Chapter 18

My legs yielded to his body and his kisses descended to my neck, earning a gasp from my lips at how delicious his tongue felt on my skin.

I had already fallen into the void, I was not able, nor did I have the will to stop myself from my desires that were crying out for it in every way, even if it wasn't right.

He carried me in his arms without losing the connection of our agitated gazes, and climbed the stairs to leave the pool.

I saw in his black irises a powerful, hungry desire and that peculiar glow that could be noticed in the dark, so sublime to my presence and now to my desires.

It was heartbreaking to feel something like this without having had anything before. I was breathless as I felt the contact with her hot skin, the way her muscles fit my curves as if they were pieces made to be together.

He laid me down on one of the chairs and continued his kissing torture, taking over all my senses and desires, to the point of making me beg for more. However, I did not see fit, noting my vulnerability to him.

"You are so beautiful, Evie," he whispered, squeezing my legs and sighed at the gasp of my lips, "You can't imagine how many things I want to do to you, in a thousand possible ways. I want your desires and your body to be mine alone, but not like this," he finished saying, before suddenly pulling away from me.

I was suspended in mid-air at the blow, as if I had just been stopped in the best part of an orgasm.

I sat up, coming back to reality, having fallen into a blinding bubble. I realized how weak I was before him and the imminent risk.

I was about to have sex with him in front of his pool, not caring about anything. That was more dangerous than loving the forbidden.

"I don't know what came over me," I said to myself, getting up from the chair in search of the robe, "This was a mistake.

"Don't get me wrong, Evie," I heard him say, as I covered my body, but my legs still trembled at his presence, "Whatever I have with you is never going to be a mistake. I want you like you can't imagine and I'm losing more and more control of myself by having you close to me," he whispered in my ear and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. I swallowed saliva for not being able to pull away, "However, you still have a relationship with Mauro and no matter how much I hate him, he is my younger brother.

I sighed and looked sideways at him. I didn't want to leave his touch, but if I wanted my plan to flow, I would have to keep acting like I didn't want to murder Mauro.

"I'm going to sleep. Buonasera, Dante (Good night, Dante)," I said the last with irony, trying to leave him in doubt about my behavior; at least I was getting something out of having learned some Italian on TV. The least I could do was to look angry at his rejection and hope he'd look for me, at least until that idiot Mauro showed up.

I turned away and wandered off through the garden, in search of my room with my heart overflowing. However, with the satisfaction of having achieved the goal of my plan, even if I risked too much by getting carried away.

"Buonasera, Evie.

I sighed at her farewell.

The next morning was going to be a very strange day, if I didn't sort out my feelings.

Feeling those things in his presence and losing my senses didn't mean I loved him or liked him at that point. I was still resentful about all the secrets and still dealing with Mauro's betrayal; I was trying to focus on one thing at a time, such as my revenge.

I knew the impending risk and the consequences of throwing myself into the void of being with a man like Dante, but the anger I held inside me made it worth it.

I realized at the moment, that being in front of the mirror made me remember his caresses and the way he took my body, as if there was no risk for him and I belonged to him.

I tensed my jaw at how disturbed a simple kiss had left me.

The next morning I woke up in an unpleasant mood; I couldn't sleep all night, remembering over and over again, thinking about what was happening and what I would do to run away.

I heard the door ring as I was finishing getting ready for the day, I wasn't going to be able to do much anyway. I was locked in.

"Who is it?

"Your employee, Signorina Lawrens," the woman informed and I sighed opening the door, but the first thing I came across was a huge bouquet of flowers, "It's for Signorina, where shall I put it?" she asked, snapping me out of my surprise.

"Yes, uh, put it on top of the table in front of the window. Thank you," I pointed and folded my arms quizzically, "Who sent me that?

"Mr. Di Marco.

"Yeah, right, who else could it be?" I crossed my arms, "Do you know where he is?

"In his office, about to leave to pick up his brother in Venice. They'll be arriving by helicopter," he reported and my systems went on alert, "If nothing else, shall I bring you your breakfast or would you prefer to eat in the garden?

"In the garden, thank you," I finished saying before watching her leave.

Dante was already about to leave to bring his brother; I had to move a little further.

I wore a slightly short flowered dress, brown heels and let my hair down, intending to seek his gaze. I thought about trying to convince him to take me, but I had no hope that he would accept.

I walked to his office and waited for Alessandro to come out, to go in. I found him almost in front of me, coming out.

His dark eyes roamed my small body.

"They told me you were already going for Mauro.

"That's an option. In case he gets there before me, the helicopter will bring him," he replied, trying to resume his posture.

"May I accompany you?

He tensed his jaw, "Are you excited to see him?" he questioned not too happy, showing how much he disliked the idea of having him around again and couldn't imagine how I felt.

"He didn't even care about my disappearance. I'm not excited and I feel like my relationship with him deteriorated as soon as the whole kidnapping thing happened; I feel different, like I've opened my eyes," I sighed and stared at him; he licked his lips, trying to remain impenetrable, like a rock, but I was his weakness; nothing could be more dangerous than me in his life.

"I'm glad to hear that. I understand the situation and how you must feel, but experiences good or bad, they are part of us," he said and I nodded, "You'll have time to talk to him about it.

I licked my lips, catching his curious eyes, "What about what happened last night, I don't know how to feel about that. I have to tell Mauro.

"That would be very risky, he might get very angry, but if that's what you want, I'll control the situation if it gets out of control, don't worry," she said in her soft voice and I felt relief, even though it was all a farce, "But, if you tell Mauro that we kissed yesterday, they'll probably break up.

I sighed, "We were never boyfriend and girlfriend, he wouldn't budge, he just let you guys take it in.

"Are you telling me you've never been together?" I denied.

"Maybe that's why I caved last night, maybe that's why I feel different with you," I confessed and watched his expressions; confused, quizzical yet happy, like there was a trace of hope in his being and I liked that.

"You shouldn't have asked me to bring it," he tensed his jaw.

"You said it yourself last night, there are things to work out and he's your little brother, he must know what happened to me," I said and smiled inwardly amused. For some reason I was trying to hold back the laughter.

"And about me?" he questioned and my sublime look tempted him to touch my skin again and I closed my eyes at the warmth of his hand on my cheek.

He kissed my forehead softly, but was interrupted our moment by a voice that burned my skin as soon as it appeared.

"I see you were busy, Dante, that you didn't even come to pick me up," he said teasingly and we broke apart abruptly, "So, who's the lucky one?

I smiled angrily and cynically, as I turned around to face his face and revel in the terror that swept over them as soon as he recognized me.

"Evie?

"Hi Mauro.