Page 106 of Lord of the Dark

"You’re incredible," I breathed. "So strong, so... powerful. And then you talk about being afraid to lose me. It’s... strange. Beautiful. Seeing you like this."

Alessandro said nothing, just drew me against him again, his mouth finding mine. This tenderness was new—not a game, not a provocation. Just real. He started to shift, as if instinct demanded control, but this time, I pressed a firm hand to his chest, stopping him. His brow arched in surprise, but after a beat, he yielded with a smirk. "I think I like this side of you," he murmured, eyes locked on mine.

I felt closer to him than ever before, sensed the urge to show him, to show him that I wanted him just as much as he wanted me. Gently, I let my lips glide over his neck, felt the slightquickening of his breath beneath my touch. He ran his hand over my back, tender and warm. As I wandered further downward, I felt the faint, barely perceptible trembling with which his body reacted to my caresses. I softly kissed the line of his collarbone, continued downward over the curves of his chest, where the firelight made his skin look like liquid gold. Every touch of my lips upon his skin seemed to draw out a quiet moan, and it filled me with a deep satisfaction to know I had this control over him.

Slowly, my hands slid over his sides, tracing the hard contours of his muscles, which tensed beneath my touch. For a moment, I paused, let my gaze drift over him—the strong lines of his chest, the defined muscles of his abdomen, which looked as if chiseled. It was nearly impossible not to be overwhelmed by his beauty, by the power he radiated, and yet by the tenderness he showed in this moment.

My hands wandered lower, found the waistband of his pants. With a slow, deliberate glance, I lifted my head and met his eyes as my fingers undid the belt. Desire burned in his gaze. It felt as though I were the only person who had ever held such power over him. Triumph surged through me, a sense of control, as I felt his body respond to every one of my movements. I unfastened the button, the zipper, and let the barrier between us fall. Hard and unyielding, his thick erection impatiently freed itself before I took it firmly in hand. I felt the heat, the hardness, that betrayed just how much he craved me.

"Fiona…" he murmured, his voice deep and rough, a silent plea. But I gave him no time to think. I took him into my mouth, slowly, deeply, and watched every flicker of expression on his face—the way his eyes closed, the way his breath quickened, the way his muscles tensed beneath my touch. It was a moment of power, of surrender, of intimacy. Perhaps our most intimate yet.

I watched as Alessandro gave himself over to pleasure, as every second tightened my control over him. His head fell back againstthe sofa, and I could see him losing his grip on himself—this man, always so composed, always in command, now completely undone. His fingers dug into the soft upholstery as I continued to lavish him with my mouth, with a devotion that made everything around us fade.

He lifted his hand, brushed it gently over my cheek before his fingers tangled in my hair. "You’re driving me out of my mind, Fiona," he muttered, and the warmth in his voice seared through me like fire. I felt his hips unconsciously matching my rhythm, how he fought to hold back and yet wanted—needed—more. His entire body spoke of the desire overwhelming him, of the connection we shared in this moment. I lifted my head briefly, let my lips glide along his shaft as I locked eyes with him.

The look on his face was intense, overwhelming—a mix of desire, surrender, and the knowledge that I held him in my grasp like no one else ever had. He opened his eyes, and his gaze met mine. Burning and fierce, with a trace of awe.

I straightened, my hands gliding softly over his chest without ever breaking eye contact. With a quick flick, I undid the button of my pants, pushed them down along with my panties, and stepped out of them. I felt his gaze as it roamed over my body, scorching and full of hunger, yet he remained still, leaving me in control. Slowly, deliberately, I swung one leg over him until I straddled him, positioning myself. I held his stare, my breath quickening as I lowered myself onto him, taking him deep inside. A soft, uncontrolled moan escaped my lips as his size filled me, stretched me, until every part of me could feel him.

His hands gripped my hips, held me firmly, his fingers pressing lightly into my skin as if to ensure I stayed exactly where I was. His gaze never left mine, and the intensity of it stole my breath. It was as if the world around us ceased to exist, as if there were only this moment, only us.

I began to move, slowly, carefully, my hands braced against hischest. Every rise and fall sent waves of heat coursing through me. His grip on my hips tightened, pulling me deeper, as if he wanted me to feel every second of this moment as intensely as he did.

"Fiona," he murmured, his voice rough, thick with emotion. "You’re… incredible."

I paused for a moment, letting my body feel the connection building between us before slightly increasing my pace. His breath grew heavier, his head fell back, yet his hands remained firm on my hips, guiding me, supporting me, as if he wanted to lead without taking control from me.

"Alessandro," I gasped, my body trembling under the intensity of the sensation binding us. I placed my hands on his shoulders, steadying myself as I took him deeper, more deliberately, letting waves of pleasure rush through me. "You… are everything I want."

His gaze met mine, and in that moment, it was as if we stood completely exposed before each other—no masks, no walls, just us. His hands pulled me even tighter against him, his body pressing deeper into mine. Alessandro’s grip tightened, and his hips began moving in rhythm with mine. A low, rough growl escaped his lips as his eyes remained locked on mine, as if there was nothing else in the world he wanted to see but me. The intensity between us grew, every movement driving us both further. Greedily, I pulled him into a deep, hungry kiss, our tongues expressing all the passion we couldn’t put into words.

The motion between us became fiercer, our bodies finding a shared rhythm, and I could feel us both nearing the edge. The connection between us was so strong, so all-consuming, that I could hardly believe this moment was real. Everything about him—his body, his touch, the way he looked at me—made me forget there was anything else in the world.

"Fiona…" His voice was barely more than a ragged breath, hishands gripping me tighter, and I knew he was just as lost as I was. With one final, deep thrust, I completely surrendered to the ecstasy that seized us, consumed us, until nothing remained but the feeling, the moment we had both given ourselves to.

As I slowly leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder, I felt his heavy breath against my skin. His arms wrapped tightly around me, and I could still feel the aftershocks of our passion lingering in the air.

"That…" I finally whispered, my breathing still uneven, "...was different."

He pulled me even closer, his chin resting on my head, and I heard the faint amusement in his voice as he replied: "You are everything I’ve ever needed." I am everything he’s ever needed.

The wave of happiness his words sent through me surpassed anything an orgasm could have given. I closed my eyes, letting the moment wash over me completely. His breath was warm against my forehead, and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothed me in a way I couldn’t put into words. I nestled closer, letting my hands glide softly over his chest. His arms held me tight, and I wished this night would never end. It was one of those rare moments when the world stood still, and there was only us. "I hope this moment never ends," I murmured quietly, without opening my eyes.

His arms pulled me just a little tighter, his breath brushing my forehead. "Then let’s stop time," he whispered.

I lifted my head slightly, looking at him as a soft smile touched my lips. "And what do we do tomorrow when time starts again?"

His gaze drifted to the flickering flames of the fireplace, and a mischievous glint entered his eyes. "We could stay here. Spend the day by the pool. Or…"—his tone turned teasing—"I could show you how to hunt."

I arched a brow and gave a slight shake of my head. "Hunting? Sure, because a gun is exactly what I need in your hands."

"Well, I’m taking a risk too. After all, you’ve already shot me once."

"That was an accident."

"It was completely intentional," he claimed, his amusement unconcealed. "And if you do it again next time, I at least want to make sure it’s quick and painless. So let me teach you how to aim properly."

"I can shoot," I huffed, meeting his gaze defiantly.