Page 64 of His

Not just because of the way she had handled herself at the charity ball, but also because of the courage she’d shown in the face of Raffaele and his men. I’d expected her to wilt under the pressure, to rely on me to shield her, but she hadn’t. Instead, she had risen to the challenge, meeting it with a fierce bravery that I hadn’t seen in her before.

She had impressed me.

And damn if that wasn’t a problem.

I watched her, the steady rise and fall of her chest, her lashes fluttering slightly as if she were caught in a dream. She looked so innocent, so deceptively fragile. I knew better now. Sofia was stronger than she seemed, and it made me want her even more. My arm tightened around her, pulling her closer, my hand splayed possessively against her back.

She was mine now, in more ways than one, and I wasn’t going to let anyone take her from me.

A soft murmur escaped her lips, her eyes slowly fluttering open. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, before her gaze settled on me. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.

“Good morning,bella,” I murmured, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

She yawned, a small, endearing sound that made my chest tighten. “Morning,” she replied, her voice still thick with sleep. “Did you sleep well?”

I chuckled softly. “With you in my arms? Better than I have in a long time.”

Her blush deepened, and she bit her lower lip, clearly flustered. I loved that she still reacted this way, even after everything we’d been through together. It was refreshing.

As she shifted, the silky sheets fell away, revealing her bare back and the gentle swells of her bottom cheeks. My gaze roamed over her, taking in every inch of her body, and I couldn’t help but notice a bright red hue still etched across her ass. The sight of it sent a rush of satisfaction through me. She’d still feel the belt today. I was sure of it.

“Looks like you’re still a little red,” I said with a teasing grin, trailing my fingers lightly over the tender skin. “No marks though.”

She blushed furiously, her eyes widening. “I feel like there should be marks. That was a hard belting,” she pouted.

I chuckled. “Don’t worry, Sofia. I’ll make sure I leave a few the next time you decide to be a naughty girl and need me to punish you.”

She huffed, but I could see the corners of her lips twitching. “I’m not naughty.”

“That’s not true, my little fuck toy,” I countered, my voice growing softer. “You took my cock in that sweet little ass so well that you made me come inside of it. Now if that isn’t naughty, I don’t know what is.”

She blushed again and I reached out and traced my fingers down the line of her jaw.

“You’re beautiful,la mia bambina.”

Her gaze softened, and for a moment, there was a tender silence between us. She reached up, brushing her fingers against my jaw, her touch light and hesitant. “I didn’t think I’d ever feel this… this connected to someone,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

I smiled, leaning in to press a soft kiss to her forehead. “You’re not the only one,bella.”

She giggled, the sound light and infectious, and I felt something inside me relax, a tension I hadn’t realized I’d been holding onto. This woman, this girl who had come into my life sounexpectedly, was changing everything. She was making me want things I’d long thought impossible.

And that was both exhilarating and terrifying.

“Do you want breakfast?” I asked, breaking the moment before it could get too heavy.

She smiled up at me, her eyes bright. “I’d love that,” she replied, shifting slightly to get more comfortable against me.

I grinned, feeling a surge of possessiveness course through me as I held her close.

“Good,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to her lips. “Because I have a feeling that you’re going to need all the energy you can get today.”

She laughed softly, a beautiful, carefree sound that made my heart pound just a little faster.

“But I’m sore,” she whispered against my lips.

“Good. That’s the way you should be,” I murmured, and just for good measure, I cupped my hand and lightly slapped between her thighs. She squealed and the sound was like music to my ears.

I pulled her into my arms and her stomach let out a small, adorable growl, breaking the comfortable silence between us. She blushed, laughing softly, and I couldn’t help but grin.

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