Page 16 of The Mafia And His Angel: Part 1 (Tainted Hearts 1)

“Hmm,” he muttered, looking thoughtful as he watched me.

He leaned back against the sofa. His muscles were clear beneath his shirt, making him look big.

I forced myself not to fidget, but it was hard. I couldn’t show fear. Men like him fed on fear. They used it to their advantage.

My fingers tightened around my shirt. My throat felt heavy and dry. When I started to feel lightheaded, I realized I’d been holding my breath for too long.

I let it out in a loud whoosh and then sucked in a deep breath again, but it was pointless.

His heated gaze traveled all the way down my body. I was speechless and frozen where I stood. When my body started to warm up under his focus, I closed my eyes tightly. But the tingling didn’t stop.

When he stood and walked toward me, I shrunk away. His dark presence filled the room, and I suddenly felt hot. Sweat beaded on my neck and between my breasts as he moved closer.

When he stopped before me, I shivered in fear and my body tensed in alarm. Alessio stepped closer until we were half an inch apart, so close that my nose started to tingle with the scent of his cologne and I could feel his breath next to my ear.

My lips were suddenly dry. When I moistened them with my tongue, Alessio’s eyes followed the movement. If possible, his already lustful gaze became more heated.

He licked his own lips too, making the action appear so deeply sensual that I had to squeeze my legs together, trying to stop the sudden tingling between them.

What’s happening to me?

Alessio leaned his head forward until his lips were hovering over mine. My body froze, my mind went blank for a moment.

Was he going to kiss me?

His hand came up and wrapped around my shirt. He gave it a tug, but I refused to let go of the fabric. He frowned and tugged harder.

I swallowed in fear when his eyes changed and he leveled me with a glare. The shirt fell from my grasp. He took a step back and stared at me. Except for my black bra and panties, I was almost naked. Crossing my hand over my chest, I tried to hide my body from him.

“Move your hands,” he ordered, his voice gruff. Shaking my head wildly, I took a step back but came in contact with the wall.

There was nowhere to hide. I was trapped as he moved closer.

Alessio crowded my space and he wrapped his fingers around my wrists, tugging downward until I was no longer covering my chest.

He brought his hand right over my chest but he didn’t touch me. I shivered as my body warmed under his scrutinizing gaze. Even though he hadn’t touched me yet, my body was already on fire.

When the tip of his finger made contact with my skin, I jumped and stared at him with wide eyes. He kept his eyes on mine as he slowly dragged his finger down my chest, stopping between my breasts.

My chest heaved, and each time my breasts brushed against his shirt, the tingling sensation in my lower region increased. My body tightened, hyper aware of Alessio’s touch.

He brought his other hand up and let it travel down my neck. I was sure he could feel my pulse throbbing in fear—and I hated to admit it, but in anticipation too. My body was reacting to his touch, eagerly awaiting his next movement. No matter how hard I tried to stop my reactions, my body wouldn’t listen.

“You have lovely skin. Smooth as silk,” he muttered as he softly brushed his thumb over my throbbing vein. “So fucking beautiful.” Then he frowned, like he couldn’t believe I was attractive to him. Or maybe he was surprised he’d said it.

His face became expressionless, but his heated gaze couldn’t be misunderstood. It showed everything he felt.

He wanted me, and my body was reacting accordingly.

As he continued to look into my eyes, the hand that was over my chest moved to my right breast. I was so captivated by his pale and vivid blue eyes, I didn’t notice when he moved the cup of my bra downward.

When I felt the cold air on my skin, my eyes widened and I looked down to see my right breast bare. My nipple pebbled and I sucked in a shocked breath when Alessio softly moved his thumb over the tip.

My head snapped back and he was still looking at me, his gaze intensely on mine as he watched my reaction.

He rubbed his thumb over my nipple and I let out a gasp, my eyes slowly closing. When I heard a moan, my body tightened. My eyes snapped back open when I realized that it came from me.

Alessio’s lips tilted upward in a smirk, and then he took my nipple in between his thumb and forefinger. He pinched my nipple hard.