Grabbing her soaked clothes, my dick hardens with the image of her standing in my office dripping wet in only her underwear. I adjust myself and walk to the laundry to toss her clothes into the basket, along with my wet shirt. My thumb flicks over my phone, sending a quick message to Mattia.
Something came up. Meet me in the office tomorrow at 9. Don’t be late.
I slip the phone back into my pocket and follow the trail of water droplets down the hallway we share. I was heading to my room to get a new shirt, but I find myself standing in front of Charlie’s door instead.
I knock but no answer, so I knock again. Still nothing. Fuck it. I push the door open and step inside. Just as I’m about to call her name, the sound of the shower running reaches my ears, along with a low moan. I move toward her bathroom, leaning casually against the door frame. The glass is foggy, but her silhouette is clear enough that I can see all her curves. She’s lost in herself, her fingers sliding inside her. Her soft moans echo in the room. “Luciano.”
My dick starts to harden again as I watch Charlie, my body betraying me. Adjusting myself, I stay put, fascinated by the sight of her. One hand teasing her nipple while the other explores herself. She’s on the edge. “Luciano,” she pants, but I can’t resist the temptation, the demon in me wants to play.
My voice cuts through the steamy air. “Principessa.”
Charlie lets out a startled scream, her eyes wide as she tries scrambling to cover herself. She turns around and presses her front against the wall, giving me the perfect view of her toned ass. I can’t help the chuckle that escapes my lips.
“What are you doing in here?” she screams at me, breathless and flushed. Her eyes flicker over my bare chest for a second too long.
I shrug, giving her nothing. “I heard you calling my name.”
“Get out,” she snaps, but I don’t move. Licking my lips, I gaze over her body slowly, making her squirm. “Get the fuck out, Luciano.” Her voice may be telling me to leave, but her body is saying otherwise.
Chuckling, I slowly back out of her room. “You better be at the dinner table tonight, Principessa.”
The echo of her anger follows me as I leave.
I look up to the clock on the wall. It’s now 7:10 and Charlie hasn’t come down yet. We’re all seated at the table, waiting for her before we can start dinner.
Stefano grumbles, “Lei non verrà.”She isn’t coming. He’s becoming moodier than usual.
“Let’s just start,” Carlo says.
“Do you want me to go get her?” Mattia offers. At least Gabriele doesn’t seem to care, too busy fixated on his tablet like normal.
“No,” I say, pushing my chair back. I’m close to getting her myself when she walks through the door, wearing jeans and a hoodie, clearly trying to cover her body from me. She doesn’t say anything or look at me—she just walks to her spot and sits. “Let’s eat,” I say to everyone, hoping that dinner goes smoothly.
“So Red, you joining us for family movie night after dinner?” Mattia asks with a mouthful of food. He sees me staring at him, and he quickly swallows. He knows how much I hate people talking with their mouths full of food.
“Sure.” She pushes her food around her plate, not bothering to look up at him. “What are you going to watch?”
“It’s Gabriele’s turn to pick, so it will probably be something boring,” Mattia responds.
Gabriele readjusts his glasses. “Just because it’s not your choice of movie doesn’t mean they’re boring.”
“Bro, last time you chose10,000 BC,” Mattia fires back, pointing at Gabriele with his fork.
“And you choseSausage Partybefore that,” Gabriele says, causing a small laugh to come from Charlie. I sit back in my chair and let Mattia be his usual self. Tonight is not the night to push.
8
Charlie
The morning sun pours its harsh light over the estate as I tug on my running shoes, a flicker of restless energy burning beneath my skin. I’ve been couped up at the estate for just over two weeks, unsure how I’m meant to survive one whole year here. So far, my days are spent wandering the mansion and awkward dinners with the brothers. At least movie night was good. Stefano really seems to hate the idea of me being here, and I don’t know why. At least the rest are more tolerable. Mattia is doing everything possible to earn the best friend title. It might be good to have one of them on my side.
I grab my phone and quickly shoot a message to Mel.
Hey bestie, just checking in. Still alive. x
I chuck my phone back on my bed and head out.
My feet find the dirt trail behind the mansion, and I start to run. The crunch of gravel, the birds chirping in the trees above, and trees rustling around me, has my breath falling into a calming rhythm.
