Page 15 of Bound to Him

But, alas, I knew that couldn’t happen. I wasn’t even sure if she’d be entirely open to it, since her idiot brother had been whispering into her ear.

I just couldn’t get her out of my mind. Her body was on a constant slideshow through my mind, whenever it found a gap it would jump right back to those images—of her eyes, looking at me so curiously, her chest rising and falling with each breath, betraying her emotions, her slim waist that opened up to wide hips, a flat stomach and firm thighs. God, could a woman be any more perfect?

I suddenly realized my dick was hardening from all these thoughts. I cleared my throat, repositioned myself in my seat, and made sure Antonio was still deep in thought and not noticing the tent being erected in my pants.

8

Olivia

Tonight, the event of the year—for my father and his partners, at least—would take place at our house. It was an annual meeting of all the business partners, to mingle and keep relationships on good terms. A lot of deals were made at these yearly parties, and apparently, my marriage would be set in stone, too—since I’d be meeting Christian Reyes for the first time tonight.

The place buzzed with activity throughout the day, caterers lugging in wide ceramic serving dishes, decorators standing on ladders and hanging strings of lights and flowers, while my cousin Ziggy watched on nervously as they all disrupted the kitchen she was so used to managing.

When the time came, I strutted out of my room in my cocktail dress—a body-hugging slip dress in sparkling gray material. It allowed for my entire back to be exposed while drooping only slightly over my oversized breasts. I knew they were attractive, thanks to constant stares from my father’s soldiers—my own cousins included, the filthy bastards—but sometimes I wished they were just a bit smaller, so I could wear more loosely fit dresses and not need to strap my boobs up so tightly with tape. My long hair was styled into loose curls that hung over my shoulders and tickled the skin on my back with every swish. Lastly, I donned my favorite heels, a black and dangerously high pair of red-bottom Louboutin’s.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, my father stood in the lobby, already receiving guests.

“Yes,amoré mio, you look wonderful. Christian will love it.”

A chill ran up my spine. I didn’t know much about my future husband, but I knew he was older than 40 and that already creeped me the hell out. My own father’s doubts in my ability to attract a younger, more age-appropriate man astounded me—purely because I was no longer a virgin. I’d only had sex once before he killed my lover right in front of my eyes, yet he deemed me damaged goods, only fit for the first desperate taker.

Apparently, I found out via a little chat with Tony, that this specific taker happened to run a fucking drug cartel in Columbia.

“Thanks, Papà,” I said reluctantly, joining him and walking into the formal lounge, now set up with tall cocktail tables and a dancefloor to the side. The strings of lights crisscrossed the ceiling, creating a surprisingly romantic atmosphere—no doubt my father’s underhanded attempt to have my and Christian’s first meeting go smoothly.

He smiled and put a warm, clammy hand on my arm. Even with his harsh parenting and cruel ways, he still loved me, I could see that. “You’ll do fantastically. I know this wasn’t what you would have chosen for yourself, but I’m so thankful to you for accepting it.”

My responding smile was tight. “Yeah, Papà. I don’t have much of a choice. Unless you’d like to kill Christian in front of my eyes as well? I’m sure this time I won’t mind too much.”

He immediately scoffed with a deep frown, surprised at my brazenness. “Please, for God’s sake Olivia, don’t make such jokes with company around.” His eyes swept the room, making sure none of the early guests were listening in to our conversation. This time my smile was genuine, sly, and teasing.

Not nearly enough drinks later, Christian arrived at the party.

“Enzo! What an absolute pleasure to see you again.” He shook hands vigorously with my dad. “Your home is just wonderful!”

“Thank you, Christian. The pleasure is mine; I am very happy to have you join us here tonight and for you to meet my eldest daughter, Olivia.”

He gestured to me to step forward, which I did dutifully. I could be petty with my father, but I knew better than to act disrespectful in front of other powerful men. Viola, on the other hand, as was seen at her first meeting with her future husband, Huxley—a jealous chill covered my arms in goosebumps—hadn’t quite mastered the art of a graceful fake smile.

“Mr. Reyes.” I smiled sweetly and held out my hand, palm facing down. “It’s lovely to finally meet you.”

The man’s responding smile made my skin crawl, and his touch as he took my hand and kissed it, repulsed me.

“Beautiful Olivia, the pleasure is all mine.”

You got that right.

“But please, darling, call me Christian.”

His smile attempted to be charming, but the sinister gleam in his eye sullied all warmth in his demeanor. It wasn’t that he was ugly, in fact, he was quite a good-looking man, in an aging George Clooney kind of way. His dark hair was graying so he had a salt n’ pepper thing happening at the sides, with a clean-shaven jaw and tanned face. His eyes were a very light blue—the kind that should have been stunning but really looked evil somehow.

“Let’s take this meeting to my office, shall we?” My father smiled brightly, clearly in his element. I wondered what the fuck he thought was so exciting about this. I smiled politely and led the way. Once there, I chose to sit in an armchair, on my own, and a distance away from the sofa where Christian took his seat.

“Olivia, your father tells me that you just about run this household, is that right?”

Well shit, that’s more flattering than anything he’s told me himself.

“You could say so, yes. Since Mamà died I’ve taken over the staff management to a certain extent. Cousin Ziggy manages the kitchen staff.”

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