Sexting My Ex’s Dad (Forbidden Silver Foxes)

41. Stella

41

STELLA

I pull into Elio’s driveway, my heart racing with anticipation. I can’t help but feel a pang of envy at the sight of it, so different from the cramped and crumbling apartment that I call home.

I don’t want to be here, but it’s not like Elio had given me much of a choice. He’s really starting to get on my nerves with how back and forth he’s being.

Billionaire bully. My nickname for him seems to become more fitting the more time I spend with him.

“Stella,” Elio says, opening the door before I even have the chance to knock. There’s no surprise in his face, probably because he’d known the truth just like I did – there was no question over whether or not I was coming tonight.

I hate him for making me this predictable mess, but, more importantly, I hate myself for constantly falling into his trap. When would I learn?

I don’t say anything, and Elio doesn’t push it, moving to the side so I can come in and closing the door behind me. Then, he leads me into the living room.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Elio asks, gesturing towards a well-stocked bar in the corner of the room.

“No, thank you,” I reply, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my chest. “I want to know why you invited me here tonight.”

He stares at me, as if I’ve just asked him the hardest question in the world and sighs. “I don’t know.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “You can’t be serious?”

“Stella…”

“You don’t get to snap your fingers and have me magically appear. I’m leaving…” I’m not going to let this man waste any more of my time.

As I’m about to walk past him, he grabs my arm, not rough in the slightest. “I don’t want you to leave.”

I don’t think I’ve ever heard his voice so genuine. It shouldn’t matter – nothing he says should matter, but when I look into those eyes, I find myself becoming lost. Why do I continue to let this man have such a strong affect on me? Is it because I want to be something more? Yes. “Then what do you want?”

“You.”

His answer shocks me. “I don’t get you. First, you’re pushing me away and then you’re telling me that you want me?”

“I don’t get it either,” he admits, dropping my arm, not that it matters. I’m not going anywhere. “All I know is that I want you.”

“So you think there’s a future for us?”

“No.” His answer is blunt.

He just keeps getting more and more confusing. “Then why…?”

“Because I can’t see you with another man, Stella. I won’t. You don’t belong with anyone but me, even if this thing crashes and burns, I will have you by my side. I’m a selfish man, Stella, and I understand that but I’m done caring.”

Does that mean he has feelings for me? My heart flutters at the thought. “But if we’re going to be together, it has to be real. I don’t just want sex.”

He swallows. “I know you don’t.”

“And there are things I want to know.”

“Like what?”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the question that has weighed on my mind since I learned about his strained relationship with Owen. “I want to know about the rift between you and Owen,” I say quietly, feeling the weight of those words in the air.

“He blames me for his mother’s death.”

That’s heavier than I expected, and, for a moment, I consider backing down but I’ve already made it this far. “Why?”

Elio’s face tightens, the pain behind his eyes unmistakable. But he doesn’t look away or try to evade my question. Instead, he takes a moment to collect himself before answering, his voice low and filled with regret. “It was during a raid. She’d been shot and killed, and I... I didn’t protect her.”

His admission sends a chill down my spine, the gravity of his words echoing in the silence that follows. I want to ask more questions, to delve deeper into the shadows of his past, but the raw hurt etched across his features stays my tongue. He’s sharing a part of himself he’s likely kept hidden for years, and I can’t help but feel humbled by his trust.

“Is... is that enough for now?” he asks hesitantly, as if bracing himself for the onslaught of further inquiries.

I nod gently, offering him a small, supportive smile. “Yes, Elio. That’s enough for now.” The relief that washes over his face is palpable, and I can’t help but reach out, placing my hand reassuringly on his arm.

A spark of determination ignites in Elio’s eyes, as if the weight of our previous conversation has been lifted. “Good,” he says firmly, and before I can react, his strong hands grab my waist, pulling me close to him.

“Stella, I want to show my girlfriend a few new things,” he whispers into my ear, his voice a tantalizing blend of playfulness and desire. My heart skips a beat at the word “girlfriend” – it’s the first time he’s referred to me that way, and the sound of it sends a thrill racing through my veins.

“Your girlfriend? I like the sound of that,” I reply with a grin, feeling a newfound sense of belonging and partnership.

“Then let’s make it official,” Elio whispers, pressing a tender kiss to my temple.

“And how do we do that?”

He smirks. “I think you know exactly how.” Then he starts attacking my neck with kisses.

I can’t believe it. After all this time… Elio Lombardi is officially my boyfriend.