Page 18 of King of Obsession (Kings of the Underworld #1)

Luciana takes my breath away, owning all my attention—ensnaring and possessing me.

In a green dress that matches my eye color, molding to her slender body and falling to her feet in silk decadence, I take her in, gorging on her out-of-this-world beauty.

She looks spectacular, and she knows it. She’s a seductress, and I barely restrain myself not to maul her, undress her, and fuck her until she stops testing my control.

Since I left this morning, she has been stuck in my mind, hijacking my brain that obsessively focuses on her. Throughout my meetings, I had to pull myself together to be somewhat functional.

I have a few more days to show her the benefits of remaining with me. I paid big money and called in some favors to obtain the information she wants.

I cock my head as she reaches me. “All dressed up for me?”

A teasing smile grazes her lips. “What do you think?”

With her, I can never be sure, and it’s exhilarating.

“I think you did because you know what you do to me in and out of dresses.”

I realize that it’s the first time she didn’t welcome me with a gun or a threat. This ceasefire gives me hope I am not alone in this mess of us.

I spot her heels at the foot of the chair by the dining table.

I sit down, beckoning her with a finger.

Picking up each shoe, I place them at my side.

A mischievous grin paints her face as she lifts her leg and rests her right foot against my groin.

My cock instantly hardens, taking that as an invitation.

“Want to play? Amore, I am barely keeping my lust at bay.”

“I know,” she says in a soft voice dripping with a confidence that does things to me I can’t even begin to understand.

Lowering my face as I lift her leg a bit, I trail my mouth from her knee down her calf.

I place a kiss on each toe before I glide the sandal over her foot, strapping it around her delicate ankle.

From the corner of my eye, I catch her hand gripping the edge of the table.

Her breath hitches; a light tremor rocks her body, proving she’s just as affected as I am.

I move to the next leg, taking my time as I trap us both in a haze of lust and delayed gratification. This sweet torment will only make it more intense when we give in to our desire.

Once I am done, she bends over, her palms coming on each of my knees. We’re so close I can inhale every breath she exhales.

She pecks me on my mouth. “Thank you. Such a gentleman.”

She turns around, but I grasp her by the waist and bring her down onto my lap. Cupping her cheeks, I plunge my tongue into her mouth, devouring every small sound she makes. I get drunk on the taste of her, her soft yet toned body molding into mine.

Before I forget I made dinner reservations, I push her up and give her a slap on her ass.

She gives me a coy look over her shoulder, dripping with sexuality.

“Stop looking at me like that.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She bats her lashes at me and walks in front of me, giving me a private catwalk show.

She will learn a hard lesson tonight. I can’t wait to show her what happens when you tease the beast.

The ride in the elevator happens in a blur as she keeps some distance.

I fucking hate it. So, the moment the elevator doors open, I pull her to my side, my arm draped around her waist. This possessive gesture gets everyone’s attention, from the gazes of the staff who haven’t seen me with anyone before, let alone make such a bold claim, to the tourists who steal glances. I guess we make quite the pair.

“Are you insane?” she asks under her breath while never lowering her head or her eyes.

“Most probably, but you’re in my lair, and here I fucking rule.”

If her eyes could shoot fire, I’d be nothing more than ash.

In front of the hotel, the limousine driver waits for us. I greet Tomaso as he opens the door for her. With my palm on her back, I usher her inside, where a champagne bottle chills and, on her seat, a single white calla lily rests.

She picks it up with utter care before smiling. “I like it. It fits.”

It’s as regal as her, and while it symbolizes purity and rebirth, it’s also the one flower we bring to funerals.

I uncork the bottle, pouring us each a glass, and as we toast, she says, “I don’t know what you’re doing, but—”

“I know exactly what I am doing.”

“And that would be?” she asks, taking a small sip.

“Taking my woman out for dinner.”

“Your woman––quite audacious.”

“Quite factual.”

A soft laugh bursts out of her, and she shakes her head at me, but it’s more for show. There’s no place for fake incredulity left between us.

“I should have your information soon.”

Her elegant finger draws on the window, and she looks deep in thought.

“I swore my life and loyalty to another man, Enzo. Nothing will change that.”

Fucking Augustus, who I am pretty sure knows exactly who she is. My father said he never met someone more cunning than him. People in his vicinity are just chess pieces on his board, and he moves them according to his will.

“Yet, you’re betraying said man right fucking now.” My voice is sharp as a blade, wanting to cut through her bullshit.

I toss the contents of the glass back, tapping a finger on my thigh, impatient for things to move further.

“I am not betraying him. Let’s get one thing straight. If he were the one to want you dead, you’d be long dead,” she snaps.

“So sure of yourself when you’ve had so many chances. God himself could have given you my name to eliminate, and the same shit would have happened. No one is more powerful than fate, and for some fucked up reason, I got yours intertwined with mine,” I snap back.

A headache throbs behind my temples, and I rub at one mindlessly, gesturing for Tomaso to put on my classical playlist. I hear how my sister hits every note.

Dahlia’s bleeding herself dry over the keys.

She could have been a pianist this world would have celebrated.

Instead, she stays here, playing to small audiences.

Our demons have a way of trapping us while we falsely believe we’re safe in our comfort zone.

“It’s beautiful,” Luciana says, the awe in her voice unmistakable.

“It’s my sister.” This is all I give.

She takes it as a sign not to dig deeper, yet I hear her whisper, “It wasn’t your fault.”

“You don’t know what happened.”

“I can imagine, as I am a woman. She’s stronger than you think she is. We all have to be.”

I know Dahlia’s strong. Maybe I am the weak one, not pushing to find out the gory details of her kidnapping by letting her keep it to herself.

She lost something then, a part of her soul.

After she returned, she was quieter and more withdrawn, and even her playing style changed.

She takes you on a journey packed with heartache and anguish.

Maybe that’s why I can’t watch her play. God knows how Mika can.

“It’s a man’s world, and a woman has to bend, scratch, and claw her way in to earn respect and her rightful place.”

“It’s a harsh world, Luciana. While I hear what you say, no one has it easy. Privilege has always existed. Some are born with it, some take it for themselves, but we all crave it.”

“True. Life is unfair. No one gets what they truly desire.”

“What is your deepest desire?” I ask, but deep down, I know she’s not ready to receive it.

She made Augustus into this godlike presence in her life.

But I’d be damned if I won’t dent that perception, shattering this fake idol before her eyes.

No one will keep me away from her, and if I have to kill him myself, I will.

“What is yours?” she counters. Somehow, we move closer to each other.

I snatch her by the waist and pull her onto my lap. Caressing down her arms, I enjoy the softest skin I’ve ever touched.

“Do you really want to know? Because I always get what I want.”

“And that would be?” she asks in a raspy voice.

I grip her chin and bring her mouth almost to mine so my next words will tattoo on her insides.

“You. All of you.” Then I slam my mouth onto hers, losing myself in her addictive taste.

It’s not a threat; it’s simply the truth, like the moon affects the tides, and the sun sets in the West.

I need to prepare this stubborn woman for the undeniable outcome.

I am not playing games, but fuck, I’ve never even thought it was possible to meet someone I would want to share my life with.

I used to laugh when my father told me he saw my mother and was taken so aback.

Instead of saying hello first, he introduced himself and asked her to marry him.

If he saw me now, he’d be the one laughing at me.

Yeah, life serves the best irony.

When the kiss ends, we’re both breathless. She has a dazed look on her face, and I give her ass cheek a little squeeze when the driver says, “We’re here, sir.”

As he parks, Luciana rummages in her clutch and dabs a wet napkin on my lips. While I find the gesture endearing, I don’t mind if everyone sees I am taken before she reapplies her lipstick. Once she’s done, I wait for her outside, offering her my arm.

The restaurant is my newest project, a white villa with a large garden and a pool stretching on each side of the pavement, catering to the wealthy who love to splurge on a culinary journey surrounded by pure luxury.

It’s a fine dining restaurant that will open tomorrow, but I wanted to bring her as the first guest.

As she takes everything in, her eyes shine with awe, and a sense of pride swells in my chest.

Climbing the marble stairs, the high black hardwood door opens. The inside is even more spectacular—all marble with golden statues placed in each corner. Big French windows span the building.

Upstairs, there are exclusive suites, each with a unique theme, offering a one of a kind experience.