Chapter 17
HAVEN
Holllleeeee shit.
That was freaking intense.
My heart is pounding wildly against my ribs, and it feels as if every nerve ending in my body has been set alight with desire.
The attraction I feel for Leo is swimming in my head, but I’m far from ready.
Yesterday, I was still cursing his name and condemning him to hell. It’s going to take more than him giving Mom a safe place to stay and treating me like a decent human being for me to forgive him for kidnapping me and forcing me to marry him.
I look in the fridge and grab a soda from the compartment on the inside of the door. Before I can open the can, Leo takes it and pulls the tab for me.
When he hands it back to me, there’s a hot smirk on his face. “I don’t want you using your left hand until it’s better.”
“Thanks.” I dart around him and head for the doorway. As I walk across the foyer, Leo wraps an arm around my shoulders and steers me toward the sliding doors that lead to the veranda.
“Let’s sit on the beach for a while.”
He lets go of me to open the doors. When we step outside, I take a sip of the fizzy orange-flavored drink that I’ve grown quite fond of.
It’s a little cooler tonight, but nothing near as cold as it would be in Whitefish.
“What are the winters like here?” I ask.
“They’re not bad. The nights get cold with the wind coming from the ocean.”
We take the steps down to the beach, and after walking for a while, Leo shrugs off his jacket. I stop beside him and watch as he lays it down on the sand before he gestures for me to sit.
Okay, I’m not going to lie. That’s kind of sweet.
When I sit down, I push the bottom of the can into the sand so it doesn’t topple over.
Leo takes a seat right beside me, our sides and arms touching.
He folds his one leg at the knee and rests his arm on it before looking at me.
I cross my legs beneath me and stare at the ocean while Leo’s eyes don’t leave me for a second.
“You’re making me feel self-conscious,” I mutter.
“Why?”
“Because you keep looking at me.”
“Why does that make you self-conscious?”
I shrug and scoop some sand into my right hand before letting the grains sift through my fingers. “It just does.”
“Can you blame me?” he murmurs, his voice taking on that seductive tone that has weird hypnotic powers over me. “How can I not stare at the most beautiful woman on this planet? It’s impossible to look away. You’re an incredible work of art.”
I’m overwhelmed by Leo and let out a nervous chuckle while my face heats up.
I lean back and glance up at the night sky while muttering, “Look at the stars, Leo. They’re much prettier.”
He lies back onto the sand, pushing his arm beneath his head to use it as a pillow. Patting his chest, he says, “Lie down.”
I know I told Mom earlier that we have to make the best of our situation, but maybe this is taking things too far.
Should I fight harder or just make peace with the fact that I’m married to Leo?
“Stop overthinking it,” he murmurs, his tone almost sounding gentle. “Please lie down, Haven.”
This friendly and seductive version of Leo is much better than the asshole he was when he kidnapped me and forced me to marry him.
Wanting the weird peace between us to last longer, I lie down and rest my head on his shoulder. His arm wraps around me, and I’m pressed to his chest. I feel his breath warm my hair right before he kisses the top of my head.
It’s good to know he can be gentle.
Looking at the stars twinkling far above us, I remember the flashback I had earlier and whisper, “ Stellina .”
Leo tenses beside me, and I instantly feel a shift in his demeanor.
The peaceful moment vanishes, and when I tilt my head backward, I see his features are drawn tight as if he’s in pain.
“Did I do something wrong?” I ask as I begin to sit up.
His arm tightens around me and keeps me pressed to his side while he shakes his head. “Just never say that word again.”
“Oh.” It’s clear the word touches a very sensitive nerve for him. “May I ask why?”
The pain flashes over his face again. “It’s something I don’t talk about.”
Up until now, I didn’t think of Leo as someone who could feel pain, but just as a ruthless mafia boss who takes what he wants. But as we lie on the beach, I realize he’s a human being with normal emotions.
For a while, Leo remains tense beside me, but then he finally relaxes again.
His tone is soft as he asks, “What makes you angry?”
“If someone interrupts me while I’m reading.”
His chest shakes as he laughs silently. “Only that?”
“Being kidnapped and force to marry a mafia boss,” I add, and I’m surprised when there’s no bite to my words.
“That’s a given.” I listen as he takes a deep breath, then he says, “I’m sorry, Haven. I could’ve handled things better.”
He moves, partially rolling over me. My head ends up resting on his bicep, and when he looks down at me with remorse, I feel my resolve slipping a bit more.
“I should’ve asked you to dinner like a normal man.”
“Yes. That’s usually what sane people do.”
His voice is low and deep, and oh so seductive when he says, “I promise to take you out for thousands of dinners.”
“What if our first date sucks? It’s not like I can ghost you.”
A smile spreads over his face, and I stare at the hot-as-sin man like a dumbstruck idiot.
“The first date won’t suck,” he says, sounding very confident of himself.
“That remains to be seen,” I whisper.
Leo’s eyes drift over my face, and the way he looks at me makes me feel like I’m all he sees. I have all his attention right now.
Slowly, he begins to lean down, and I’m hit with such an intense wave of anticipation, my heartbeat sets off at a crazy pace.
Don’t let him kiss you!
Leo’s eyes become hooded with desire, and holy shit, it makes my abdomen clench hard. Then his expression turns predatory, and like the helpless prey I am, I realize I don’t stand a chance against him.
I feel his breath on my lips.
I smell his woodsy scent.
I feel the heat coming from his strong body.
I’m completely powerless against the strong attraction I have for him, and I think he knows it.
At the very last second, he turns his head and kisses my left cheek before he whispers, “Beg me, Haven.”
“For sex?” I exclaim. “Hell no!”
When he chuckles right by my ear, goosebumps erupt over my skin.
“Not sex.” His lips brush over my jaw, and I almost let out a moan, my right hand gripping hold of his shoulder. “A kiss.”
My mind screams no while my body wildly nods yes.
I push against his shoulder while I turn my head away from him. “No.”
I’m surprised when Leo doesn’t force things, keeping the promise he made.
He rolls onto his back and tucks his other arm beneath his head again. “Be ready at six tomorrow evening for our first date.”
Feeling like I’m playing with fire by lying beside him, I sit up and cross my legs under me. Staring at the moonlight reflecting on the ocean, I say, “It’s going to take a hell of a lot more than you being nice to me for one day and taking me on a date.”
“I know.” He sits up as well, and reaching past me, he picks up the can of soda and takes a sip. Holding it out to me, he says, “I have an entire lifetime to win you over, Haven. You don’t become the head of the mafia by giving up quickly. I’ll wear you down.”
“Wow,” I mutter. “Just what every girl dreams of hearing.”
He chuckles, the corner of his mouth lifting into the dangerous smirk that makes me forget who he really is.
Climbing to my feet, I say, “I’m going to bed.”
“Okay.”
Looking down at him, I ask, “You’re not coming in?”
He shakes his head. “Night, principessa . Dream of me.”
“Night.” I walk across the beach and head up to the veranda. When I step into the living room, I glance over my shoulder, and even though it’s dark, I can make out that Leo’s looking at me.
Great. He’s just seen me glance back at him and will probably take it as a win.
I walk to the kitchen and pour the rest of the soda down the drain before putting the tin in the correct recycling bin. Heading to my bedroom, I shut the door behind me and stare at the key in the lock.
Leo could’ve overpowered me easily at any time tonight.
He didn’t kiss me when I said no.
Not locking the door, I decide to take a chance. If this mansion is my home for the rest of my life, I want to feel safe in it. I’m going to give Leo the benefit of the doubt and trust that he won’t hurt me.
I grab a pair of shorts and a cami and head to the bathroom. Not in the mood for a bath, I quickly shower.
When I’m ready for bed, I crawl beneath the covers and pick up my phone from beside the bed.
Seeing a text from Mom, I click on it.
Holy crap, she wrote a lot!
Mom: I hate to admit this, but it’s much better at Martina’s place than staying with Nicolo.
She said we should call each other by our first names, seeing as we’re family, whether we like it or not.
We spent some time bonding over our discontent regarding the wedding.
She didn’t want an arranged marriage for Leo, but seeing as he’s the boss, no one dares go against him.
Mom: It was really lovely having dinner with you, even if Leo was there.
Mom: God, the man is so stubborn, he infuriates me.
Mom: But I heard what you said. I’m going to try to make the best of this shitty situation.
Mom: As long as he doesn’t hurt you. If he does, all bets are off.
Mom: I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.
Letting out a chuckle, I shake my head while I type a response.
Haven: I’m glad you bonded with Mrs. Toscano. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at nine. Sweet dreams, Mom. Love you!
I set the device down on the bedside table, then turn onto my side and snuggle into my pillow.
I begin to think about everything that’s happened today. I feel a hell of a lot better after getting to spend time with Mom.
And Leo being nice to me helped a lot.
He was more than nice to me. If he keeps turning up the heat around me, I’m going to melt at some point, because after all is said and done, I’m very attracted to him.
If only he’d gone the normal route and asked me on a date instead of kidnapping me. I would’ve fallen in love with him in a heartbeat.