Chapter 9

T here must be something wrong with me. I mean, who fucking likes being watched every second of every day.

Even when I'm in my room, I still feel like his eyes are on me. His eyes always stay on mine far longer than they're meant too, and I act like I don't notice, but I fucking love it when he does it. I mean, who wouldn't love having a pair of whiskey brown eyes caressing their body, as if they secretly wish it's their hands.

Enzo Giordano is a fucking Adonis in the flesh, down from Mt. Olympus as a gift from the gods.

Yeah, there is something wrong with me.

He hasn't touched me since the day we met. Part of me wishes he had pushed me into the darkness of my cravings, but another part of me is grateful.

I'm technically engaged, technically promised to another man, even if the thought of it makes me want to gag. Julian has been working on getting another deal to marry someone else who deals with the Columbians set up while Marcelo meets with Eduardo arranging the terms for our marriage. It's come to the point where I set up a go bag with clothes and any other thing I may need if I have to disappear fast. I've been withdrawing small amounts of cash every chance that I get so it doesn't appear suspicious and hiding it away. It's not what I want. I don't want to leave my home but I refuse to marry a man that was involved in the death of my mother.

Sierra has been the rock that holds my sanity together by a fucking thread. In the last few weeks, I've been able to visit her a handful of times.

The first time we went to the dive bar, a few days after Enzo had given me the news that we could visit her, I told her everything while I drank a few espresso martinis. How could I not tell my best friend now? It felt so good to get everything out in the open, to just let myself feel what I have been trying to hide for days. I even told her about my encounter with Enzo while he sat across the room. Once again, his eyes never left me or the table Sierra and I sat at. She squealed her excitement, loving every delicious moment as if she had witnessed it when it happened. I gave her every dirty detail and everything I felt at the time. After all, it's not a moment I could ever forget.

"Fuck him, if you do end up getting married, or even if you don't. Fuck. Him. That man looks like he wants to wreck you," she said, her wicked smile grew wide while my imagination roamed through what it would be like indulging in that darkness.

She continued teasing me on this… whatever this is, that night. This attraction for the man that watches me and keeps me safe is confusing. We barely speak, and yet when we do it's like he's taking off my clothes each time. I can feel this tension, the chemistry, the fucking fire burning between us. But does he feel it too? It must be all in my head, I can't imagine a man like him wanting to be with a… princess as he elegantly calls me at times, when in reality, I am an inexperienced little princess.

Steam builds within the glass doors of my shower as I pull off my clothes. The mirror begins to fog, allowing me to see a blurred version of my hourglass shape. I wipe the mirror, allowing me to see a quick glance of my reflection before it fades again.My tanned skin is covered with small freckles that are only noticeable if you look close enough. I've always loved my body, and although some days I wish I could be stronger, and more beautiful. I still love and appreciate the way I am.

I carefully step inside, the warm water spilling down my body feels almost refreshing. My thoughts are lost as I caress my body with my strawberry body wash. I'm methodically washing off the day, my nipples begin to harden as I glide my hands over them allowing the soapy suds to flow down my body and down the drain.

My movements are almost robotic. I recall the last time I touched myself in pleasure. It was that first night I met Enzo, after I had retreated back to my room. I grabbed my vibrator from my night stand, imagining the way his hands felt on my body and I came so hard that I could see stars. It was the first time that has ever happened.

I try to think back to that day, try to let go of everything blocking me from allowing myself to just let go. And yet ,just like every other time, I'm just standing here underneath the shower like a statue. The change of temperature from the water running down my body shakes me out of my thoughts letting me know I've now overstayed my welcome.

The sound of knocking rushes me from where I stand, so I grab the purple towel off its hook and quickly wrap it around my body. Without attempting to wipe off the water still dripping down, I open the door to see Enzo in his black suit, and a smirk on his face. His cold hungry gaze appraises down my body and back up, until his eyes meet mine. Water drips off my body to the floor, it's the only faint sound I hear, and my skin feels as though I were still in the shower in the hottest setting. There's something so powerful having him dressed while I stand before him in nothing but a towel.

"Do you need something?" I question, giving him a moment to respond. But he's too distracted like he's cataloging the way the water dribbles off my skin. I can feel the wetness pooling between my legs from just the way he's looking at me.

It's hot in here. Too hot.

Drop the towel, echoes in my head, like it would be the best idea in the world to expose myself to this man. To this tanned tattooed man.

Nope. No, no, no.

Shaking the thoughts away, I slowly begin to close the door. Hoping to break the tension when his foot stops me from closing it completely.

"Kai and I have some work to do with your brothers. Rocco will be the only one to watch over you today. Will you be here or will he be taking you anywhere?" He says unblinkingly, looking back down my body again, then sliding his tongue across his lip.

"I..," I rasp and clear my throat, "I'm grabbing lunch with Sierra. I'll be fine."

"It's my job to keep you safe," he demands. His comment was like a splash of cold water, one that I needed a reminder of. This is his job, his livelihood. He probably has a girlfriend, or multiple, who knows. Just the thought of him with another woman makes me sick with envy. It makes me want to mark him, and claim him. It's ridiculous. I'm just a stupid girl with a stupid crush.

"Just, don't stay out long. I don't know how long this will take. I won't be around to be sure you're safe. "

"I'll stay as long as I want. Need I remind you that you work for me, " I snap back at him. He extends his hand and grips my neck. His deep golden brown eyes study mine as he steps closer looking down at me with intensity as I try to hold my breath. His fingertips burn against my skin causing a breathless whimper to escape past my lips. I'm too powerless to stop it. I'm so turned on that I can feel my nipples starting to harden underneath the cotton towel.

Enzo's nostrils flare while his other hand grabs a hold of my waist, walking me inside the threshold of my safe haven until I've reached the wall across the room. Trapping me underneath his touch. His gaze. His scent. It's all too much. He leans in, the strong smell of mint on his breath makes my cruel attempts of breathing even harder. His tongue dips between the seam of my lips in a small soft swipe.

"I work for your brothers. Not you. You'll be a good girl for me, won't you, Princess?" His question is in a commanding tone, and I can feel my brain starting to short circuit.

Good girl. Why do those words make it nearly impossible to breathe? To move? It shouldn't sound so hot, but the way he grips my throat and the way his raspy voice says those words have my pussy dripping.

"Cat got your tongue? Use your words baby," he whispers. Goosebumps break out all over my arms the moment his warm breath hits my skin .

"Yes," I swallow, "Sir."

He stands there silently for what feels like hours, his eyes darken as a smirk appears on his face before he lets out a groan. "Fuck, Catalina. The next time you call me Sir, you'll be on all fours with my collar around your pretty neck as I fucking split you in two," he vows.

I whimper from both his words and the feel of his massive cock against my stomach. I'm tempted to say the words again just to see what he would do. Would he toss me on the bed, and take me the way he said?

"I can see the wheels turning in your head, Princess. I don't have time to give you what we both want. Get dressed. Rocco will be waiting for you," his breath lingers just above my lips. He slowly releases my neck, one finger at a time. And then he's gone. Leaving me struggling to breathe and his phantom touch lingering on my skin. I stand there for a few moments after he leaves, craving his warmth to return.

I silently scowl at myself and draw a deep breath, forbidding my body to tremble with need.

What. The. Fuck. Is. Wrong. With. Me.