Page 43 of Born into Sin

I get dressed in my favorite pink sundress, hoping it might help cheer me up, and brush out my hair without bothering to search for a blowdryer. Leaving my feet bare since they’re no longer bleeding, I leave the bathroom and grab my phone. I’d texted Svetlana while I’d been in the tub, and it looks like she’s blown up my phone with texts. I’m not in the mood to talk about what happened last night, so I send off a quick text, letting her know I’ll tell her everything as soon as I can. My mom and dad also texted me, asking me how I am and letting me know that Grigori is out of surgery and doing okay but that he’ll have to remain there for a while. The bullets did a lot of damage and the surgery to fix him wasn’t an easy one.

I send them a quick text to let them know I’m fine and not to worry. My dad’s text is immediate.

Do you want to come home? Did you sleep okay? Is Dominic taking care of you?

I bite my lip and choose my words carefully.

I slept fine, Dad. Stop worrying! :) If it’s okay I’d rather stay here until we know for sure what’s going on.

I’m paranoid about sounding too eager to stay with Dominic, so I add, I really like Lucia. She’s been cooking me some amazing Italian food. Yes, Dominic is making sure I have everything I need. I haven’t seen too much of him. I think he might be in his office.

I know I’m fudging the truth, and I hate doing it, but I can’t tell him his friend gave me a mind-blowing orgasm before holding me while I fell asleep. Something tells me that wouldn’t go over so well. As soon as his text comes in, I read it while my heart races.

I’ll never stop worrying, princess. I’m your dad. It’s what I do. :) I’m okay with you staying there for a while longer, but let me know if you change your mind. I love you, sweetheart. It doesn’t feel the same without you here.

I send out a quick reply. Miss you all, too, Dad. Love you.

I toss my phone on the bed and swallow down the guilt I feel. I reason with myself that my dad would hate any guy that I like. He doesn’t want to lose me, but as much as I love my family, I can’t ignore the pull Dominic has on me. I can’t explain it, but I know I want to explore it. Last night meant something to me, and I have to know if it meant something to him too.

Knowing I might get my heart torn into a million pieces, I leave the safety of his room and go in search of him. The large, gorgeous house is quiet as I walk down the hall and then make my way down the stairs. I remember the way to his office, so with quick steps I silently make my way towards the set of closed doors at the end of the hall. The wood is the same dark color as the floor, and I can’t help but feel intimidated when I raise my hand to knock. Everything about this room screams power and dominance—two words that fit Dominic Alessi perfectly.

I hear his voice, but whatever he says is in Italian, so I have no clue if he’s telling me to come in or go the fuck away. I take a gamble and open the door, hoping like hell it’s the first one. He lifts his head like he’s surprised the door’s opened, which means guess number two was the correct one, but as soon as he sees it’s me, the corner of his mouth lifts up in a smile and all I can do is stare at the gorgeous Italian in front of me.

Sitting back in his chair, his eyes run over me before he tells me to shut the door and then motions for me to come closer. He’s still in the same suit from last night, and his hair is a bit messy like he’s scrubbed his hand through it one too many times. He looks tired and worried, but still so mouthwateringly sexy that I can’t look away. Small espresso cups litter his desk, and as soon as I’m close enough, I cup his cheek, running my thumb over the stubble that’s even thicker than it was last night. God, I bet he could grow a beard in record time, and as much as I love his smooth face, there’s no denying he looks sexy as fuck with a few days’ worth of growth.

“Did you get any sleep at all?”

The corner of his mouth curves up even more at my question and the hint of worry in my voice.

He ignores my question. “Did you eat breakfast?”

“I did, thank you for bringing it up. The croissants were amazing.”

“Cornetti,” he corrects. “I’m Italian, principessa, not French.”

“Cornetti,” I say, testing the word out.

He smiles at my pronunciation and reaches up to run his thumb over my lips. “I love hearing you speak my language.”

My lips part at his touch, and memories of last night come rushing in, reminding me of what we’d done and of the pleasure he’d given me. His dark eyes study me, taking in every detail and reading me so goddamn easily. The pained expression on his face lets me know I’m not going to like what he’s about to say.

“Natalya, I should never have let things go so far last night.”

I’m already shaking my head before he’s even finished the sentence. “No, don’t say that.”

“I’m more than twice your age,” he reminds me like there’s a possibility I might have forgotten, “and I have a working relationship with your dad and we’ve become friends over the years.”

He sighs and grabs my waist, pulling me closer and resting his forehead against my chest, right below my breasts.

“This can’t happen,” he whispers. “It would be different if you just wanted to fuck me, principessa, but that’s not what this is, and we both know it.”

I run my hand through his thick, dark hair. “Would you?” I ask. “If that’s all I wanted?”

He lifts his head just enough to look up at me. “Is that all you want from me?”

I swear if I didn’t know any better, I’d think he sounded hurt, but there’s no way in hell that can be true. The don of the Alessi Mafia can’t possibly be hurt by the idea of me only wanting one night with him. The idea is so preposterous that I almost laugh. He sees the amusement in my eyes and his narrow in confusion.

“This is funny to you?”

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