Isabella

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling Stephan had left behind. I craved his touch, wanting him even more after he’d left the church. I dragged my finger along my bottom lip and closed my eyes, remembering it was real. He was there with me when I needed someone the most, even if I could never have him. I treasured our brief moments together. In fact, I lived for them.

I sat in the back of the limousine, waiting for my parents to take their places inside. My dad sat across from me, his jaw tense, his expression hardened. He looked pure evil, his dark eyes like soulless pits. We were away from the cameras and judgmental ears, back to our normal lives where we hated each other, where we no longer had to pretend.

My mother didn’t look in my direction. She had a tissue balled in her hand and tears staining her cheeks. I couldn’t even remember the last time we’d spoken to each other. When she’d heard about Mark’s death, she sobbed so loud it echoed throughout the house. She refused to talk to anyone other than the help. My father only grew more wild and angry, while I became detached from reality, no longer wanting to deal with anything that wasn’t necessary—my family included.

“That stunt you pulled might have cost me the election,” he growled. “How could you do that? And what would give you the idea that someone killed your brother?”

“He didn’t jump off that roof,” I challenged. “We both know he didn’t do it. Mark deserves the truth.”

“You know nothing, Isabella. I hid all of the horrible things your brother did from you because I wanted you to listen to him, respect him.”

“I’ve known for years about Mark’s drug habit.”

“He also had mental issues, you know that, too.”

“I do. But he never tried to kill himself before. He wasn’t suicidal.”

“Doesn’t mean he hadn’t thought of it.” He folded his arms across his chest, staring out the window as the driver left the parking lot of the church. “I can show you proof of his suicidal thoughts. Would that make you see differently?”

I leaned forward, my mouth open in shock. “Did he leave a note? Can I see it?”

He shook his head. “No, but I have recordings from his therapy sessions with Dr. Larson. He admitted to wanting to end his life on several occasions. Your brother was troubled. His life wasn’t easy.”

“Because you made it that way for him. For both of us. Do you have any idea what it’s like to be your child? You control everything in my life, as you did Mark’s.”

“If that were true, I would’ve had him locked up years ago, so he would stop hurting himself. I had to let him make his own mistakes.”

“What about me? Why can’t I make my own?”

“Because you’re different, Isabella. You were destined for better things.”

More like I was his golden ticket to becoming American royalty.

“Becoming a trophy wife isn’t what I would call something better. Actually, I changed my mind about going to Columbia for grad school. Can you make a call? I want to go in the fall?”

“No.” He glowered at me, his face hardened like steel. “Grad school was the plan until something better presented itself.”

I threw my hands above my head and shouted, “Karl is not a better plan. He doesn’t want to marry me. He told me at the party it would only last for two years, and then we would go our separate ways.”

He shrugged, unaffected. “What’s wrong with that? Look how long your mother and I have endured each other. Sometimes, the bigger picture is worth sacrificing immediate happiness. Some people are not meant to be happy.”

“That’s not what I want, Daddy. I want to be happy and marry a man I love, someone I can’t live without.”

He smirked. “Love is a fairy tale. It’s not real. The sooner you learn that, the better off you will be. You will marry Karl, and that is final. I don’t want to hear another word of it.”

“Never,” I hissed. “Over my dead body.”

He fired off a look in my direction that sent shivers down my spine. It was intense, crazed. “So be it then.”

What kind of father said things like that to their daughter?

I’d never known love, at least not from my parents. We drove the rest of the way home in silence. There was no point in arguing with a man who always had an answer, always had a plan. I’d find a way to get away from him—even if it killed me.

“I have to run to the ladies’ room,” I said to Brian, my newly appointed bodyguard, and slid out from behind the desk. He began to push himself up from the chair, and I held out my hand to stop him. “Stay here. Please. I have women things to deal with and don’t need you following me.”

He wasn’t much older than me, maybe by five years or so, and built like a linebacker. Brian was tall with strong shoulders, shaggy brown hair, and light blue eyes.

Giving me a suspicious look, he said, “Don’t take too long.”

“Promise.” I removed my purse from the bottom drawer of my desk and walked past him.

Almost a week had passed since the funeral. Everyone told me to stay home and mourn my brother. All I wanted was to feel close to him. I evaded my security detail to sneak into Mark’s office. It was locked, but I had the key. I closed the door behind me and moved toward Mark’s long, oak desk.

Running my fingers along the executive leather chair, I thought of the last time I saw my brother sitting there. My heart ached for Mark. He was taken from us too soon. I missed Mark so much I couldn’t breathe when I thought of him.

Taking a seat in his chair, I leaned back and smelled his aftershave, taking in his scent. I’d done the same thing at the house, often escaping into his room for hours on end until Carmella would find me on his floor or in his bed, sobbing or sleeping. I was a train wreck. Losing the only person who understood what it was like to be a Parisi left me feeling hopeless, full of doubt about my future.

I sat in the dark. A tear slipped from my eye and ran down my cheek. Once the first one fell, others followed suit. Pushing back the pain and anger was hard. My brother didn’t deserve such a painful death. No matter what my dad said or what records he could produce from a doctor, I would never believe Mark took his own life.

With my father a few counties over for a speaking engagement, I was mostly alone at our campaign headquarters, save for a few overeager people who were working late. And of course, there was Brian. My father hadn’t spoken to me since the argument we’d had in the car. Mom went back to her apartment in the city. But I had a bodyguard who followed me everywhere as a consolation prize.

My dad had changed my cell phone number, gave me a new one with a tracking chip installed. He warned me not to defy him. I was sick of fighting and gave in, whether I wanted to or not. I was tired from all the pain and suffering, frustrated by the constant tug-of-war that was my life.

Remembering Brian could also track my cell phone, I got up from the chair, clutched my purse under my arm, and locked the door behind me. The ladies’ room was down the hall from Mark’s office, all the way at the end. When I stepped inside, I let out the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Anymore, I felt like I was walking on eggshells.

I stood in front of the mirror and washed the tears from my face. My makeup streaked my cheeks, forcing me to rub my skin clean. When I looked up from the sink and into the mirror, I almost screamed when I saw Stephan behind me. My eyes were wide in surprise, but not because I was scared. Had I not noticed it was him in time, I would have tipped Brian that something was wrong.

I stared at him, confused. “How did you get in here?”

He pulled the black hoodie from his head, a smirk on his lips. “I have my ways. You didn’t answer any of my messages, and getting anywhere near your house is impossible.”

“I have a new number and a security guard who’s waiting for me in my office. He can track my phone and will come looking for me if I’m not back soon.”

He cupped my face in his hands and pulled me to his chest, our lips inches apart. “I had to see you. Are you okay? You’ve been crying.”

“I’m sad. Lonely. Miserable. Take your pick.” I hooked my arms around his neck and leaned into him, taking in his manly scent. “I’ve missed you.”

His lips brushed against mine, his heat causing me to tremble in his arms. “I missed you, too.”

“I need you,” I whispered, tears burning my eyes. “I need you to save me.”

“One day, I will free you. I made a promise to you on your eighteenth birthday. I don’t make promises I can’t keep. Just be patient, my little raven.”

I tried to force back my feelings and failed. This time my tears were for Stephan and the love story we could never have.

He licked them away, same as he did when he took my virginity. It was sexy and weird, but I loved it. I loved him more because of it. He grabbed my ass and lifted me up onto the edge of the sink, spreading my legs for him to fit between them.

“Not in here.” I placed my palms on his chest. “We need to find somewhere else. I’ll leave my cell phone behind so Brian thinks I’m still taking care of women things. I told him I would be a while.”

“Let’s go then.” He set me on the floor and tugged on my hand. “I don’t want to waste another second with you.”

Stephan led me by the hand down the hallway with our hands intertwined. Most of the rooms were locked except for the copy room. It smelled of toner and paper, but I couldn’t have cared less about the setting, as long I was with Stephan. We stepped inside the dark room, and he locked the door behind us.

He cupped my ass with his big hands, his erection digging into my stomach. He lifted me up and onto the copy machine, spread my thighs with force I wasn’t expecting, and found his place between them. Planting hungry kisses on my lips, Stephan didn’t waste any time exploring my body. His hands traveled beneath my shirt and bra to cup my breasts. He massaged my nipples, giving them a little pinch, as his tongue tangled with mine.

Stephan owned my body, taking what he wanted from me without asking. He never did. I loved that about him. He was an animal when he was around me, but so was I.

He shoved my skirt up to my waist and slid his hand between my thighs, ripping a moan from me. Our lips separated long enough for us to look into each other’s eyes. He gave me a crooked smile that went right to my core, my expression mirroring his.

I took his hand and helped him move my soaking wet panties to the side.

“I’ve missed your pussy.” He slid his finger into me, slowly pulling it out, before dragging it along my slick folds. “You’re always so wet for me.”

I closed my eyes from the sensation rocking through me and moaned. He covered my mouth with his to silence me, and I leaned forward to unzip his pants to pull out his cock. With three fingers spreading me open, filling me up, he tore another scream from my lips. Heat spread down my arms and thighs like wildfire. A burning desire only Stephan could satisfy caused my body to tremble.

The second I came, he removed his fingers and replaced them with his thick cock.

“Fuck…” He rested his forehead to mine for a second, long enough to enjoy how good it felt for us to be together again. “You feel so fucking good, baby.”

“Stephan,” I purred, gripping his hoodie between my fingers.

I’d never seen him dressed in anything other than a suit. It was strange to see him out of his element. But he still fucked like him. Still plowed into my pussy like he wanted to ruin me. The copy machine banged against the wall, my ass rubbing on the paper feeder. Damn if it didn’t hurt, but I was too overwhelmed by pleasure to care.

Stephan gripped my shoulder hard, his fingers digging into my skin. Our eyes met, and I was unable to look away from him. He captured me with one look, took away all my pain and suffering with each thrust. To change the pace, he moved my leg over his shoulder, his grip strong and forceful. I could feel him everywhere at this angle, his cock buried inside me.

He reached between us and rubbed my clit, sparking a wave of pleasure that stole another orgasm from my body. Each time he pulled out and slammed back into me, he tortured me, punished me with his cock. My insides clenched and burned from the loss, instantly satisfied when he thrust into me again. Leaving a trail of kisses on my inner thigh, he continued to rub my clit.

He licked his lips when I pushed up my shirt and pinched my nipple between my fingers. It wasn’t long before I felt the slow pulsing of his cock. I milked his cock with my pussy, squeezing him so tight his eyes closed when he came.

He kissed my thigh one more time before he set me down on the floor. I couldn’t move, my body like rubber. My lips were swollen, my hair a complete mess.

“Stephan, we didn’t use a condom.”

“You’re the only woman I’ve ever had sex without one.”

“I know. I trust you. But…”

“You’re on birth control, right?”

I shook my head. “No, never had any reason to be on it. You’re the only man I’ve ever been with.”

“Fuck.” He turned away from me, angry with himself. “I assumed you were on the pill.” I lowered my eyes to the floor, and he lifted my chin with his finger. “It’s not your fault. I should’ve been more careful.”

“I should have said something, but I wasn’t thinking. Seeing you here took me by surprise.”

He ran his thumb along my bottom lip. “Whatever happens, I’m here for you.”

I thought he would tell me he loved me. Instead, he released me and took a step back. “You should go before your bodyguard comes looking for you.” He pressed his lips to mine, his heat making my body tremble. “Take this.” Stephan placed a cell phone in my hand and closed my fingers over it. “My number is programmed. Don’t use it to call anyone but me. And whatever you do, don’t let anyone see it.”

“I won’t,” I promised. “Call me later.”

He nodded, and then he was gone.

I was so in love with Stephan I hated that our time was limited. Even though he’d never said the words aloud, I thought he loved me, too. One thing I knew for sure was, no one could keep me away from Stephan. Not even my father.