Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Stefano’s playful tone spurred my heart into action, the sultry timbre awakening the hidden desires nestled beneath my anger and hurt. How had I not recognized his voice earlier? How could I have forgotten how my body always turned to him before my mind registered his presence?

“You’re the one who put me in this situation.” I rolled my eyes.

“You’re taking it better than I expected.”

“Am I supposed to cry?”

“Well…considering that you cry when watching crime documentaries…”

I gasped. “Don’t bring that up! I was on my period.”

The thought of our time spent together drove a deeper knife into my chest, and my initial reaction to him soured.

“Have you settled in?” he asked.

“I’ve been fully informed, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“You know that’s not what I mean.”

A wry smile tilted my lips, and I had the urge to antagonize him. “Well, as the woman you patronize, I’m settling in just fine. Is your potential wife going to make her appearance anytime soon?”

Even as I said that, my heart wouldn’t let me deny that I liked being the only woman he’d chosen.

He fell silent, yet I could feel his smoldering gaze drowning my body.

I kept my attention on Sam, afraid to look at Stefano directly. Afraid to fall into his predatory eyes that never failed to drive me over the edge of self-restraint.

Sam cleared her throat and stood. “Now that our session is over, I’ll be going. I’ll see you tomorrow at nine o’clock sharp.”

I stiffened. “You’re leaving?”

My eyes begged her to stay.

She looked awkwardly between Stefano and me before giving us a terse nod and saying goodbye.

The room descended into silence, and I stubbornly kept my eyes planted on the wall.

After a few minutes, he sighed. “Amorina, I’m sorry for leaving you the way I did. You’ve always been on my mind. All this time. You have to understand that circumstances kept me from being with you. I’m sorry if that caused you pain.”

I said nothing. His apology was months too late. It didn’t make up for how crippled I’d felt not having him by my side.

“If you agree to become my wife and swear loyalty to only me, I can explain everything. I will be honest with you moving forward.”

His shadow startled me into looking up. I hadn’t noticed that he’d approached me. He bent on one knee and gripped my hand, tugging it so it rested over his heart.

Something was pounding, and I had no idea if it was my heart or his.

His gaze sucked me in, a pool of comfort that lowered my defenses. I knew why I fell in love with Stefano. There wasn’t a time when I’d ever felt discomfort in his presence.

My eyes were drawn to his mouth, and I bit my lip, pushing down my urge to throw caution to the wind.

I cleared my throat and shifted the conversation. “Why me? You could have chosen any woman, so why me?”

“Because you are the most resilient woman I know. During our time together, I realized you’d never be just a wife. You’d be my partner.”

My heart trembled, and I couldn’t help but doubt his words. “What if I can’t win these games?”

“That’s impossible. You have me, don’t you?” His lips quirked upward. “I’m pretty awesome.”

I rolled my eyes, the moment ruined. “You kill people who oppose you for a living. I’d have to be crazy to find that awesome.”

He tilted his head in confusion. “It isn’t? It’s quite a fun job.”

I could tell by the mirth in his eyes that he was joking, but his humor and mine were too far apart.

I huffed. “You’re sick.”

“Then be my medicine.”

I opened my mouth to refute him but found that I had nothing to say. He’d actually left me speechless.

He chuckled at my expression, and that annoyed me.

I ripped my hand from his and stood. “If we’re done here. I’m leaving.”

I stomped my way to the bedroom, but he followed close behind, closing the door behind him.

“The opening ceremony for the games is tonight.”

His words stopped me in my tracks, and I whipped around to look at him in surprise. “So soon?”

He nodded. “I need to make sure we’re on the same page. You need to acknowledge your role as my future wife and remember a few rules.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Rules?”

~First a code of ethics and now rules? Who are these people?~

“They’re completely reasonable.”

“What are they?”

“Rule number one: You should always address me by my first name when we’re not alone.”

I quirked an eyebrow at him, not understanding why calling him by his name would be important.

“Most people refer to me as Mr. Roscotto. Stefano is reserved for only family and my closest friends. You calling me by my name is a symbol of the authority you hold as my wife. Which means others will treat you with the same respect they treat me.”

I nodded. That seemed reasonable.

“Rule number two: Never question me in public. If you need to do so, wait until we’re alone. If you question me, it could undermine my authority in the family and risk my position as heir.

“Rule number three: Always answer when I call. If you don’t, then I will assume that you are in danger. This is for your safety and my peace of mind.”

“But I don’t have a—”

“Rule number four,” he continued on, ignoring my attempt to interject. “Don’t ever leave the house without an escort. As my future wife, many of my enemies will target you. I can’t always be around to protect you, so protect yourself.”

Well, that was…distressing. I guessed even as the strongest family in the city, there was still much to be wary of.

“The last rule: As my future wife, you now represent not only yourself, but the Roscotto family. Dress accordingly and conduct yourself respectably.”

This was a lot of pressure. A lot of responsibility to pour onto someone in just one day.

“Do you understand what I’m asking of you?”

I nodded hesitantly. “Basically, I’m gonna be a celebrity soon, so act like it.”

He chuckled. “More or less. So, about my proposal. You haven’t given me a direct answer. Will you become my wife?”

I pursed my lips, my heart twisting with anxiety. Our prior relationship had been nothing but me trying to get to know him, and him pushing me away. Even after a year of us being together, he’d always kept me away from his family.

Now that I was here, I could understand why, but that still didn’t take away the hurt I’d felt when he walked away without fighting for us.

My heart screamed at me to forgive him just this once, yet my brain told me to make him beg for it. I had my pride as well.

He offered his hand, bringing me out of my thoughts. “I know you still want this, Catalina. Become my wife, and I promise I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world.”

I wrinkled my nose. “That’s such a cheesy line.”

“But it’s true. You can’t deny the”—his eyes trailed down my frame suggestively, and my body instantly reacted—“intense chemistry we had.”

Even dressed in clothing that drowned me, his dark gaze made me feel bare.

“You look great in my clothes.” His voice dropped, speaking to the carnal part of me. I could feel my wetness pooling below, a splash of liquid heat to match the rise in temperature that suddenly enveloped the room.

I was bolted to my spot as he approached me, my eyes entrapped by his. My pulse quickened, and my tongue flicked out to lick my dry lips. His eyes followed the movement.

I looked up once he stopped in front of me, and I didn’t think to stop him when he cupped my cheek in his hand. His warmth had a calming effect that urged me to lean into him instead.

The air was suddenly hot, my body hotter. I couldn’t help the quickness of each breath as his thumb brushed over my lips.

“Say you’ll be my wife.” His voice dropped to a murmur, the sound tickling my insides. “Help me solidify my position. Please, amorina.”

“What’s in it for me?” My eyes flickered to his lips as he leaned forward. “What do I get for helping you?”

His smile dazzled me, spiking my pulse.

“My devotion.” Then his lips slammed into mine, and all my thoughts seemed to disappear. I fell into his smothering kiss, my hands moving to his neck, keeping his mouth pressed against mine.

Our tongues were a clash of wills that spoke to the deepest part of me. I wanted him. There was no denying that.

He pulled away and placed his forehead against mine. Our heavy breaths filled what little space there was between us.

“What’s your answer?”

The anticipation in his eyes weakened my resolve. “I want a proper proposal.”

He chuckled and dipped to capture my lips again. His hands moved from my waist and traveled up my sides, tugging my shirt with them. My cold skin prickled with goosebumps at his touch.

I wanted more.

I teasingly bit his lips and listened to his groan.

“I’ve been dying to have you squeezing my cock for so long. I missed you.”

My stomach flipped, and a breathy laugh escaped my lips.

His hand slipped under my shirt to caress the underside of my breast, deepening my arousal.

“What else did you miss?” I teased, sliding my leg between his and raising it so I could feel the tent in his pants.

His lips brushed mine before trailing down my neck. His hand left my torso to clutch my throat. Not hard enough to restrict my breath, but firm enough that I’d be able to feel something.

And felt something I did. He knew I liked it rough.

Our eyes met, and his thumb brushed my neck, forcing a gasp out of me as he pressed against my trachea.

“Well, your deep throat massages were definitely on the list.”

I parted my lips to tease him.

His eyes darkened, and he took my response as a go-ahead to press on my shoulder until my knees touched the floor.

“Take it out.” His authoritative tone was something I hadn’t realized I missed.

I didn’t move an inch. I used to love it when I defied him. It had always excited him, and I had always benefited from his excitement.

We stared at each other, the air crackling with the intensity of our desire.

“Open wide.” He pried my mouth open and slipped two fingers down my throat.

I sucked him in readily, my pussy drooling at the way he roughly handled me.

He pulled his fingers out and trailed them down my chin until they clasped my throat again.

I stared into his hooded eyes as he gazed at me with an intensity that had my insides shaken.

“Are you ready for me?”