Elena woke with a jolt, her body drenched in sweat and her mind still clouded by the aftermath of what had transpired the night before. The light from the early morning sun seeped through the half-drawn curtains, casting long shadows across the room. Her pulse hammered in her chest as she shifted, realizing she was still wrapped in Alessandro's arms. His muscular frame pressed against her back, the heat from his body seeping into her skin.
Her heart raced as the memories flooded her mind. His touch. His dominance. His claim over her. She had never known a man could make her feel so helpless, so utterly under his control. She had fought—at least she had tried—but in the end, she had given in to him, to the intense pull he had on her body.
For a moment, she considered slipping out of bed, leaving this gilded cage that had become her prison. But as her body stirred, her movements shifted the weight of his arm draped possessively over her waist, and she realized she was not as free as she had once thought. Alessandro was awake, his dark eyes already fixed on her.
"You're awake," his voice was a low, almost predatory murmur. It sent a shiver down her spine.
She froze for a moment, not trusting her voice. "I... I was thinking," she started, trying to find the words that would break free of the trap she'd walked into.
"Don't," he said sharply, his hand sliding down to her waist, securing her in place. "No more thinking. Only feeling."
Elena's breath hitched at his words. She had always prided herself on her independence, on being able to control her own life. But in this moment, Alessandro was the one who held all the power. His hand on her body made her feel like she was already his, despite her resistance. Despite the fact she had no desire to belong to him.
"You were perfect last night," he whispered, his lips brushing the side of her neck, sending a ripple of sensation through her body. "You're still mine, Elena. Don't forget that."
She bit her lip, trying to hide the involuntary tremble that coursed through her. "I haven't forgotten," she replied, her voice tinged with defiance. But deep inside, she couldn't deny the strange warmth that had built in her chest, the undeniable attraction she felt toward him, even as much as she hated it.
Alessandro chuckled darkly, his fingers gently tracing her jawline. "You're a fighter, Elena. I like that about you. But eventually, you'll learn to stop fighting me." His thumb slid over her lips, and she instinctively parted them, the motion almost involuntary. "You're going to beg for more, I promise you."
The words hit her like a physical blow. Her body responded, despite herself. She hated that she was turning into this. The woman who couldn't say no, who couldn't fight the magnetic pull of his dominance.
"You don't get to dictate my feelings, Alessandro," she said firmly, though her voice wavered with uncertainty.
He smirked, his dark eyes gleaming with an intensity that made her stomach flutter. "You think you have a choice? You don't. You'll see. You belong to me now, Elena. No matter how much you fight it."
His mouth found hers in that moment, his kiss deep and urgent, as if he couldn't get enough of her. She tried to resist, pushing at his chest, but he wasn't going to be deterred. His lips were insistent, his hands demanding. It was a kiss that stole her breath, that ignited a fire deep inside her that she didn't want to feel.
"Stop fighting me," he murmured, his voice a husky command as he kissed her again. "You know you want this. You know you want me."
Her heart pounded as he deepened the kiss, his tongue slipping into her mouth with a possessiveness that made her shiver. She tried to pull away, but he only held her tighter, his strength overwhelming her. His hands roamed, touching her in places she couldn't resist, sending waves of heat through her body.
"Alessandro, please..." she gasped, but her words were cut off by another kiss. Her protests melted against his lips, drowned in the sheer force of his desire. Her body betrayed her once again, responding to him, craving him even as her mind screamed at her to stop.
"You don't have to beg, bella," he murmured, his lips trailing down her neck. "You're mine, whether you like it or not."
The words burned into her, even as his hands slid lower, exploring her body with the same intensity that he had shown last night. Her body felt weak beneath him, her breath coming in shallow bursts as he touched her with a tenderness that didn't match the fierceness of his words. It was as though he was trying to make her crave it, to make her need him more than she had ever wanted anything in her life.
But the more he touched her, the more she hated that her body responded. She couldn't control it, couldn't deny the way her body burned for him, for his touch, even as her mind screamed at her to stop.
"Please," she whispered, her voice hoarse as she pushed against his chest, though it was futile. "Don't... don't do this."
He paused, lifting his head to meet her eyes. His expression softened, but there was no mistaking the possessive glint in his gaze. "It's already done, Elena. You're already mine."
Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to push him away once more, but his hold on her was unyielding. He wasn't just the man who had saved her, the man who had claimed her as his own. He was a force, a storm that she couldn't escape, no matter how hard she tried.
And despite herself, despite the anger that burned in her chest, despite every ounce of resistance she had left, she couldn't deny the pull she felt toward him.