A slight groan left my lips, my eyelids fluttering as I finally came to. Although my gaze was still hazy, my vision cleared after a few blinks. I felt subtle aches all over my body, a small pang at the back of my head, and weakness in my bones. But that was it—nothing serious.
I was snuggled up beneath a thick blanket, its warmth wrapping around me like a shield against the cold. My heart beat was calmer—a lot steadier than before. When my hand flew to touch my forehead, I realized my skin was no longer burning up. My temperature had returned to normal, and the fever had finally broken, sending a welcome coolness spreading through my body.
The bed itself felt softer, silkier, and much more comfortable than before. A familiar aroma wafted through the air, mingling with the faint scent of a Cuban cigar that teased my nostrils. Something was different, but I just wasn’t sure what it was exactly—not yet, anyway.
I blinked a few more times and rubbed my eyes with the back of my hands, my vision clear as day. The grand chandelier that illuminated this strange yet incredibly opulent space seemed to have cost a fortune. Its warm, golden lights enveloped the entirety of the room, accentuating the breathtaking view of this luxurious area.
This room was a sanctuary of opulence. Its fine walls were adorned with intricate, hand-painted murals depicting serene landscapes and subtle gold accents that seemed to catch the light.
State-of-the-art furniture was meticulously positioned to create a harmonious balance of form and function. Sleek sofas upholstered in rich, neutral tones were arranged in a conversational circle across the bed while a minimalist table crafted from polished glass dominated the center.
The sprawling four-poster bed itself had a dark, polished wood frame adorned with sumptuous cream-colored linens and plush velvet pillows. To my right, a magnificent floor-to-ceiling window offered a stunning view of the city’s nightlife. Outside, the stars twinkled like diamonds in the sky, casting a magical glow over the room.
This was definitely not the same room that imprisoned me. No, it wasn’t. And judging by the sophistication and opulence of this space, it was safe to assume that it was Nik’s master bedroom. But how did I get here, and what in heaven’s name was I doing in his bed? Wait a minute, did he…?
My breath hitched in my throat, and I lowered my head down the blanket, my eyes examining my body. Everything seemed fine, and I was still in the same shirt I’d had on earlier. My body was fine, and there were no signs of molestation whatsoever, meaning he hadn’t touched me. A sigh of relief slipped through my lips, and that was when I realized my hand had been on my chest this entire time.
He must have found me on the floor and decided to nurse me back to health.
How sweet! I thought to myself.
But as ironic as I intended for that statement to sound in my head, it was laced with a heavier dose of sweetness than I cared to admit.
The irony on its own was lost on me—being cared for by the very person who put me in this predicament in the first place. Well, he wasn’t exactly the cause of the fever, if I was being honest, but still, he was the reason I was trapped in this mansion.
I heaved a sigh, feeling much better. With a fluid motion, I tossed the blanket to the side and sat on the edge of the bed. For a moment, I cupped my face in my palms, my bare feet resting on the soft rug beneath me. My eyes darted toward the parted balcony glass doors, where he stood at the edge with elbows on the railing. He had his back against the room, his eyes fixed across the horizon as a thread of smoke swirled around his face.
Should I go over to him and start a conversation, or should I just pretend to still be asleep?
The latter felt like a punishment, considering that I was wide awake with no intentions of going back to sleep at any time soon. Besides, how would I succeed in my plan to seduce him if I were too timid to face him or start a conversation?
I looked in his direction, drinking in the ridges and contours on his back—the scars and cuts that seemed to map his skin. He was stripped from the waist upward, his built body a rather pleasing sight to behold. I found myself lusting, my gaze glued to him. The stripes on his back, the wounds, and deep cuts drew my attention, piquing my curiosity. As I stared at him, I wondered what tales, what stories, were behind those scars, and I was interested in finding out how he got each injury.
Nik, like my father, lived in a world full of violence, chaos, and disorder. His life was constantly at risk, and judging by the map of scars on his back, I believed this man had come face to face with death more times than I could guess. No wonder he was so cold and ruthless; anyone who survived such deep cuts and wounds would essentially lose their humanity. I doubted that he even felt pain at all.
My hands darted to my head, fingers combing through my hair as I let out a sigh. I rose to my feet, adjusting my oversized shirt, my palms smoothing down the faint wrinkles. I’d almost buttoned up the top when I realized it was better to leave those first three buttons as they were—undone.
Seduction 101: Be sure to always give a tantalizing glimpse of your assets, I said to myself.
I rolled my neck in a massaging motion, and just because I took a step forward, I caught a reflection of myself in a full-length mirror. The oversized T-shirt swallowed my frame, its long sleeves slipping past my hands. As the fabric draped over me, its hem brushed against the tops of my thighs, exposing my legs and toned skin.
My pupils were dilated, eyes still wide and glassy from the fever’s grip, and they seemed to simmer with a silent resilience. Even in recovery, there was still a glimpse of something hauntingly sexy that I was certain would catch Nik’s attention.
I brushed my hair with my fingers, styling the unkempt strands that framed my face until they appeared more presentable. I heaved another sigh and glanced in Nik’s direction before heading toward him.
My bare feet were soundless against the cool marble floor as I stepped onto the balcony, the gentle night air caressing my skin. I watched him smoke his cigar, bathed in the moon’s ethereal glow, his gaze still fixed on the horizon.
“So, what, all of a sudden you grew a heart?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest, my shoulder leaning against the door frame.
Nik didn’t respond, nor did he look back to face me. He just puffed another round of smoke.
“Why?” I continued regardless. “Why the sudden ‘kindness’?” I air-quoted the word.
Without turning to face me, he answered, his voice low and husky, “You were sick. I helped. No big deal.” He dragged on his cigar, and after releasing the smoke, Nik added, “Besides, I couldn’t let my prize die under my watch.”
I didn’t see his face, but I was certain that a sly smirk had lined his lips upon that last statement.
My expression darkened ever so slightly, and a scoff left me. “What? Am I supposed to say thank you?” I questioned, my tone dripping with sarcasm.
“You’re welcome,” he replied, annoyingly nonchalant to the mockery in my voice.
I rolled my eyes. “A fever was never going to kill me.”
Finally, he turned around to face me, his eyes narrowing for a moment. “Right. Tell that to the ghost I almost called a priest for,” he said, his tone dry and witty, though his gaze remained carefully neutral as if unaffected by my exposed skin.
A light chuckle escaped my lips. “You were worried. That’s cute.”
His expression softened ever so slightly, and his gaze dropped to my cleavage for a second before meeting my eyes.
I drew in a sharp breath and walked toward the edge of the balcony, feeling the wind on my face. The scent of fresh flowers wafted through the air, blending with the sound of distant sirens. I felt his gaze lingering while I cast my eyes across the night sky, the cityscape sprawling in front of me.
The atmosphere was thick with tension, and the silence between us seemed to stretch forever. I stole a glance in his direction, and something shifted in his eyes; his gaze, once so indifferent, now held a glint of something like hesitation.
Was he uncomfortable by my presence?
The silence stretched, humming with tension. Maybe it was the vulnerability of last night or the raw ache still threading through my limbs. I had to say something, though. I had to engage him in order to fill the awkward silence.
“You think it impossible for a man like me to be kind,” he said, his husky voice low and even. “Why is that?”
A small grin tugged at the corners of my lips, pleased and relieved that he made a move to start a conversation. That was progress.
I turned around and met his gaze, my voice barely above a whisper. “Men like you aren’t known for their…kindness.” I leaned back against the railing.
“I smell a story behind your conviction,” he said, his eyes narrowing by a hair’s breadth.
I paused for a while, avoiding his gaze, as buried memories of my childhood came flooding back into my mind. My breath hitched, and I swallowed, heaving a sigh.
His gaze lingered on me, eyes glued to my face as if anticipating my response. I hadn’t revisited this memory in a long while, and doing so now would only dig up past trauma. Was I ready for that? Maybe not. But having this conversation with Nik was the first step in the execution of my plan.
I looked away for a second, eyes dropping to the floor before meeting his gaze again. “My Mom, she, uh…she passed away when I was little.” The brief pause crept in when I cleared my throat, bracing myself for this trip down memory lane. “I watched her die,” I murmured.
His expression hardened almost imperceptibly, not in cruelty but in stillness. The kind of stillness that listened. “Was she sick?” he asked, his voice devoid of emotion.
I nodded. “For months.” For a few seconds, I was silent, struggling with my own emotions—the pain and heartbreak creeping back in. “My father didn’t care. He never did, actually.” My shoulders shrugged reflexively. “He said pain made people weak, that love was nothing but a distraction.” I paused again, watching him in silence.
I could tell from the look in his eyes that, for once, he and my dad agreed on one thing—the concept of pain and love. Of course, they’d have the same opinion on these concepts, given the type of life they lived.
“Mom died in silence, in a house full of noise. And yet no one stopped to hear her because weakness was not tolerated in the Romano family.” My voice cracked by a fraction, but I wouldn’t give in to the pain. “It was in that moment that I realized strength was non-negotiable and kindness was a word that didn’t exist in the mafia dictionary.” I exhaled sharply, blinking back the tears that stung my eyes. “So, yes, watching my kidnapper care for me is…surprising.”
“That’s understandable,” he said, closing the distance between us, his voice low and husky. “But you’re wrong. I don’t care for you, and what I did was not an act of kindness,” he added, drawing too close to me.
I lifted my eyes to meet his face, my pulse quickening as the air slowly became electric with tension. “Oh, yeah? Try saying that with a little more conviction, and I just might believe you.” The words came out in a gentle whisper, my tone soft and endearing.
He cornered me by the railing, his hand extending to caress my face. His touch was tender, and the rich scent of his cologne enveloped me. My eyes dropped to his shirtless body—his broad torso, lean and defined, the kind of build sculpted not from vanity but from habit. His chest was firm, his skin warm-toned and slightly rough from all the scars that mapped his body.
I could feel his gaze lingering, his fingers gliding down my arm, each touch stealing my breath away. My chest heaved slowly, and my heart raced with anticipation as I drank in the sight of his gorgeous form. His abs were taut and well-shaped, each line carved with effortless precision, leading into a V that sank below the waistband of his joggers.
His poise was confident, his touch electric, and when I dared to feel his scars, a spark jolted through my body. My fingers traced the rough edges of his wounds, my touch soft and delicate. “These scars,” I muttered, slowly caressing his skin. “They’re all over your body.” I jerked my head to look into his eyes.
“You’re not the only one with a rough childhood,” he replied, his tone mild and gentle. His fingers brushed against my jaw, tilting up my chin, his breath fanning across my lips.
The air was thick with tension, and I could almost hear the sound of my own heart racing, pounding like a drum. He was way too close, and the world had narrowed to just the small space between us. In silence, we stared deeply into each other’s eyes, neither willing to look away. My body shuddered slightly when he dared to wrap his arm around my waist, and in that moment, it was as though my heart had sunk into my belly.
His free hand flew into my hair, fingers rubbing my scalp in a soft massaging motion. I felt my knees quake, my muscles relaxing at his touch. I had no idea what he was doing to my scalp, but it sure felt good—so good, in fact, that my eyes rolled backwards and a soft purr escaped my lips. The more his fingers dug into my hair, the more I melted into his arms, reveling in the relaxation this strange technique provided.
After a moment, Nik pulled his hands out of my hair, allowing the effect of his work to take a toll on me. I stared at him in wonder, a small smile of astonishment playing on my lips. His expression softened almost imperceptibly, a testament to the satisfaction that came with watching the surprise and awe on my face.
My heart was hammering in my chest, a flame of desire sparking within me. I should pull away now before I lose control. But this was it—the moment of truth, the moment to execute my plan of seduction. I was starting to have cold feet, but at this point, it was undeniable that I found him really attractive. I wanted this as much as he did, even though I hated myself for it.
I trembled beneath his touch, and when he leaned in close to my face, my breath lodged in my throat, my heart racing in anticipation. His erection brushed against my thigh, stirring a flutter in my chest. The feeling was electrifying, and I felt a shiver run down my spine, my hunger amplifying by the second.
The plan was to seduce him and use his attraction for me to my own advantage. I hadn’t anticipated feeling the same attraction, nor had I planned to enjoy his touch. However, I was not in any way repulsed by him—in fact, I wanted him, and I wanted him badly. This was the problem. Having sex with my captor was one thing; enjoying the sex was an entirely different thing altogether. I’d die of guilt after this. That was for sure. But for now, every fiber of my being, every molecule in my body, was craving him, and I was too weak to stop myself.
It’s for the greater good. Sleeping with the enemy to gain your freedom is a necessary evil, I thought to myself, attempting to validate this act.
His fingers grazed my lower lip while holding my gaze, his cold, blue eyes boring into mine with a sensual intensity. I stared at him, struggling to maintain my composure, even though deep down, I was falling to pieces. Gently, he pushed his thumb between my lips, his grip tightening around my waist.
I saw it clearly in his eyes—the hunger, the passion, and lust flickering in their depths. He wanted me, and all he needed was my permission. Because, as cruel as he appeared to be, he’d proven that he wasn’t the type to force himself on a woman. I was his prisoner—a woman in a sexy shirt that he was attracted to. So, if he wanted to take me by force, there’d be nothing that I could do about it. Yet, he hadn’t made such advances. Instead, he chose for it to be mutual, and for that, he’d earned a fraction of my respect.
His thumb in my mouth and his palm cupping my butt cheek, squeezing gently, prompted a soft moan out of me. I could feel his warm breath against my skin, his erection against my thighs, and with that, a wave of passion spread across my body. I felt a tingling sensation between my legs, and in response, my thighs brushed against each other. My head fell backward, exposing the nape of my neck as he leaned in, breathing over my skin.
His hand left my ass and traveled up my spine with a slow motion. His large palm supported the back of my head, his fingers in my hair as he withdrew his thumb from my mouth. I reopened my eyes and met his gaze, my chest heaving with anticipation.
Nik’s face mirrored mine, his lips grazing mine like a question mark. His eyes, full of unspoken words, locked with mine as if searching for permission to go further. My response was utter silence, my expression soft and welcoming. I stood there with my bosom against his broad torso, my head tilted up to stare at him. I didn’t pull away—a subtle means of granting the permission he sought. And when I bit my lower lip, a gentle smirk flashed across his face before his mouth rested on mine.
I drew in a deep, long breath, feeling the jolt of electricity surging through my blood. At first, I didn’t respond—didn’t kiss him back—but when his palms framed my face and his tongue slipped in between my lips, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I leaned in, giving in to his hard and demanding kiss, the same that stole the breath from my lungs.
This was the first time in a long time that I felt alive, and with the fervency of his kiss, I felt my high walls crumbling to the ground. Breathless, our heads tilted to the rhythm of the passion coursing through our veins, and I didn’t realize when my hands flew around his neck.
Our kiss deepened, leaving me wanting him more and more by the second. His palm supported the back of my neck, fingers massaging my scalp while his free hand squeezed my butt. The deeper the kiss, the more I lost myself in passion and ecstasy.
I felt as light as a feather when he scooped me off with ease, his hands planted beneath my thighs, fingers gripping the curve of ass. My legs wrapped around his waist, locking him in place as I dipped my head to reclaim his lips.
With me in his strong arms, he walked back into the room, his pace unhurried and deliberate. I brushed some hair strands behind my ear while still devouring his lips. Nik strolled across the room, and when he reached the four-poster bed, he leaned down, laying me softly on my back as if I were something fragile and delicate.
My hands roamed his body, feeling the contours of his torso, the edges of his scars. He cupped my breast underneath the fabric of my shirt, squeezing gently while deepening our slow kiss. My legs parted slightly, a subtle gesture that invited his warmth. His waist tugged down, his erection grazing my underpants. He undid the buttons of my shirt, his movements slow and deliberate, while my chest heaved with anticipation.
I arched my back, quietly moaning into his mouth as his hand traveled up my thigh, his touch soft and teasing. He broke the kiss and lowered his head to the nape of my neck, his lips pressed to my skin. A soft purr left me when his fingers settled on my underpants, grazing over my wetness.
He kissed me down the neck before his lips landed on my left breast. And there, he sucked on my hard nipple, deliciously biting and licking with the tip of his tongue. I moaned softly at the dual actions that sent a wave of ecstasy washing over me, his lips on my nipple and his finger inside me. He’d shifted my panties to the side to gain access, and now, he pushed further in, with his thumb grazing my clit.
My fingers gripped the sheets, and I arched my back, biting my lower lip while writhing beneath him. He was good with his fingers and even better with his tongue. I dared to reach for his groin, my palm caressing his length nestled behind his joggers. His shaft was as hard as a rock, and the print of his size stole my breath. Lost in a sea of ecstasy, I grasped the waistband of his joggers and tugged down until his organ came into view.
I glanced down at it, but his position while fingering and sucking on my breasts was an obstacle to the sight I anticipated. However, that was not at all a problem because stroking his length seemed to fuel my desire. He groaned slightly, basking in the relaxing comfort that my small hands provided.
He left my breasts and reclaimed my lips, his hip coming down between my legs. As he deepened the kiss, I slipped his cock in through my wet entrance, and a sharp moan came forth. My cunt swallowed him whole, stretching out the further inside me he drove. It was so good, and I didn’t realize how sex starved I’d been until now.
He raised my leg for better access, his palm caressing my held-up thigh. The sensation was overwhelming, sweet, and electric as his waist ground against mine. Nik’s strokes were gentle but deep, so deep, in fact, that I could feel his organ in my stomach. His hands were all over my body, his lips still locked to mine while striding inside me with slow and relentless thrusts.
I wrapped my arms around him, my fingers raking his back as his fervent kiss sealed and muffled my moans.
In that moment, he was not the evil brute, the devil who kidnapped me and kept me prisoner. No. He was not my captor. No. He was something else—something more, something I was too scared to name.
I broke the kiss, my moans finally finding expression as I clung to him like a lifeline. Nik penetrated my pussy with strokes that left me yearning for more. His touch was electric, the feeling of his lips on my skin sending tremors down my core.
How could a man I claimed to hate stir up such a level of ecstasy within me?
I felt like a woman after a long time, and his experience in bed was legendary. No man had awakened such desire in me before. None had touched me, kissed, and caressed me the way that Nik did. He didn’t rush it, didn’t let his lust take the wheel. Nik was in control, and subconsciously, I submitted to his superiority without even realizing it.
He said he owned me, but while taking me, his gentility and compassion said the exact opposite. There was no dominance exerted, no act of condescension or demeaning words to prove a point. Nothing like that. It was just pure, unbridled pleasure, the kind that made me question his personality. I thought he’d be rough; I thought he’d claim me like I was a piece of property. I thought his thrusts would hurt and that his dominance might throw me off, even though I was already turned on.
But I was wrong.
I was fucking wrong.
It baffled me how the same hands that caused others a lot of pain were the chief architects of my pleasure.
His fingers slipped into mine in both hands, and he slid them upward, trapping them over my head. Bounded by his gentle yet firm grip, I surrendered myself to him, my eyes locking passionately with his. As we stared at each other, holding one another’s gazes, his thrusts quickened, hips slamming vigorously against mine.
My breasts bounced up and down in response to his relentless strokes, my moans growing louder by the second. His waist pounded me hard, his grip on my fingers tightening, making sure I was unable to use my hands. I loved it—the feeling of being in bondage and letting him take me as he pleased.
Throughout this entire time, I’d forgotten all about my plan to escape; I just wanted to enjoy the moment, to feel him inside me. I locked him in, wrapping my legs around his waist. He trapped both my hands underneath one of his palms, and with the other, he delicately choked me, fingers digging into my neck.
That was more like it.
I moaned louder and louder the further into me he drove. Nik’s eyes bore into mine, his pace quickening while I writhed like a snake beneath him. He pushed deeper, slammed harder, as if fueled by my moans.
Nik’s guttural growl announced his arrival, and in that moment, moved by the adrenaline coursing through me, I forced my hands out of his grip and wrapped them around him. I wanted deeper contact; I wanted to feel his skin against mine while he filled me up with his essence. Usually, I wouldn’t want this; I’d be smart enough to ensure he didn’t cum inside me.
But that wasn’t the case tonight. Tonight, I lost it. I lost control, and I bet he did, too. I’d tossed my sense out the window and let the wild one take control, the lioness he’d awakened. I locked my legs around his waist, my arms wrapping around him in anticipation of his release.
Nik pushed further in, his thrust deeper than before. And with a primal growl, he shot his load in my pussy, his essence filling me up while he looked deep in my eyes. My face contorted in ecstasy, a smile breaking through as a sigh of satisfaction left my lips.
My wet pussy accepted every single drop of his load, my heart racing in my chest. Nik slid off me and lay on his back, both of us staring blankly into space with heavy breaths.
It wasn’t until the heat of the moment began to cool off that I realized what huge mistake I’d made. My hands smoothed my hair backward as the guilt settled in, gnawing at me from every angle. But this was a necessary evil. It has to be done.
Now, phase one was complete, and as I lay there beside him, my eyes opened to the most perfect opportunity to escape. There was a way out of this place, and I’d just found it here in this room, in the ventilation shaft I was looking at across the room.
This was it.
This was my escape route.
A small, knowing grin tugged at the corners of my lips, and I let out a soft sigh. However, as exciting as this opportunity was, it was a delicate window that must be utilized well, lest I be caught.
Nik lay tired and exhausted beside me, which meant he would eventually fall asleep. I waited patiently, and during that time, I planned the perfect and smoothest escape from this place.
Even Nik wouldn’t see it coming.
