Chapter 19 Valentina #2
"Like this.” He guides me to stroke him with more pressure, showing me the rhythm he likes.
I'm entranced by the power I hold in my hand, by the way his breathing changes with each movement.
His eyes never leave mine, burning with an intensity that makes my skin flush.
"Can I…" I lick my lips, hesitating. "With my mouth?"
His eyes darken. "You don't have to."
"I want to," I insist. "I want to know what it's like."
He nods, and I slide from the chair to my knees before him.
“Aw… fuck… Valentina.”
“What? Did I do something wrong?”
He shakes his head. “Men are hotwired to find a woman on their knees the sexiest thing there is.” He threads his fingers through my hair, guiding me as gently as he did my hand.
I smile up at him. “Well, then…”
"Start slow," he instructs, his voice strained. "Use your tongue first."
I follow his directions, emboldened by each groan that escapes him.
His taste, his scent, the way he whispers my name are intoxicating.
"That's it," he encourages as I take him deeper. "Just like that."
His fingers tighten in my hair, and I can feel the tension building in his body.
“Fuck… yes… yes… that’s it…” He lets out a feral growl. “Valentina… fuck… I’m coming.”
I feel a surge of triumph as his warm essence fills my mouth.
I’ve never felt so feminine and powerful as this moment.
In this moment, I'm not the Mafia princess locked in a tower.
I'm a woman who can bring a man like Cristian Bonetti to his knees with just my touch, my mouth.
I barely have time to revel in my newfound power before Cristian lifts me from the floor, his eyes dark with renewed hunger.
"My turn," he growls, setting me on the edge of the bed.
He kneels between my legs, pushing my dress up my thighs.
His warm breath fans across my sensitive skin, making me shiver with anticipation.
"Watch me," he commands, holding my gaze. “Watch me eat you up.”
The first touch of his tongue makes me gasp.
He starts with gentle, teasing strokes that make my thighs tremble.
When I reach for him, desperate for more, he pins my wrists to the bed.
“Just feel, Valentina. Feel how delicious I think you are.” He circles my clit, alternating between soft flicks and firm pressure until I'm writhing beneath him.
Just when I think I can't take any more, he slides a finger inside me while sucking gently on my most sensitive spot.
"Cristian!" I cry out, arching off the bed as pleasure rams into hard and fast.
He doesn't stop, drawing out my orgasm until I'm boneless and breathless.
I'm still trembling from the aftershocks of pleasure as Cristian crawls back up my body, his mouth glistening with my essence.
"Now," he says, "we can go."
I shake my head. "I want you inside me again.” I reach for him.
He catches my hand, bringing it to his lips. "We can't. No protection."
"I don't care," I insist, though I know it's foolish. One reckless night is bad enough.
Cristian shakes his head. "I do. I won't risk getting you pregnant."
The word hangs in the air between us. Pregnant. With Cristian's baby.
The thought should terrify me, but instead, it sends a strange warmth spreading through my chest.
A child created from desire rather than duty.
"We need to get dressed," he says, pulling away. "I have to call Alessandro."
Reality crashes back in. I sit up, annoyed again.
He got a burner phone last night. Surely, he could have gotten condoms.
But he didn’t.
He didn’t because he never intended to have sex with me again.
But of course he didn’t.
He said as much.
I should be grateful for what he was willing to give me this morning.
I stand and straighten my dress. "What will you tell him?"
“Well, he knows Maksim ambushed us. You did get through last night, right?”
I watch him dress, memorizing the lines of his body, the way he moves.
Last night belongs to us alone, a secret I'll hold fiercely.
A memory I’ll relive over and over to help me survive the rest of my life.
“Yes, but it was quick. Right after that, you pulled me from the car.”
“I’ll just say we escaped and we’re safe, then arrange to get you home.”
“What about the car?” I ask.
“Chances are it’s been reported stolen. Plus, we could use more men to transport you. I’m sure Alessandro will want to send someone.”
“That’s it?”
His brow furrows. “What more is there?”
There’s the letter I forged. How he took my virginity.
“Nothing, I guess.”
He unboxes the phone and prepares to call.
“Do you think Maksim’s ambush will change anything? I mean, would it nullify the arrangement?” I ask, even though I know it won’t.
Cristian’s eyes are filled with pity. “Maybe, but I doubt it. If his actions are a reaction to the letter, then Alessandro’s move is to continue to honor the agreement.”
I look down, knowing he’s right.
“It’s fucked up, Valentina. If it were me, I’d burn the Bratva down, but Alessandro is still getting his bearings after your father’s death. He has to tread lightly.”
I nod.
He kneels before me, cupping my face in his hands. "I’m still trying to figure something out, Valentina. I promise. But from now on, you need to tread lightly too. Promise me you will.”
I close my eyes, savoring his touch one last time before we have to return to our roles and pretend last night never happened.
“I promise.” Of all the vows I’ve ever made, this one is the hardest. But I need to protect Cristian as much as he protects me.
So from now on, I’ll be the dutiful sister sold off in a business deal.
The trophy fiancée to a maniacal man.
But deep down, I’ll pray that Cristian will find a way to set me free.
To set us both free despite the impossibility of it.