Page 19

Katie

“I have just done Alga’s hair; doesn’t she look amazing?” I beam.

Leo looks from me to her.

“Alga and Sergio’s daughter graduates as a doctor this weekend. Isn’t that amazing?”

“Alga… you look…. lovely,” he says, plainly, and I’m unable to read his thoughts. He then leaves, closing the door behind him.

Alga looks like she’s in shock. She gazes at herself in the mirror again.

“Thank you so much.”

“You’re very welcome. Come on—let’s go and show Sergio, see what he thinks.”

Alga beams; I follow her to the kitchen.

Sergio loves Alga’s hair, and quite rightly so. He grabs her by the waist and spins her around, doing a little dance.

“Sergio!” Leo’s bellowing voice makes us all jump.

“Sì, Signor Guerra.”

“Kat-er-een informs me your daughter is graduating as a doctor.”

A proud look comes over Sergio's face. “Sì.”

Leo holds out an envelope, and after a few seconds, Sergio takes it.

“A gift; send her our congratulations.” He then holds out another to Alga.

“A thank you for your hard work and loyalty.”

Leo then exits the room, leaving a very shocked-looking Alga and Sergio in his wake. They both open their envelopes and pull out a cheque. Gasps and little squeals come from their mouths.

I leave them to their excitement and go find Leo. He’s in his office, typing away on his computer.

“That was a lovely thing you just did.”

“They’ve worked for our family ever since I can remember; I never knew they had a daughter.”

I’m not surprised he didn’t know that. I don’t comment; I can tell from his face that he is annoyed at himself for this.

“I’m going to have some lunch. Are you joining me? ”

“I’m not hungry.”

He’s in his work mode, so I leave him to it. Just as I’m about the close the door behind me, he speaks up.

“On second thoughts, I wouldn’t mind a little taste of something. Come, sit.” He pushes back from his desk and taps his lap.

The look he gives me with the raised eyebrow and smirk on his lips has me obeying immediately.

I go to sit sideways, but he turns me to straddle him.

He pulls me by my bum into him so I can feel his hardness at my heat.

His mouth is on mine, and I realise I’ve missed him terribly since this morning.

We devour each other as if consuming our last meal.

My body automatically grinds against him.

He pushes himself against me harder. The pressure has me moaning.

“Not yet.” He lifts me off him and sits me on his desk. “Take them off.”

I pull my little shorts off along with my thong as quickly as I can.

He smiles. “Good girl. Now spread those legs as wide as you can. Let me see all your beauty.”

Being quite flexible, I can spread my legs pretty far apart. He raises an eyebrow, impressed with my efforts.

“Very nice.” He unzips and pushes his pants to the floor. His cock springs to attention, all smooth and hard.

“Put me inside of you.” He stands in between my legs.

I take hold of him. My hand is too small to close around his girth. I guide him to my entrance, but then rub the tip against my clit, then down to my wetness and back up again.

“That’s it. You’re so beautiful.”

And he really makes me feel it. I repeat the movement a few times, both of us letting out a little groan. Then I insert him, feeling myself stretch around his smooth, round tip.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes,” I gasp.

“I want your eyes on mine at all times.” His hands find my waist as he thrusts, filling and stretching me, making us one again. I throw my head back automatically as I moan through the pleasure.

“Eyes on me!”

I quickly return his gaze. His eyes are dark, his brows furrowed.

For the next goodness knows how many minutes, we are in a world of our own, pleasuring each other immensely and rewarding each other in return with emotions through our gaze.

We are on fire. Our bodies are connected, working in sync.

If someone walked into the room right now, I don’t think either of us would notice.

Our climaxes come at the same time. Together we shake and pulse.

Holding each other afterward like we never want to let go, we let our heartbeats calm and our breathing turn shallow. He kisses my ear and whispers into it again, and I think I love this bit as much as the rest.

When we’ve finally given in and are now dressed, Marco knocks on the door.

“Entrare.” Enter.

They don’t say a word to each other; they just nod as if they can speak telepathically.

“I’ll leave you to work.”

Leo kisses my forehead, and I leave the room, closing the door behind me.

The next day I go and visit Emmaline and Alfie.

Alfie’s doing great. Completely back to normal.

Macy greets me excitedly at the door, recognising me immediately, barking at me to stroke her.

Once we’re inside the house, Emmaline makes us each a cup of tea, and we sit at the table.

Alfie goes outside and plays chase with Macy.

“So, the word on the street is, you are soon to be the next Mrs. Guerra.”

“Oh, don’t remind me.” I put my head in my hands .

“What exactly is the situation, Katie?”

“Where do I start?”

I’ve not known Emmaline for long, and although I feel I can trust her, I don’t want to offload everything onto her.

Plus, knowing things about the Guerras could prove dangerous.

I tell her the bare minimum, leaving out the contract and how I’ve been threatened with legal action and goodness knows what else if I don’t comply.

Thinking about Leo and our relationship now, I realise they’re both so different from when I first arrived.

Maybe if I spoke to him, he would call off the wedding, and we could just date and see how things go.

If only that part could be different too.

I’m starting to fall in love with him again.

Or maybe I never stopped. But this life he leads?

I can’t see myself in it. Yesterday in the shop, that woman wouldn’t let me pay.

She was scared. I don’t want people to feel like that around me.

The night at the opera, people had shot at Leo just because of who he is.

I don’t belong in that life; I don’t want that life.

Maybe Leo knows that, and that’s why he has arranged this ludicrous wedding.

“I suppose in a weird way, and if he wasn’t some mobster, it might be quite romantic.” Emmaline admits.

“Yeah, I suppose it would.”

“Do you want to marry him? ”

I can’t answer that question.

“Leo is….” I begin, but I’m saved by Alfie coming in and demanding a drink. After that, I manage to keep the conversation away from mine and Leo’s relationship, but I can’t keep my mind from going there as easily.

At dinner that night, Leo seems more relaxed.

“I heard you had a discussion of sorts with Mia today?” Leo asks sarcastically.

“You could say that. Who is she, anyway, and why does she think she can just walk in?”

“She’s the daughter of my father’s number one.”

“I know that, but why does she just walk into your home? Have you two had a relationship? Or are you still in a relationship?” The question makes me sick to my stomach.

“Katherine, I am a loyal man. I can promise you that as long as you are with me, I will only be with you. That stands for you also. I am very protective over what belongs to me. Do you understand? You are mine now, only mine.”

He strokes the side of my face and kisses my forehead, then continues.

“With regard to Mia letting herself in, she and Marco have something going on between them. I’m not sure what; I’ve never asked; that’s his business.

Though I doubt after your little performance today, she will walk in unannounced again. ” He chuckles.

I love when he is happy like this. I decide now is a good time to ask about the wedding.