Alessio didn't rush.
He could have.
He could have taken everything from her in an instant, devoured her, ruined her completely—because she was already his.
But he wanted her to feel it.
To understand it.
Not just in words.
Not just in a whispered plea.
But in every breath.
Every touch.
Every second of her surrender.
So he took his time.
Letting his hands trail over her skin—slowly, deliberately, cruelly.
Letting the anticipation coil tighter and tighter inside her until she was trembling beneath him.
Because she might think she had already given in—
But Alessio knew better.
She hadn't truly fallen yet.
Not the way he wanted.
Not the way she would.
And he was going to make sure she felt it when she did.
The Edge of No Return
Elena's breath hitched.
She was aching now.
Her body thrumming with something dark and deep and inescapable.
Something he had put there.
She tried to move—to take more—
But Alessio's grip was firm.
Unyielding.
A silent reminder that she didn't get to decide.
That he controlled this.
Controlled her.
And she loved it.
No—she hated how much she loved it.
How much she craved this.
Him.
It was maddening.
It was terrifying.
And yet, she didn't pull away.
Not anymore.
Because what was the point?
She belonged to him.
She knew it now.
And Alessio?
He was going to make sure she never forgot.
His lips ghosted over her ear, his voice low, dark.
Dangerous.
"You're mine now, Elena."
A shudder rolled through her.
Because it wasn't a promise.
It wasn't a threat.
It was a fact.
And she had never wanted anything more.
No Mercy
Alessio finally gave in.
But not with gentleness.
Not with kindness.
Because he wasn't kind.
And Elena didn't want kindness from him.
Not anymore.
She wanted him.
His dominance.
His control.
His complete and utter possession.
And Alessio gave it to her.
Slowly.
Intensely.
Leaving no space for doubt, no room for hesitation.
Every touch, every breath, every agonizing second was a reminder—
She was his now.
Completely.
Irrevocably.
Forever.
Because once Alessio took something?
He never gave it back.
And Elena was never escaping him.
Not now.
Not ever.