Chapter 6

Maty

I stare blankly at my computer screen, the lines of code blurring before my eyes. I’ve been trying to focus on the new security protocols for the dating agency’s client database all morning, but my mind keeps drifting back to that night with Alessio.

The heat of his gaze on my skin, the brush of his fingers against the small of my back as he guided me through the restaurant. The way his lips felt against my knuckles, soft and searing all at once.

I clench my thighs beneath my desk, trying to ignore the persistent throb between my legs. This is ridiculous. It was one fake date, a test run for the sake of my business. It didn’t mean anything.

But try telling that to my treacherous body, who completely missed the fucking memo. Every time I close my eyes, I’m back in that car with him, the air thick with tension and unspoken desire. I can almost feel the warmth of his strong body next to me, smell the intoxicating mix of his cologne and skin…

“Maty.”

I jump at the sound of my name, my heart slamming against my ribs. Alessio is standing in the doorway of my office, his big frame filling the space. He’s wearing a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, the crisp white shirt open at the throat, revealing his tattoos. I allow my gaze to linger on that sliver of inked olive skin for a moment too long before dragging my eyes back to his face.

“What’s up?” I ask, wincing inwardly at the breathless quality of my voice.

“My office. Now.” His tone brooks no argument.

I nod, licking my suddenly dry lips as I rise from my chair. My legs feel unsteady beneath me as I follow him down the hall, my heels sinking into the plush carpet.

He holds the door for me, and I brush past him, inhaling a lungful of his scent. Damn him. Why does he have to always smell so fucking good?

“Close the door,” he orders in a low, gravelly rumble that hits me straight to my clit.

I comply, my pulse quickening at the soft click. When I turn to face him, Alessio is watching me with an inscrutable expression.

“What did you want to talk about?” My voice comes out as a whisper.

He doesn’t answer right away. His gaze slowly drags over my body, starting at my feet and traveling up until it settles on my mouth. I feel that look like a physical caress, burning me even through the layers of my clothes.

Without answering, he pushes off the desk and stalks to me, his steps muffled by the plush carpet. I back up instinctively until I hit the wall behind me, my breath catching in my throat as he closes the distance between us.

“Alessio, what are you -”

“You’ve been avoiding me.” He braces a hand on the wall beside my head, crowding my personal space until I’m enveloped by the heat of his body. “Ever since our little… date.”

My heart is beating so fast that I’m sure he can hear it. “I haven’t… I’ve just been busy with work…” I trail off lamely, unable to form coherent thoughts with him so close.

He lifts his other hand and traces a finger down the side of my neck, his touch light but searing. “Busy thinking about me? Thinking about how badly you want me to touch you?”

I make a small, involuntary noise in the back of my throat. “No…” I lamely attempt to protest.

It’s a lie and we both know it. His blue eyes darken as he leans in closer, his full lips grazing the shell of my ear. “It’s okay, little one. I’ve been thinking about you, too. About how sweet you would taste spread out on my desk…”

My eyes fly open in shock. Is he…? Did he…? I whimper, my nails digging into my palms as I fight the urge to arch into him. This is fucking insane! He’s my boss. We can’t -

A sharp knock on the door makes us both freeze. Alessio viciously curses without pulling away from me, but I catch him adjusting the massive rod in his slacks.

“What?” he barks, irritation obvious in his voice.

The door opens a crack and his executive assistant peeks her head in, carefully avoiding looking at me. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, Mr. DeLuca, but your 11 o’clock is here.”

Alessio’s jaw clenches in that scary, sexy way, brow furrowed, the elegant wings of his nostrils flaring, a red flush on his high cheekbones. “Fine. Give me a minute.”

She nods and quickly shuts the door, leaving us alone again. This woman is a fucking saint.

I let out a shaky exhale, sagging back against the wall. “I should go.”

“This isn’t over,” he tells me, voice low and full of promise.

I straighten, smoothing my hair as I move to leave. But my knees feel like they’re made of rubber.

Before I can open the door, he’s on me again, spinning me around and pinning me to the wooden panel with his hips. He tangles one hand in my hair, tilting my head back as he claims my mouth in a bruising kiss that’s all lips, tongue and teeth. Fucking wet and starving.

I gasp against his lips, and he takes advantage, his tongue sliding even deeper inside to stroke against mine. I cling to his muscular biceps, the rich fabric of his suit bunching under my fingers as we devour each other.

By the time Alessio lifts his head, I’m panting, lips swollen, my cheeks burning. He looks down at me, eyes glittering dangerously.

Then he lets me go unhurriedly, striding away, straightening his tie.

I take a moment to collect myself and am about to leave when my cell phone buzzes in my pocket, the unexpected vibration startling me.

I dig it out with shaking hands, frowning at the display. It’s a text message from a hidden number.

UNKNOWN: You can’t hide from your past forever. Time to pay up, little girl.

I feel the blood drain from my face as I stare at the screen; the words blurring in front of me. No. It can’t be. I left that life behind years ago when I joined the DeLuca family.

I shove my phone back into my pocket, my hands curling into fists at my sides to stop their trembling. Ghost and the rest of the team are dead. This has to be some sick joke, a prank from one of the other guys I used to run with…

But as I leave Alessio’s office on wobbly legs, an icy ball of dread in the pit of my stomach tells me otherwise.

* * *

Alessio

I watch Maty leave, her generous hips swaying -even through her uniform of sweatpants and hoodie- as she escapes my office like a bat out of hell. It takes every ounce of my control not to chase after her, slam the lock on the door and lay her out on my desk like I’ve dreamed about for fucking years.

I adjust myself again, grimacing in discomfort. My cock is rock hard in my slacks, still throbbing from the taste of her. Fuck, I have to get myself under fucking control. I called Maty in here to talk shop, not fucking maul her like some wild animal. But the look on her face as I pinned her against the wall…

I take a deep breath, trying to clear the scent of her from my head. We’re playing a dangerous game. This push and pull.

I want her. God, do I want her. And not just for a quick fuck, although I’d gladly take that too. No, I want to own her, body and soul. Want to fucking brand myself on her skin and burrow so deep inside her that Maty forgets there was ever a time when she didn’t belong to me.

But I have to be careful. Have to play this just right. My girl is strong, fierce, and she’ll run if I push too hard, too fast.

I need to bide my time. Make her burn for me just as badly as I ache for her. And when she’s fucking desperate for my touch… only then will I claim her, so completely that there’ll be no doubt left in her mind about who she fucking belongs to.