Chapter 3: Cravings
The water was scalding hot, but it still wasn’t enough.
Lac sat in the marble tub, steam swirling around his body like smoke, the kind that rises from fire right before something burns. He had already taken four baths since morning, each one an attempt to calm the storm between his legs.
But each time he closed his eyes, he saw her.
That girl. Isla.
The way her dress clung to her like it was sewn from sin just for him. The way her voice had trembled. The look in her eyes when she had said, “I’m not a stripper.”
Lac groaned and leaned back, the water sloshing gently. His muscular chest heaved with frustration. It was maddening. He didn’t even know her. Yet every cell in his body responded like it had found its mate.
With a growl, he sank lower into the water, trying to forget her again.
And failed.
He was hard again.
He cursed under his breath and reached for the soap, scrubbing his chest like it could erase the memory of her. But it didn’t. Nothing did. He wanted her.
knock knock.
“Boss,” a voice called from the other side of the bathroom door. “There's going to be a welcoming party tonight. Also… your father’s wedding is in two days from now.”
Lac’s brows furrowed.
Another party. More fake smiles. More mafia filth dressing up in designer suits and pretending they weren’t monsters.
“Fine,” he muttered, standing and letting water drip from his chiseled body. “Tell them I’ll be there.”
“Yes, sir.”
He grabbed a black towel, slung it low around his waist, and walked to the mirror. He stared at himself. Sharp jawline. Cold golden eyes. And the scar, it was his reminder that he was never meant to be soft.
But something about her was chipping away at that cold armor. Slowly.
Too slowly.
He turned, ready to go find her, maybe even ask her who the hell she really was.
And why she was affecting him so much and maybe she could kiss him again.
But just as he reached for the door, a
a call came through.
“Boss, we have a problem. One of our men… tried to run with the cash. East wing.”
Lac’s knuckles tightened.
“Kill him,” he said.
“He’s running…”
“I said kill him. But save his tongue. I want to know who else he’s working with.”
Click.
He let out a deep breath and turned back toward the weapons cabinet. The party would have to wait. Jeez Isla would have to wait. Blood came first.
~~~
The ballroom shimmered with gold and crystal, every surface reflecting the money it cost to be there. Laughter and clinking glasses filled the air, but Isla felt like she was drowning in noise.
Her heels clicked sharply on the floor as she made her way through the crowd. The dress she wore was tight, silky red, with a slit high up her thigh. Her lips were glossed and her eyes smoky, and she was drunk. Very drunk.
She took another sip of champagne, letting the bubbles numb her brain.
Then she saw them. Her mother. And him.
The man Clarissa Monroe was marrying.
He was older, maybe sixty. Grey hair slicked back, smile smug. His arm was around Clarissa’s waist like she was already his property.
Isla’s stomach turned.
Her mother wasn’t smiling. Just wearing that same cold, polished look she always wore. As if love was beneath her.
They looked like royalty but the kind that ordered executions.
“I can’t breathe,” Isla whispered to herself, nearly tripping in her heels as she turned and pushed past a group of laughing women.
She stumbled into the hallway, looking for somewhere to hide, and found a room with the door slightly open. She didn’t care whose it was. She pushed in, slammed the door shut behind her, and slid down to the floor.
As tears spilled out, “why are you doing this, mom? You don’t even love him.”
She wasn’t even sure if she said it out loud. The alcohol made everything fuzzy.
Isla sobbed quietly, face buried in her knees. Her vision spun in slow circles.
The door opened again.
Isla blinked, lifting her head. Her mascara was a mess. Her chest heaved. And there… there he was.
Lac.
His was his usual dark eyes, black shirt and trouser. The same cold energy he always carried, like he could snap someone’s neck just by looking at them.
“What the hell…” he looked down at her. “Are you following me now?”
Isla blinked again trying to focus. “Wha…?”
“Answer me,” he stepped in and closed the door behind him. “Were you following me?”
She shook her head. “No… I… no, I didn’t know this was… your room.”
He didn’t believe her. He never did.
She didn’t even know why but she stood up and ran to him and in the next moment she was hugging him.
With her arms around his waist and her head against his chest, he froze completely.
His body stiffened, and then suddenly he could feel it again.
Her body against his. Her scent was sweet, feminine, and messy from tears. His groin tightened instantly, gosh it was painful, and she had no idea what she was doing to him.
“Fuck,” he growled under his breath.
She looked up at him, eyes glassy. “I just… I didn’t know where else to go.”
“You’re drunk,” he said quietly, voice rough. “And you’re holding me like I’m supposed to care.”
“Do you?” Her lip trembled.
He didn’t answer, he couldn’t. He was already battling with himself.
“You don't?” He still didn't answer. Instead, he did something worse.
He kissed her, hard there was no hesitation.
His mouth claimed hers like she owed him something and he had finally come to collect, her breath caught, but she didn’t pull away.
He tasted the alcohol on her tongue, he felt her fingers gripping his shirt. And for a moment, just a moment, he let himself forget the rules.
She moaned softly and that sound shot through him like lightning.
His hand went to her waist, pulling her closer.
This wasn’t supposed to happen, but it was happening anyway and he didn’t want it to stop.
But the universe sure had other plans.
Knock, knock.
“Boss?”
Lac growled into the kiss before pulling away with his breath heavy. “What?”
“Clean-up done. We found the rest of the stolen stash. You need to sign off on the disposal.”
He closed his eyes briefly. Then looked down at Isla.
She was dazed. Breathless. Her lips swollen from the kiss.
“I’ll be back,” he said in a tone that sounded like a promise.
Then he walked away, closing the door behind him.
And for the first time since she arrived in Rome, Isla wasn’t sure what scared her more of his kiss… Or how much she wanted more of it.
It didn't take long and he was back.
He didn't wait for her to react when his lips clashed with hers again.
Lac grabbed her hands and placed them on his belt; her eyes widened in size.
"Unbuckle it," he commanded.
Isla struggled within herself, her hands shaky as she gripped the belt as if her life depended on it. She struggled to open it, all to no avail. She could feel the man getting annoyed.
"Ahhhmmm... It just wouldn't open," she said, lifting her head to look at him.
Lac could see the innocence in her eyes and felt his cold heart melting. He helped her out and unbuckled it.
"You can unbutton a trouser, right?" Isla nodded shyly and unbuttoned the trouser.
"Ah..." Isla gasped in surprise at the huge little man in front of her, her cheeks turned red.
Lac didn't want to scare her and placed her on his lap, squeezing her soft waist.
"Your body is soft," he complimented, inhaling her scent. He kissed her neck, sending shocks through her body. Isla could feel her body come alive at his touch. His hands sneaked to her chest, and he rubbed the two pointed things on it, earning a gasp from her. Isla shivered and moaned as his mouth followed his hands.
"No... Wait... Stop," this was the first time someone was doing such a thing to her. Something leaked from between her legs; she felt ashamed at what was happening.
"You like it," Lac told her confidently. "Your smell is mouthwatering."
Isla blushed at his words; she could only hold onto his neck as he continued.
Lac looked at the little girl holding onto his neck tightly. He stood up, holding her tightly. He dumped her on the bed, unbuttoning two buttons of his shirt, his chest coming into view.
“Gosh I missed you.” Lac murmured.
"What do you want to do?" Now Isla was really scared; she didn't want to have anything to do with him.
"Showing you what I mean when I said I missed you ," he suddenly kissed her roughly, grabbing her neck with one hand.
Isla couldn't hide the moan at the back of her throat. It was like something strong was overtaking her, and she was drowning. She didn't know what to do and could only whimper and cry as he kissed her thoroughly.
Lac looked down to see the little girl, her eyes closed tightly as she held onto his neck for dear life. Her lips were red and swollen.
"Growllll," at that moment Isla wished the earth would open and swallow her.
"Looks like someone is hungry," Lac stood, picked up his phone and made a call.
"Food is coming," he announced, chuckling at the little girl. Gosh she felt so embarrassed. Isla rushed to the bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror.
That was when she realized her clothes were torn, and a huge part of her skin was showing. She took the bathrobe she saw in the bathroom, wore it and came out only when the person who went in with the food left.
"Eat," Lac said, sitting down on the sofa, his legs crossed. Isla slowly walked to the table set where the food sat. She ate and drank until she was tipsy. She swayed to Lac's side, sitting on his lap, her hands around his neck.
"Thank you," she slurred, rubbing her face all over his chest.
Lac could see that she was drunk and couldn't help pinching her face softly.
"Let's get back to it shall we?" Isla suddenly said with heated eyes, shocking Lac as she got on her knees and opened his zip, touching it tentatively. She put it in her mouth, licking it.
"Taste like hard candy," she muttered and Lac groaned as her soft tongue licked him. He tried his best to restrain himself from pushing her head down.
"Ahhhhh," Lac groaned as she vomited all over him, staring at the little girl in horror.
What was she doing to him?