Diavolo (Devil’s Playground #1)

8. Chapter 8

8

"We can start whenever I want?" asked Alessandro.

Elyse nodded. "Yes."

He didn't waste another fucking second. He dove for her, and, this time, she didn't stop him. Passion spiraled into a battle for supremacy. Alessandro's palms ghosted across her skin. He wanted to win. Elyse's fingers dug into his flesh. She refused to let him. He kissed her neck. She nipped his ear. Determination bled into desperation. He sought to make her beg. She strove to drive him to his knees. With his thick, rigid cock lodged between her thighs, she wrapped her legs around his waist to pull him closer, rubbing her softness against his hardness. His punishment became her pleasure while they continued to edge the hell out of each other.

Their wicked, little war would've escalated to even more depraved heights if not for an ill-timed phone call.

"Maybe you should answer it," she groaned as his fingers dipped into her panties.

The ringing grew more incessant.

He teased her slick folds. "Later. I am busy ."

Alessandro planted another long, lingering kiss on her belly while his other hand tugged at the hem of her underwear.

But his phone kept ring-ring-ringing .

She whimpered, "Mr. Vitale?"

He hushed her.

Elyse's panties slid off. Alessandro nipped at her mound with his teeth. He sucked on her skin. Hard enough to leave a dark, reddish mark. Then, he proceeded to leave a series of barely-there, butterfly kisses along her inner thighs. His teasing was driving Elyse crazy. She wriggled beneath him, hoping his mouth and tongue would soon make contact with the neediest parts of her cunt.

He chuckled at her frustration. "You were the one who suggested this ruthless game. Do you regret it now?"

"Not at all," she replied defiantly.

Elyse gasped as he placed the gentlest kiss on her clit. His lips barely grazed her, but the effect was electric and toe-curling. She was practically throbbing. At long last, Alessandro used his tongue to wet her folds and lap at her core with a delicious, wicked surety that Elyse had never experienced with any other lover. She began to careen toward a panting state of euphoric bliss—

Until the goddamn chimes started again, cutting through her cloud of ecstasy like ice water in a hot bath.

Elyse gritted her teeth. "You think it's important?"

Briefly, Alessandro raised his head. "They can fuck off. You are more important."

The rings died down only to return a second later. Elyse nudged Alessandro aside and ducked over the couch to retrieve his phone from the discarded trousers. With an arched eyebrow, she offered the device to him. "Answer it. We can continue another time."

He leered at her domineeringly. "If we stop now, you are not to finish without me. Only I can make you come. Have I made myself clear?"

She nodded and feigned submission, "Like crystal... sir ."

Alessandro snatched his ringing phone from her hand. He answered in clipped tones, " Pronto ."

Elyse felt horny and unsatisfied as fuck, but she was grateful that Alessandro had chosen to take the call. She didn't know if it'd be possible to resist him much longer. The game she suggested was working a little too well. Elyse would need to take care not to fall into her own trap.

She tried to leave the couch even while Alessandro kept a firm, unrelenting grip on her bare thigh. It was as though he wished to hold the moment in place so the two of them might continue where they left off the moment he hung up. Unfortunately, the speaker on the other end refused to let him go. Their conversation stretched on and rose in turbulence. Anger soon flashed across Alessandro's handsome face. The tenor of his voice grew taut with displeasure.

When the seeming crisis on the phone stole Alessandro's attention away completely, Elyse managed to make her escape. Barely, though. The man looked like he was about to pounce after her. Elyse could feel the weight of his gaze upon her naked ass as she retreated to one of the bedrooms.

Shortly after Alessandro ended his call, he disappeared from the villa for the rest of the afternoon. And much of the evening. He missed his first scheduled physical with her. Elyse forced her brain not to dwell on his whereabouts. She tried not to obsess over the shady criminal activities he might be engaging in. Such thoughts would only lead to a bottomless rabbit hole.

As Elyse prepared for bed that night, however, her thoughts returned to him. Especially when she stumbled upon a strand of wavy blonde hair in the shower. And a silky red bra beside the bed. Neither the hair nor the bra belonged to Elyse. She wondered how recently this blonde woman had been in Alessandro's life. Was the blonde his ex-lover? Or his current fuck buddy?

Unease crept through her mind as Elyse crawled into bed. Alessandro hadn't returned to the villa. Sleep eluded her. For the next few hours, Elyse tossed and turned as her mind went crazy with images of another woman wrapped in Alessandro's arms.

Around midnight, she felt someone climb into bed beside her. Gentle, warm lips brushed against her temple. " Angelo... "

Her heart clenched tightly.

"I missed you," he whispered into the crook of her neck.

Where had he been all day? Had he gone to see the blonde? Did he touch other women as he touched her? Distress kept fueling more and more questions, but Elyse knew better than to turn him away. Two years . She only needed to put up with his shit for two years. Then, she would be free. Elyse forced herself to turn to him in the dark. "Welcome back."

"It is good to be back."

She let him sidle up behind her and wrap her into his embrace. A quiet tension thrummed from him. Tentatively, Elyse asked, "Is everything... alright?"

" No ," he replied quietly.

Again, his honesty surprised her. It also alarmed her. Maybe he hadn't been fucking around with another woman, after all. Her thoughts spiraled toward the scar on his stomach.

"Are you in danger again?" she demanded.

"Do not worry. Everything is under control."

Elyse wanted to know more. "What—"

"Not now," he shushed her. "I have had a long day."

There was a definitive edge to his voice. Elyse decided not to press him any further. One of his hands snuck under her sleep shirt to fondle her breasts, mindlessly tugging and teasing her nipples until the pleasure elicited a soft moan from her. His other hand slipped between her thighs, rubbing in slow, erotic circles. He'd stop to dip his fingers into her pussy, dragging her glistening excitement all over her hot, pulsing clit. This slick, rhythmic back-and-forth caress felt even better than when she touched herself. The pressure was just right. Not too hard. Not too soft. It was fucking perfect. He did this for minutes. Hours. Days . Like a woman possessed, Elyse's hips began to writhe in time to his movements. She grew lightheaded and dizzy, moaning and gasping, as excitement mounted and mounted within her.

"I knew," he growled hoarsely, "you would be this way. I knew that we would be extraordinary together."

"What are you talking about?" she panted with a dazed expression.

"You were meant to burn, angelo , for me."

Elyse chuckled weakly. "You're so full of it."

He kissed her cheek. " No , I speak the truth."

Even with his fingers knuckles-deep inside her, Elyse steeled herself against the passion in his voice. She knew better than to believe a man in lust. She wondered if he was saying shit like this to other bitches. Like the blonde woman who'd been inside his shower.

As Alessandro began to pump in and out of her needy, honeyed heat, Elyse's troubled thoughts soon faded away. His fingers found the spot nestled on her upper walls, taking care to caress and slide against her trigger point with every thrust. Her climax began to build like a rising tide. Right as Elyse was about to explode in ecstasy, however, Alessandro pulled his hand away.

She protested, "If you don't make me come, I swear I'll—"

Elyse winced as he pinched her clit. Hard . Yet, the pain felt surprisingly good as well. Fucking hell. Everything about his touch felt mind-blowingly good .

"What?" he taunted. "Get on your knees and beg?"

She growled, "When hell freezes."

" Beg ," Alessandro insisted, "and I will make your filthiest dreams come true."

From behind, his cock slipped between her thighs, rubbing against her lips. He used his length to tease her clit while prodding at her entrance. He sank in, stretching her wide with only the tip. Whimpering and writhing for more of him, Elyse barely managed a response, " Dios , I want to—"

Wickedly, Alessandro supplied, "Fuck until we see God?"

His words ignited her senses. Moreso than ever, she needed to come. So fucking bad . But Elyse refused to give him the upper hand. Breathlessly, she fired back, "You'd like that, now, wouldn't you? To feel my pussy grab your dick like a tight, little fist?"

Alessandro's breath hitched. " Angelo …"

Invitingly, Elyse splayed her legs wider. "Don't you want me?"

His eyes gleamed. "More than anything."

"Then drop on your knees," she growled, "and beg ."

The tension between them was becoming unbearable. Elyse's hand snaked between her legs. She tried to reach for her clit, but he caught her wrists and wrestled both arms behind her back. He held her in place like a prisoner. Then, again, from behind, he began to piston his cock between her thighs, gliding tauntingly against her pussy as he fucked her without actually fucking her. On and on, this steady, deliberate seduction continued. Elyse's need for release overtook her senses. She felt lost and somewhat cheated. She hadn't known true desperation until this very moment.

Suddenly, Alessandro gave one last powerful thrust, groaned, and spilled between her thighs.

"Fuck you," she muttered.

"I would like nothing more," he gasped, "than to fuck you."

The bastard was still panting from his climax. How fucking nice for him.

"From now on," Elyse snapped in resentful tones, "you can't come without me, either."

"But I—"

Stealing a page from his book, she interjected, "Have I made myself clear?"

Smirking, Alessandro echoed her reply from earlier, " Crystal ."

He laughed and tried to draw her back into his arms. She resisted him.

"Do not be cross with me," he entreated sweetly, "I promise to play by your rules from now on."

Alessandro placed his hand under her chin and tilted her face toward him. He tried to kiss her on the mouth, but Elyse turned her head away. He implored again, "Let me show you how remorseful I feel."

His head moved toward the apex between her thighs, but she rolled away from him. "There's no need."

He pleaded, "A game is only a game. If this is no longer fun for you, we can find other ways to pass the time. "

Suddenly, Elyse didn't know whether she was angrier at him for the orgasm he denied her or his suspicious ties to faceless blonde women.

"You've had a long day," she said coolly.

"I—"

"Get some rest."

Alessandro didn't protest again. Smart man. He sighed. " Buona notte, angelo ."

"Good night… sir ."

This time, when Elyse addressed Alessandro as sir , there had been a bitterness in her tone. She intended to wield this word for dual purposes now. It would be used on her employer like honey and sweets. To gain his favor. Her submission seemed to turn him on, after all.

But it also needed to serve as a reminder. A constant warning to keep her distance. Because none of their games were real. Alessandro's fascination with her wouldn't last. No good would come from getting attached to this man or his dangerous world. From now on, each time the syllable— sir —caressed her tongue, Elyse resolved to harden her emotions. How she felt about Alessandro didn't matter. What he did with other women didn't matter, either. However, keeping him on the hook—captivated enough, at least,to keep her by his side—was paramount to her cause. It was the only thing that mattered. Two more years, Elyse reminded herself, she only needed to stay in this compromising position for two more years. She couldn't let herself fall victim to pettiness or jealousy. Freedom required sacrifice. The light that awaited her at the end of this fucked up tunnel would be more than worth it.

Elyse clung to this belief with all her might until slumber finally pulled her under its spell.

Elyse awoke the next morning in a far better mood. A new strategy had manifested overnight. One that might better serve her sanity without jeopardizing her two-year goal. Frankly, she no longer wished to waste another second stressing over faceless blonde women in sexy red—

Elyse heard the sheets rustle beside her. It was followed by a sigh of contentment. Alessandro had rolled over to her side of the bed. His larger frame now spooned her smaller one. His arm was draped comfortably over her hip. His breaths, though, still carried the slow, steady rhythm of a man in deep sleep.

Quietly, Elyse slipped away to make some breakfast. While sipping coffee, she mulled over her next move. Alessandro clearly had no reservations about fucking her, but sex meant nothing without trust. He was still hiding so much shit from her. Unlike Stefano and Mikey, Alessandro wasn't easy to read. Elyse didn't understand why he was willing to be so generous. The bastard had literally plucked her from hell in exchange for a life of leisure and luxury. A healthy man in his prime didn't need a private physician to follow him around Europe. Even if Elyse were to give him the best medical care that money could buy, her conscience couldn't justify the obscene amounts of money he was paying her.

Their arrangement felt ridiculous. Unsustainable. Criminals didn't believe in charity. They were ruthless businessmen who operated on quid pro quo. The other shoe was bound to drop. Elyse didn't know if she was ready to meet the monster behind Alessandro's beautiful mask.

She took another sip of coffee. It seemed necessary to learn Italian. Discreetly, of course. Alessandro often spoke in his native tongue on the phone. In time, she might be able to pick up a few snippets of his conversations. Without knowing why Alessandro had gone to such lengths to bring her to Switzerland, she'd be charging into battle like a blind soldier.

To his credit, Alessandro had been treating her like a queen. Elyse was grateful, but the fact remained that the bastard was a walking red flag. He told her to trust him. Yet, Alessandro rarely answered her questions because he was a charming hypocrite who deflected every interrogation like a seasoned lawyer. Allegedly, he cared for her well-being. At the same time, he used Mr. Schmid and Malina to deceive her time and time again. A king of contradictions. Alessandro claimed that he wasn't looking for a fuck buddy. His shameless advances suggested otherwise. She wasn't opposed to letting him use her body as his private playground. Their chemistry was undeniable, but fucking him wasn't going to help her survive in his world. Elyse needed him to value her on a deeper level. Perhaps, it was time to make herself useful in other ways?

Half an hour later, she heard shuffling sounds from the bedroom. Alessandro soon wandered into the kitchen, shirtless, with only a pair of gray joggers on. Elyse greeted him with a pleasant smile. "Good morning, Mr. Vitale."

Alessandro eyed her with caution written all over his face. " Buongiorno... Dr. Romero."

"Are we still on at 9 am today?"

He nodded. "I am sorry for missing our appointment yesterday."

"No worries. Would you like me to set up the physical in the living room?"

He didn't seem to hear her question. Instead, Alessandro moved toward her, placing a hand on her hip to draw her closer. He gazed down at her with a hopeful expression. "Are you no longer upset with me?"

"I was never upset."

Alessandro snorted, "Bullshit."

She sighed, "Fine. You got me. Maybe I was a little mad at you. But I'm more unhappy with myself."

For losing her head over him .

He demanded, "Perché?"

It sounded so much like por qué . Why?

"I'd rather not say."

"But I wish to know."

She shook her head, insisting, "Sometimes, the less you know, the better."

"You are a very private woman," he observed.

"And you're a man with many secrets," Elyse returned on the same beat.

He chuckled. "What a pair we make. The skeletons between us could fill a cemetery."

Elyse used one hand to caress the side of his face. Alessandro's expression softened. She stood on her toes and pressed a soft, lingering kiss on his cheek. He hummed appreciatively.

"Maybe I'll share a few of my skeletons," Elyse murmured while pulling away, "if you share a few of yours."

Alessandro's fingers dug possessively into her hips. "Not today. But someday. For now, it is best if you do not know everything about me."

"Then what are you willing to tell me?"

"Know that I want you in my life. And in my bed."

Elyse reached down to fondle him through his joggers. "I want you, too, but..."

Alessandro drew in a sharp breath. He grew hard— instantly .

His eyes were dark with need. "But?"

Elyse smirked and pulled her hand away. "You failed to fuck my brains out the last two times, so don't be surprised if I start looking elsewhere for someone who can."

His reply came swiftly, carrying a frighteningly possessive edge, "If I ever catch you with another man, angelo , then, rest assured, that brutto figlio di puttana bastardo is as good as dead."

Chills ran through her. Elyse didn't need to understand his Italian to know that he meant business. Alessandro had kept his tone light and playful, as though he was joking, but Elyse couldn't help noticing the hard, humorless glint in his eyes. She kept forgetting who he really was—criminal, killer, a bastard with very gray morals.

Warily, she wondered about his body count. Did that number fall somewhere in the single digits? Double digits? Hundreds? Had Alessandro taken more lives than she saved in her career? Elyse set her jaw. Something within pushed her to challenge his threat. "Unwilling to share your toys?"

Alessandro glared as he corrected her, " Unwilling to share my woman ."

"I thought I was your physician?"

"You will become everything to me."

She scoffed.

"Are you still upset?"

"What do you think?"

He grinned. "No need to be a sore loser, Dr. Romero. Our game has only begun. Once you surrender, I will fuck you senseless. Ten times a day. And ten more at night. If you wish."

She detached herself from his hold. "I'm not planning to lose."

His grin tilted into a smirk. "This is what I find attractive about you. Your refusal to accept defeat. You are a woman who knows her worth."

Her expression hardened. "Don't pretend like you know me."

Alessandro stepped toward her. Elyse stepped back. He was stalking her in the way a wolf might regard a fat, cornered sheep. Undeterred, he continued, "I know a diamond in the rough when I see one. As I have told you before, you possess all the qualities I am looking for in a partner."

He wanted her to be his partner? Elyse reminded him, "You said you're not looking for a fuck buddy."

"You are correct. I do not want a fuck buddy—"

Her nerves calmed slightly. "Good."

He smiled. "Because I am looking for a wife."

Wait.

Wife?

Elyse's gaze shot up to search Alessandro's face. The man had to be fucking with her. Her green eyes locked onto his brown-and-blue-gray gaze, searching for hints of mischief, but the fucker looked dead serious. At this, her expression tightened with disbelief. "You must be joking."

"I assure you that I am not," he stated calmly.

Her pulse quickened. "Have you found someone you wish to marry?

His gaze stayed on her. "Of course."

"Who?"

Brown and blue-gray eyes didn't stray, piercing her with unwavering intent. "Who do you think?"

Her face grew hot. Flustered . She used sarcasm to soothe her nerves, mumbling, "I don't fucking know. Whoever it is, I wish you two all the best."

" Angelo …"

"What!"

"The one I want is— you. "

She balked. "Is this your idea of a proposal? Because it feels pretty fucked up."

"This is hardly a proper proposal," he answered, "When I ask you to marry me, Dr. Romero, trust me, you will know. "

Her blood pressure rose. Alessandro had the balls to say when and not if . His self-assurance made Elyse want to kick him even while confusion wracked her brain. Moments ago, Elyse thought she'd figured out the best path forward for the next two years. Then, the bastard decided to sucker-punch her with this unwanted plot twist. Was marriage the other reason Alessandro had been hinting at all along?

Elyse tried to wrap her head around this insane development. "No need to get down on one knee. I'm not going to marry you."

" Sì , you will."

"You promised that I wouldn't be kept here against my will."

Alessandro shrugged unapologetically. "I lied."

"So... you intend to marry me? No matter how I feel about it?"

" Sì ."

"Why?"

He started, "I—"

Eyes flashing, Elyse warned, "Don't give me more bullshit about my worth as a woman."

"Very well. You want the truth?"

"Yes."

"I want you," he declared, "because you are your mother's daughter."

Elyse balked at him. "What?"

Because she was her mother's... daughter? This sounded even more fucked up. It made absolutely no sense to Elyse. Why did he care about her mother? She didn't know anything about the woman. Papá had raised her single-handedly since she was an infant.

Alessandro seemed to take note of her bewildered expression. He went on to explain, "It has come to my attention that your mother was the daughter of a very influential man in my world, and an alliance through marriage with his granddaughter— you —would greatly benefit me."

Elyse's eyes narrowed sharply. Ay —there it was. The other shoe. It finally dropped.