Stolen Queen (Dynasty of Deception #4)

16. Matteo

16

MATTEO

F uck.

The implication of Ava’s words hangs heavily in the air between us. I want her. God, do I want her. But I still can't shake the feeling that I'd be taking advantage of her vulnerability. No, she’s not drunk. But she’s young. She’s my hostage. Except no… she just agreed to stay with me. To let me protect her.

Fuck. When did I grow such a conscience? Not that I go around taking advantage of women, because I don’t. But I never concerned myself with their situation. If they wanted me and I wanted them, that was all that was required. So why am I hesitating now? Especially since she’s haunted me from the moment I met her six months ago when she was introduced to Elio. Her innocence, her fire, her beauty have combined into a potent mix that's consuming me.

I've tried to fight it. God knows I've tried. I've thrown myself into work, but nothing helps. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, Ava's always there in the back of my mind. Her smile, her laugh, the way her eyes flash with defiance when she's challenged.

She's seeped into my soul, becoming a part of me I can't shake loose. It's more than just physical attraction. There's something about Ava that calls to me on a deeper level. Her strength, her resilience in the face of her father's cruelty. The way she refuses to be broken, even when the world seems determined to crush her spirit.

I want to protect her, to give her the freedom she's never had. But I also want to possess her, to make her mine in every way possible. These conflicting desires war within me, leaving me feeling raw and exposed. It's not a good feeling.

Now, with her standing so close, looking up at me with those innocent eyes, I'm at a crossroads. Everything in me screams to take what she's offering, to finally give in to the hunger that's been consuming me for months.

But she doesn’t know me. Not really. I’m sure of this as she looks up at me like I’m some fairy tale prince come to rescue her. If only she knew the darkness that lurks within me, the things I've done. I'm no hero. It's almost painful to realize what a precious gift she's handing over, completely unaware of how undeserving I am to receive it.

I reach out to cup her cheek. Her skin is so soft, so pure. She's nervous, but eager. Curious about the passion she's only glimpsed in her dreams.

“You don’t have to do this. That's not why you're here,” I say, my voice rough, filled with need. But even as I say the words, I'm leaning in closer. Her scent envelops me, luring me closer.

“I know.” She tilts her chin up, lips parting slightly in invitation.

God help me. I want to devour her innocence, claim every part of her as mine. My lips hover just inches from hers. Her breath mingles with mine, the anticipation crackling between us like electricity. One small movement and I’ll taste her sweetness, lose myself in her warmth.

But I know myself too well. I'm not a gentle man. Not in my work life and not in bed. The things I enjoy, the intensity I crave, they're not for someone as innocent as Ava.

"You should find someone better."

Confusion flickers across her face. "But you've been so kind to me.”

"Don't mistake necessity for kindness. I've been careful with you because I had to be. But that's not who I am at my core." I have no idea what I'm saying.

I step back, putting some distance between us. It's for her own good, even if every fiber of my being screams to close that gap again.

"The things I want to do to you…" I trail off, shaking my head. "They'd scare you. Hurt you, even. And I can't bear the thought of that."

Ava's eyes widen with a mix of fear and curiosity. "What do you mean?"

I run a hand through my hair, frustrated. How can I explain the darkness inside me without sending her running? The rough way I like to fuck, the pain I enjoy inflicting and receiving. It's so far removed from her sheltered world.

"I'm not a gentle lover, Ava. The things that get me off, they're not for someone like you. Someone so…" I gesture vaguely at her, encompassing her whole being. "Pure."

“You like your ladies in skimpy clothes instead.” Pain and disappointment radiate off her.

Fucking hell. She’s finding offense in being called pure. “This is part of my protecting you.”

“Just be honest. You don’t like me.”

“Dammit, Ava! That’s not it.” The tether on my control frays as I take her hand and press it over my dick.

Her eyes widen as her fingers close around me.

I let out a groan and tug her hand away. “See? It’s not a matter of not wanting you. You can feel that I do.”

“Then what is it?” Her eyes are filled with fire, anger and irritation directed at me.

“You’re not ready?—”

“What is the point of my leaving my father’s control, only to have another man decide what I want or don’t want? What I feel or don’t feel? To make decisions on my behalf?”

She’s equating me with her father and it pisses me off. I step closer, unable to resist the pull of her. I realize my mistake too late as my hand cups her cheek again and she leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed. It takes every ounce of self-control not to claim her lips right then and there.

"Are you sure?" I give her one last chance to back out.

“I’m sure.”

That's all it takes. I crush my lips to hers, pouring all my pent-up desire into the kiss. She responds eagerly, her hands fisting in my shirt as she presses herself against me. An inferno erupts inside me. More, more, more , runs like a mantra in my head.

I turn us and lift her, setting her on the table as I wrap her legs around my waist and grind my cock into the V between her thighs. She makes a whimpering sound and tightens her legs around me, pulling me closer.

I growl as desperate need claws at me. The kiss grows hotter. My tongue sweeps through her mouth as my hands slide up to cup her tits. Fucking hell. They’re soft and round and full. Her nipples are hard. I rock my hips against hers, feeling the heat of her arousal against my cock even through our pants. For a moment, I let myself imagine what it would be like to claim her fully. To rip our clothes off and sink into her virgin pussy.

But a small voice in my head is sounding a warning. She deserves better than a fast fuck on the table. I groan as I pull away. My body screams in complaint.

She looks up at me, her lips full and swollen from my kiss. “What’s wrong?”

“This…” I can’t find the words.

She takes my hand and presses it over her tit. “I want you to touch me like in my dream.”

I groan. She’s making this too difficult. I’m not strong enough or decent enough to do the right thing.

I scoop Ava up off the table and carry her to my bed. She's soft and warm in my arms, and it feels so good to have her against me. Maybe I’d have more control if I’d been indulging my sexual fantasies lately. But I haven’t. I haven't fucked a woman since that night with Ava at the bar. How could I when everywhere I look, Ava is there? She's surely going to be the end of me.

As I lay her down on my bed, I know I'm lost. There's no going back from this, no pretending she doesn't affect me in ways no other woman ever has.

I kiss her slowly, tenderly, trailing my lips down her neck and back up to her ear, breathing in her scent. I pull back to look into her eyes, wanting to make sure she’s not afraid. Her eyes are wide and dark with desire. It fuels my fire, so I lean in and kiss her again, harder and deeper this time.

I remind myself that she’s asked for me to touch her like I did in her dream. “Tell me how I touched you.”

“Your hands on my body.”

I push her shirt up, free her tits from her bra, and knead them with my hand. She sighs and arches into me. Her eyes close. Her neck is exposed as her head tilts back. It’s so fucking beautiful. I want to suck her tits, but it doesn’t sound like that’s what I did in her dream.

Her hand covers my wrist and tugs it down over her stomach and lower. I follow her lead, undoing the button of her jeans, lowering the zipper to expose lacy pale pink panties. I wish they were red or black. Pale pink reminds me of her innocence.

I look down on her face as I slide my hand under her panties to the nest of curls between her thighs. Holy hell, she’s so fucking wet.

She looks up at me through her lashes, hesitation flashing across her face. And so I stop. I don’t remove my hand, but neither do I stroke her clit.

“Second thoughts?” I ask. “Or was this not in your dream?”

Her cheeks turn that adorable shade of pink again. “It was in my dream.”

“Should I stop?”

She shakes her head. “Don’t stop.”

I wait a moment just in case she changes her mind. Her hips tilt up, telling me her body wants more. I give her a kiss as my finger slides closer to her heat. Then I lift my head, needing to see her reaction when I touch her sweet spot. My finger brushes over her clit.

She gasps, her eyes widening, but not in fear. It’s more like surprise.

I make slow circles around the hard nub. “Feel good?”

“Yes.” She moans and arches again. I’m fascinated by watching her reaction. It tames the wild beast inside me.

My fingers trace circles around her entrance, teasing her. I slide one finger inside her. She gasps, her eyes flying open as I feel her tight, wet heat. No man has ever touched her like this. Pressure wells in my chest at that thought. I feel the weight of responsibility, awe at the trust she’s put in me. I don’t feel worthy, and yet, I so fucking want to be worthy.

She clutches at my shirt as she arches her back, her legs opening as if she wants more. I slide two fingers into her tight pussy. She sucks in a breath. Her body goes taut and bows against me. Her pussy clamps down hard around my fingers, and a hot rush of her release coats my hand.

Her breath releases in a moan. Her body rocks, and I stroke her pussy, drawing out her release, watching in amazement. It’s almost as if I’ve never seen a woman come before. I know I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s beautiful. Powerful. Intense. Something shifts inside me. A feeling of possession. She’s mine. In touching her like this, I’ve staked my claim.

I’m not dumb enough to articulate that. Not to a woman who is seeking autonomy. But it’s there. I’m bound to her as surely as gravity keeps me on earth.

My next thought is how there’s no fucking way this is going to end well for us. I can’t keep her hidden forever. At some point, I’ll either need to arrange for a new identity for her and send her into the world to live her own life, or we’ll be found out. Elio would no doubt make me hand her back to her father. Her father would no doubt kill me. And Ava would be sent off to Nardone or some other fucking bastard who won’t appreciate what a treasure Ava is.

As she comes down from her orgasm, I give her a quick kiss. “As good as your dream?”

Her eyes are closed as a sweet smile spreads on her face. “Better.”

It’s ridiculous how fucking good that makes me feel.

She nestles close to me, and a moment later, she’s asleep. Good. If she’d wanted to deal with my dick, I’d be hard pressed to resist.

I watch her sleep, my brain scrambling to find the solution to our dilemma. I have to figure this out because what has become crystal clear is that she’s mine now. I can’t… I won’t let her go.