Chapter Four

Andrea.

Lily finally scoops her soup and I watch her lips close around the spoon. She’s cautious, angry and fascinated all at once.

When she swallows, I nod in approval and her brows meet. There’s a silent declaration of war as if she dares me to comment on it.

I have employed some of the best cooks in Italy. They’ve served my Family for years so I know how delightful the first taste can be and I’m not wrong about this because soon, she gulps the rest of her food like she’s been starved for years.

Her eyes dart in every corner, she tenses at every sound and movement. She’s like a cat waiting to pounce on a butterfly at the slightest chance. I can tell that she’s up to something. Her brain’s cooking another fucking plan and I will not underestimate her.

I’ve been with different types of women. Some of the best in America. All the breeds that I can think of but something about Lily manages to keep me entertained longer than necessary.

She gives me a cynical stare. “Are you just gonna sit there and watch me all day?”

I chuckle. “Relax, Princess, and finish your food.”

Her laughter is hysterical. “Every single drop before you start talking?”

A simple head nod from me and her anger intensifies.

“Stop fucking saying that!” she bangs a hand on the table, causing the cutlery on the table to rattle ruining the serenity of the dining room.

“I wake up and see myself in your fucking room with you in a fucking towel having a smoke while I’m tied up like a fucking slave and you expect me to open my fucking mouth, sit here and just…eat your fucking fish soup?”

“Lily,” I warn. She pays zero attention and stands from her chair.

“You promised to talk to me. To give me answers.”

I’m amused at the easy lie. “I never made a promise, Princess.”

“Whatever, I’m out of here.” She walks barefoot around the large dining hall, looking out the windows. It's a high building and we are sitting at the very apex of it.

She mutters a curse when she realizes this and sends me a bewildered look.

“Is this place even real? What sort of house is this? There’s overgrown grass everywhere.”

“Because you are looking at the back of the building.”

She stills at my response. An unreadable expression crosses her face. “Oh,” she says, then the look disappears.

What is she thinking now?

I can’t stop the smile that crawls to my lips.

It rattles her and she points at me. “You’re a monster and I want nothing to do with you.”

“Everyone in your Family is just like me, Princess.”

“Oh, don’t you dare compare? You’ll never be anything like us. Your father was a thief, a fucking Coward who wiped shoes just to get what he wanted.”

My fists clench. She’s still talking but I don’t hear the rest of it. I bolt from the chair and move into her space in quick strides.

She races to the other end and doesn't stop until her back collides with the wall.

I’m right there, in front of her, keeping very little distance between us.

My fingers grasp her neck and I tighten my hold. Her face grows red and her hands raise in defense to cover her face.

I don't want to hurt her but she’s driving me nuts with that mouth of hers.

“If you ever mention my father’s name again, I’ll—”

“Kill me?” she chokes.

I’m shocked she still has the nerves to speak, let alone dare me.

I bring down her hands so I can see her.

My hold loosens and my eyes immediately drop to her lips, to the skin at her nape, the swell of her breasts which are perky and inviting beneath the gown. I look all the way down to her bare feet.

She’s shaking visibly, her legs brushing lightly against mine.

Slowly but surely, my hands move to her lips. I run a finger over the velvety skin.

She gasps.

I move my other hand to her hair. Bury my fingers in it and rub her scalp. Her shoulders drop and her eyes close a fraction.

“What do you want from me?” she whispers.

I can hear my pulse in my ears. Feel my erection growing to the point of pain from just watching her.

Fuck. I want to have her, here and now but not yet. The time’s not right.

“You’ll know, Princess. Soon.” I lean forward and say in her ear.

I can’t stop myself from tasting the forbidden fruit. I place a small kiss on her right ear and revel in her reaction. She makes a sound of protest in her throat but doesn’t move an inch.

I kiss her there again. Greedily Inhaling the scent of citrus in her hair.

When I push her hair to the side to place a kiss on her nape, I see a flash of silver in the periphery of my vision.

She’s been hiding a fork all along.

Oh, my dear Lily. This is going to be harder than I thought.

Her hands move in a flash, aiming for my heart. I stop her with a single hold. She continues to struggle, trying to get control of the fork.

“That’s enough, Princess,” I warn.

She lets out a snort. “You don't tell me what to do.”

I decide that I’ve had enough of her drama. I tighten my hold on her wrist and shake her hands forcefully until the cutlery falls to the ground.

“There.” I smile. “Much better.”

“Fuck you, Andrea Calvesi.” She spits.

I ignore her childish tantrums, lift her off the ground, and carry her back to my chair.

She’s kicking and biting, clawing at my skin, and reigning all sorts of curses on me.

Some part of me finds it amusing while another wants to punish her for being all over the place. I could tie her hands together, keep her on all fours on the dining table and fuck her hard and fast from behind. Or I could force her to her knees and push my cock to her throat with my hands in her hair.

A lot of things I can fucking do to her now because she’s mine. I’m a patient man. Of course, I can wait. It doesn’t have to be today.

“What are you doing?” her eyes grow wild when I drop into my chair and she lands on my lap, her soft ass colliding with my arousal.

“What the hell are you doing, you animal?!”

A firm hand is wrapped around her small body to keep her from running off like a wild animal, while I use my free hand to scoop some soup from my bowl.

“You can’t be real right now. I said I don’t want your—” She never gets to the end.

I force the food into her mouth.