Page 125 of Monster in Disguise

And with that thought, I decide it's time to tell him how I truly feel. Even though there is a possibility of rejection, I cannot deny the strong pull towards him any longer. Yes, I will not give up on us. Whoever he may have loved before holds no hold over him now; he belongs to me and I to him. My cheeks flush at the intensity of my thoughts, but I know deep down that I will do whatever it takes to keep him by my side.

As Claudia excuses herself to finish her homework, Marcello pulls Amelia aside to inquire about Sisi.

"They were simply conversing, sir. I made sure there was nothing inappropriate happening," she explains.

"Do you think they have feelings for each other?" He turns his attention to me, taking my hand and pressing his lips to it in a tender kiss.

"Perhaps. That would be lovely, wouldn't it?"

"I don't know. I don't trust Guerra, and Sisi's barely had time to get used to life outside Sacre Coeur. It might be too fast." Marcello frowns, and I get the urge to kiss his worries away.

"She's old enough to decide for herself. Besides, she's extremely strong-willed. No one could pressure her into doing anything she didn't want. That's why I think there might be something between them."

"We'll see." It's all he says.

"You called her Sisi." I stifle a smile. "That's a first."

"That I did. I must be getting more familiar with her." A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

I finally give in. Raising myself on my tiptoes, I place a kiss on his lips. Given our height differences, I have to almost jump.

"You shouldn't start what you can't finish, Lina." There's a seductive quality to his voice as he winds his arm around my waist and pulls me into him.

"Who says I can't?" I raise an eyebrow at him. I can't very well screamRAVISH ME;it wouldn't be quite proper.

"You have one second to change your mind before I throw you over my shoulder and take you to my lair to have my way with you." His words always have the ability to make me blush to my roots.

"Hmm, that doesn't sound bad at all." I flutter my eyelashes at him suggestively.

"That's it!" He says a second before he scoops me up and actually throws me over his shoulder.

"Marcello!" I gasp, shocked he'd do that in the open. His hand comes down on my butt and he pats my dress so it stays in place. He doesn't waste any time as he takes a few steps at a time, quickly reaching my room and depositing me in the middle of the bed.

There's something different aboutthisMarcello. He's more carefree, more playful. It's like an entire weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

I recline against the soft sheets, propping myself up on my elbows as I gaze at him through lowered lashes. My breath catches in my throat as his hands ghost over the buttons of his shirt, his eyes never leaving mine. Desire burns in his glazed gaze as he slowly reveals the toned muscles and taut skin beneath.

My heart races with anticipation, the heat between us palpable and making me tremble. I remember a night when he was away from me, the emptiness and longing tearing at my heart. In the short time we've been together, he's become my every thought, my every desire.

He approaches me on the bed, his knees sinking into the soft mattress as he moves closer. Without hesitation, I part my lips slightly and guide his hand to my chest, placing it over my racing heart. I want him to feel how much he means to me, how his touch sets me on fire.

The scars on my back may forever bear witness to the darkness that once consumed me, but it is this man in front of me who has brought light back into my life. He has imprinted himself on my very being, filling me with hope and love that I never thought possible.

My fingers lightly graze against Marcello's rough stubble, and for the first time, I see him less than perfectly groomed. Perhaps he had a hard time like I did? He turns my palm over, kissing the center before bringing it to rest against his cheek. His eyes close as he nuzzles into my hand.

"It's over... It's finally over," he whispers, his voice filled with relief and emotion. "What is it?" I ask, but he simply shakes his head.

"Sometimes I still can't believe you're here," he says with a sad smile.

"Me neither." I draw him closer, my dress acting as a barrier between us. I gaze into his eyes, trying to commit every detail to memory—the way they light up when they look at me, the flecks of green in their deep brown depths.

"When I'm with you, I feel like I can be a good man. Someone worthy of you," he confesses, his words laced with pain and reverence. His thumb gently traces along my cheekbone.

"You are. You are," I repeat, yearning for his lips on mine.

They say love can happen in an instant, but it feels like every moment spent with Marcello has led me to this point. Every second in his presence ignites a fire within me that has grown into an inferno.

But that's just it—I would willingly burn for him.

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