Stolen Queen (Dynasty of Deception #4)

27. Ava

27

AVA

I gaze into Matteo's eyes, my heart pounding. The intensity of his stare makes me feel both vulnerable and cherished. I know I should push him away, tell him this can't continue. I've already put him in so much danger by staying here. His family, his entire world is at risk because of me.

But I can't bring myself to do it. There's a magnetic pull toward him that I'm powerless to resist. My body… my soul aches to be close to him.

He kisses me again. It’s deep and passionate, igniting a fire that spreads through my entire body. In this moment, all my doubts and fears melt away. Nothing else matters but him.

When the kiss breaks again, we stare at each other.

“I’m ready for my surprise now.” His words break the final remnants of pain and fear.

“I’ll be right back.” I turn to return to the bedroom. He playfully swats my backside, making me yelp and sending thrilling sensations coursing through my body. When I reach the bedroom, I slip back into the ruby red lingerie.

Before I can return to the living room, Matteo appears, standing in the doorway. He removes his jacket and tie as he enters the room, his gaze intense on me in the skimpy outfit. “That is a sexy surprise.”

I feel a little bit self-conscious. Part of me wants to cover up, to hide from the intensity of his stare. But another part revels in it, wanting to bask in his attention.

I focus on him, drinking in his muscular frame, the tattoos peeking out from his unbuttoned shirt, the way his eyes darken with hunger. Matteo takes a step closer, and my pulse quickens. There's something predatory in his movements, like a panther stalking its prey. This feels different from the times before. It’s nerve-racking and exciting all at once.

"You look beautiful," he murmurs, his voice low and husky. From somewhere he pulls out a pair of handcuffs, dangling them in front of me. “Can’t let my Princess escape.”

I swallow as the nerves and excitement ramp up even more. “What… what is that?”

“This?” He glances at the cuffs. “This is my sexy surprise.” He puts one of the cuffs on my wrists and then leads me to the bed. I can’t deny that this freaks me out a little bit, and yet, I want to make him happy. I want him to know I trust him.

He spanks me again. “You need to be punished for what you did to me tonight.”

I yelp and feel like I should get mad at his actions and words. Weirdly, I find it erotic. “You mean trying to protect you?”

He spanks me again. “You terrified me, Ava.” He links the other cuff to the headboard spindle. “I’m not a man who is easily afraid. I don’t like it.”

I put my free hand on his cheek. “I’m sorry.” I’m sincere in these words. He tilts his head, kissing the inside of my wrist.

“Good. But you still need to be taught a lesson.” He's a man used to being in charge. I’m a woman used to being bossed around. But in this case, I don’t mind. I understand that surrendering is what he needs from me now. Maybe if I do, he’ll tell me how he feels. Whether he loves me back.

The chemistry between us crackles in the air, heightening my senses as my eyes hungrily devour the sight of him. He stands up, finishes undressing. His muscular frame moves with predatory grace, and the dangerous glint in his eyes leaves no doubt that he's fully aware of the effect he has on me.

He runs his hands down my body. Even over the lingerie, the contact ignites a fire within me. I moan, and his eyes darken further at the sound.

“My naughty princess,” he says as his lips follow his hands, touching every inch of my body. It’s the sweetest torture. He pinches my nipples through the skimpy lace, harder than he ever has before. I cry out, my body arching, my cuffed hand yanking against the headboard.

He kisses me. “I want to taste your pain and your pleasure.”

I moan again as his words send a flood of sensation straight to my center. Who knew I’d like such talk, such touching?

He pulls back, and there's a cocky smirk on his lips. “I’m going to take you to the edge of heaven and let you hang there for what you did.”

“Won’t that leave you hanging too?”

He pushes back on his knees, straddling my hips. “Nah.” He strokes his dick. “I can take care of myself.”

I see this is a game of sorts, so I shrug. “What fun is that when my wet pussy is there all for you?”

The flash of feral heat in his eyes makes my breath hitch. “My naughty Princess talks dirty. I like it.”

“Talk is cheap.”

He lets out a growl as he grabs a condom and sheathes himself. “We’ll see about that.” He grabs the edge of my thong and yanks, ripping it off and tossing it aside. Then he maneuvers himself so he’s between my legs. Still kneeling, he lifts my legs over his shoulders and grips my hips, lifting them so my backside is off the bed. He spanks me again, and as I yelp, he drives inside me in a single, brutal thrust.

“Oh, my God.” Immediately, I’m coming. Hard.

“Fuck… Ava…” He withdraws and plunges in again with another smack to my butt.

My pussy quivers. My orgasm continues. He moves in and out, spanking, and I’m whimpering as pleasure goes on and on and on and on. It doesn’t stop. It’s almost torture.

He yells out, slamming into me, grinding against me as his own pleasure consumes him. I love watching it. It’s the only time I see him not in control. Well, I think maybe he wasn’t in total control when he tossed me in the trunk, but I understand now that it wasn’t just anger driving him but a fear for me and my life.

I can feel the sweat on my skin, can hear the sound of our heavy breathing as the adrenaline starts to fade. He undoes the cuffs and pulls me close to him. I rest my head against his chest, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat as it slowly returns to normal.

“Do not ever run from me again, Ava,” he murmurs, “or I will cuff you and lock you away.”

The tone doesn’t seem quite as playful, but I don’t take offense. I wonder if this is how he tells me he cares for me… loves me. Or maybe it’s just wishful thinking.

"I promise you, no harm will come to you as long as you're with me."

I wake to the aromas of freshly brewed coffee and something sweet. As I open my eyes, I see Matteo standing by the bed, holding a tray laden with breakfast. His expression is a mix of tenderness and something more intense that I hope is love.

"Good morning, Princess. I thought you might be hungry after everything last night."

I remember that we didn’t have dinner. No wonder I’m starving. "Thank you.” I look over the spread of pancakes, fruit, and coffee.

I realize then that he’s dressed, and worry fills me. Maybe I could cuff him to me so that he doesn’t risk whatever Elio or my father might do to him.

“I need to see Elio,” he says as if he can read my mind. He sits on the edge of the bed. "I need to know that I can trust you. That you’ll stay here while I’m gone.”

I nod, but he must not be convinced.

“You need to understand that under no circumstances can you leave. Not until this is all resolved.”

"I know.”

His eyes narrow slightly. "Are you sure about that? Because last night, you were ready to run back to your father. To throw everything away."

I flinch at the reminder, guilt washing over me. "I was scared. I thought I was protecting you."

Matteo's expression softens slightly, but the intensity in his eyes remains. "I appreciate that, but you have to understand that running away isn't the answer. We're in this together now, for better or worse."

I nod.

“When it’s time for you to go, I’ll arrange it, okay?”

I nod again. "What about Elio? He already knows I'm here."

Matteo runs a hand through his hair. "I'll handle Elio. But I can’t focus on all that if I’m worrying whether or not you’re going to run. I have no problem locking you up again.”

“Maybe you can stay here and make sure I don’t leave.” I try for a seductive smile. “I could lock you up for once.”

He groans. “I can’t go talk to Elio with a hard-on.”

“I could help with that.”

He laughs. “I’m taking a raincheck. Stay here. Be safe.”

“I will.”

He leaves, and I sit alone staring at the breakfast tray Matteo so thoughtfully prepared. The pancakes look fluffy and inviting, but my stomach churns with unease. I think I understand the fear Matteo had when I left because with him gone, all I can think about is my father ambushing him or Elio handing him over to my father. The guilt gnaws so intensely that I can’t eat.

I take a sip of orange juice, hoping it might settle my nerves, but acidity only makes it worse. The anxiety over Matteo’s safety builds until I feel sick.

I stumble to the bathroom, barely making it in time before the meager contents of my stomach come up. Hunched over the toilet, I retch, my body shaking with each heave. Tears prick my eyes as the full weight of our situation hits me again. Matteo is in danger because of me. Because I was reckless.

I drag myself back to the bedroom, my body feeling heavy and drained. The events of the past day have left me utterly exhausted, both physically and emotionally. I crawl under the covers, pulling them tightly around me, seeking comfort in their warmth, in Matteo’s scent that lingers.

My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and worries, but I'm too tired to process them all. Sleep seems like the only refuge right now. I close my eyes, willing my body to relax, for sleep to come.

My last conscious thought before sleep claims me is a hope that when I wake up, things will be better. That Elio will understand and support Matteo’s decision to protect me. That they’ll make a deal with my father to let me stay. But for now, I surrender to the darkness.