“There’s so much sexual tension between you two. Don’t even think of lying. It’s so there,” she continued, not noticing that I had shut down. “Do you feel anything for him?” She sounded far away. “Ayla?”
I blinked a couple of times and realized she was shaking me. “I’m sorry,” I said.
“Are you okay?”
I stood up on shaky legs. “I don’t feel so well. I think I’ll go rest for a little while and then come back when it’s time to serve lunch.”
When she gave me a slow nod, I forced a smile before walking away.
I felt confused. I didn’t know what to feel or how I felt. With my heart racing slightly, I went to my room feeling completely drained.
But when I arrived there, my eyes widened and I froze.
“Ayla,” he said.
Alessio was sitting on my sofa, his ankle crossed over the opposite knee. He leaned back against the seat with ease, looking like he belonged there.
“You know, one thing I totally despise is when I’m talking to someone and they don’t pay attention. You turned your back to me while I was talking earlier. That’s very rude, kitten,” he drawled in a lazy manner.
When he called me that, it made my heart squeeze.
And I absolutely hated it.
My stupid treacherous heart.
I didn’t know what it was about Alessio, but I was curious about him. I was still scared. But under all the layers of fear, he intrigued me.
He was angry one minute but gentle the next. So many mixed signals, and they were all tugging at my broken heart.
It made me mad that I didn’t understand, and I hated him for that. For making me feel.
“Come here,” he ordered, crooking his finger.
I didn’t move.
He sighed loudly and shook his head, a small smirk playing across his lips. Alessio slowly stood, taking all his time by fixing his suit before he walked toward me. No, he stalked. His steps were long, powerful, and confident.
“You know, I hate repeating myself, but for you, I find that I don’t mind,” he said. He stopped right in front of me, crowding my space like he always did. But this time, I had a fair advantage.
I wasn’t blocked from behind, so I quickly took a step back, putting some distance between us. But then he took a step forward.
He never gives up, does he?
I took another step back. And as expected, he took another forward.
“Are we going to keep doing this? It’s boring, kitten. Let’s find something more interesting to do. What do you think?” he asked, his eyes twinkling deviously.
I shook my head, my hair falling in front of my face as I took another step back but this time I froze when I came in contact with the door.
Alessio laughed and came closer again until his body was pressing mine into the door. “See what happens when you try to escape?” He made a tsk sound, shaking his head with fake pity.
He leaned forward until his face was next to my right ear. His breath tickled my ear and the tiny hairs on my neck stood up straight. A shudder went through my body and I brought my hand up to his chest to push him away but instead, Alessio held my hand there, trapping me to him.
“But I’m loving this chase,” he said into my neck. His voice caused me to freeze and I gasped. Alessio pulled away just enough to look into my eyes.
“Did you like what you saw?” he asked, smirking.
My eyes widened at the question and my heart dropped to my stomach. What kind of question was that? He was horrible.
“Let me go,” I tried to say, but it sounded more like I was gurgling.
“Do you really want me to, kitten?” Alessio asked gruffly.
I nodded mutely because I didn’t want to embarrass myself more than I already had.
“Say it, then.”
“Let me…” But I never had a chance to finish my sentence.
Before the words were even out, Alessio slammed his lips against mine. Taking them possessively, roughly. He pushed me harder against the door and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me upward so that he had better access to my lips.
His rough kisses sent my senses into a chaotic overdrive. My mind went numb and I hung limply in his arms. Without thinking, my lips moved hesitantly over his, while he continued to devour mine. I felt hot. Too hot. I was burning.
I felt his hand on my thigh and he slowly hitched my dress up. When his hand came in contact with my bare thigh, I tore my lips away from his.
What was I doing? How could I behave in such a vulgar manner? How could I let a man like him affect me this way?
Our loud breathing filled the room. My chest heaved with each breath. Staring at his blue eyes, I trembled at the smoldering look he gave me.