Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé (The Marchettis #2)

1. LAYLA

1

LAYLA

Tonight is my night. A celebration for the upcoming launch of my new fashion line, a dream I’ve labored to bring to life.

I step out of the cab into the pulsing heart of Milan, where distant music and laughter blend with the city’s electric energy.

Yet even amid the vibrant chaos of the nightlife, a nagging tension tugs at me. I can’t let go of the looming deadlines, the designs that demand perfection.

Giana links her arm through mine. Her eyes sparkle under the neon glow. “Layla, you’ve got to relax tonight. No thinking about all the work still waiting for you. Just have fun, promise?”

As I’m torn between ambition and the promise of a break, for a split second, my gaze drifts to my phone, where an unsent email about a final design still glows. “Just one more email…”

Giana laughs, snatching the device away. “Tonight’s about you, not your work.”

I offer her a playful glare before tucking the phone away. Taking a deep breath, I decide that for one night, I’ll let go.

Inside the club, the steady bass and swirling lights ease my worries. The place teems with energy, a living tapestry of laughter, movement, and sound that makes thoughts of deadlines fade away.

I lean toward Giana as we maneuver through the crowd. “This place is crazy.”

She gives me a conspiratorial smile. “That’s how you know it’s the spot.”

We settle near the bar, and Giana points discreetly toward a small group. “See that guy? That’s Valentino Marchetti.”

I follow her gaze to a tall, striking man with a chiseled jaw and dark, enigmatic eyes.

Instantly, my pulse quickens.

Valentino is infamous in Milan, a notorious playboy whose charm hides as many secrets as his reputation.

“Layla, you are definitely staring.”

I look away, but not before I catch the faintest smirk on his face.

“Just admiring the view.” I laugh, though inside I’m both curious and cautious.

As the night deepens, I try to forget about work and embrace the celebration. Still, every time I glance his way, that magnetic pull grows stronger.

I excuse myself for a drink, and at the bar, a cool glass of champagne offers a brief respite.

Then, someone steps behind me.

I turn.

Valentino stands just a few inches away, his eyes locked onto mine with a mix of amusement and concern. “Not enjoying the party?”

“Just needed a break.” I struggle to keep my voice steady despite the electric heat of his gaze.

He offers a small, knowing smile. “A woman like you shouldn’t be alone.”

I chuckle. “I can handle myself.”

The intensity in his eyes makes me wonder whether that is true if I were to be left alone with just him.

After a pause, he signals the bartender for another round.

When our glasses clink in a quiet toast, he winks. “To a night out and meeting gorgeous strangers.”

“Strangers?” I lift my hand to my chest, playfully. “Here I thought we were getting along.”

He arches an eyebrow. “I don’t even know your name yet.”

I extend my hand. “Layla.”

His touch is deliberate as he plants a quick, soft kiss on the back of it.

“Valentino.” He says it as if the name were already known. Even with his notorious reputation, tonight he feels like an intriguing mystery.

“Pleasure to meet you.” I am very aware that this simple exchange might open doors I’m not sure I’m ready to walk through.

“Trust me. The pleasure is all mine.” His gaze, so intense, makes me forget my defenses for a moment.

There’s something dangerous in his tone, both alluring and cautionary. Still, his charm is impossible to resist.

He leans in as if we’re sharing a secret. “So, what brings you to Milan tonight?”

I take a breath.

“I’m here to celebrate the launch of my fashion line. It’s been my passion for years.” My voice trembles slightly with pride and nerves.

His eyes light up. “That’s impressive. Tell me more.”

“Really?”

In a city where romances are often fleeting, his sincere interest feels rare. And risky.

“I love hearing what drives people.” He sips his drink. “Most folks are just chasing the next thrill. It’s refreshing to meet someone with real passion.”

I smile, relieved, and my heart speeds up from guarded excitement. “I’m not usually the party type, but tonight is different.”

“And I’m glad for that.” His grin deepens as he studies me. Then, he lowers his voice to a conspiratorial shouted whisper. “But it’s too loud here. How about we talk somewhere quieter?”

Every logical part of my mind screams no, but a buried desire, tired of being chained to work, whispers, “Just this once.”

With a hesitant smile and a racing heart, I nod. “Okay.”

The club fades behind us as we leave together.

The journey becomes a blur. A sleek car ride through Milan’s midnight streets, an elevator filled with charged glances, and finally the soft click of keys in a lock.

Soon, I stand in the understated elegance of his apartment, a refuge of dim, ambient light and modern design that feels worlds away from the club’s chaos.

Valentino closes the door behind us. “Much better, isn’t it?” He casually strolls toward the open kitchen. “Pinot Noir or Chardonnay?”

I tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear and smile despite the uncertainty fluttering in my chest. “You always do that with the girls you bring home, don’t you?”

He laughs lightly. “I’m guessing you want the Pinot Noir.” He guides me to a plush couch.

The apartment is intimate and inviting. A subtle trace of his cologne, a fresh, woodsy scent, lingers in the air, drawing us closer.

My pulse quickens as I settle beside him, trying to focus on our conversation rather than the charged silence that fills the space.

He sets his glass down casually. “I was going to have a real conversation. But it’s hard when you keep biting your lip like that.”

“Biting my lip?” I ask, both amused and a little embarrassed.

He leans in so his words are for me alone. “That little habit, it’s distracting… in the best way.”

I let out a soft laugh. “So, what you’re saying is, all a girl’s got to do is bite her lip, and that turns you on?”

His eyes darken. “If you keep that up, I might not be able to keep my hands off you.”

In that charged moment, the heat between us becomes palpable.

I cross my legs, feigning composure, but his hand finds its way to the side of my thigh, sending shivers up my spine. I close my eyes and let the warmth of his touch melt my defenses.

“Do you want me to?” he asks in a husky whisper.

Without a word, I tilt my face toward him.

Our lips meet in a tentative kiss that soon grows fierce.

His hand wraps around my waist, drawing me in until all I can feel is the beat of his heart and the taste of his lips.

When his kiss trails down my neck, I hesitate only a moment before giving in completely.

I part my legs just enough to invite him further.

“It’s been a while,” I murmur, my admission raw and honest.

His gaze darkens. “Then let’s fix that.”

His touch is deliberate now, his fingers drawing soft, teasing circles along the fabric of my panties.

“V-Valentino,” a low moan escapes my lips as one of his fingers dips inside my panties and then inside me.

He’s looking straight at me. “You’re so wet. Tell me you like this. I want to hear you moan louder.”

“I want…” I breathe out, grinding myself against his hand. “More.”

I’m too far gone in my haze of lust to care about whether this is a good idea or not.

“More?”

I can only manage to let out a strangled moan.

“Being greedy now, are we?”

I look back at him, feeling like putty in his hands. And he smirks at me.

God dammit. It’s like he’s enjoying teasing me like this.

“If you don’t do it, I’ll have to do it mys–”

He slides another finger inside of me.

Finally.

I clench my walls against his fingers, which are relentlessly moving in and out of me. He’s no longer gentle, and I throw my head back at the sensation.

“Tel me you wanted this,” he growls. There’s something so possessive – so commanding– about the way that he speaks that I could cum just from his words alone. “You wanted me to have you like this, didn’t you?”

“I…oh, my god, I am going to cum.”

“Not yet.”

My eyes fly open as he abruptly pulls his fingers out of me, and I’m left staring at him in a confused, horny haze that feels all-encompassing at this point.

“I want you to cum on my dick.”

So direct.

Immediately, my eyes dip down to the sizable bulge in the front of his pants.

Heat pools between my legs, and I keel over, my hands frantically undoing the button on his pants before sliding them down, and then his boxers.

“Fuck…” The word leaves my mouth before I have a chance to stop it at the sight of his large cock springing out in front of my face.

His hands knot themselves in my hair, making me look up at him. “Like what you see?”

“Mhm.”

“No need to be shy, baby. Show me how much you like it.”

He’s so cocky – You can just tell that he’s never had any problems being with women in situations like this. It brings out a competitive side to me – a side that wants to show him the best night of his life.

I’m not going to be just another conquest for Valentino. I’m going to give him a night that he never forgets.

I tease the tip of his erection with my tongue and look up at him.

Our gaze locks, and I give him a torturously slow lick alongside the head of his dick.

His cock twitches beneath my tongue.

Two can play at this game.

His fingers tighten in my hair, and I wonder if he’s going to shove his cock in my mouth. The thought alone sends a gushing sensation to my pussy, but he does something that surprises me.

He gently pulls me up, and plants a kiss on my lips. “As much as I want to see your pretty lips wrapped around my cock, there’s something we need to do first.”

Pushing me onto the sofa so that I’m lying on my back now, he begins to peel off my dress until it's a pool of linen on his floor. “Open your legs. Tell me what you want.”

“I want you to… come here.” My cheeks burn.

“Mhm.” He slides himself between my legs so that he is now hovering over me. “Is that all, baby?”

His mouth goes to my neck, and one of his hands slides over to my pussy, his erection pressing against my thigh as he rubs me between my legs.

“N-no…”

“Use your words, baby. I could do this all night, but we both know that we could be doing something else entirely…” He wets his finger with his saliva before reaching down and spreading it all across my folds.

“Fine, okay! Fuck… me.”

“Mmm, louder, baby. I didn’t hear you.”

“Fuck me,” I scream, and a satisfied smirk spreads across his face.

“Good girl.”

He positions his cock against my entrance and looks me straight in the eyes before slowly entering me.

Oh, my god.

All bets are now off. His girth fills me up, eliciting a small yelp from my lips as I adjust to him.

It hurts – but I’d take this sort of hurt any day.

“Fuck, you’re so tight.” He thrusts in me, his mouth sinking to my ear. “I’ll make you get used to it, baby.”

Even though we’re already naked, and he’s literally inside of me, it’s this comment that makes me blush the hardest.

Make me get used to it.

I grind my hips up, but he pushes me back down, maintaining control of the pace. “I know you want me to fuck you harder, but we’re going to take it slow at first.”

I trail my nails down his broad back, feeling myself get swept away by the pleasure. It’s so unlike any of the one-night stand stories Gianna talks about. Usually, any man she meets at the club would be jackhammering away the moment they start to have sex.

Not him. He’s tuning himself to my body, making me get used to his length before he loses control.

My pussy clenches against his cock, and I bite his shoulder.

“Is that how you want to play?” He smirks. “Careful what you wish for.”

Suddenly, one of his hands fly to my head, grabbing a fistful of hair, and he begins to thrust harder.

“Oh, my – fuck.”

“Is this how you want me to fuck you?” he growls into my ear, beads of perspiration rolling down his face. “You should have asked, baby. I would have had you bent over in front of the bathroom mirror in the party.”

“Valentino…”

I can barely form words – everything is being reduced to a dizzying blur around me, all that matters is the way he’s filling me up and taking control of my body like he’s known it all his life.

“Would you have liked that? I would have done it in a flash.”

“Y-yes,” I moan, feeling close to my release.

He tugs on my hair again, and when I reach my hand down to rub my clit, he stops me.

“I am the only one who gets to pleasure you tonight.”

Fuck.

That does it. My walls clench around him, and moans rip from my throat.

“Cum for me, baby.”

And that, I do. Again, and again, and again.

I wake up sometime during dawn, a soft light filtering in through the window. The space next to me is empty.

Throat dry and cotton-mouthed, I sit up in bed and look around the room.

I need water.

No water in sight, and my clothes are scattered across the floor. I scramble up and put my underwear back on to head to the kitchen and get some.

Why is it not as fun putting your clothes back on as it is taking them off?

Memories from last night flood my thoughts, leaving behind a ghost of blush in their wake.

It was a great night and even knowing this has all the trimmings of a one-night stand, I wonder if maybe we can do this again. And again.

I don’t usually do this, and I really enjoyed my night with Valentino. Every single part of it.

Speaking of, where is he?

I step out of the room to get some water. After I have some, I have to find Valentino to thank him for last night, because that was exactly what I needed. What was initially supposed to be a quick fuck, turned into a passionate night of pleasure and orgasms.

And maybe I’ll leave him my number. No pressure, but a girl can dream.

As I’m about to turn the corner into the living room, his voice reaches me. He’s talking on the phone in the kitchen, back turned toward me.

I pause, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Yeah. Can you believe it?" He sounds frustrated. "I’d never let a woman have that type of hold on me. I’d die before I let that happen. Fucking gold diggers. And if she came to me claiming to be pregnant later, I’d show her exactly who she was messing with.”

He snorts. “There is no way I’m getting stuck to a woman. Ever."

The words hit me like a cold slap.

After a short silence, he laughs. “You know it, it’s always on to the next one for me.”

I lean against the wall, my heart pounding.

Is that what he thinks this night was about? Me, tricking him?

And God, how can he be so cold talking about women? On to the next one? Like we are nothing? Toys to be discarded after use?

I knew what we were to each other before we got together last night, but it still stings like a bitch.

I turn and head back to the room, rush to get my clothes back on, and head to the door.

My heart is heavy, but my resolve made, as I open the door and step out of his apartment.

Last night was fun. But this man is not someone I want in my life, not after what he just said. The blissful orgasms are not worth it.

Goodbye, Valentino. Thanks for getting me to heaven before thrusting me straight to hell.