Page 19 of Vicious Vines

"Only the best for us, Sloane," he replies, his voice holding the weight of promise or, perhaps, possession.

As we talk about inconsequential things—events of the day, plans for the upcoming gala—I can't shake off the feeling of being constantly observed, studied even. His eyes, dark and penetrating, occasionally glaze over with an emotion I can't decipher. This man, who should be a stranger but is now my betrothed, seems far too at ease within the walls of my family estate.

"Another night here?" I ask, trying to mask my surprise that he isn't returning to his own formidable residence—a place I assume would better suit his solitary nature.

"Of course," he says with a nonchalant shrug, "I find myself quite taken with the atmosphere of the O'Neil manor. There's a certain...charm here."

His fingers graze mine as he passes me a dish of glazed vegetables. The touch sends a jolt of electricity up my arm, a thrill I'm reluctant to acknowledge. It's these small gestures, this constant proximity, that unsettles me. Aldo has made himself a fixture here, his shadow intermingled with mine in the corridors, his whispers brushing against my thoughts even when he's not by my side.

"Charming indeed," I murmur, the word tasting like a secret on my lips. But it's not the manor's allure that keeps him anchored here, is it? No, there's a possessive undertone to each of his smiles, a silent claim set in his every movement.

At that Aldo stands and stalks towards me, pausing at my chair to lean against the table. “Are you ready to retire for the evening?”

The words are formal, but I understand their hidden meaning all too well. We’ve been dancing around this for weeks. Aldo is no fool. He probably guessed as soon as we met I had feelings for someone else, that I was in a relationship prior to our engagement. But Aldo also understands, just like I do, that loyalty is currency in our world.

And while Liam’s face does flit across my mind, anger quickly follows. The scene Liam made at the restaurant the other day made me furious, furious that he couldn’t think past his own desire for me to be his, like an object he could control. He’s so small-minded that he takes me trying to save my family as a challenge to act like a petulant child.

Meanwhile, Aldo has given me space, has given me a choice. And he respected it.

Rage burning Liam’s image to kindling, I turn to Aldo, my smile masking the racing pulse in my chest, and say, "Absolutely."

Surprise flickers across Aldo’s face, but he quickly masks it before taking my hand and leading me to my bedroom.

The heavy scent of the evening's wine still lingers as Aldo and I ascend the winding staircase, his hand a gentle pressure at the small of my back. My blood thrums through my veins, each step we take together stoking the embers of anger—and something more primal—within me. Liam's antics have left its bitter taste upon my tongue, but Aldo's presence is a sweet solace, an intoxicating balm that promises to scour away the sting.

We reach the threshold of my bedroom, a sanctuary of shadows and silk. The door creaks open, revealing the opulent chamber bathed in the soft glow of twilight that seeps through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Heavy velvet drapes pool onto the hardwood floors like spilled ink, their deep burgundy hue echoed in the plush, king-sized bed that dominates the room. The walls, adorned with ornate wallpaper of climbing roses, seem to pulse with a life of their own, as if they are privy to the secrets about to unfold within their embrace.

"Beautiful," Aldo murmurs, his breath fanning across the back of my neck as he leans in close, and for a moment, I’m not sure if he means the room or me.

I turn to face him, our bodies inches apart, locked in a magnetic pull. The air between us crackles with anticipation. His eyes, dark and unfathomable, pierce mine before he bends down and gently kisses the side of my neck.

"Ti voglio," he murmurs against my skin, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. "I want you."

His words are laden with a hunger that echoes my own, fueled by the reckless anger thrumming through me.

"Show me how much you want me," I challenge, my voice laced with venom and desire—a cocktail of hurt from Liam's deceit and the yearning for Aldo's touch.

Without another word, Aldo's hands find the sides of my face, and he pulls me into him. Our lips crash together, a collision of need and retribution. The kiss is a conflagration, igniting every nerve ending in my body. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, my fingers tangling in the soft curls at the nape of his neck.

Our bodies move with a frenzied urgency, fueled by the raw energy of my anger. Every touch from Aldo sears away the coldness Liam had left behind, each caress a stroke of heat on my skin. With a deft movement, Aldo sweeps me off my feet, carrying me to the bed, where he makes quick work of removing my slacks and panties.

My heels are the next to go and then his hands are pulling me towards the edge of the bed, his mouth immediately licking my pussy. I can’t stop the moan that escapes me, or the way my body arches into his. Aldo quickly learns what works and what doesn’t for me and soon my legs are draped over his shoulder and his hands are gripping me tightly, holding me in place as I squirm and moan.

Moving one of his hands off my legs, he pushes two fingers into my aching core as he continues to lick and suck on my clit. I move up onto my elbows and meet Aldo’s dark gaze as he pumps his fingers in and out of my pussy, circling them just so to drive my pleasure higher and higher. He licks my clit, swirling around it with his tongue, and I explode, groaning as my legs clutch around Aldo’s head.

I’m staring at the white expanse of ceiling while I catch my breath, but the sound of a zipper has my eyes turning to see Aldo fully undressed and climbing onto the bed, his thick cock causing my body to clench in anticipation. He braces an arm by my head before leaning down to kiss me, sparking desire in my blood again.

His hard length pressing at my core has me widening my thighs, and Aldo makes an appreciative moan as he guides his cock slowly into my pussy, stretching me further than his fingers did. I throw my head back, already lost to the pleasure, as Aldo slowly thrusts into me, bracing himself on his forearms so his body is over mine, pushing me deeper into the mattress.

I grab fistfuls of the burgundy sheets, panting as everything in me winds up tighter and tighter. Aldo kisses along my breasts, taking one nipple in his mouth and then the other, releasing them with a loud pop. He does it again, but this time his teeth ever so slightly scrape the tight peak as I come, crying out as the orgasm takes me by surprise.

Aldo leans further onto me, pressing me down, and his pelvis hits my clit and sends stars scattering behind my eyelids as my muscles strain under the intensity as wave after wave of pleasure washes over me.

My nails dig into Aldo’s back, marking him as mine, even if only for this stolen moment. His hands roam over me, his fingers tracing the contours of my body with a hunger that mirrors my own. Each kiss is a promise, each bite a sweet pain that pushes me further into the abyss of pleasure.

"Tell me you're mine," he growls against my skin, his voice rough with lust.

"Tonight," I gasp, "Tonight, I am yours."

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