattia doesn't waste a moment. He unclasps my bra, my breasts spilling from the cups into his waiting hands. His touch is firm and possessive, a contrast to the worried look he had just moments ago.
"I'll make you forget everything but me, cara mia," he murmurs as he pushes me back onto the bed. His lips find my skin again, kissing, biting, marking me as his with every bruise painted by his mouth. His teeth graze the sensitive flesh along my collarbone, making me gasp.
"You're mine," he murmurs against my skin, each word punctuated by another possessive bite that sends sparks of pain and pleasure radiating through my body. "Say it."
"I'm yours," I breathe, lost in the sensation, in him.