Chapter 8
Eight
Lissia
The late morning sun flooded in from the large windows of my new bedroom. The night had been restless, but not because I was in a strange bed out in the middle of nowhere.
My sleepless night had been the result of knowing Marchello slept in the room next to me. Every time I closed my eyes, images of his eyes haunted me. The memory of his kiss was embedded in my mind.
Why did I want more?
My sore lips ached for another round of harsh kisses. There was nothing gentle about him, but that didn’t bother me.
Why doesn’t it bother me?
I wanted him to make good on the promises his dark gaze held. I needed him to touch me like no other ever had, even if I shouldn’t desire someone as crass and as mean as he was.
Did he even like me? There was a physical attraction between us, but how could I be drawn to someone who thought so little of me—who took me hostage and threatened to kill my father?
Rummaging through the packages someone had left for me while I was in the shower, I had to say I was impressed with the selection. Whoever picked out these things had fabulous taste and a limitless credit card. There were so many.
The soft, gray sweatpants were a good choice for now, and I selected a pair of the lace, pink boy shorts and the cute little tank top to go with them.
Did Marchello think about me when he bought them? Would I wear them for him?
The amount of clothes was excessive, even for me. How long did he plan on keeping me here?
How long would my father hold out before rescuing me? But was it really a rescue if I had to go back and marry Danny?
I headed into the hallway, not exactly sure where I was going, but exploring the house didn’t seem like a bad idea. Familiarizing myself with the windows and doors might help me later.
I didn’t plan on leaving yet. I’d give this a few days to play out. Marchello did save me from Danny, even if he didn’t know why. Maybe this situation would make my father rethink his ridiculous plan for me.
Once I got to the bottom of the staircase, I glanced at the front door. Curiosity got the better of me, so I turned the handle.
“It’s still locked,” Marchello said.
“Jeez!” I scurried away from the door with my heart pounding harder than a few seconds ago.
He leaned against the archway that led to the kitchen, appearing more casual than I had ever seen him. Expensive suits, shiny shoes, and designer ties were his norm, but the faded jeans and tight black T-shirt that showed off the impressive ink on his arms were hot.
“You’re just in time for breakfast,” he said.
“You made breakfast?”
“We have to eat, don’t we?” He motioned for me to come toward him.
As I made my way down the hall, the strong aroma of coffee awakened my heavy eyes. My sleepless night had hit me harder than I had realized.
He blocked me from entering the kitchen. When I gazed up at him, he looked me over.
“What?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t have guessed you would go for the sweats.”
“It’s not like I have to impress you.” I glanced over his shoulder at the food set up on the center island of the kitchen. A hunger pang prodded my stomach. I hadn’t eaten since lunch yesterday. “I dress for me, remember?”
“You keep saying.”
“What would you prefer me in? All that revealing underwear?”
“That’s why I bought it.”
“How did you get everything here so fast?”
“I know people.” He stepped out of the way and held out his arm so I could pass him. “I had men I trust deliver the groceries early this morning.”
“Those men won’t tell my father where we are?”
“Not if they want to live.” He pulled out a stool. “Sit.”
“You’re so demanding.”
“Oh, excuse me, your royal highness. Please have a seat so you can eat the breakfast I have prepared for you.” He glared at me as he pointed to the chair. “Now.”
I huffed as I sat. However, the bagels, fresh fruit, yogurt, coffee, and juice spread in front of me all looked so appetizing.
“How do you take your coffee?”
“A little cream is fine.” I reached for a bagel and set it on my plate. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t do much.” He poured the coffee into a mug. “Cut up some fruit and sliced a few bagels.”
“The clothes too.”
“Well, I can’t have you walking around naked with my men coming in and out of here.”
“How long will I be your guest?”
His mouth curved upward as he handed me the coffee mug. The brief smile softened his features. He’s cute.
“Considering it’s been over twelve hours and your father hasn’t contacted any of my associates, I’m going to predict this could take a while.”
“Maybe he’s formulating a plan.” Would my father leave me with Marchello?
“If my enemy had my brother, I would have negotiated his return already.” He sat next to me. “It makes me wonder if your father wants you back.”
“Of course he wants me back.” I bit into a piece of pineapple, and Marchello’s gaze went straight to my lips.
“Maybe.” He shrugged. “It’s just surprising that he hasn’t reached out.”
“My mother is probably worried sick.”
“I can have Milo get a message to her in a few days if you behave.”
“Behave?” I shook my head. “I appreciate the clothes, but if I’m going to stay here, I’ll need a computer and a phone. I’ll settle for a tablet, but a laptop is better.”
“This isn’t a fucking hotel. You’re not on vacation.”
“I can’t survive without them.”
“Even if you had those things, you might not survive being here.” He pointed to my food. “Eat.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Not at all, princess.”
I bit into my bagel and chewed as I stared at him.
“That’s better.”
“Why do you call me princess?” I sipped my orange juice. “You don’t mean it as a compliment.”
“You picked up on that, huh?”
“I think you’re barbaric, but I don’t call you a caveman.” At least, I hadn’t said it to his face.
“You can call me whatever you want. It won’t hurt my feelings.”
“That’s because you don’t have any feelings.”
“Sure I do.” He dipped a strawberry into the bowl of vanilla yogurt and brought it to my mouth. “I just know how to control them and not let them get me into trouble.”
I sucked the yogurt off the berry before sinking my teeth into the juicy fruit.
“You didn’t do a very good job of controlling your emotions last night when you took me as your hostage.”
He pushed the rest of the strawberry into my mouth, focusing on my lips.
“Taking you hostage will work to my advantage.” He licked the remnants of the strawberry juice from his thumb. “In more ways than one.”
“You also don’t do a very good job of containing your rage.” My throat still hurt from when he grabbed me last night, but here I was, getting all gushy over seeing his tongue. “You should see a therapist for that.”
“A man in my line of work can’t see a therapist.” He wiped his hands with a napkin. “Rage is a powerful emotion. One that I can control if I choose to, and trust me, you haven’t seen me at my worst.”
“I haven’t seen you at your best either.”
“Keep it up and I’ll find something else for you to do with that sassy mouth.” He stood and took his mug to the sink to rinse it before putting it in the dishwasher.
What would it be like to be with him? I shouldn’t even consider it, but would he surprise me and be gentle and caring if I told him I had never been with anyone? Or would he see me as a quest to conquer?
The answer wasn’t difficult to figure out. As many times as I had fantasized about what it would be like to lose my virginity, I definitely didn’t see it happening with one of my father’s enemies while being held as a hostage.
Why does that idea intrigue me?
“Tell me something about you,” I said.
“No.” He leaned over the island, facing me.
“Why not?”
“Because we’re not friends. We don’t need to get to know one another.”
“I don’t have many friends.”
“I wonder why?”
“Why do you constantly insult me? I’m not a bad person.”
“You’re not an easy person to deal with.”
Why did I care what he thought about me?
“I grew up in a fortress surrounded by guards,” I said. “Not too many parents wanted their kids to play at my house. It was difficult to make lasting relationships.”
He nodded, and for a moment, a flicker of understanding flashed in his eyes.
“At least you have Milo,” I said. “I don’t have any siblings. I have a few cousins, but once we got to high school, our interests changed and we weren’t as close.”
I sipped my coffee. My closest cousin got engaged a few months ago and didn’t ask me to be in her wedding. She was marrying a cop, and she distanced herself from my father once my parents got divorced. The rejection hurt.
Pushing my plate away from me, I said, “I make friends easily, despite what you think of me, but when people learn who I am, they don’t get past my last name. I’m used to not having friends.”
“Maybe I’m not the one who should see a therapist.” He glanced at his watch. “I have some calls to make.”
“Wait.” I stood and joined him by the sink. “What am I supposed to do?”
“Binge-watch something? Read a book? I don’t know.”
“I can’t hang around here and do nothing.” I nodded at his phone. “I want to call my mother.”
“No.”
“You’re impossible.” When I tried to leave, he caught me by the arm. “What now?”
He motioned toward the breakfast. “You need to clean this up.”
“What?” I laughed, but he gripped me tighter. “Oh, you’re not kidding?”
“Not at all.”
“Don’t you have people to do this?”
“In a fucking safe house? How many people do you think I can trust with this location?”
“We have to do everything by ourselves?” I glanced at the food and then the sink. “I’ve never had to do that.”
“And you wonder why I see you the way I do?”
“If you dislike me that much, why am I here?”
“I saw an opportunity and I took it.”
“You didn’t have to come after me last night. You could have let Danny take me home.”
“Is that what you wanted?” he asked. “Do you think he would have been the better option?”
“I don’t know.” I waved my hand in the air. “You’re a jerk. I’m not dealing with you.”
He advanced toward me, and I backed into the wall. My heart rate accelerated when he slid his hand over my breasts and to my throat.
“I’ve had enough of your disrespect.” He moved his hand along the side of my neck and twisted his fingers in my hair. Leaning closer, he ran his lips along my jaw and up to my ear.
Arousal dampened my panties, and I closed my eyes as he tugged on my hair.
“I’ve been patient enough with you,” he whispered into my ear. “I’m going to take what I want and teach you a few lessons in the process.”
I pushed against his chest, but that only made him yank my hair harder. My nipples ached in response to his roughness.
“I’m going to rip you apart when I fuck you, princess. I won’t go easy on you.”
His hot breath swept across my ear, causing my body to tremble and a vibration to stir between my legs. I squirmed under his hold.
“I’ll unleash it all until you learn your place.”
“I dare you.” I wanted what he threatened, but I wasn’t sure I could handle his dominating style. Everything inside me screamed his demeaning, disrespectful ways were wrong, but I didn’t care.
Why did my body crave him? Why did my heart desire him?
“I don’t need to be dared to take what I want.” He tugged my hair, pulling my head back and gazing into my eyes. “I’m not the only one who wants this.”
I looked away from him, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing he was right.
He trailed his lips along my jaw and to my mouth, making me moan into his. Pushing his lips into mine, he shoved his tongue inside my mouth and deepened the connection. I kissed him back with the same sense of urgency he showed me. He shifted his hips, pinning me against the wall with his strong form and taut muscles.
I ran my hands along his rigid back, indulging in his solid body.
“You need to learn how to ask for what you want instead of playing these games with me,” he said.
He released my hair and backed away from me, giving me the needed space to regain my composure.
“Otherwise, brat, you might get what you want eventually, but you won’t like the consequences along the way.”