Page 62 of The Rise of an Heiress

“Did your adoptive parents abuse you?”

I try not to get heated, but she can hear it in my voice.

“No!” she says quickly. “Jet and Nora were always kind. But I was always just a job to them. They made sure I was warm, fed, and went to school, but that was the extent of our relationship. I didn’t even call them mom and dad unless we were in public. Nannies are probably more affectionate.”

It’s as if she were telling me about something she had heard on the news. She doesn’t seem beat up about it.

It all made sense. She had a softness and a warmth to her, but she didn’t seem comfortable with it yet, like she didn’t know what to make of it. I felt pride spread through me. I know, besides her family, I’m one of the few people that gets to see that side. But I could see why it was easier for her to be cold.

“That must’ve been hard,” I tell her as I move a stray lock of hair behind her ear, thinking about earlier when she mentioned how lonely being an outsider can be.

This is new territory for me—personal shit. But I want to know everything about this woman.

“It was at times. When I was younger, I was confused when I’d see how other parents were with their kids. But I also didn’t look at them as my parents. And I don’t blame them for not wanting to replace their daughter, the real Natalie. I didn’t even realize how twisted and sick it was until I was a teenager.”

“No offense, but Cesare is a messed up motherf—”

She covers my mouth and slaps my chest, laughing.

“Don’t call him that. Yes, it’s fucked up. But there was nothing that could’ve been done for Natalie. His plan kept me alive.”

I remove her hand from my mouth and kiss it as she rolls her eyes. We’d need to work on this touching thing because I plan on doing it to her any chance I can get. I lean in to kiss her, holding her head in place. We stay like that, and not too long after, we both fall asleep after staring at the night sky.

Chapter Nineteen

Anya

Nico’s been everything. Does that even make sense? He leaves this overwhelming, powerful rush of emotions I’m not sure how to process. I’ve become engrossed by him. His smile, his smell, and his thoughtfulness.

Him telling me he wants me, being so firm about it, and going out of his way to show me. Things are easy with Nico, no lies or pretending. I feel liberated with him. Not to mention, the sex is mind-blowing—explosive, and they do say actions speak louder than words. There was no question this man wanted me.

He fucked me everywhere he could, in any way. And I let him.

In the library.

Under our tree.

On Bash’s desk.

The kitchen pantry.

My belly is all in knots over this man. I was falling, hard and fast, and I needed to get a handle on it before it turns to something I’ll never recover from. Could I love him? Could he love me? Could we be together?

Tense and anxious, I head to the gym to let out some steam and frustration. I’m warming up at the punching bags as Nico walks in. I stop to admire his physique, and he made no attempt to hide he also likes what he sees.He’s so handsome. I purposely wore the tightest and tiniest spandex shorts and only a sports bra. You know, because it gets hot during a workout. Wouldn’t want to have a heat stroke.

He smirks and nods toward the ring. As I walk over, he’s jumping and doing a half-ass stretch. He really should warm up better.

“We’re going to work on overpowering your opponent. You’re fast, but you need to be prepared in case they get the upper hand.”

We go through a couple of exercises that last for about three minutes. I can’t fight him seriously right now. I’m too horny, so every time he makes a move, I melt into him like a teenager with her first crush. He doesn’t seem upset about it. Not wanting him to think it’d be that easy, I lean into him as he tries to wrap his arms around me, causing him to relax, giving me the upper hand. This move always works. When will they learn?

Before he can figure out my plan, I’m able to flip him onto the ground. His back hits the mat with a thud, and I quickly straddle his neck, kneeling over him, holding him in place. I know he could easily flip me over, but he doesn’t. He grins up at me proudly, grabbing onto my thighs. I squeeze them tighter around his neck as I bite my bottom lip, looking down at him.

“Tap out, Nico,” I say panting.

He licks his lips. His hands move from my legs to my ass, and he squeezes. I lean forward, placing my hands on the mat, so my breasts are now on his face. “Come on, Nico. Just tap out, and it’s yours,” I whisper.

He lifts his head up into the valley between my breasts and inhales just before he lands two firm pats on my ass. Relaxing my body, I squeal as he quickly flips me onto my back. I wrap my legs around his waist and his lips land painfully on mine. His erection already pressing against my throbbing core as we explore each other’s mouths. Not missing a beat, he moves his hands up to grab my breasts as he yanks my sports bra off like he’s offended by it. Then he removes his own shirt and leans forward to suck on my nipple and bite down on it. I yelp as he moves on to the next one, giving it just as much attention.

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