Chapter 85 Claimed by Him
ARYA’S POV
I followed him to the car, my legs feeling like they might give out at any moment. The night air was cold against my flushed skin, but it did nothing to cool the anxiety burning through me.
Giovanni opened the back door, his movements sharp and controlled. I slid in, and he followed, the door slamming shut with a finality that made me flinch.
The silence was suffocating.
"Giovanni, please," I started, turning to face him. "Whatever you're going to do, don't punish Jasmine. This wasn't her fault. I wanted to go”
He kept staring straight ahead, his jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle jumping beneath his skin.
"She was just trying to help me feel better. She didn't mean to do anything."
He still kept ignoring..
I tried again, my voice smaller. "Giovanni, please say something."
The car pulled away from the curb, and he remained silent, his hands tapping a spot on his lap.
The drive back to the estate felt endless. Every second stretched out, and I kept glancing at him from the corner of my eye, trying to read his expression, but his face was a mask.
When we finally arrived, he got out without a word. I scrambled to follow, my heels clicking against the driveway as I hurried behind him.
I made it to the base of the stairs before his voice stopped me
"Where are you going?"
I froze, one hand on the bannister. "To... to my room?"
"No." He turned to face me, and the look in his eyes made my breath catch. "You're coming with me."
Every instinct screamed at me to run, but my feet carried me toward him anyway. He waited until I was close, then turned and headed up the stairs.
I followed, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears.
We went to his room and Giovanni moved to the bar cart in the corner, pulling out a crystal decanter of whiskey.
He poured himself a glass with slowness, still not looking at me.
"Four months," he said finally, his voice low. "We've been married for four months now, Arya. You would think in that time, you would have learned something about safety."
I bristled but held my tongue. "I was with Jasmine."
"Jasmine doesn't have a target on her back." He took a sip, his eyes finally meeting mine. "You do. Every time you step outside these walls without protection, you're putting yourself in danger."
My throat bobbed tightly. "I didn't think-"
"Exactly. You didn't think." He set the glass down. "Enzo will deal with Jasmine. But you? You're my responsibility."
Something hot and defiant flared in my chest. "Deal with her? Deal with me? We're not toys, Giovanni. We're human beings with our own minds and our own choices!"
"Choices that could get you killed."
"So what?" I stepped forward, anger overriding my fear. "You want me to just stay locked up here forever? Being your fake wife doesn't mean I've signed away my right to breathe!"
His expression darkened. "You weren't exactly free at your father's house either."
The words hit like a physical blow. Before I could think, before I could stop myself, my hand flew up and connected with his cheek.
The crack echoed through the room.
We both stood there, breathing hard, the air between us crackling with something dangerous. THis cheek was red where I'd hit him, but he didn't move. Didn't flinch.
Then he growled and his hand shot out, grabbing my face, squeezing.
"You are the most frustrating woman I have ever met," he said in a gruff tone, his eyes blazing.
I glared at him. "And you're the most infuriating, controlling, impossible man I've ever seen."
"Damn you," he breathed.
Then his mouth was on mine.
The kiss was explosive. It was nothing like the gentle, desperate kiss from the night before.
His hand tangled in my hair, tilting my head back as he deepened the kiss, and I met him with equal fervor.
I couldn't stop. God help me, I didn't want to stop.
He backed me up until my legs hit something, the bed, I realized dimly, and then his hands were on my waist, lifting me like I weighed nothing.
He set me on the mattress and I gasped against his mouth, my hands clutching at his shoulders.
Giovanni pulled back just enough to yank off his jacket, then his tie. His hands went to the buttons of his shirt, and I watched, as he revealed inch after inch of golden skin.
His entire torso was covered in dark ink that swirled across his chest and down his arms. A phoenix rising on his ribs. Script in Italian across his collarbone.
They were beautiful and so completely him that I couldn't look away.
Then he was kissing me again, his weight pressing me into the mattress.
His hands roamed over me, setting every inch of my skin on fire.
I let my own hands explore, feeling his muscles flex under my touch. He groaned against my mouth, and the sound sent heat pooling low in my belly.
His fingers found the zipper of my dress, sliding it down until cold air hit my skin. He peeled the fabric away, and suddenly I was very aware of how little I was wearing.
"Arya," he murmured against my neck, his lips trailing fire along my skin.
"I… fuck," My breath hitched as his hand skimmed up my bare thigh. "Giovanni, I need to tell you something."
He grumbled against my skin, nipping me gently. "Tell me later."
"No, now. I need to tell you now,” I said, pushing at his shoulders. “It’s important."
Something in my voice must have gotten through to him because he paused, pulling back just enough to look at me.
His eyes were dark, and his breathing was ragged as he asked. "What is it?"
I swallowed hard, my face burning. "I've never... I mean, I haven't..."
His brow furrowed. "Haven't what?"
"I'm a virgin," I blurted out, the words tumbling over
each other. "I've never had sex before. Not once.
Giovanni went completely still above me and I held my breath.