10. Giuliano
10
GIULIANO
I couldn't sleep.
The memory of her in the library consumed me: the softness of her lips, the quiet gasp when I first touched her, how perfectly she fit against me. My body burned with unfulfilled desire, mind replaying every detail of our interrupted moment.
I glanced at the security feed showing her room, where she sat reading in that damn window seat. Always there, always just out of reach. When we'd first explained the cameras—a necessary security measure—she hadn't flinched. Just nodded and asked if the bathroom was private. That quiet dignity, so different from the usual games women played with me.
God knows I'd had my share of them. Socialites, heiresses, even the occasional model, all perfectly willing to warm my bed. The thrill of conquest had worn thin years ago. They were all the same: calculated moves, practiced moans, everything designed to secure a position in my world.
But Pearl...
She wasn't trying to seduce anyone. Didn't bat her eyes or push out her chest when I entered the room. If anything, she challenged me at every turn. Called me on my bullshit. Made me question things I'd accepted as gospel.
"Fuck." I palmed myself through my slacks, watching her curl deeper into that oversized sweater she'd claimed from somewhere.
The security feed showed her completely absorbed in her book, unconsciously tucking hair behind her ear in a gesture that made heat coil in my gut. The innocent movement shouldn't have affected me this much, but everything she did was like gasoline on an already raging fire.
This wasn't part of the plan. She was supposed to be leverage, nothing more. A way to bring Vittorio to his knees, make him pay for everything he'd stolen from my family. The perfect bargaining chip.
Instead, she'd become my obsession.
I unzipped my pants, giving in to the need that had been building since that kiss. Imagined how she'd taste, the sounds she'd make if I touched her properly. Would she fight it at first, that proper upbringing warring with desire? Or would she surrender immediately, letting me claim every inch of her?
My hand moved faster as I pictured her beneath me, all that golden hair spread across my sheets. How she'd arch when I?—
"Christ." I came with her name on my lips, but it didn't help. If anything, the need burned hotter.
On screen, she shifted position, completely unaware of the effect she had on me. On all of us. I'd seen how the men watched her —their lingering glances, the way they found excuses to check on her. The thought of them serving her, worshipping her, sent an unexpected surge of heat through my blood. Let them look. Let them want. In the end, she'd come to me—and maybe I'd let them watch as I claimed what was mine.
Even if she shouldn't be.
I cleaned myself up, but the ache remained. Before I could think better of it, I was already moving toward the door.
"Just checking security," I told myself, knowing it was a lie. "Making sure she's not planning anything stupid. I can control myself."
Right. Because that had worked so well in the library.
But I was already walking down the darkened hallway, drawn like a moth to flame. Just one look, I promised myself. One moment to satisfy this burning need to be near her.
I approached the door. Every step had me wondering whether I should just turn back. No—the desire to satisfy and the throbbing between my legs could not be contained.
After a moment, I knocked my fist at my side, clenched. I had to show at least some semblance of restraint. Pearl opened the door, our eyes locked.
"Guiliano. What are you doing here?"
"I had to perform security rounds," I explained. A bald-faced lie.
"Right. Security. In the middle of the night. When there are cameras in my room already."
I should have known she'd never believe the excuses I'd made. But, in a way, it made it simpler and clearer. I reached out and touched her arm. She did not shirk away but instead leaned into the touch.
"You should be sleeping, tesoro ," I said. It was rare for the Italian to slip out. It only happened in moments when I lost control.
Like right now.
"I…I can't."
"Why not?"
"I was just…I wanted to finish my chapter. And…I couldn't sleep."
"I see."
"That isn't the only reason why you're here, though, is it?" Pearl asked. "To check if I'm getting enough rest?" Her voice goaded me with that hint of challenge.
And goading it did. Her vulnerable, thin frame in the oversized sweater sparked a blaze of desire in me. Such a simple garment. One move and it would be off, bearing her more intimate parts.
Parts that infected my mind.
I stepped forward. Pearl moved back instinctively. I closed the door and locked it. We were alone.
I reached forward and gently gripped her chin. Her smooth, pale skin was a subtle contrast against my olive-hued hands.
"You know why?"
A smile tugged at her lips, flirty and teasing. "Care to explain?"
I took a few deep breaths. If I broke my resolve and expressed some of the deeper feelings this girl was awakening in me, it would complicate things. As a Barbieri, I needed to be careful. Falling in love, expressing emotions, I did no such thing.
There was no harm, however, in having a little bit of fun.
"Oh I do not need to," I said against her lips. My hand caressed her waist as our chests brushed. " Ti voglio, tesoro ."
Pearl parted her lips. Heat built. Logic left the room, replaced with pure lust. An ache that drove us both crazy.
I closed the gap just like the time in the library, my lips against hers. Subtle breath caressed my lips. " Tesoro , I cannot hold back."
"Then don't," Pearl gently insisted. Her voice was soft. Yet the sheer utterance broke all barriers.
Restraint was gone the moment I kissed her. It was not like the innocent, whimsical kiss in the library. This time, Pearl was mine. My hand reached down and grabbed her hip to pull her close to me.
A storm of emotions overtook me. Passion and sweet release was all I could think about. But also, I wanted to make this special.
Pearl was more than just a conquest. She was an obsession, one I refused to ignore. I took a few steps as I pushed her towards the bed. She sat down, our lips still connected.
I pressed my tongue against her parted lips. Pearl melted against me just like before. The library was only the beginning. Right now, she was mine.
Pearl pulled back. Slight pants escaped those pink lips. "Please Guiliano…I need…"
"You need me?" I asked, barely spitting out the words.
"I-I do. Please…take it slow."
A growl escaped my lips. Her timid nervousness and flushed face told me everything. I grabbed her hands and pressed them over her head. When we locked eyes, all pretense disappeared, and desire remained.
"Let me take care of you, Pearl."
I kissed her again as my hands moved down under the oversized sweater she wore. It gave me easy access, and I quickly tore it off her body and threw it to the side. Sucking in a breath, I sat back as I gazed at her form.
Somehow, it was even more mesmerizing.
Her slender frame, blessed with subtle curves, looked almost angelic. My hands gently caressed her shoulders and collar, danced over her small C-cup breasts, and then down towards her taut stomach, lightly muscled from all the Pilates she did. As I rested my fingers on her hip bones, another groan escaped me.
" Cosi bella ."
I needed her. She was a treasure, one meant for me. I leaned forward, trailing kisses down her neck as my hands lightly massaged her hips. When I got to her collar, I nibbled on the flesh, biting into the skin. Pearl fisted the sheets, a small moan of surprise escaping her.
"I'm marking what's mine," I whispered against her ear, "You're mine, Pearl."
The only sound from Pearl I heard was the stifled gasp of surprise.
When I got to her nipples, I took one in my mouth and allowed my other hand to touch her. Her skin was soft and sensitive.
"Guiliano!" she cried out. I looked up, my expression changing.
"Are you alright, tesoro ?"
"Yes. It is…it's incredible."
"Good. I love the sounds you make, tesoro. Let me hear them."
I slid my lips to her nipple again and succeeded a little harder on the flesh. My forefinger and thumb pinched her other breast; the result was deeper cries, full of passion, from Pearl's lips.
Every sound was like music to my ears. Closer and closer, it drove me to the brink. My erection strained against my pants.
No. This moment was one to be treasured. I flicked my tongue against the sides of her nipple before I lightly pressed against the tip, rolling my palm against the other nipple. Soft, delicate sounds grew louder and heavier, creating a breath of desperation.
I slid my hands down, slowly moving towards her hips as before. My mouth followed the same path, peppering soft kisses until I got to where skin met fabric. I reached her hip, biting down on the flesh, marking her again.
Looking up, I saw her eyes wide and innocent, and her lips parted. I grabbed her panties and held them between my fingers.
"Tell me what you need."
"You…take them off, please."
"Louder," I commanded.
Pearl flushed. She chewed her lip as she looked down nervously.
"I want you…to take off my panties."
"And then what?"
"I want you to…touch me down there," she whimpered.
I smiled, enjoying how Pearl's inhibitions were falling away from her. Not only did I plan to take her, but I also wanted to give her everything. To worship her sweet body—but only through her, please.
"Of course," I growled. I pulled off her panties. The cool air made her gasp, and her legs clenched slightly. I spread them apart and looked up at her.
" Ser mia ," I whispered before I spread her folds and allowed my tongue to taste every part of her. Pearl's pussy was sopping wet, her juices coating my lips. As I explored every part of her, my fingers danced against her entrance.
"Guiliano…. please, put your fingers inside me," she whimpered. Her voice was so ethereal, and I moaned against her, causing her to shift with surprise and press her body against mine.
I slipped two fingers inside. She was wet and tight, and her pussy eagerly accepted me. Then, I continued my exploration of every part of her, eventually settling my tongue against her clit.
Small swishes and strokes made Pearl convulse. Gone was the quiet woman from before, who seemed so shy the moment I tore off that sweater to expose her vulnerability.
Now, she wanted more. I planned to give it to her.
I continued my motions, watching as her eyes closed and her hands held the sheets for dear life. Orgasm loomed in the air, and I wanted to see Pearl's pretty face, but I stopped myself.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked at me.
"Guiliano…"
"I want your first climax to be with me," I groaned, desperation coating my lips as the hunger became overwhelming. "You're mine. Now tell me what it is you want," I whispered.
Pearl looked at me urgently, her mouth open. She took a few breaths, the innocence almost completely disappearing.
"Fuck me, Guiliano….please…"
I stood discarding my pants the moment I heard her pleas. "Getting bold," I teased, lust ripping from my lips. "I will, tesoro ."
I palmed my erection through my boxers as I looked at Pearl splayed on the sheets. The golden curls looked like an angelic hue. With one knee on the bed, I leaned over her. Pearl's blue eyes sparkled with the remnant of innocence.
"If you want me to stop, tell me now."
Pearl shook her head. "No. I-I know what I want. Y-you."
Those words were all I needed to hear. I'd worry about what it meant for me as a Barbieri later. After stepping off the bed to discard my boxers, I spread her legs apart, allowing her pussy to adjust as I entered it inch by inch.
Pearl's hands were up on my shoulders. She dug her fingernails in, and I winced, feeling them almost clawing into my skin. We're both leaving marks, I thought to myself.
When I was all the way in, our eyes met. Those blue eyes captivated me. I reached out and touched her face.
" Ser mia ."
I began to move my hips, thrusting into her slowly. As she clung to me, I picked up the pace, but only when I knew Pearl could handle it. As I moved, I took in the sight.
She was so beautiful. I wished to freeze this moment and replay it forever. As I continued, the heat built between us.
"Guiliano…I'm so close."
I leaned in to capture her lips. "Cum, tesoro. I want to see it."
Pearl threw her head back, and my thrusts became increasingly frantic as I basked in the view of the passion etched across her face. Her mouth opened in an inaudible scream, her insides tightened, and moments later, I hit my peak.
"Mine."
I bit her collarbone, sucking on the flesh as I shuddered, filling her with my seed. Pulling back, I licked the small area, watching as it turned into a slightly red bruise.
The others would ask about it tomorrow. It was not my story to tell.
I slipped out of Pearl. She lay back, panting, the afterglow on her face making her look stunning.
"Slide over slightly," I urged. Pearl complied and turned to the side. Our bodies brushed, her back to my chest. I reached forward, grasping her waist and holding it against me.
"What are you?—"
"I wanted to spend a little more time with you. Before I left," I whispered in her ear.
We stayed together for a while. Pearl closed her eyes, and a soft smile crossed her lips. "I didn't know you had a sensitive side."
"A rarity, but sometimes it shows up."
Softness and vulnerability weren't aspects I liked people to see. But Pearl seemed to know just how to drag that side out of me. I heard her soft breathing against her lips. Just as sleep overtook her, she spoke.
"This…changes things between us, doesn't it?"
It sure did. Pearl wasn't just an object of my affection—she was someone I claimed and treasured. Giving her back to Vittorio was out of the question.
"It does. But do not worry. That is a discussion for later."
Pearl didn't respond. Deep breaths escaped her soft lips. She was asleep.
I stayed with her for a little longer. Part of me hated myself for what I'd done. Pearl's sweet innocence took hold of me.
Sleeping with a captive, especially the daughter of the enemy, was taboo. I'd crossed a line. But worrying about it now would do no good. Focusing on the present was the better option. Which involved the protection of Pearl.
My treasure. My tesoro.