Knocked Up by the Beast: A Mafia Romance (Kingdoms Book 1) Read online

  “Right,” she says, pouting thoughtfully.

  If I had known earlier that she wouldn’t let me kiss her again, I would’ve spent an hour memorizing every corner of her mouth.

  I would’ve never stopped kissing her.

  My cock is still hard for her. I could still rip that pillow away from her lap, and have my way with her on that couch.

  But that’s not what she wants.

  She said so herself.

  “I’ll be expecting you to join me for dinner,” I say, walking away from her, and shutting her bedroom doors before I do something stupid.

  I stand in the hallway for a while, my breathing ragged and heavy.

  I thought I could do this. I thought I was strong enough.

  But goddamnit, I need her.

  I need her body under mine so much.

  The only thing that holds me back is the promise I made. It’s important that I prove the level of commitment I have for her.

  I’ll wait.

  For as long as it takes.

  The smell and taste of her sweet cunt still lingers on my fingers.

  I take my time as I lick my fingers clean.

  I’ve had a taste.

  She’s mine now.

  No matter how much she tries to convince herself otherwise.

  9

  Belle

  He’s so damn bossy.

  It wasn’t even an invitation to dine with him. He’ll just be expecting me for dinner.

  I have to admit though, the thought of seeing him again has my stomach in knots.

  I’m nervous.

  Even after all the things we did together, he makes me nervous. Not because I’m afraid of him in any way.

  It’s because of my heart.

  It feels too joyful when he’s around.

  I’m afraid of the overwhelming emotions he clouds my head with. I’m afraid of the way my body is so willing to become his toy.

  I place a hand over my heart.

  It’s beating too fast and then too slow. That’s definitely not how it normally is.

  Leo Blackwood. He’s the culprit.

  Is it too soon to be feeling this way? Because some instinct in me tells me that this could go one of two ways.

  It could be the most beautiful thing to have ever happened to me.

  It could just as easily become a beautiful disaster.

  Either way, it’s going to be beautiful.

  But I won’t allow it to happen. I’m going to draw all of the lines to make sure that this will never happen again.

  I won’t kiss you or touch you or fuck you, Belle…unless it’s you who makes the first move.

  The only task in front of me is to not make the first move.

  Easy enough.

  I can manage that.

  If I’m being honest, this whole day feels surreal. A part of me is still waiting to wake up and find that this was all a strange dream.

  A red-haired witch. A seven-foot-tall man. A palace.

  You don’t get that every day.

  I get up, and walk to the curtains. I need some air.

  The maroon curtains automatically part, revealing a luxurious view facing the back of the estate.

  A large kidney-shaped swimming pool is directly in the middle. Scattered around it are a gazebo, a conservatory, and a tennis court.

  I wonder if anybody has ever used any of it.

  Maybe his sister used to spend time there. She seems like the kind of girl who likes parties and outdoor events.

  I’m more of a library kind of girl myself, but I still appreciate the grandeur of it all. Whoever built this estate, they really poured their soul into it. Each and every structure is a work of art.

  A flash of red catches my eye.

  Red roses. A circular labyrinth of rose bushes.

  Surely something this beautiful doesn’t just maintain itself naturally, right? Leo must have staff that look after the plants.

  Seeing all of that red tugs at a memory. One that I’ve been trying to forget about all day.

  The red-haired woman from earlier this morning. Her voice is still crisp in my head.

  Be wary of the man with the blue eyes.

  Leo. He has deep blue eyes. The color of midnight sky in the presence of a full moon.

  Does the fact that I’m thinking about this mean that I believe her words?

  Because two things about today feel true.

  One, the magnetic pull Leo has on me.

  Two, the words of the red-haired stranger.

  I can deny it all I want, but I can never deny the way they feel.

  True. Pure.

  From this bedroom, I can see the forest in the distance. I can see the exploding colors of autumn.

  Winter isn’t far away. The world is changing so flawlessly.

  Your world will change this December. And by spring, a difficult decision must be made.

  The woman’s words haunt me.

  They play over and over again in my head.

  What did she mean by them? Even if she somehow could peek into the future, why did she feel the need to tell me?

  My phone rings.

  I tear my eyes away from the majestic scenery, and look at my small backpack. The threadbare thing seems out of place in the opulence of this room.

  It contains all the possessions I have. It’s my only link back to home.

  A sweeping nostalgia grips me.

  I know who’s calling. I rush to the backpack, and whisk my phone out.

  “Julie,” I say, throwing myself on the too-large bed.

  “I knew you were going to do something like this,” she says as greeting.

  I can imagine her right now.

  She’s probably outside the cottage, urgently pacing back and forth with her long blonde hair trailing behind her.

  “What do you want me to say?” I ask.

  “Say that you’ll come back. Say that this was all a stupid decision, and that you’ll come back home first thing in the morning.”

  “Julie, that’s not an option.”

  “We’ll figure something out,” she says. Her voice is high-pitched—the way it gets when she’s agitated. “We’ll get you out of this mess. You don’t have to work for a beast.”

  “A beast?”

  “Your boss,” Julie says, as if that should be obvious. “That’s how Papa describes him anyway.”

  Anger bubbles up my throat.

  Once again, I feel the need to defend Leo to my own family.

  “He is not a beast. He’s a gentleman.”

  I think about the seriousness in his voice as he made that promise to me. And the way he led me into this bedroom with his hand on my back, respectful and gentle.

  Leo can be filthy when he wants to be, but he’s also a gentleman.

  “That’s not what Papa’s saying. He told us that the man looked more like a grizzly bear than anything. That he was too tall and too big and too dangerous.”

  “None of that is true,” I say. “Papa’s just saying that because he hadn’t made the effort to get to know him.”

  Julie pauses for a second. “Wait a second. Do you actually…like the beast?”

  “His name is Leo,” I grit out.

  “Yeah, sorry, that’s what I meant. Papa called him ‘beast’ so many times that it’s how I address him in my head now. But tell me, do you have the hots for your boss?”

  “I don’t not like him,” I mumble.

  My sister snorts. “Seriously, Belle?”

  “What?”

  “There are so many pretty boys in town, but you go and choose that guy?”

  “The town boys have nothing on Leo,” I say. Leo is a king. He’s above the rest. “But that doesn’t matter. He’s my boss, and I’m his housekeeper. That’s all.”

  “Your ex-boyfriend is going to lose it when he finds out.”

  Panic makes me sit up in bed. My back is ramrod straight.

  Julie doesn’t know the full truth of what happened with K
ane the night of the school dance.

  He showed his true colors then, and I’ve never been the same since.

  My sister is always the first to tease me, but she would also be the first to set fire to his house if she ever found out the truth.

  Kane is not the charming sheriff everyone in town thinks he is. Only I know his true nature.

  “Julie?” I say, mustering up all of my patience.

  “Yeah?”

  “Please don’t ever call Kane my ex-boyfriend. We just went to one dance together, and that was it.” I don’t know why I bother. Julie’s going to do what Julie wants anyway.

  “That man is obsessed with you Belle. He came to the cottage this afternoon,” she says.

  “He did?”

  Usually, I’m terrified when Kane tries to contact me in any way. But now, sitting inside this room with Leo’s bedroom only a few feet away, I feel safe.

  Protected.

  What an unusual thing to feel.

  “Kane came marching to the house an hour after you left, demanding about your whereabouts. He said that someone saw you leaving through the forest roads.”

  I roll my eyes.

  I don’t know why everyone in Silver Falls make it their life purpose to pry into everybody else’s life.

  Our family in particular has always been under scrutiny. The only reason is because all of us stick out like sore thumbs.

  “What did you tell him?”

  “I told him it was none of his business, of course,” says my sister indignantly. “He’s cute, but he’s way too desperate. It’s an unattractive quality.”

  My growing annoyance towards my sister dies a swift death. “I could kiss you right now.”

  “I was going to come get you, Belle,” she says. “Papa doesn’t want me to, but I’m still prepared to come to your rescue.”

  “You don’t need to rescue me, Julie. I’m a safe place,” I tell her. “It’s all very new and strange, but I really want to work here.”

  “Three months, right?” she asks.

  “Yeah,” I say. “It’s beautiful here. Maybe you could visit one weekend.”

  “After all the descriptions Papa gave of your boss, I think I’ll respectfully pass,” she says. “You’re truly happy to be there?”

  “Yes.” That’s one thing I know without a shadow of doubt.

  Fear of the unknown lingers, but I’m mostly excited.

  I tell my sister about Blackwood Estate. About the marble floors, priceless paintings, and especially about the fully-equipped walk-in closet.

  “Sounds like you’re getting that vacation you always wanted,” she chuckles.

  “Oh trust me, it’s going to be a lot of work to get this place all cleaned up.”

  “Call me daily,” she says.

  “I will. Take care of Papa and Hazel for me.” It’s usually my job to take care of everyone in the house, but I’m passing the baton over to my younger sister now.

  “I will,” she promises.

  “I love you, Julie.”

  We hang up. Exhaustion immediately claims me.

  I let myself take a nap on the too-large bed.

  I have dreams. Most of them revolve around Leo, but the red-haired woman makes an appearance too.

  By the time I open my eyes again, the sun has set.

  The swimming pool’s underwater lighting is the only source of illumination outside. The forest, rose garden, and greenhouse are all swallowed by the darkness.

  My stomach is hollow and angry, demanding my full attention. I haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast.

  I guess I should meet Leo for dinner now.

  A devilish grin lights up my face as my eyes land on the walk-in closet filled with rare designer clothes. They’ve all been just lying there in their transparent zip-up bags, waiting for someone to come try them on.

  Poor babies.

  It’s my duty to put them out of their misery. It’s the least I can do.

  I’m dressing up tonight.

  For me.

  Okay, for Leo too.

  I won’t try to blur any professional lines, but I still want to look nice for him. I still want to get to know him.

  It’s strange how desperate I am to talk to him again.

  He has me so intrigued. I don’t fully understand what it is about him that has me so fascinated, but I am.

  He’s the sun.

  And I’m dying for a single ray of light.

  10

  Leo

  The air in the room changes.

  I don’t have to turn around to know that she’s standing right behind me. But I do so anyway. I can’t help myself.

  My eyes darken when I see what she’s wearing.

  A string of curses escape. I curse the moment I promised her that I wouldn’t lay my hands on her. I curse the dress she’s wearing.

  All I can think about right now is slowly stripping it off her body.

  I want to feel her smooth skin against my lips again. Her supple body bending to my wishes.

  I turn away, and squeeze my eyes close as I draw my hood up.

  I can still see her behind my eyelids.

  She’s a dazzling beauty. And the lilac evening gown she has on makes her shine even brighter.

  Strips of thin silver run down the dress, painting the image of fireworks against a sunset purple sky.

  Two little shoulder straps are all that are holding the dress together. If I were to slash them out of the way, the dress would cascade down her body and pool at her feet.

  And then she’d be all mine to take.

  Jesus.

  “One, two, three, four…” I steady myself by counting to ten.

  Usually, I count to reign in my anger. For the first time in my life, I’m using it to control my white-hot desire.

  “Leo?” comes her amused voice. “Why are you counting?”

  She enters the kitchen, stopping right next to me.

  I can smell the body wash on her dewy skin. She’s fresh out of the shower. And all I want is to get her dirty again.

  I take a deep breath. “Dinner’s almost already. We have slow-roasted cherry tomatoes. Butternut squash ravioli. The main dish is still in the oven. And there’s some gelato in the fridge for dessert.”

  “Did you make all of it by yourself?”

  “Yeah, I like to cook,” I say nonchalantly, stealing a glance at her.

  Her light brown eyes meet mine, and that’s all it takes.

  My body comes roaring to life. Filthy divine need pulses through my veins.

  But I force myself to act civil. “You look beautiful tonight.”

  Her lips part.

  She sucks a breath in, stealing all the oxygen from the kitchen.

  My eyes drop down to her full lips and then to her décolletage.

  Her nipples pucker to life as I make my way down her body. Her thighs shift in place, rustling the light purple fabric of her dress.

  My fingers itch to grab her by the hips, and get all the extra fabric out of my way. I would make her sit on the kitchen island countertop, and drop down to my knees to worship her with my mouth.

  “Thank you,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ears, and peeking up at me from underneath her lashes.

  She’s not making this easy for me.

  Not one bit.

  The oven dings, saving me from this exquisite torture. After that, I’m careful to not make the mistake of looking at her again.

  “You can go ahead and take a seat,” I say, gesturing my arm towards the informal dining room as I add garnishes to the food.

  She wrinkles her nose at the long dining table.

  “What?” I ask.

  “It’s so big for just the two of us.”

  I follow her gaze. I had the room set up just for her.

  Soft music plays from the vinyl record player. The table is set and the chandelier is gleaming.

  But I shrug as if it’s no big deal. “Somewhere else, then.”

&nb
sp; “Ooh, how about we sit outside?” she beams.

  “Outside?” I ask, glancing at the curve of her lips. I can’t recall ever seeing anything as beautiful as this girl’s smile.

  “Yeah, it’s a beautiful night.”

  “Okay. But I have to warn you, the temperature here drastically drops after sunset,” I say, even as I start packing the food.

  Blackwood Estate is located in the middle of nowhere.

  There’s nothing but fields and forests for miles. Because of that, there’s always a bite in the night air, especially at this time of the year.

  Belle tries to help carry some of the food, but I refuse. Instead, I place a bottle of wine in her eager-to-help hands. “Here, hold that.”

  We step into the darkness.

  As expected, chilly wind blasts at our faces. Belle moves closer to me on instinct, seeking warmth.

  Okay, this outdoor dinner thing is a great idea.

  “Still want to do this?” I grin.

  She elbows me playfully, but sticks her little chin up. “Yes.”

  I lead her to the gazebo next to the rose garden, and place all the food down on the teak patio table.

  Belle takes a seat on one of the wooden chairs. Goosebumps dot her bare arms, and her shoulders start to shiver.

  “I’ll be right back,” I say, heading back towards the house again.

  I return with a sweatshirt in my hands.

  It’s one of mine.

  She’ll be swimming in it, but that’s exactly what I want. Seeing her in that pretty dress isn’t helping tamp down the attraction I have for her.

  Her eyes are wide as she accepts it. “This is very sweet of you. Thank you.”

  There’s something she doesn’t know about me.

  I’m a selfish man.

  I put myself first, and I generally don’t concern myself with other people’s well-being.

  But it’s different with Belle.

  She brings out a part of me that I forgot even existed.

  As I watch her eat, I realize that I care about her. Deeply.

  Without even realizing it, I’ve been putting her needs before mine.

  Letting her father go, agreeing to her demands, spending three hours preparing a wholesome dinner for her.

  And I have a feeling I’ll continue doing it for as long as she allows me.