Part 10:

They moved toward the bed in a tangle of desperate touches and breathless kisses. Alessandro lowering her onto the soft sheets with a control that was rapidly fraying at the edges. His mouth traveled down her neck, his hands exploring with a reverence that made her arch into his touch.

And Seline forgot every warning her father had given her. Forgot everything except the way Alessandro made her feel, wanted, desired, like she was the only thing in the world that mattered. But then Aleandro stopped. He pulled back, breathing hard, his forehead resting against hers as he fought for control. “We have to stop.” Selene’s hands fisted in his hair, her body still humming with need.

“I don’t want to stop.” “I have to,” Allesandro said, his voice strained, and he pulled away completely, sitting up on the edge of the bed with his back to her. “God,” Selene, I’m barely holding on here, and I need to. “You don’t want me,” she whispered, hurt, cutting through the desire.

Alisandro turned to look at her, and what she saw in his eyes stole her breath. raw want mixed with something that looked like pain. No, I’m trying very hard not to want you as much as I do right now because if I don’t stop, I won’t be able to. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her against his chest. Listen to me carefully because what I’m about to tell you is important.

Seline’s pulse kicked up for entirely different reasons now, unease creeping back in. I called your father 15 minutes ago and told him you’re with me. Her eyes widened, shock cutting through everything else. You did what? Why would you do that? Aleandro’s arms tightened around her, his voice dropping to something harder, more serious.

Because I had to because right now, Seline, I’m taking you away from Monaco. He paused, letting that land. You’re in danger. Seline’s body went rigid in his arms, every muscle tensing as his words registered. Danger? What are you talking about? She tried to pull away to put distance between them, but Aleandro’s arms tightened around her, holding her against his chest with gentle but absolute restraint. Let me go. No.

His voice came quiet but firm against her ear. Listen to me first, then decide if you want to run. Seline’s heart hammered, panic and confusion waring with the warmth of his body still pressed against hers. with the way his hands held her like she was something precious he couldn’t bear to release. So you called my father.

You told him I’m with you. I had to. Alessandro’s arms remained locked around her. One hand spled across her stomach, the other across her ribs, keeping her anchored to him. Because the people who want information from your father, the people who want to hurt you to get it, they’re my family, Seline.

The words landed like ice water, shock cutting through everything else. She tried again to pull away to turn and face him, but he held her still, his mouth close to her ear. But I will never let that happen, he continued, his voice dropping lower, more intense. I will never let them touch you. What did you tell my father? Her voice came out shakier than she wanted, fear bleeding through despite her attempt at control.

That I’m protecting you. that I have a plan. His lips brushed against her temple, soft and reassuring, even as his arms remained steel bands around her, that he needs to trust me. Seline’s thoughts raced, trying to piece together what he was telling her through the haze of shock. What about my father? Are they going to hurt him? And you, her voice cracked.

Who’s going to protect you from your own family? Alessandro shifted behind her, pulling her back more firmly against his chest, and pressed a kiss to the curve of her neck, tender despite the tension radiating through his body. “I have a plan, Seline. Another kiss, this one lingering at her pulse point. But I need you to be part of it willingly.

” He paused, his breath warm against her skin. “And if you won’t, I’ll still do what I have to do to keep you safe.” Seline finally managed to turn in his arms, meeting his eyes with confusion and dawning understanding mixing in equal measure. You’re saying I don’t have a choice. You have a choice. Alessandro’s hand came up to cup her face, his thumb brushing her cheekbone.

Trust me and let me protect you or fight me while I protect you anyway. His eyes held hers with devastating honesty. But either way, Seline, you’re not going back to Monaco until this is over. Tears spilled down Seline’s cheeks before she could stop them, hot and unbidden. Her voice breaking on the words. “So all of it was a lie.

Everything you said, everything you made me feel.” Aleandro turned her in his arms, forcing her to face him. and Seline trembled, caught between the reality of her nakedness in his embrace and the devastating realization that the man she’d fallen for was holding her captive. His hand rose to cup her face, thumb brushing away tears with surprising gentleness, his eyes holding hers with an intensity that made breathing difficult.

Does this feel like I don’t feel anything for you? Her lips trembled, words dying before they could form. Alessandro kissed her deep, desperate, consuming, pouring everything he couldn’t say into the press of his mouth against hers until she forgot how to think. Forgot everything except the way he made her feel even now, even knowing what he was.

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