Page 9

CHAPTER EIGHT

Stefano

“You’re mine,” I growl into her ear, my hands gripping her hips hard enough to leave marks. “Every inch of you. Every sound. Every fucking shiver. You’re mine , Ava.”

She moans, her head tipping back, her body arching into mine. Her lips are swollen from my kisses, her cheeks flushed, her eyes half-lidded with desire.

She’s so fucking beautiful like this, having completely surrendered to me. I can’t wait to have her.

I push her down onto the bed, my eyes raking over her as I strip off my shirt and toss it aside. She’s trembling, her chest rising and falling with each quick breath, her eyes locked on mine. I crawl over her, pinning her wrists above her head, my lips hovering just above hers.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” I whisper, my breath hot against her skin. “Ethereal.”

I kiss her hard, my tongue tangling with hers, my body pressing her into the mattress. Her whimpers are music to my ears, and I grind my hips against hers, letting her feel just how much I want her. She’s already wet, her arousal soaking through her panties, and I can’t wait to taste her.

I release her wrists only to yank off her blouse and bra, leaving her chest bare. Her breasts are perfect, her nipples hard and begging for my mouth. I don’t make her wait.

I suck one into my mouth, my tongue swirling around it, my teeth grazing the sensitive flesh. She cries out, her hands tangling in my hair, her hips bucking against mine.

“Stefano,” she gasps, her voice trembling, “please.”

“I’ve got you, baby,” I murmur against her skin, moving to her other breast. I lavish her with attention, sucking and biting until she’s writhing beneath me, her moans growing louder, more desperate.

I trail kisses down her stomach, my hands sliding her skirt and panties down her legs. She’s completely exposed now, and the sight of her has me throbbing with need. I spread her legs wide, my eyes devouring the sight of her glistening pussy.

“So fucking beautiful.” I trace her folds. She’s so wet, so ready for me. I push two fingers inside her without warning. She gasps, her back arching, her hands fisting the sheets.

“Yes,” she moans, her hips rocking against my hand. “God, yes.”

I curl my fingers, finding that spot inside her that makes her scream. Her orgasm builds quickly, her body tightening around my fingers, her breaths coming in short, ragged gasps. I watch her closely, memorizing every expression, every sound, as she falls apart.

“Come for me, Ava,” I command, my voice rough, my fingers moving faster. “Let go.”

And she does. Her body convulses, her eyes squeezing shut, her mouth open in a silent scream. I feel her clench around my fingers, her release washing over her in waves. I don’t stop until she’s whimpering, oversensitive, her body wrung out.

“Good girl,” I murmur, pulling my fingers out and bringing them to my lips. She watches me as I lick them clean, her eyes dark with desire. “But we’re not done yet.”

I reach into the nightstand and pull out a silk tie. Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t protest. I tie her wrists to the headboard, her arms stretched above her head, completely at my mercy. She’s vulnerable, exposed, and I can’t wait to have her all over again.

“I’m going to make you come so hard you forget your own name,” I promise, my hands sliding down her body, spreading her legs wide. I lower my head, my tongue dragging through her folds, and she cries out.

“Stefano!” she gasps, her hands pulling against the restraints. I don’t let up.

I lick and suck, my tongue flicking her clit, my fingers pushing inside her again. She’s already close, her body trembling, her moans growing louder.

“Come for me,” I growl, my mouth moving faster, my fingers pressing harder. “Now, Ava.”

Her orgasm hits her like a tidal wave, her body convulsing, her cries echoing through the room. I don’t stop until she’s completely spent, her body limp, her breaths ragged.

I untie her wrists, my hands gentle as I free her. She looks up at me, her eyes almost closed, her lips parted. I lean down, capturing her lips in a searing kiss, my body pressing into hers.

“I’m not done with you yet,” I whisper against her lips, my hands sliding down her body, my fingers teasing her entrance. She whimpers, her hips rocking against my hand, her body begging for more.

I push her legs apart, positioning myself between them. I’m so fucking hard, my cock throbbing with need. I guide myself inside her, my eyes locked on hers as I push in, inch by inch.

She’s so tight, so wet, and I groan as I sink all the way in.

“You feel so fucking good.” My hands grip her hips, pulling her closer. I start to move, my thrusts slow and deliberate, driving her wild. Her nails dig into my back, her legs wrapping around my waist, pulling me deeper.

“Stefano,” she gasps, her head tipping back, her body arching into mine. Her pussy clenches around me, driving me closer to the edge. I fuck her harder, faster, my hands roaming over her body, my lips leaving marks on her skin.

“Come with me,” I command, my voice rough, my thrusts relentless.

Her orgasm hits her hard, her pussy clamping down on me. I groan, my own release crashing over me, my cock pulsing as I fill her.

I collapse on top of her, our breaths mingling, our bodies still connected.

But I’m not done with her yet.

I’m still buried deep inside her, my cock throbbing as I feel her pussy quiver around me, drawing every last drop of my release.

Ava’s breath is ragged, her chest rising and falling as she tries to catch it, her body trembling beneath mine. I press my lips to the curve of her neck, tasting the salt of her skin, and she lets out a soft sigh.

“That’s it,” I murmur against her skin, my hand moving to cup her face. “You’re mine, Ava. All mine.”

Her eyes flutter open, dark and dazed, and she nods, her lips parting as she whispers, “Yours.”

But I’m not really done. I can’t be. Not when she’s this beautiful, this perfect. I shift my weight, pulling out of her slowly, watching as she winces at the loss.

Her pussy is swollen, glistening with my cum, and I drag my fingers through it, spreading her wetness over her thighs.

“Turn over,” I command, my voice low and firm. She hesitates for a moment, her body still trembling from her release, but then she obeys, rolling onto her stomach. Her ass is perfect, round and high. I grip her hips, pulling her up onto her knees. “Good girl.”

My hands slide up her back, tracing the curve of her spine, and she shivers beneath my touch. I lean down, nipping at her shoulder, and she lets out a soft gasp. “Stefano…”

“I told you.” My lips brush against her ear, “I need to watch you fall apart over and over again.”

My fingers trail down her back, over the curve of her ass, and then between her legs. She’s still so wet, still so ready for me. I slide two fingers inside her, curling them just right. She moans, her hips pushing back against my hand, and I growl, “That’s it. Take it.”

I pump my fingers in and out of her, slow and deliberate, my thumb circling her clit. She’s shaking beneath me, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps, and I lean down, biting her shoulder as I whisper, “So fucking perfect.”

Her body tenses, her pussy clenching around my fingers, and then she’s coming, her voice breaking as she screams my name. I don’t let up, driving her through her orgasm, until she’s trembling, her body slick with sweat.

I pull my fingers out of her, bringing them to my lips and sucking her taste off them. She watches me over her shoulder, her eyes heavy with lust, and I smirk, “You taste perfect.”

My hands move to her hips, and I pull her back, my cock sliding into her pussy in one smooth thrust. She cries out, her body arching. “You’re going to take every inch of me, aren’t you, Ava?”

“Y-Yes,” she gasps, her voice breaking as her pussy clenches around me again.

I suddenly spin her till she’s underneath me again and continue to fuck her hard, my hips slamming into hers, the sound of our skin meeting filling the room.

Her cries are music to my ears, her body writhing beneath me as I drive her closer to the edge. I reach around, my fingers finding her clit, and I rub it in tight, fast circles.

Ava arches beneath me, her hands gripping my shoulders, and my world narrows to this single moment. Her skin glows golden in the dim light, her dark hair spread across my pillows like spilled ink. Beautiful. Dangerous. Mine.

"Stefano..." My name on her lips sounds like surrender.

I try to be gentle, to maintain some semblance of control. She deserves tenderness, deserves a lover who can give her pleasure without possession. But when she moves against me like this, every careful plan shatters.

I capture her mouth with mine, swallowing her gasp. Her taste, her scent, the way she responds to my touch—it's addictive. Maddening. I could spend lifetimes learning every sound she makes, every way her body moves with mine.

She trembles beneath me, and I force myself to slow down. To be the man she needs rather than the monster who wants to devour her whole. My fingers trace her cheek, surprisingly gentle given how my heart thunders.

"Beautiful," I murmur against her throat. "Perfect."

But even as I worship her with careful touches, my mind races with darker thoughts. I want to mark her, claim her, ensure no one else will ever see her like this. I want to keep her locked away in this penthouse where she'll be safe, protected, mine forever.

The intensity of my need should frighten me. Instead, it feels inevitable. As natural as breathing. Isn’t this what I have been dreaming of for so long?

Her body tenses, back arching as pleasure overtakes her. The sight of her coming undone beneath me yet again, trusting me with her vulnerability, feeds something dark in my soul.

I follow her over the edge, her name a prayer and a curse on my lips. For a moment, there's nothing but this—our ragged breaths, our racing hearts, the perfect symmetry of our bodies joined.

Reality creeps back slowly. I gather her close, unwilling to break contact even for a moment. She curls into me instinctively, seeking my warmth, and satisfaction purrs through my veins. Even her unconscious movements prove she belongs to me.

"Stay," I whisper into her hair, meaning so much more than just tonight.

Stay in my bed. Stay in my life. Stay mine forever.

She hums with content, already drifting asleep. I should let her rest, should focus on business, on the hundreds of threats waiting beyond these walls. Instead, I watch her breathe, taking in every detail of this moment.

* * *

Moonlight spills through the floor-to-ceiling windows as Ava nestles against my chest, her breathing soft and steady. The question burns on my tongue, carefully planned yet still dangerous. Timing is everything—in business, in war, in love.

"That motel isn't safe for you," I say, keeping my voice casual while my fingers trace patterns on her bare shoulder. "Especially not in that neighborhood."

She tenses slightly, weighing my words. Always calculating, my clever girl. "I've survived worse."

"You shouldn't have to." I shift to look at her. “The penthouse has three empty bedrooms. More space than I know what to do with."

I could suggest an apartment near the club again, an idea she toyed with the first time she walked into the club, but I don’t want her to accept that offer. I want her here.

"Stefano..." There’s a warning in her tone, but also consideration. I press my advantage.

"Think about it logically. Better security. Central location. Plus, you'd save money. Put more aside for that Montana dream of yours."

Her eyes narrow at my mention of Montana. Good. Let her think I'm resigned to her eventual departure. Let her believe I'd ever let her leave.

"And my brother?" she asks, testing me. "I won't leave him alone in that motel."

I bite back a smile. She's handed me the perfect opening. "Tony's welcome here. Might do him good to get away from those low-lives he calls friends. Get him into a better school district."

"You'd do that? Take us both in?"

"The boy needs structure. Guidance." My lips brush her temple. "And you need someone watching your back."

She shifts to study my face, searching for deception. I meet her gaze steadily, letting her see only what I want her to see—concern, generosity, desire. Not the desperation to keep her close. Not the plans already forming to make this arrangement permanent.

"It's a lot to consider," she hedges, but I hear the temptation in her voice.

"Consider this." I wrap a strand of her hair around my finger. "No more midnight rescues from sketchy bars. No more wondering if he's safe while you're at work. I have connections with the best private schools in Chicago. Could open doors for him."

Her breath catches. I've struck the right nerve—her fierce protectiveness of her brother, her dreams of giving him a better life.

"And what's in it for you?" she challenges, ever sharp.

I laugh softly against her skin. She still doesn’t realize how much I want her. It’s better this way. If she did, she’d have bolted out of here already. "Maybe I'm tired of rattling around this place alone. Maybe I want to come home to more than empty rooms and cold sheets." Each word is calculated, a blend of truth and tactical vulnerability.

She's quiet for a long moment. I wait, patient as a snake about to strike. Finally, she asks, "When?"

Victory surges through me, but I keep my voice level. "Tonight, if you want. I'll send Tomasso with a car and have the guest rooms made up." I press a kiss on her shoulder. "Let me take care of you both."

"Just until we find our feet," she says, but the words lack conviction.

I hide my smile against her skin. "Of course."

Because by the time she thinks about leaving again, she'll be so entangled in my world, so dependent on my protection, that escape will be impossible. I'll weave myself into every aspect of her life, become as essential as breathing.

"Yes," she says with a slight nod, more to herself than me.

"Practical choice," I say calmly, as if I haven't already instructed my security team to prepare for new residents.

Ava slides from the bed, gathering her clothes, and the sight makes me euphoric. Soon, she'll dress like this in our room, in our home.

"I should head back to the club," she says, reaching for her dance outfit. "My next set?—"

"That was your last number." The words come out sharper than intended. The thought of other men watching her makes me furious. If this job hadn’t been the reason she came into my club, I’d have never let her be on that stage. "Unless you'd prefer to keep dancing?"

She pauses, studying me. "Eager to get me moved in?"

I stand, reaching for my suit pants. "Eager to get you both somewhere secure." My fingers brush her waist as I pass. "I'll have Tomasso bring the car around."

"We don't have much," she warns, and I catch a hint of shame in her voice.

"Good." I button my shirt, mind already assessing what she'll need. "Means we can start fresh. Though if you have any sentimental items..."

"Just some photos. Books." She bites her lip. "Tony's school things."

I send a quick text to my staff. Within hours, both guest rooms will be fully prepared, stocked with everything they could need. "Leave the furniture. I'll have someone clear it out later."

She starts to protest, but I silence her with a kiss. "Let me do this, tesoro . Let me take care of you both."

My phone buzzes. It’s Tomasso confirming the car is ready. Perfect timing, as always.

I help Ava into her coat, using the motion as an excuse to pull her closer.

"Stefano?" Her voice pulls me back. "Are you sure about this?"

I meet her eyes in the mirror, letting her see just enough of my hunger to make her breath catch. "I've never been more certain of anything."

Because how can I tell her that every moment she's away feels like bleeding? That the thought of her in that decrepit motel makes the monster in me rage? That I've already memorized how she takes her coffee, which side of the bed she prefers, every small detail that will help me bind her to me permanently?

Instead, I guide her toward the door, my hand possessive on her lower back. "Let's go collect your brother. Start building something new."

Something unbreakable.

Something she'll never want to escape.

"Okay," she whispers, and I taste victory on her lips when I kiss her.

Soon she'll understand—this isn't just about giving her a better life or protecting her brother. This is about claiming what's mine. About ensuring she never disappears again.

After all, every monster needs someone to love.

And I've finally caught mine.