15. Rork
15
RORK
W hat the fuck was that?
I lean against the wall outside Bianca’s bedroom, my heart pounding and my mind reeling as I try to process what the hell just happened between us. One minute, I was consumed by rage, ready to lash out and put her in her place. The next, I was drowning in her, my body aching to claim her, to fill her and fuck her senseless.
The sudden shift in the atmosphere, the crackle of sexual tension that had replaced our angry words, was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. And the way Bianca had responded, the darkening of her eyes and the unmistakable flicker of want in her gaze as she glanced at my lips…
Fuck. The memory alone is enough to send a rush of heat straight to my dick, my body tightening with a need that’s as unexpected as it is intense. I can still feel the softness of her curves pressed against me, the intoxicating scent of her skin filling my nostrils and clouding my judgment, the skimpy maid’s uniform that would have been so easy to tear off her.
I groan, running a hand through my hair as I try to regain some semblance of control. This isn’t how it’s supposed to go. Bianca is a means to an end, a pawn in my game of revenge against her father. I’m not supposed to want her, to crave her touch like a man possessed.
I can’t shake the image of her flushed face and parted lips from my mind. The way she had looked at me, equal parts fear and desire, is seared into my brain like a brand.
Taking a deep breath, I come to a decision. I need to blow off some steam, to find a way to release the pent-up frustration and desire that’s coursing through my veins. It’s been too long since I’ve been in the gym, so I think I’ll do that. It’ll help me regain my focus and remind me of my true purpose here.
My body thrums with pent-up energy and frustrations as I storm into my home gym. The sleek, modern space is a testament to my commitment to physical discipline, with state-of-the-art equipment and a spacious sparring area.
Ever since I was bested by Nico Marino, I’ve made sure to always remain in tip-top shape. I will never allow anyone to beat me again.
My personal trainer and kickboxing master, Mitch, is already waiting for me, a knowing glint in his brown eyes as he takes in my agitated state. “Rough day, Boss?” he asks, a hint of playfulness in his tone.
I grunt in response, shrugging off my shirt and strapping on my gloves as I step onto the mat. “You could say that,” I mutter, falling into a fighting stance. “I need to blow off some steam.”
Mitch nods, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I can see that. Alright, let’s dance.”
He launches into a series of rapid-fire punches and kicks, his movements fluid and precise. I match him blow for blow, the familiar rhythm of the fight helping to clear my mind and focus my energy.
As we spar, trading jabs and uppercuts, I can’t help but appreciate Mitch’s skill and dedication. He’s been with me for years, a constant presence in my life, both inside and outside the gym. I respect his expertise and his loyalty, knowing that he’s one of the few people I can truly trust.
Mitch is the reason I’m so in shape. I hired him out of desperation fifteen years ago when my previous trainer had quit, and I’ve never looked back. He’s the best of the best, and that’s what I deserve.
But even as I lose myself in the physical exertion, my thoughts keep drifting back to Bianca. The memory of our encounter, the way her body had felt against mine, is like a fucking itch I can’t scratch.
I thought I had it all figured out, that I could use her as a pawn in my game of revenge without any complications. But the undeniable attraction that simmers between us has thrown a wrench in my carefully-laid plans.
There’s a sharp pain in my ribs as Mitch takes advantage of my distraction. I stumble back a step. “Keep your head in the game, Rork,” he chides sharply.
I growl, glaring at Mitch, who shrugs. “Don’t look at me like that. You know I won’t go easy on you. Where’s your focus?”
I shake my head, trying to clear the cobwebs from my mind. “Just got a lot on my plate right now,” I mutter, circling him warily.
Mitch raises an eyebrow, a knowing look on his face. “Anything you want to talk about?”
I hesitate, not sure how much I want to reveal. But I could use a sounding board, someone to help me sort through the web of emotions and desires that Bianca has stirred up within me.
“It’s my new wife,” I admit, throwing a quick jab at Mitch’s head. “She’s… she’s not what I expected.”
Mitch dodges the punch easily, a smirk playing on his lips. “And what were you expecting, Rork? Someone docile? Someone you could manipulate?”
I snort, a wry smile tugging at my mouth. “You could say that. She’s a Marino, Mitch, the daughter of the man I’ve sworn to destroy. But when I’m with her…”
I trail off, not sure how to put into words the electric pull that draws me to Bianca, the way she makes me feel alive in a way I haven’t in years.
Mitch nods, his expression sympathetic. “Attraction is a funny thing, Rork. It doesn’t always play by the rules we set for ourselves.”
I sigh, dropping my hands and stepping back from the sparring mat, my chest dripping with sweat. “I know. But I can’t let it get in the way of my plans. I’ve worked too hard, come too far to let a pretty face and a fiery spirit derail everything.”
Mitch claps me on the shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. “You’re a smart man, Rork. You’ll figure it out. Just don’t lose sight of what’s important.”
I nod, taking a deep breath and squaring my shoulders. He’s right. I can’t let my attraction to Bianca cloud my judgment or weaken my resolve. I have to stay focused on my ultimate goal, no matter how tempting the distractions may be.
But even as I try to push aside the memory of her soft curves and parted lips, I know that this is going to be trickier than I thought. Because when it comes down to it, I’m undeniably attracted to my young new wife.
I position myself in the fighting stance. “Again, Mitch.”
As I go through the motions of my workout, my muscles burning with exertion, I can’t shake the nagging doubts that plague my mind. Using Nico’s daughter as a pawn in my quest for revenge seemed like the perfect plan, a surefire way to break the man who has caused me so much pain.
But I hadn’t anticipated just how much of a challenge Bianca would prove to be. Her fiery spirit, her unbreakable will, and her stubbornness are both infuriating and intoxicating. She’s not some meek, malleable girl who will bend to my every whim just because I’m bigger and stronger than her.
No, Bianca is a force to be reckoned with, a woman who refuses to be cowed or intimidated by anyone, least of all me. And if I’m being honest with myself, that’s part of what draws me to her, what makes me crave her in a way I never expected.
But my attraction to her is also a liability, a weakness that threatens to compromise my carefully-laid plans. Every moment I spend in her presence chips away at my resolve and blurs the lines between business and pleasure.
I know that if I’m going to see this through, if I’m going to use Bianca to break her father once and for all, I need to be willing to push past my own limits, to set aside my own desires and focus solely on the endgame.
But even as I try to steel myself for what lies ahead, I can’t shake the nagging sense of unease that coils in the pit of my stomach. The thought of hurting Bianca, of breaking her and using her as a weapon against her father, feels wrong in a way I can’t articulate.
Am I going soft? What the fuck is going on? This didn’t bother me before when I planned this revenge, when I purchased that fucking maid’s costume and had Liam obtain Nico’s phone number.
But… that was before I actually met Bianca and got to see how vibrant she is. The thought of destroying that spark, so full of life and potential, leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
I shake my head, trying to clear the doubts from my mind. I can’t afford to let my emotions cloud my judgment, not when I’m so close to achieving everything I’ve worked for. I have to stay focused, to remember why I’m doing this and what’s at stake.
Besides, did Anna care when she broke me? Did she care that she destroyed the friendship between us?
No. She didn’t. So I can’t care that I’m going to break her daughter to ensure my victory.
Fair is fair.