Chapter 65 Marked
JEREMY
I'd imagined this. I've imagined this scenario dozens of times. Or maybe hundreds.
Amelia in my bed. Under me, she gasped at the sound of my name.
But the reality was better. This reality was far superior to the imagination.
She was tight around me. Hot and perfect.
And she was mine. Completely mine.
She was mine, at least for tonight.
I tried to be gentle. I made an effort to proceed at a slow pace. To make it good for her.
But she was making sounds that were driving me insane. She moved against me in ways that suggested she wanted it harder and faster.
"Jeremy," she gasped. "Please—"
"Please what?"
"More. I need—"
I gave her more. I drove deeper and faster.
Her nails dug into my back. Her legs wrapped around my waist.
"That's it," I groaned. "Take what you need."
I could feel her tightening around me. She was once again getting close to release.
I slid my hand between us. I found the spot where we were joined and pressed harder.
She cried out and shattered around me.
And I followed her over. I spilt inside her with a groan that sounded like both her name and a prayer.
After, I held her. Both of us were breathing hard and trembling.
I should say something. Should tell her what this meant. Should explain—
But she spoke first.
"Jeremy?"
"Yeah?"
"I don't regret this."
Relief flooded through me. "Good. Neither do I," I said.
"What happens now?"
That was the question, wasn't it?
What happened now?
Now that I'd crossed every line. Now that I'd made her mine in the most fundamental way possible.
Now I couldn't pretend this was just protection. Just duty. Just anything other than what it was:
Obsession. Possession. Love.
The word settled in my chest. Heavy, true.
Love.
I was in love with Amelia.
I had been deeply in love with Amelia for several weeks. Maybe longer.
And I had no idea how to make that work in my world.
But right now—
Right now she was in my arms. In my bed. She smelt just like me. Marked by me.
And that was enough.
"Now," I said quietly, "we figure it out. Together."
"Okay."
She curled against me. She was trusting me with her vulnerability.
And I held her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
Because she was.
Whatever came next—whatever complications, whatever dangers, whatever impossible obstacles—we'd face them together.
The next day, I woke to warmth.
Soft skin against mine. The scent of Amelia's hair on my pillow. Her breathing was slow and even as she slept curled against my chest.
Last night came flooding back. Every touch. Every sound. Every moment.
We had transcended the boundary. Completely and irrevocably.
And I didn't regret it. Not even slightly.
I tightened my arm around her and pulled her closer. She made a soft sound in her sleep and nestled deeper against me.
Perfect. This was perfect.
I glanced at the clock. 9:47am.
Cristo. I'd slept in. I never slept in.
But I'd been up late. Very late. With Amelia.
A smile tugged at my lips.
Worth it. It was completely worth it.
A sharp knock on my door made me tense.
"Boss? Luca's voice called out, "Are you in there?" "It's almost ten. You have a meeting with Dominic in an hour."
Merda. I'd forgotten about the meeting.
"Yeah, I'm here. Give me twenty minutes."
"You okay? You never sleep this late."
"I'm fine. Just—give me twenty minutes."
"Okay, boss."
I heard his footsteps retreat.
Beside me, Amelia stirred. "Jeremy?"
"Shh. It's okay. Go back to sleep."
"What time is it?"
"Almost ten. I have a meeting. But you can stay here. Sleep."
"Mmm. Okay." She was already drifting off again.
I carefully extracted myself from her embrace. She made a small sound of protest but settled back into the pillows.
God, she looked beautiful. Hair tangled. Her lips were slightly swollen from the kisses. The sheet was barely covering her.
Mine. She was mine now.
I grabbed clothes from my closet and started getting dressed.
Another knock. Harder this time.
"Boss? Sorry, but—it's urgent. I need to talk to you. Now."
Luca sounded—stressed. Worried.
I walked to the door and opened it slightly. "What's wrong?"
Luca's eyes widened. He stared at me—shirtless, wearing only hastily pulled-on pants—then past me into the room.
At the bed. Amelia was clearly visible under the sheets on the bed.
"Is that..." He stopped. "Cristo, boss. Is that Amelia?"
I stepped out into the hallway and closed the door behind me. "What do you need, Luca?"
"What do I need?" He lowered his voice. "Boss, did you—did you sleep with her?"
"That's none of your business."
"It absolutely is my business! You're my boss, and she's your employee." He ran his hand through his hair. "Jeremy, what are you doing?"
Before I could answer, another knock. This time from inside my room.
"Jeremy?" Amelia's voice, muffled. "Where did you go?"
Luca's eyes widened further.
The door opened. Amelia stepped out, wrapped in my sheet, with messy hair and a look that suggested she was feeling quite well. Looking like she'd just woken up in my bed after a night of—
"Jeremy?" She turned toward where Luca and I were standing. "Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't realise someone else was here."
"Amelia." Luca's voice was strangled. "Good morning."
"Luca?" Her face flushed. "I—this isn't—"
"Go back inside," I said quietly. "Get dressed. I'll bring you coffee in a few minutes."
"Okay." She retreated quickly and closed the door.
There was silence in the hallway.
Luca stared at me. "Boss. What the fuck?"
"Watch your tone."
"No, seriously. What the fuck are you thinking?" He stepped closer and lowered his voice. "You slept with her. You actually—" He stopped. Started again. "Do you have any idea what this means? What have you just done?"
"I know exactly what I've done."
"Do you?" Luca's voice was urgent. Concerned. "From my perspective, it seems that you have crossed every line." She's your employee. Under your protection. She resides in your house. And you—" He gestured at my door. "You slept with her."
"I'm aware," I said nonchalantly.
"Are you?" He looked like he wanted to say more. To argue. To lecture me about all the reasons this was a terrible idea.
But I could see the moment he remembered who he was talking to. The moment, fear won over concern.
He stepped back. "Boss, are you sure about this? About what you're getting yourself into?"
"Yes."
"Because this changes everything. Your father, Antonio, the Family—if they find out—"
"They won't find out. Not from you." I looked at him steadily. "Will they?"
"No. Of course not. But boss—" He hesitated. "This is dangerous. This poses a significant risk to both of you. You know that, right?"
"I know."
"And you're doing it anyway."
"Yes."
Luca shook his head. "You're in love with her."
I didn't answer. I felt no need to respond. The truth was written all over my face.
"Cristo," Luca breathed. "You're really in love with her. The matter isn't just—this is serious."
"Did you have something urgent to discuss? Or are you just here to lecture me about my personal life?"
He blinked. Refocused. "Right. Yeah. The meeting with Dominic is scheduled. He moved it up. It's in thirty minutes now, not an hour. And boss—Antonio's going to be there. He wants to discuss the Brooklyn docks transfer."
My stomach dropped. "Already?"
"Yeah. He's pushing hard. He wants the deal finalised this week. "Boss, you can't let him know about Amelia." If he finds out you're involved with Amelia, he'll use it. You know he will."
Yes, Luca was right.