32. Dominance & Desire

32. Dominance & Desire
He was danger wrapped in desire—every touch a promise, every glance a warning. And yet, I kept falling... not despite the fire, but because of it.

GABRIELLA

After having breakfast with Alejandro, I couldn’t stop smiling. My heart felt full, like I was floating. There were two reasons for that. First—his romantic side had completely disarmed me. The way he serenaded me, the way he looked at me like I was his entire world... it was hard not to feel swept away. And second—I had learned a precious secret. A dangerous one.

I finally understood how he transported his drugs across the world—hidden inside elaborate artwork. Ingenious, really. He had handed me the blueprint of his empire without even realizing it. A weapon, sharp and heavy, that now sat quietly in my pocket. I wouldn’t use it just yet. That would be reckless. And Alejandro? He was too sharp to miss something so obvious. No… I had to be patient. I would destroy him. But slowly. Steadily. Like a dancer pulling the strings of a performance only I knew was rigged from the start.

I returned to my room while he disappeared into his study. The bed felt too big without him, too quiet. I lay there staring at the ceiling, boredom crawling over me like ivy. Time dragged, and when lunchtime finally rolled around, I headed downstairs, hungry and hoping to see his face again.

But instead of Alejandro, a young woman greeted me. She was beautiful—delicate and well-mannered. I blinked at her, momentarily caught off guard.

"Good afternoon, ma'am. I'm Leah," she said with a warm smile. "Sir had to step out for some work, so he asked me to prepare lunch. I hope it’s to your liking."

I nodded and took a seat at the table. The aroma was inviting, and Leah served me with care, but my appetite had vanished the moment I realized Alejandro wouldn't be joining me. I hated how much I missed him. It made me feel... vulnerable. And that made me furious.

Still, I forced a smile. “It’s good,” I told her sincerely. She had put effort into it, and I wasn’t heartless enough to ignore that.

After the meal, I returned to my room. The silence felt heavier this time. I slipped beneath the covers and tried to lull myself into sleep, but my mind kept drifting—to last night. To his touch. His breath against my skin. My cheeks burned at the memory, my body responding before I could stop it. Heat stirred within me, and I found myself rubbing my thighs together, trying to banish the thoughts.

I hated how easily he consumed me.

Eventually, exhaustion won. I drifted into sleep, tangled in thoughts of him, of the night we became something more—something I didn’t yet understand.

When I woke up, the sky outside was painted in dusky hues. The sun was sinking into the horizon. I yawned, stretched, and made my way downstairs again, my eyes scanning for him instinctively. But the house felt too still.

Too empty.

He wasn’t there.

And I hated how disappointed that made me.

As soon as Leah spotted me coming downstairs, she smiled warmly.

“Ma’am, should I serve the evening tea outside? The weather is lovely—you’d really enjoy it.”

Her suggestion felt perfect. I gave a soft hum in approval and nodded, secretly grateful for something to take my mind off Alejandro’s absence.

I stepped into the garden and settled onto the wooden swing, its gentle sway syncing with the cool breeze brushing against my skin. The sky was a soft amber, the air carrying the scent of blooming jasmine and the earth just beginning to cool.

Moments later, Leah appeared, gracefully carrying a tray with tea and delicate snacks.

“Why don’t you join me?” I offered, a spontaneous invitation.

She gave me an apologetic smile. “Thank you, ma’am, but I need to start preparing dinner. Sir will be home any moment now.”

I simply nodded, taking a sip of the tea, letting its warmth calm the stirrings in my chest.

And then—I heard it. The low hum of a familiar engine. I turned toward the gate, heart inexplicably quickening. Alejandro’s car rolled in, and the moment he stepped out, he smiled at me like he had just seen the sun rise.

But I didn’t smile back.

Instead, I narrowed my eyes and glared.

“Someone looks angry,” he said, making his way over to me, his tone half-playful, half-regretful.

He didn’t wait for a response. He dropped to his knees in front of me.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “For leaving without telling you anything this morning.”

It was the second time in less than twenty-four hours that Alejandro Martinez—the man who ruled entire cities with a glance—was kneeling before me.

God, if only he wasn’t my enemy…

If only fate had written a different story for us, I would have given him every piece of me without hesitation.

“I’m really sorry,” he murmured again, his eyes searching mine.

“And why should I forgive you?” I asked, folding my arms.

He smirked. “Because I’m handsome. Or maybe... because I’m amazing in bed?”

A blush rose to my cheeks before I could stop it. This man.

Suddenly, he scooped me into his arms and spun me around, catching me completely off guard. I giggled—actually giggled—something I hadn’t done in years.

When he finally set me down, his lips found mine in a deep, passionate kiss that made the world blur around us.

I melted into him, wrapping my arms around his neck and returning the kiss with everything I had.

“Do you forgive me now?” he whispered against my lips.

I smirked. “Can I ever say no to you?”

He grinned. “No. Because no one says no to Alejandro Martinez.”

With our hands entwined, we walked back into the house.

“Leah, set the table on the beach,” he called out.

I turned to him, eyebrows raised in surprise.

He leaned in close, his voice low against my ear. “Let me make it up to you… with a romantic dinner. I owe you that for disappearing this morning.”

My heart fluttered despite every warning bell going off in my mind.

“Then I’ll go get ready,” I said quickly, rushing upstairs before he could see just how much that meant to me.

In my room, I opened my suitcase and stared at the dresses lined up inside. I had never gone to such lengths for a man before—not for anyone. I knew I looked beautiful no matter what I wore, but this time… it was different.

Because this time, it was for Alejandro.

After a long moment of indecision, I finally settled on the sleek black dress hanging in my closet—a dress that hugged all the right curves. The long sleeves gave it just the right edge, teasing with a subtle glimpse of skin above my waist. Bold, minimal, and effortlessly cool. I slipped on my strappy black heels that laced up my legs, adding a flirty, feminine touch.

As I walked downstairs, Alejandro was waiting for me, dressed casually in faded blue jeans and a simple polo shirt. Yet, even in casual wear, he looked devilishly handsome. His eyes swept over me, a satisfied smile spreading across his lips. It was clear my hour of preparation had paid off.

“Let’s go before I decide to cancel dinner and go straight for my dessert,” he murmured, grabbing my hand and leading me toward the beach.

Leah had done an incredible job setting the scene—this wasn’t just dinner, it was a candlelit feast under the stars. We settled in, and Alejandro, ever the gentleman, took the initiative to serve us.

“Where’s Leah?” I asked quietly.

“I sent her home,” he replied, his voice low and teasing. “We need some privacy.”

My fingers clenched my thigh under the table, anticipation bubbling between us.

We ate in comfortable silence, sipping wine and gazing out at the gentle waves glistening in the moonlight. Everything felt serene, perfect.

When the meal ended, I hoped for more—an extension of the magic from last night.

“It’s getting late… let’s call it a night,” I said with a small, hopeful smile. He hummed softly in agreement.

I tried to quell my disappointment. I’d hoped we’d share a longer night together, but Alejandro hadn’t made a move. I didn’t want to seem desperate, so I kept my feelings to myself.

Heading back to my room, I felt a weight settle on my chest. I was about to close the door behind me when Alejandro’s foot stopped it.

He stepped inside, closing the door gently but firmly behind him.

My breath caught. I took a step back.

“What are you doing?” I asked, voice trembling.

“What do you think?” he murmured, closing the distance. I stumbled backward until my back hit the wall, his body framing me.

“Alejandro, please... I’m really tired. I need to sleep,” I whispered.

He smirked, a playful glint in his eyes.

“So, I did make you tired last night, huh?”

“Leave me alone,” I pleaded softly.

His fingers brushed my cheek, gentle but persistent. “What’s wrong? You seem upset."

I turned my face away, unwilling to meet his gaze.

“What if I am?” I said quietly, then pushed past him, heading toward the bathroom.

“I’m feeling hot—going to take a bath. You better leave before I come out,” I said over my shoulder, flipping my hair with false confidence.

I heard him chuckle behind me but chose to ignore it.

Removing my painful heels on the way, I tried to focus on calming the heat that surged inside me—between frustration, desire, and a longing I wasn’t quite ready to admit.

I barely had time to turn and shut the bathroom door before Alejandro slipped in behind me like a shadow, closing it with a soft but final click. He leaned back against the door, arms crossed, his body radiating dominance. His gaze found mine—sharp, predatory, and dangerously unreadable.

“I see why you’re upset,” he began slowly, his voice low and deliberate, “because…”

“Because I didn’t give you the attention you crave,” he finished, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips.

“Wow, aren’t you a genius? Should I put your name in the Guinness World Records?” I shot back, my tone sharp with playful sarcasm.

The words had barely left my mouth before I felt the cold kiss of the tiled wall at my back.
His hand curling gently yet possessively around my neck. The sudden closeness sent a thrill through me.

“Instead of using that sharp tongue to taunt me, why don’t you put it to some better use?” he whispered, pulling me closer, his hand still resting lightly but firmly against my throat.

His breath brushed my lips, teasing me, intoxicating. The grip on my throat tightened slightly, a silent threat—one that only made my thighs press together.

His breath was warm against my lips “Trust me, I have better ways to make your smart mouth work,” he murmured, and despite the intensity of the moment,
all I felt was heat, attraction, a hunger I couldn’t deny.

I should have been scared—seen him like this was intimidating—but something about his dominance ignited a fire inside me.
Alejandro’s dominance didn’t scare me. It awakened something wild inside me. Something unholy.

I wasn’t the sensible type anymore. And let’s be honest, I’ve always loved a man who takes charge—just not outside the bedroom.

“So, why don’t you put it to better use?” I challenged, my voice husky.

“Are you accepting the offer I gave you this morning? The one about showering together?” he asked, releasing his grip on my throat but keeping me close.

I leaned in, my lips brushing his ear as I whispered, “Well, I heard some places in the world are suffering because they don’t have enough water… maybe we should save some.”

Then, with a mischievous flick of my tongue, I licked his earlobe.

He stilled. For a second. Then he growled low in his throat, and that fire in his eyes flared—hungry, molten, feral.