I was told that she hadn’t had anything to eat all day and that although her room wasn’t locked, she hadn’t stepped out since morning. It was a bit unlike her, considering how she jumped on every opportunity to leave the four walls of her prison.
Something was off; I just wasn’t sure what it was yet. Deep down, the thought did cross my mind that perhaps she’d attempted to escape through the window. But that was mission impossible, and besides, my warning had penetrated her soul. She wouldn’t dare.
However, I had this gnawing feeling in my chest that I should check on her. I was reluctant at first, given the newfound attraction growing inside of me. Being around her very often wasn’t such a good idea, as I didn’t trust myself when I was with her. One wrong move, and things could escalate; things could end up getting out of hand and beyond my control. This was the last thing I wanted at this point.
I paced back and forth in my room, bathed in the chandelier’s soft, golden lights, contemplating my next move. I’d just come in about an hour ago and was still exhausted from the day’s work. I could choose to relax and check on her tomorrow, but she’d been on my mind all day, occupying my thoughts.
This was an opportunity to set my eyes on her, to behold her beauty and inhale the aroma of her feminine perfume, her signature scent. The more I tried to stay put—to stop myself from going to her—the more I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. A part of me wanted to avoid her for at least the next two days, but how could I do that when she was all that I could think of?
She hadn’t been seen all day, and that somehow piqued my curiosity. I needed to know why and be sure that she was fine. Was I worried about her well-being? I shouldn’t be. It was too early to let down my guard; she was the enemy’s daughter. But no matter what excuse I gave myself, something still pulled me to her like steel to a magnet.
I heaved a sigh, fingers combing through my hair as I decided to damn the consequences and check on her. I’d just breeze in and breeze out after I’d made sure that she was alright. I slipped into a pair of joggers and headed out, stripped from the waist upward.
Outside her room, I halted, my hand hovering over the door handle for a second before I grabbed it and pushed the door open. It was unnaturally quiet in here, still—silent as a graveyard. And when my eyes fell on her body lying motionless on the floor, my heart stopped for a second.
“Shit!” I cursed under my breath, rushing to her without a moment’s hesitation. I dropped to my knees beside her, feeling for a pulse while my own heart quickened.
She’d passed out—unconscious, her eyes shut.
A wave of concern washed over me, a sharp, unfamiliar pang cutting through my heart as my eyes roamed her fragile body. Her chest, her gentle swells, rose and fell with slow, quiet breaths. I felt her forehead with the back of my hand, skin burning beneath mine. She was down with a fever.
I scooped her into my arms, her limp body weightless as I strolled out of the room. She looked so innocent, delicate, so small yet beautiful in every way. I headed to my bedroom where I laid her on my bed, her fragile form settling quietly on the mattress. My fingers clenched the hem of my thick blanket, and I draped it over her, watching how she subtly adjusted to the warmth it provided.
Her movement tugged at the hem of the blanket, revealing a glimpse of her delicate skin. The top three buttons of her shirt lay undone, exposing an enticing view of her voluptuous curves. The tantalizing sight held my gaze for a moment, as illicit thoughts crept into my mind. Her smooth skin and alluring breasts entranced me, leaving me unable to look away.
This was wrong. I shouldn’t be looking, and I definitely shouldn’t be thinking of the crazy things I could do to her in bed. I heaved a sigh, tightened my jaw, and looked away despite the heat curling low in my stomach. Without facing her, I adjusted the hem of the blanket, pulling it over her bosom.
Out of sight, out of mind.
I rose to my feet, controlling the gentle rise of my dick within my pants. I strolled over to my table, picked up a pack of cigarettes, and quietly stepped out onto the balcony. The cold air brushing against my skin did nothing to quench the hunger within me—the flame and burning desire that were threatening to consume me.
My fingers wrapped around the polished steel railing as I tried to distract myself from this unforeseen temptation. How did I not plan for this? I should have seen this coming, but for some inexplicable reason, I did not.
I closed my eyes, drawing a deep, long breath.
The distant wail of sirens and the chirping of birds filled the air, blending with the sweet scent of fresh flowers. But even those weren’t enough to keep my mind off the Romano girl.
I placed a stick between my lips and lit the tip, then inhaled for a moment before releasing a puff of smoke. The idea was to drown out the image of her lying in my bed, to push the illicit thoughts that occupied my mind to the back of my head.
She was weak, vulnerable, and mine for the taking. But as cruel as I was, I was not a pervert. I wanted her. Yes. My body craved her. Yes. But would I force myself on her? Hell, no. There were lines that I’d never cross, irrespective of how evil the rest of the world thought I was.
I dragged on my cigar and let out a soft sigh, allowing all those crazy thoughts to slowly dissipate into thin air.
