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Book:Surrender to the Don's Embrace Published:2024-11-9

MILLIE
Our progress toward the bedroom was gradual, marked by Sebastian’s occasional grimace of pain. Yet, in the midst of this ordeal, his senses sharpened. A sudden tension imbued his form, alerting me to his heightened awareness. While I remained oblivious to any intrusion, he whispered a revelation, his muscles coiled in readiness.
“Somebody has entered the penthouse,” he divulged, his voice a mere breath. Astonishingly, I had heard nothing.
“Gio mentioned that Dario would be dropping by,” I recalled.
“Likely indicating a lapse in security at the moment,” he deduced, his tone reflecting a blend of concern and apprehension.
I gazed up at him, a sudden pang of worry gripping me. The Russians had somehow breached the mansion’s defenses, which left me wondering if our penthouse was vulnerable too. His hand slid down my back, and after the initial shock, realization dawned upon me. With deliberate intent, he extracted the gun from my pants’ waistband, his focus fixed on the door as he straightened up from where he stood by my side.
“Position yourself behind me.”
“You can’t manage on your own.”
“Damn it, Millie, just get behind me,” his voice carried a growl of urgency, making me flinch momentarily before narrowing my eyes.
“No.”
Perhaps he might have forcibly moved me aside, yet in that very instant, Dario’s voice cut through the tension. “Millie? Where are you?”
His voice was tinged with concern.
“Here!” I hollered, and within mere seconds, Dario burst into the room, gun gripped firmly. As his gaze settled upon Sebastian and me, surprise and relief mingled on his face, prompting him to holster his weapon.
“Sebastian thought it’d be a great idea to faint in the shower,” I quipped.
“I didn’t exactly faint. I stumbled,” he muttered in retort.
Dario closed the distance between us, slipping his arm beneath Sebastian’s armpit. A small sigh escaped me as the weighty burden lifted from my shoulder, and I instinctively stepped back.
“I’ll take it from here. Why don’t you go change?” Dario suggested.
I glanced down at myself. My drenched shirt clung to my form, translucent from the water, revealing the outline of my white lace bra. Yet, another detail caught my attention there were splotches of blood on the fabric.
Just as I was about to exit the room, Sebastian’s voice echoed out. “Millie?” I pivoted towards him. Dario had expertly settled him onto the bed. “Thank you.”
A soft smile curved my lips. “You’re welcome.”
Fatigue tugging at my limbs, I ascended the stairs, eventually reaching the master bedroom. A leisurely, hot shower washed away the tension and grime, and I exchanged damp clothes for the embrace of the softest wool nightgown. I settled into the bed, surrendering to the soothing embrace of sleep.
A warm palm on my cheek roused me from slumber. Gio’s visage hovered above, his thumb tracing gentle patterns on my skin. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I inquired, “What’s the time?”
“Late,” he responded in a voice dipped in an unusual tone. I searched his gaze, sensing an emotion that fluttered in my stomach like a collection of butterflies. “He told me what happened.”
“I had to help him,” I defended with a touch of indignation. “I don’t care if you’re upset I saw more than I should have.”
A soft chuckle escaped Gio’s lips, and I furrowed my brows, perplexed by his demeanor. His hand skimmed down my side, bunching up my nightgown as he settled between my legs. His warm frame enveloped mine, and a shiver coursed through me when his touch grazed my core, eliciting an unexpected gasp. He didn’t thrust into me; instead, he kissed me.
I responded eagerly, yielding to his heat and the strength of his embrace. Soon, his tongue danced with mine, and his weight pressed against me, arousing a slick response. Eventually, Gio’s length eased into me, his unwavering gaze locking onto mine as he completed the intimate connection. A moan escaped my lips at the exquisite sensation of fullness.
“I don’t deserve you, Millie.”
His lips claimed mine anew before I could form a protest, and swiftly, his skilled movements had me writhing and panting, obliterating any semblance of objection from my consciousness.
GIO
Four months had elapsed since that pivotal moment.
In the golden hue of the setting sun, Sebastian was in lively pursuit of Harper along the shoreline, her contagious high-pitched laughter harmonizing with the sound of crashing waves. As their joyous commotion painted the scene, I found myself enveloped by Millie’s arms around my waist, accompanied by the undeniable presence of her “I-told-you-so” expression. Back then, I had never believed that Harper would find her way back to my brother, Sebastian, yet against all odds, she did. Strangely enough, they appeared to be content together, their connection weathering the storm of doubt and skepticism. However, my reservations toward the enigmatic redhead lingered steadfastly; there was something about her that continued to raise alarms within me. Nevertheless, despite my apprehensions, observing Sebastian’s buoyant spirits was a relief in itself.
An uncertain thought escaped my lips, giving voice to my lingering concerns, “Let’s just hope she remains resolute in her decision.”
Millie, her expression a mixture of wisdom and playful jest, shook her head in response. “You see, once you Merante men have etched your place within our hearts, escape becomes an implausible endeavor.”
In the soft light, her blue eyes danced with a glimmer of amusement, adding depth to her words.
Unexpectedly, I confessed, “I never harbored the intention of weaving my path into your heart,” for matters of love had never been a component of the arrangement that brought us together.
With a subtle shrug, Millie acknowledged my admission. “I’m aware,” she replied, a teasing smile gracing her lips as her demeanor turned flirtatiously mischievous, sparking an undeniable reaction within me. “Your interest lay solely in my exceptional prowess in matters of intimacy.”
A spontaneous laugh caught in my throat at her audacity. Responding to her magnetic pull, Millie firmly clasped my hand and guided me toward the grandeur of the mansion, where our story continued to unfold in ways I could never have predicted.
~*~
As the day wore on, Sebastian and I found ourselves engrossed in setting up a barbecue on the patio. The warm sun cast a golden hue over the scene as I meticulously turned the marinated lamb chops on the grill. Meanwhile, Sebastian, ever the connoisseur, ventured into our wine cellar to retrieve a bottle that would perfectly complement our meal. Millie, bless her heart, was inside the kitchen, diligently working on what we hoped would be an appetizing salad.
Amid the sizzle of the meat and the anticipation of a pleasant evening, a figure caught my attention Harper. Stepping up to the barbecue, she carried an air of determination that immediately piqued my curiosity. Raising an eyebrow inquisitively, I couldn’t help but wonder what was on her mind. Harper wasn’t known for initiating casual conversations, so her presence with a purpose was certainly out of the ordinary.
Her expression held an unusual touch of nervousness, a side of Harper I hadn’t witnessed before. The thought alone was enough to raise my own apprehension. After all, encounters with Harper typically didn’t spell anything positive. And her words confirmed my suspicions.
“I’m aware that we haven’t exactly seen eye to eye,” she began, her voice carrying an unexpected vulnerability. Harper, nervous? That was indeed a new sight to behold. “But, for Millie and Sebastian’s sake, I think it’s worth considering a change in how we relate to each other.”
Our gazes locked, and the sincerity in her eyes demanded acknowledgment. While I held no fondness for Harper, I couldn’t deny the validity of her point. Millie and Sebastian had expressed their wishes for harmony, a sentiment I couldn’t outright dismiss. After all, their happiness was paramount.
“I held reservations because of how you treated Sebastian,” I admitted, my tone unwavering. I wasn’t one to mince words. Harper’s expression twisted as if my response wasn’t within her expectations. “But,” I continued, “I find myself gradually reconsidering that stance.”
Her response was a mixture of surprise and curiosity. “Really?”
Turning a lamb chop on the grill, I offered a nonchalant shrug. “I’m beginning to entertain the idea that Sebastian might have been onto something when he vouched for your compatibility,” I stated, perhaps bending the truth slightly but not veering into falsehood.
Harper’s and Sebastian’s shared penchant for fiery interactions and a love for conflict were evident enough. They were like two sides of the same coin, both possessing an undeniable affinity for contention.
“Thank you, I suppose. You really do struggle with giving compliments, don’t you?”
“Compliments aren’t exactly my forte,” I retorted, a hint of amusement in my voice. “And don’t you dare inform my brother that I conceded he might be right. His ego hardly needs the boost.”
In the midst of our exchange, Sebastian approached us, arms laden with bottles of wine. An imperceptible tightening of his expression occurred when he noticed Harper standing beside me. He knew me well enough to decipher my typical sentiments towards her. But there was no reason for concern; Harper was under his protection, regardless of how infuriating she could be.
“He certainly is,” Harper chimed in affectionately. Making an effort, I softened my demeanor, earning a grateful smile from her.
Sebastian deposited the wine bottles onto the table before joining our little gathering, his arm finding its familiar place around Harper’s waist. As his presence enveloped her, I acknowledged the depth of their connection. She was his, an undeniable fact despite her exasperating nature.
“Care to enlighten us on the topic of discussion?” Sebastian quirked an eyebrow playfully.
“None other than you,” I replied.
“Is that so?” Sebastian’s raised eyebrow spoke volumes.
Just then, Millie returned from the kitchen, cradling a bowl in her hands. Nestling close to me, she shot me a questioning look. “What’s the conversation about?”
“Your husband and my wife appear to be exchanging thoughts about my apparent magnificence,” Sebastian chimed in, his playful tone ever-present.
Harper cast an appreciative glance at Sebastian, a look laden with fondness. I made a conscious effort to thaw my demeanor, prompting a genuine smile from her.
Sebastian’s arm lifted Harper slightly, executing a playful twirl that showcased their chemistry. Observing their interaction, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
“I’m not entirely certain how long I can endure their togetherness,” I commented dryly.
Millie’s grin was infectious. “Come on, admit it. You’re secretly enjoying this.”
Pausing for a moment, I weighed her words. Happiness, a concept that had often eluded me, was more within reach now than ever before. I subtly gestured toward the bowl in Millie’s hands, steering the conversation away from sentimentality. “Speaking of enjoyment, how did the salad turn out? Are we in danger of any culinary catastrophes?”
Millie’s knowing look spoke volumes, her awareness of my growing contentment evident.
In this idyllic moment, amidst the sizzling barbecue and the camaraderie of friends and family, I found myself embracing a happiness that had long evaded me.