Page 55 of Temptation

“Luca Vitarelli,” Fabrizio supplies, his tone grim and unyielding. “His father had tried for years to overpower my father but never succeeded. Luca thought he could accomplish what his father couldn’t, causing a lot of destruction along the way. But I won’t make excuses. Luca was a massive problem that had to be dealt with. So, yes, I killed him.” The bluntness of his admission hits me like a punch to the gut. Although Fabrizio had previously told me he had killed before, it’s a concept my brain refuses to accept. The idea of him taking a life is something I struggle to reconcile with.

“And you didn’t know about Nicole,” I state more than ask, trying desperately to piece together the fragments of this dark puzzle.

“I neither knew he had a fiancée nor that she was pregnant,” he admits, his jaw tightening as he lowers his gaze. His eyes, usually so piercing, now seem distant, clouded with regret. “I won’t lie to you—if I’d known, it wouldn’t have changed the outcome.”

I nod, unable to find the right words to respond. The gravity of his confession leaves me speechless, each word etching itself into my consciousness. ”There’s something… I don’t understand. I wanted to ask you,” I say hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper. The weight of the question lingers in the air between us, a silent tension that neither of us can ignore. He looks pensive as he nods, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that reflects the gravity of the topic. We both know this won’t be easy for him to discuss.

“Did Nicole really send her sister after you?” The question hangs heavy in the air, a silent echo that reverberates between us like a distant thunderclap. The room seems to shrink around us, drawing us into an intimate space where only the truth can reside. Fabrizio throws his head back and sighs deeply before speaking. His expression is a complex tapestry of pain and resignation.

“I only have her word for it, but yes, I believe her,” he says, his voice tinged with a mixture of bitterness and sorrow. “Nicole thought she had a perfect plan when she set her sister up to get close to me and, well, exchange places with Lexi after some time to kill me herself.” His words cut through the air, each one a reminder of the betrayal he still grapples with. He lets out a humorless chuckle, a sound devoid of joy. “Only, Lexi really fell in love, and it wasn’t long before we had the twins on the way.” His voice softens as he mentions the twins.

“So, she killed her own sister just to hurt you?” I ask, my voice trembling with disbelief. A haze of sadness crosses his face, shadowing his features with a melancholy that seems almost tangible.

“To show me exactly how she felt. Losing the life she led, the man she loved, and the unborn child she lost,” he states, his voice heavy with the weight of his memories. The enormity of Nicole’s actions is almost too much to comprehend. Even after hearing his words, every fiber of my being refuses to feel sorry for her. The magnitude of Nicole’s actions is beyond the realm of forgiveness.

“I am so sorry. The woman is truly evil,” I say, my voice firm with conviction.

“The thing with evil is that there are all kinds of different forms of it,” he replies, his tone contemplative as if he’s pondering the very nature of morality itself. His words resonate with me, prompting a realization that we all carry at least a sliverof darkness within us. Or perhaps, I am beginning to construct my own moral compass, a personal scale of good and evil that aligns with my worldview. And maybe, just maybe, I am not such a good girl after all. A chuckle slips past my lips at the thought, the idea of moral ambiguity strangely liberating. I am certainly no longer afraid of Fabrizio. The fear I once felt now seems like an alien concept, a distant memory that holds no power over me. The only thing I am afraid of now is losing the rest of my heart to the man I’ve desperately fallen in love with. The times of trying to rationalize my ability to fall for a man as dangerous and complicated as Fabrizio are long gone, and I can no longer lie to myself.

“Come here,” he whispers, his voice a gentle command. Everything bad that happened recently fades into the background, forgotten in the safe embrace of Fabrizio’s arms. As soon as I feel his body against mine, the tension in my muscles dissipates, replaced by a profound sense of safety and contentment. Here, in his arms, is where I find my solace, my home.

Thirty-Four

Sienna

Three months later

Ihurriedly zip up the garment bag as the door creaks open behind me. My heart skips a beat, and I spin around to find Fabrizio standing there, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that makes my breath hitch. “What are you doing here?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

“In my bedroom? In my house? On my property?” he retorts, sarcasm dripping from every word. I can’t help but chuckle and roll my eyes at his smirk. His gaze travels hungrily down my body, lingering on every curve as if he’s memorizing them.

“You know what I mean,” I say, my voice tinged with exasperation.

“I’m afraid I have absolutely no idea,” he replies, feigning innocence as he steps closer, his knuckles brushing gently across my cheek. Without warning, he grabs my waist and pulls me into him, his grip firm yet tender. Instinctively, I press my hands against his chest, feeling the warmth of his body through his shirt.

“And here I was thinking you were a man of traditions,” I whisper, my voice trembling with a mixture of defiance and desire.

“I don’t think I can stay away from you—even for one night,” he admits, his voice raw with emotion. I lean into him, inhaling his intoxicating scent—the scent of the man I love, the man who changed my life forever. A longing look crosses his face as he lowers his head, his lips meeting mine in a tender kiss. He takes his time, brushing his lips back and forth before parting mine. As his tongue slips inside, I pull him closer. The taste of him is delicious, a hint of scotch lingering on his tongue, sending electric sensations through my body. With each slow swirl of his tongue, my craving for him intensifies, becoming almost unbearable. When he finally breaks the kiss, I grab his shirt, not wanting to let go. The way he peers down at me reflects a powerful combination of possession and love, making my heart race. He grabs the belt of my robe, tugging it loose. As the fabric drops to the floor, pooling around my ankles, his gaze drops to my naked breasts, and I try to control my breathing, excitement coursing through me. His fingertips lightly drag up and down the length of my arms, the sensation tickling my senses.

“God, how much I want you,” he whispers, his voice husky with desire. I grab his shirt and pull him against my naked body.

“Then take me,” I demand, my voice firm. He cups both sides of my face as he leans close, the warmth of his breath dancing against my skin.

“Be careful what you ask for,” he warns, his voice low and dangerous. I tilt my head up just enough so my lips brush against his.

“I’m not asking. I’m demanding,” I reply, my voice steady. His fingers dance down the length of my arms until he reaches my wrists, grabbing them and holding my arms above my head with one hand as he pins me against the closet door.

“When will you ever learn that you’re not the one in charge?” he asks, his voice a seductive growl.

“Never,” I reply defiantly, lifting my head and darting out my tongue to slowly lick across his lips. A bright smile comes to his lips as he tangles his fingers in my hair, tilting my head back even more. As he leans forward, brushing his lips against mine before nipping my lower lip and darting his tongue inside my mouth. It’s as if time stands still. Nothing but the two of us together matters.

“Such a bad girl,” he murmurs, his voice filled with a mix of amusement and desire.

“Mhm,” I moan into his mouth, unable to hold back a grin as his hand finds my hardened nipple, his fingers flicking back and forth.

“Get on the bed,” he commands, his voice firm. I do as he says, watching him as he pulls his shirt over his head, tossing it on the floor before yanking on his belt. When he’s naked, he slowly crawls onto the bed and settles between my legs, hovering over me. My chest rises and falls rapidly in anticipation. As I wrap my legs around his thighs, he laughs, shaking his head. Sitting between my legs, he wraps his hand around his shaft, giving it a few powerful strokes before slipping his cockhead through my wetness.

“Oh, please,” I whimper, desperate for him to fill me, to fuck me. Fabrizio grabs my legs and flips me onto my stomach, pushing my legs apart. I push my ass up, wiggling it left and right as I hear him chuckle behind me. The hard slap against my ass is more sensual than rough, the delicious pain rushing through my system as he issues a few more in rapid succession. By the time he is done, my breathing is ragged, my heart beating rapidly. I fist the comforter as I feel the weight of his body hovering over mine as he leans over, nuzzling my neck.

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