Chapter 30 - Anna
My pulse quickens with excitement as I act with a boldness that matches the heat pooling between my thighs.
I lead him over to the chair and spin him around.
I nibble on his lip, and with a decisive shove, I push him back onto the chair, his surprise quickly replaced by a predatory hunger as my hands roam his chest. Each sharp intake of breath, each subtle shift of his body, tells me he's mine for the taking.
I smile as I sink to my knees before him. My fingers dance over the cool metal of his belt buckle, the sound of its release heightening my desire. I pull the leather through the loops with a deliberate slowness that makes him feel every bit of anticipation.
With a flick of my wrist, I free the button of his trousers and slide the zipper down to reveal the straining fabric of his boxer briefs. I hook my fingers into the waistband and tug both garments down in one fluid motion, his cock springing free—hard, thick, and pulsing with need.
I glance up at Gabriel as I curl my fingers around the base of his shaft. His eyes are full of desire, his lips parted with the effort of maintaining control. I lean forward and tease the bead of precum that's gathered at his tip with my tongue.
A groan rumbles from deep within his chest as I swirl my tongue around his sensitive tip, his fingers tangling in my hair with a possessive grip.
Encouraged by his reaction, I part my lips and take him into my mouth, my tongue tracing the thick vein along the underside of his cock as I slowly descend.
I relax myself to fit all of him in my mouth and feel him hitting the back of my throat, which elicits a moan of pleasure from both of us in unison, the vibration making him twitch and throb against my tongue.
I establish a rhythm, my hands and mouth working toward my goal, twisting and sucking with an eagerness that borders on desperation.
Gabriel's control begins to unravel, his hips bucking to meet my movements, his breaths coming in gasps. Our eyes lock, the intensity of his gaze pinning me in place as effectively as his hands in my hair. The raw desire stokes the fire within me, my own arousal growing.
I feel the telltale tremors coursing through his body, the tightening of his fingers in my hair signaling he is about to come. As if trying to warn me with his deep growls, I refuse to relent; instead, I increase my pace, eager to taste his surrender.
With a final groan, Gabriel succumbs to the pleasure, his hot, salty release spilling into my mouth. I swallow, his essence coating my tongue and sliding down my throat. The act of consuming him, of claiming this part of his pleasure, sends a thrill of power through me.
I pull back slowly, wipe my mouth, and rise to my feet. An overwhelming sense of satisfaction forces a smile I can't wipe away. I look at Gabriel and can see in his eyes that the sight of me on my knees will forever be etched into his memory.
"You are amazing," he says, his voice low.
He pulls me in, and his lips crash against mine in a searing kiss.
As he's about to speak, his phone begins vibrating in his pocket.
"Shit, I need to take this. Hold on," he says and walks into the bathroom.
I sit in the chair and lick my lips, the taste of him still lingering on my tongue. I press my thighs together and can feel how wet I am.
"What. What are you fucking talking about? Where?" Gabriel yells from the bathroom. My body tenses up, and all desire quickly fades, replaced with fear, my fight-or-flight instincts overtaking everything.
"Stay there. I'm coming now. No. Don't fucking leave." I peek my head into the bathroom and see Gabriel leaning over the sink, taking a few deep breaths.
"Is everything alright?" I ask timidly.
Gabriel turns to look at me. "Yes, I have to leave for a while. Let's find Lydia to get you settled in."
We walk so fast I feel like we're sprinting. We arrive back in the kitchen, and Lydia is there hovering over the stove.
"Lydia, I need to leave for a while. Please make sure Sofia is looked after. If she needs anything, just add it to our shopping list."
He turns and looks at me.
"Sorry, Bella, I must leave. I will be back this evening at the latest. You're in good hands. Anything you need, Lydia can get for you."
He leans in and gives me a soft kiss on the lips.
"Thank you, Lydia," he says and walks out of the room.
"Well, dear, you hungry now?" she asks me with her warm smile.
"Yes, yes, I am," I say and move the chair out to take a seat at the counter.
I had worked up an appetite.
Before I know it, Lydia places a gourmet-looking sandwich down before me.
"Lydia, do you have a few moments to sit and keep me company?" I ask pleasantly.
"Sure, I can spare a few," she says and takes a seat opposite me.
"So, how long have you been working for Gabriel?" I ask, genuinely interested in getting a better sense of the people around him.
"Oh, gosh, about ten years now," Lydia responds with a faint smile. "He's a good man. Now, don't go on thinking we've never had some mishaps over things, but he treats me fair," she says with a laugh.
"Ten years? Wow, so you must know his sister well then?"
Lydia looks somewhat surprised by my question.
"It's just that he's told me it's only him and her now," I say to try and calm her.
"Oh…um, yes, Livia. She's a kind, beautiful young lady. Smart as a whip. He'd do anything for her," she says cheerily.
Livia. A name not found in his FBI file—he must have gone to great lengths to keep her out of the mafia life.
"Yes, Gabriel did mention her intelligence, being in grad school after all," I say.
"Yes, that's right. UCLA out in California. PhD in literature. Always has her head in books, a trait, maybe the only one, her and her brother share."
"I've learned that Gabriel likes to read," I say, taking a bite of food.
"Oh, yes. Many a time I'd see him in his study reading a book she'd told him about just so he could have a conversation with her about it. You know, to connect with her. They live different lives, but he tries. And the beauty in it is that she notices."
"Well, she seems like a nice person. I hope I get the chance to meet her," I say.
Lydia knocks on the island and smiles. "Well, you just might. She's due to visit and stay with us very soon."
I almost choke on my food when she says this. I don't know why, but it kind of scared me. I swallow hard and reach for a glass of water, taking a big sip.
I'm positive Lydia knows that rattled me a bit. She stands and slides in her chair.
"Well, I've got to get back to it. If you need anything, just let me know," she says and leaves.
After I finish my sandwich, I decide it's best to go upstairs and nap. Anything to keep myself from thinking. And after eating, I feel tired. The last 24 hours have been full of nerves and draining thoughts.
My head hits the pillow, and I inhale deeply. Gabriel's scent fills me, and before I know it, I'm fast asleep.
The next thing I hear is my name. "Sofia…Sofia…Sofia."
I'm shaken awake and inhale deeply to see Gabriel sitting on the bed beside me.
"What the heck?" I say, startled.
I rub my eyes and sit up. "Jesus."
"Are you alright? I'm sorry to scare you."
I look around the room, remembering where I am.
"No, no, sorry. I got startled."
Gabriel nods. "I need to speak with you."
He sounds serious.
"What time is it?" I ask because I notice it's dark outside, and it wasn't when I laid down.
He looks at his watch. "8:43 p.m."
I shake my head. "Okay, I am up. Is everything alright?"
"No," he says in a curt tone.
My adrenaline kicks into high gear, and I suddenly feel so awake it's as if I had four espresso shots.
"What?" I ask.
The gun. Did he find the gun? Oh God!
He looks me straight in the face. "Luca's dead."
"What? What are you talking about?"
Gabriel hesitates for a moment, his eyes never leaving mine. "I killed him."
My mind starts racing. Did I hear him correctly? Is this why he came to get me from the hotel so abruptly?
"You... you killed Luca?" I stammer, trying to process this information.
Gabriel nods slowly. "Yes. It had to be done. For us."
I feel the blood drain from my face as the implications of his words sink in. My heart pounds in my chest, and I struggle to form a coherent thought.
"Gabriel, I, I don't understand," I manage to say.
He leans in closer, his voice low and intense. "I couldn't bear the thought of him touching you anymore. You're mine now, Sofia. Only mine." His hand cups my face, his touch both gentle and possessive. "There was no other way. I'd kill a thousand men to keep you."
A confusing mix of fear and shock at the lengths he’ll go to keep us together consumes me.
His proximity, the heat radiating from his body, the dangerous look in his eyes - it's all overwhelming.
He traces my lower lip with his thumb, his gaze fixed on my mouth. “Now you understand, Bella. What I'm willing to do for you.”