Page 38 of Temptation

“Oh, sweetheart, I can’t promise that,” I begin to explain, my heart heavy. “That’s not only my decision. But I promise that I will always be there for you if you need me.”

I brush my knuckles down her damp cheek, a small gesture that brings a faint smile back to her beautiful face. “I love you,” she whispers, her sweet, innocent words bringing me to the brink of tears.

The past few days and weeks have been the most turbulent and transformative period of my life. It has felt like an emotional rollercoaster, filled with moments of horror, fear, confusion, and sheer happiness. Each day has brought a new wave of emotions, plunging me into despair and lifting me to heights of joy I never imagined. This time with them has been so intense and profound that I wonder how I will ever return to my old life without feeling utterly empty.

“I love you too, baby,” I reply, and I mean it with all my heart.

She throws herself into my arms again, and a sense of comfort and warmth flows through me. But there’s another feeling too—a kind of twist in my stomach.

I don’t need to turn around to know that Fabrizio is standing just outside the door. I can feel his eyes on my back, and a lump forms in my throat at the thought of him overhearing my conversation with his daughter. I can’t help but wonder if he thinks I’ve said something wrong. I know I’ve overstepped every boundary possible. Again.

“And now it’s time for you to sleep,” I tell her gently, trying to keep my voice steady. “You had an exciting day; you need to rest.”

“This was the best dayever.” Maddy grins up at me, her eyes now sparkling with happiness instead of sadness. “I think even Daddy had some fun.”

Smiling down at her, I brush her hair out of her face and press a kiss to her forehead. “Good night, sweetheart,” I whisper. “Sleep tight.”

“Good night,” she murmurs, her eyes already falling shut before she even finishes the words. For a moment, I remain sitting by her side, watching her as she slowly drifts into a deep, peaceful sleep. The room is filled with the soft sound of her breathing, and I feel a profound sense of love and protectiveness for this little girl and her brother.

Fabrizio’s intense gaze meets mine as I step out of Maddy’s room, his silence amplifying the tension as he leads me wordlessly into the bedroom. The moment I close the door behind me, I find myself trapped between it and Fabrizio, who steps closer with an air of predatory intent, placing his hands on either side of my head. His towering presence makes me feel small, his broad shoulders and tall frame casting a shadow that envelops me.

When he moves his hand, my body reacts instinctively, flinching back. Fabrizio pauses, a flicker of concern crossing his features before he gently cups my cheek, his touch firm yet devoid of threat. It’s commanding, just like the man himself—assertive and unyielding.

His thumb caresses my cheek with surprising tenderness, and he lowers his head until his lips hover tantalizingly close to mine. “Are you still afraid of me?” he whispers, his voice a smooth purr laced with amusement. Slowly, I extend my hand, tracing my fingertips along the strong, dark line of his jaw. My lips brush against his with the slightest movement of my head, a tentative exploration that ignites the air between us. When he thrusts histongue into my mouth, a shudder runs through me, electrifying every nerve.

Fabrizio presses me harder against the door, his fingers digging into my waist as he pulls me closer, our bodies melding together. I feel his arousal against my stomach, an insistent reminder of our shared desire. Unable to resist, I grind against him, a silent plea to feel him inside me.

With every passing second, the kiss deepens, consuming us both. I lose myself in the raw intensity of the moment; our connection is explosive and undeniable. He growls into the kiss, a primal sound that echoes my own whimper. The chemistry between us crackles, a live wire of passion and need.

He sucks on my tongue before breaking the kiss, leaving me breathless and panting. I tilt my head to meet his gaze, his eyes scanning my face with heat. In his eyes, I see the bleak and tragic world he inhabits, a stark reminder of the circumstances that brought us together.

“No,” I answer his question.

Despite the fear that once jolted through me at the sight of him, I no longer feel it. Something has shifted between us—the tension remains, but the emotional stakes have risen.

Twenty-One

Fabrizio

The instant Sienna shuts the door behind her, I surge forward, trapping her delicate frame between the sturdy wood and the heat of my own body. Her chest heaves with heavy, erratic breaths, her stunning brown eyes wide and filled with uncertainty, her entire demeanor a picture of nervousness. As soon as I lift my hand to touch her cheek, she flinches. That small, possibly involuntary movement hits me harder than any slap ever could. It’s a physical manifestation of the power my presence holds over her and the reason we’re here in the first place. I gently cup her face, my thumb tracing a slow, deliberate path across her soft cheek.

“Are you still afraid of me?” I whisper, striving to keep my voice gentle and light, despite the storm of emotions churning inside me. Instead of answering, she reaches out, her fingertips brushing along my jawline. Her touch is tentative, almost shy, yet it sends a jolt of electricity through me. She lifts her head,and her lips, soft and warm, meet mine in a hesitant kiss. The delicate, almost fragile contact is all it takes for me to lose control. I plunge my tongue into her mouth, my hands finding the softness of her waist, fingers digging into her flesh as I pull her closer while pressing her harder against the door. My erection throbs against her flat stomach, and she grinds her body against mine, her movements stoking the fire of my desire until it consumes me entirely.

With a guttural growl, I break away from her, my eyes never leaving her flushed face and swollen, parted lips. The nervousness in her eyes remains as she breathlessly utters, “No.”

But she should be afraid. I should make her fear me. Not because I want to hurt her, not because I want to give her a single reason to actually have to fear me, but because that single, breathless confession has shattered the last remnants of the wall I’ve built around myself.

The last remaining bits of decency and restraint cause me to take a step back.

“Maddy is right—even I had a fun day today,” I tell her, my voice filled with genuine appreciation. “And that’s because of you. So, I guess it’s my turn to thank you.” I gently brush a stray strand of hair away from her face, my fingers lingering as they rest softly on her cheek. Her skin feels warm and soft under my touch.

“So, you aren’t mad at me?” she asks softly. She looks up at me with those big, expressive brown eyes that always seem to hold a world of emotions.

“For what?” I chuckle, the sound light and carefree as I brush my thumb tenderly across her cheek. “For my children falling in love with you?” A slight blush begins to color her cheeks, a look that I find irresistibly charming on her. “I certainly can’t blame them.” Her blush deepens, the red spreading across her face in a way that makes my heart race even faster. “In fact, it’s amystery to me why a woman like you isn’t taken.” Sienna’s gaze shifts downward, focusing on her hand pressed firmly against my chest. I know she can feel the wild rhythm of my heartbeat beneath her palm. It’s as if my heart is trying to communicate what I haven’t yet found the courage to say out loud.

The moment stretches between us, filled with unspoken words and the electricity of emotions too powerful to ignore. “Sienna,” I say with a sense of possessiveness, my voice a soft purr. “Look at me.” When her eyes meet mine, my lips part, but no words emerge. Dozens, hundreds, thousands of thoughts swirl through my mind in a chaotic storm, refusing to align in any coherent order. The overwhelming tide of emotions and confusing thoughts leaves me momentarily speechless. Instead, I lower my head, pressing my lips gently against her forehead, feeling the warmth of her skin. The gesture is tender, almost reverent. I then move my lips to her mouth, capturing her lips with mine in a delicate, almost cautious touch. The moment seems to freeze in time as she slightly parts her lips, a shy and tentative invitation. The intensity of the kiss sends a fog through my mind, blurring the line between desire and reality.

“As much as I try to,” I confess breathlessly, more to myself than to her, “it seems like I can’t keep my distance from you.” I ease the long, silky strands of her hair behind her shoulder, my fingers lingering on the softness before trailing down. I drag my lips down her neck, eliciting a shudder from her body. The sensation of her warm, sensitive skin beneath my lips is intoxicating.

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