Chapter 26: TWENTY SIX

RAFFAELE

There was something about her look this morning. Celestia was wrapped in my shirt, and I could clearly see the translucent outline of her curves despite the baggy size. The exposed bare thighs were taunting my vision, and so were those rioted glossy brown mane, messy from the sleep yet so gorgeous. I noticed that she looked extraordinarily pretty with her hair down.

When I exited the room to avoid waking her up, I had no idea she would be up so quick and so fast as to discover the camera I tucked away in the safe the other day.

Fuck. Letting my shield down was a mistake that could cost me later. And while I was already regretting one mistake, I jumped and committed another one.

I kissed her.

I kissed her so hard and deep like she could feel the echo of my touch long after I broke it. But she wasn’t the only one who was transfixed because I damn well got carried away.

It wasn’t my first kiss, obviously, but it was sure as hell of a feeling that took my breath away. It’s like someone poured life into my soul, stirring the emotions I never understood in the first place. It was confusing and rattled me to the core, yet I was trying to decipher them in my head.

Fuck, what are you doing to me, Celestia? This wasn’t the plan – YOU weren’t the part of the plan at all. And here we were, tangled with each other as fate playing us as puppets.

By the time I pulled back, her eyes were wide and dilated, and her mouth left parted. I looked down at her lips and noticed that the visible redness and plumpness were the result of a thorough kiss. She finally blinked as she revived, licking the seam of her mouth.

I slowly took a few steps away from her and gave her the space to recover fully. The way she was awestricken, I wondered if she had been kissed before. And most importantly—by whom?

Wait—why the fuck should I care?

“I…I…should go now,” she mumbled, suddenly avoiding my gaze but ducking her head and pushing the stray locks behind her hair.

“What happened? Not feeling brave anymore?” I asked. I was still standing in her way; only I didn’t overwhelm her space this time.

“Of course not,” she mumbled in a small voice. “I am not…not afraid of you.” Then her eyes snagged against mine with a hint of a challenge. “You have to hold against me.”

Oh, such a poor, innocent bambi.

I tsked dramatically and reached out to caress the long strands of hair she tucked a moment ago. “You are right. I didn’t record anything that day,” I admitted blatantly, quickly throwing her off the game. I only enjoyed the sport as long as I willed it. But Celestia didn’t know that yet.

“So I was right?” she gasped, as she didn’t believe her analysis.

“That’s a wrong question, bambi. Ask me: why.” I grinned wolfishly and cracked the knuckles. “C’mon, I am waiting.”

Nervousness burned bright in her face like a wild forest fire as she stubborn she rooted against the safe behind her. Celestia was naive, but brilliant nonetheless. She knew very well that she wouldn’t like the answer to that question.

But, I was a pushy son of a bitch.

“I can wait all day for this, but I am not giving up.”

“Fine, fine.” She rolled her and huffed a breath. “Why?”

“Because you asked so nicely,” I teased, “Let me enlighten you.” Grabbing her by the waist, I pulled her closer and let my hands roam around her sensitive slopes.

“These curves, so full and womanly—I don’t want to ever share with another human, let alone a man,” I hummed. The hands climbed up, hovering around the underside of her lush breasts as Celestia squirmed and keened like a newborn kitten.

With my eyes fixed on hers, I cupped the breasts in my hands and let the erotic heat settle over her. And the moment I applied a little squeeze, Celestia inhaled a sharp breath.

“I like the abundance, too,” I approved, leaning in and breathing down her neck. The wet trail of kisses I left forced her to tilt her head back and expose her throat. I took the opportunity and traced her skin with my lips until I reached her cleavage.

Celestia’s heart was thudding so fast, I worried if she would faint. But all she did was passively comply with my silent demands.

Easing my hands from her breasts, I turned her around and drew up the hem of the shirt, exposing her shapely globes. The instant she felt the heat of my palm on her ass, Celestia tried to pivot.

“What…what are you…doing? Raffaele—”

“Shh.” I cut her off, and she stilled. “I am telling you of all the reasons I wouldn’t ever allow anyone to see the treasure that is mine. And make no mistake, Celestia, as long as you are here—under this roof—you are mine.” I told her, punctuating each word with a definite sense of finality. “Is that clear?”

There was no sound, aside from the soft mewl she emitted. So to drive my point closer to home, I smacked the palm over her ass in a small stinging slap and forced her attention to mine. “I said, is that clear?”

“Yes, yes! It’s clear.”

“Good girl.” I grinned wider, knowing full well she couldn’t see me and dropped a kiss on the back of her head.

I slowly turned her to face me and noted the flushing pink painted across her features. There was also a gorgeous light that glowed in her eyes. She looked better, far better than the way I had found her last night.

Speaking of...I remembered the flurry of texts that Amadeo sent since last night, updating me on the situation.

I jerked a thumb behind my back as I instructed, “I have your clothes brought in by a maid, and it’s stacked on the couch. Get ready and go downstairs for breakfast.”

Without waiting for her reply, I made my way towards the bathroom, leaving behind a shell-shocked woman.

CELESTIA

I couldn’t believe this guy!

He got me all worked, nervous, fluttering, and simply up and left? Son of a B! At this point, I wished I could curse better and spew out some of them at him. Ugh!

I flounced over to the couch, grabbing the stack of clothes and changed in the closet. Once I made it to my room, unnoticed, I freshened and showered in record time and straight headed to the kitchen.

Breakfast could wait. I wanted to see Lila first, which I would have done, first thing in the morning, had Raffaele not distract me from the mission. Better late than never, I thought as I looked around the place for her.

Instead, I came across Ally with a giant scowl outlining her features as if she was highly put off by my presence. I think she about to say something nasty when turned to a blond-head middle-aged woman. “Have you seen Lila today?”

She regarded me for a tiny shocking moment and then nodded her head. “She’s in the kitchen.”

I slowly looked around the place. Gas tops, oven, marble-island, cabinetry… “This…is the kitchen, right?”

“This is the secondary kitchen,” she explained. “The primary kitchen is behind the hall. Turn left and then straight ahead.”

Wow. Rich people and their multiple kitchens! I was about to roll my eyes but quickly flashed a grateful smile, said my thanks, and went off to the direction she pointed.

When I reached the place, I discovered that the so-called ‘primary’ kitchen was at least the size of two giant rooms with more than fifteen staff slammed in work. How much possibly could the brothers eat? I wondered.

“What are you doing here?” At the soft, incredulous voice, I quickly turned around and found Lila. She was dressed so differently. Her hair was neatly tucked into a high bun and the front covered in a dark apron, with patches of white powder on it.

“I was looking for you. I didn’t get a chance last night, considering…” My throat closed off, unable to explain further.

Lila graced a sweet smile as she took my hand and took me out of the kitchen. “It’s alright, Celestia, I understand. Whatever happened yesterday was really unfortunate.”

“Who treated you last night?” I asked. “I remembered Amadeo talking to you, but that’s about it.”

“Yes, he was there until the doctor arrived. And Cesar too.” She let out a long-suffering sigh. “Dr. Jenkins did a thorough check-up even though I kept on insisting that I was absolutely fine. But still, she treated the bruises, checked the heart-rate, and God knows what not!”

“Where did you get hurt?”

“Here a bit.” She lifted her right elbow. “But, there is no need to fuss. I had worse accidents in the kitchen than what happened yesterday.”

“Thank God,” I breathed.

Curiously, her eyes skittered over my face. “Where else did you get hurt, apart from the side of your cheeks? And did Dr. Jenkins saw you too last night?”

I dismissed with a shake of the head. “Well, small cuts, here and there.”

“So, no one treated you?” she asked, sounding between incredulous and angry. “Cesar told me that sir took you to his room and sent for the doctor. How could he lie to me?”

“No, you are getting it all wrong. I refused the doctor. I wasn’t in the right mind space to let anyone probe and prod at that moment.”

“Oh.” She slowly registered, and then her face combusted into flashy excitement. “Did you have breakfast yet?”

“Umm…not yet. I wanted to see you first.” I smiled. I wondered if she knew how much I cherished her adorable company.

“That’s really sweet of you.” She promptly began to untie the apron from the back as she urged, “C’mon, let’s fix you a plate of breakfast. If I keep you hungry any longer, the flush of your cheeks will fade.”

Lila giggled like a schoolgirl as I grew extremely conscious and touched the apple of my cheeks.

Argh! Raffaele Roselli, I am going to kill you now.