Revenge in Rio

  It was true. Daniella was beautiful. He struggled for a word to describe her type of beauty; unearthly, like a goddess. Even heavily pregnant with another man’s child, she was breathtakingly stunning. The extra weight and curves of her belly, hips, and breasts only made him crave her more than ever.

  A pang of guilt hit his heart, hard. He worried she would feel worthless with no self-esteem when he’d finished with her and thrown her out of his home. Could he really do that to her? The moment when she had left his arms for Miguel’s came back to him and he firmed his resolve.

  Stop thinking. Closing his eyes, he blocked out his intruding thoughts and captured her lips once more, this time with a savage and fierce need.

  * * * *

  This was happening.

  Daniella’s thoughts were jumbled, but pleasantly, as if she had drunk too much wine. It was him. Luca made her feel this way. When he was near her, she lost touch with reality and embraced a whole new world with him alone, fueled by wanton desire and love.

  Her palms glided up his bare chest as she traced over his rippling muscles and flat stomach. She broke away from his hot mouth and shuffled closer toward his body and the edge of the bed, eager to be close to him. He stood beside her and towered over her. Small curls of black hair swirled across his chest and down, leading to a dark trail that snaked past his belly button and down under his trouser belt. She reached for the buckle and unfastened the silver clasp. Luca’s hand closed tightly around hers and stopped her from going any further.

  “No,” he growled, but a mischievous smile crossed his lips.

  He moved his knee so it was between her thighs and pushed them open.

  “Tonight, I am satisfying you, querida.” His voice was gruff and huskiness flavored his words as he kicked off his trousers. “Lay back and relax.”

  Daniella was sure Luca was used to women only of Natalie Chevalier’s caliber—leggy and polished, like something out of Vogue magazine. She had to admit, Natalie had a body to die for. But obviously, Luca only used Natalie when he needed her.

  Daniella wished the dimmed lights were off and the dark hid her from his gaze. Stop it. Luca isn’t Miguel! When will you see that?

  “Stop thinking.” He was above her and resting on one elbow. With the other hand he gently tapped her temple. “You still don’t believe me, do you? When I look at you, naked or clothed, all I see is perfection. Complete and utter perfection.”

  Daniella rested back against the luxurious cushions and relished the touch of the silk sheets against her skin. His words rang in her ears and comforting warmth shuddered through her body.

  “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

  Her body tingled with a newfound excitement that sent a delicious wave of pleasure through her. She wanted him more than ever before and longed for his touch. She’d been trying to do the right thing by staying away from Luca, but she couldn’t stop herself from loving him. It was far too late for that. How was it possible, when in fact she had never stopped?

  His hair tickled her skin as he lowered his head and allowed his lips and tongue to tease her left breast. Her nipple responded immediately under his skillful tongue, taut and throbbing. Thoughts of Miguel, Natalie, and dimmed lights were long gone from her mind as Luca continued to roll the bud between his lips and suck, lick, and gently nibble until stars filled her vision.

  Heat burned between her legs as she clamped them together to hold on to the tingling sensation deep within her. She arched her back to bring herself closer to his mouth as he moved his attention to her other breast and offered it the same expert attention.

  “Luca…” She breathed deeply and reached for him, weaving her fingers into his hair, needing to hold on to something before she fell into oblivion.

  How could just his mouth alone make her feel like this? She was teetering on the edge of something new and intoxicating and didn’t want to cross it. She had never known sex—known intimacy and love—to be like this. Luca and Daniella had decided together to wait until they were married, to tighten their unity and love for one another. Her only sexual experience with Miguel was akin to rape. However much it sickened her to admit to it, that was all it had been. Daniella had quickly learned that fighting Miguel wouldn’t achieve anything but further pain. Now safe in Luca’s secure and tender grasp, she couldn’t believe they were brothers.

  Luca moved down her body and continued to show undivided attention as he kissed his way over every inch. His hands traced over her ribcage, hips, and belly. Even though soft, his hands still possessed a roughness, a masculine strength. His hand rested on her thigh before he nudged them further apart to settle himself between of them.

  “Oh, Luca…”

  “Shhh,” he whispered before he dipped his head and kissed the sensitive spot of her inner thigh, the pad of his thumb following his kisses in soft, circular movements against her skin.

  His mouth found her sex, exploring and owning it with each lick. Gently for a few strokes, before he slipped his finger inside and slowly thrust in and out.

  Oh, dear God.

  The slick wetness of her desire was evident and gave him easy access. Luca entered a second, stretching finger and skillfully moved both inside her. The cocktail of kisses to her highly sensitive bud and the curling of his fingers in a come-hither motion quickly sent wave after wave of pulsating pleasure throughout her core.

  “Luca, please. I can’t take any more.” She called his name as she arched her back, trying to get closer to him.

  She held the pillows beside her with one hand, and with the other she twisted through his hair, using the grip to pull him closer, deeper into her. His tongue swirled over her fully charged clitoris one last time before he rolled it gently between his masterful lips, bringing her closer to the edge of the same oblivion she had been nearing since entering his room.

  “Yes, yes. Oh God, please don’t stop!”

  Luca teased for a few more moments. His fingers pumped faster inside of her, massaging her g-spot and clit, as his tongue worked untold miracles.

  “Come for me, querida. Close your eyes and just free fall.” He breathed against her skin. The breath on her hot, wet skin was too much. She cried out in ecstasy and reached for his shoulders with both hands to brace herself.

  Wave after wave of euphoria engulfed her from head to toe and washed over her. Floating so high, all Daniella could hear were thunderous beats pulsating in her ears in unison with the multiple waves of divine pleasure.

  She rested the back of her forearm across her closed eyes and listened to her ragged panting. As she slowly drifted back, she tried to suck in a gulp of composure. Her body still tingled with remnants of pleasure. She never knew such passion, such connection, was possible. For the briefest of seconds, she wanted to cry with a happiness she’d never experienced before, but managed to hold back the emotional torrent.

  “Are you okay?” Luca lifted her arm away from her face and gently placed it beside her.

  Opening her eyes, she was greeted by his face close to hers. She hadn’t felt him move from between her legs, it was as if time had vanished whilst she was composing herself.

  “Yes.” A breathless whisper was all she could muster in response to him.

  Luca’s mischievous grin was infectious and she couldn’t stop herself from smiling back.

  “Good. Think you can handle a round two?” He pushed a strand of hair aside and kissed her forehead.

  “Mmm-hmm.” She raised her head and pushed her lips against his. She could taste the saltiness of her release on his lips and tongue as his tongue swept in a swirling motion inside of her mouth.

  Her heartbeat slowed and the blissful flood of pleasure slowly left her body as Luca’s hard, throbbing erection pushed against her belly. For a fleeting second, she wondered how on earth he was going to fit inside her as she looked at his straining arousal. She reached down and took the long, thick shaft in her hands and longed for him to be deep within her. She could see
the sheen of his pre-ejaculation and had a burning desire to taste him, something she had never wanted to do before. She’d never felt so alive, so exhilarated.

  She placed one hand on his chest to push him away a little. “Wait.”

  “What’s wrong?” His brow creased with worry.

  She wanted to return the pleasure even though Luca had told her it wasn’t necessary. She wanted to. She needed to.

  She’d never been so awakened by a man before. The very thought of him inside of her mouth brought her near to the edge again.

  She sat up and kneeled in front of him on the bed. Taking him in her hands, she began to caress him with a slow and steady pace. A primitive growl left him as he reached for her and tried to pull her away.

  “Daniella, you are playing with fire.” His voice was stern and matter-of-fact, and warning flashed in his dark eyes.

  I know exactly what I’m playing with.

  She looked up at him once more before she took him into her mouth. She was reassured when he groaned and his eyes closed.

  * * * *

  Damn it!

  Luca wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold back before coming. He needed to be inside her before she had him finishing right there and then. He opened his eyes and took firm hold of her hips before pulling her on top of him.

  Her eyes locked with his in silent agreement and she gently started to lower herself on to his rock hard girth, inch by inch, stretching herself to accommodate his straining masculinity.

  Luca softly bucked his hips back and forth to help ease himself further inside of her. Daniella stifled a gasp as she bit down on her lip.

  “Relax,” he whispered, cupping her cheek and pulling her down to meet his lips.

  With each thrust it became more comfortable and both moved together in sync, in natural harmony. Luca looked up. Her wet curls were bouncing with each rise and fall as his thrusts filled her completely. He was finally making love to her. After all these years, after all the heartache, he was finally inside of her, mentally and physically. She was his. She may have given her virginity to Miguel, but she was his now.

  Luca moved her so that he was on top and shifted his weight on to his forearms. Daniella wrapped her legs around his body and pushed her mouth onto his lips. Her body trembled once again as she sunk her fingernails into his back and clung to him tightly. He withdrew to the tip before plunging back into her for the final time, a crescendo finally consuming the both of them. Luca rested his forehead against hers as they both attempted to control their breathing.

  They made love several times throughout the night before Daniella fell asleep in his arms. At five in the morning, Luca was still wide awake with her curled up against his chest. Her lips were parted slightly and her curls, now dry, tumbled over her shoulders and breasts. The silk bedsheet draped over the curve of her hip bone and bump, leaving her upper body exposed to the hot Rio air.

  She was the definition of everything that was just in the world. His heart stung as though he had been stabbed with a steel blade over and over. He had no idea how he was going to tell her to leave in the morning.

  Chapter 11

  Luca hadn’t slept all night. He’d stayed beside Daniella and watched her sleeping peacefully; she was blissfully unaware of his intentions. The knot in his stomach twisted tighter and tighter until he couldn’t bear it anymore. He had to do something to distract himself from this mess he’d created. He carefully peeled her arm from across his chest and quietly made his way to the en suite, closing the door firmly behind him.

  If only it could be so easy. He ground the heels of his hands into his eyes. Shit. Shit. Shit.

  How could he possibly go through with kicking her out on to the street now, after last night, after everything? How the hell could he let her go?

  How could he allow her to leave his life, again? And it would be his own doing. His plan of bittersweet revenge suddenly didn’t seem as tempting as before.

  Turning the shower faucet on to full, Luca stood under the cool stream and rested his palms on the tiles. The water cascaded over his shoulders and down his back. He hoped the water would wash away the memories of last night and soothe his confused thoughts.

  What was happening to him? He was always in control, never second-guessing himself. He’d had his fun and knew it had been worth it, that he had accomplished something…hadn’t he?

  He’d expected satisfaction from the revenge he sought, but it eluded him. The ever-tightening knot in the pit of this stomach was beginning to weigh him down as guilt overtook him.

  Be done with Brazil for good. Get a grip. Remember what she has done to you. She broke your heart, crushed you. She eloped with your brother for Christ’s sake!

  The words echoed through his thoughts and reminded him of what she had done so easily, so flippantly five years ago. She hadn’t even looked back as she’d walked away from him into his brother’s arms.

  My brother of all people!

  Daniella had turned her back on him and left him a broken man for a long time. Work had been his only saving grace, allowing him time, space, and a distraction he could throw his energy into. Eventually pent-up anger and the window of opportunity had led to his determination for precious revenge. She had to feel the same pain as he had.

  She just had to.

  Luca finished his shower, dressed in one of his Hugo Boss suits, and made his way to the kitchen to fix himself a black coffee. From today, business would return to normal and his life in New York would resume. He would sell his property in Rio and be done with Daniella once and for all. It was as clear as day and simple. It would all be over in the next couple of hours and then he could move on with his life. He would keep her under observation, and when the baby was born, he would assume custody and be the sole parent for the child—his brother’s child. It was his family obligation, and the child would be better off with him.

  The confusion in his mind cleared as he worked out each step.

  Luca poured himself a third cup of coffee and carried it with him into the bedroom. Daniella hadn’t moved an inch. The wicker chair opposite the four-poster bed offered him a place to stew over his thoughts as he gazed at her. Part of him wanted her to wake so he could get this over with. He also wished just as hard—if not more—that he didn’t have to, that she could stay there with him, in their home forever as it should have been years ago.

  God damn his thoughts, his emotions. He’d had them under control, but now they threatened to escape from where he had locked them away.

  As if on cue, Daniella stretched out her arms to his side of the bed, reaching for him before her eyes flickered open. “Luca?” she muttered softly.

  He didn’t answer. He couldn’t answer.

  Daniella twisted to look at the clock on the wall before she turned to face him. The smile that spread across her lips when she saw him was like a punch to his stomach. Her hair was loose and fell softly across her shoulders. He thought back to a few hours ago when his hands had been entwined in her hair, gently pulling against it to gain access to her neck. Those spellbinding lips… His mind was wandering.

  “There you are. What are you doing up? It’s only six-thirty. Come back to—” She stopped mid-sentence and sat up in bed. “Why are you dressed for work? It’s Sunday.”

  Luca inhaled deeply as he stood. He threw back the dregs of his coffee and turned his back to her. To look out of the window unseeingly was far easier than to look her in the eye.

  The coward’s way.

  “What’s wrong, Luca? You’re scaring me.”

  This was it. This was farewell. The end.

  Just get it over with.

  “You need to leave.”

  “I’m sorry?” He heard her shuffle around in the bed, but he remained still and didn’t look at her.

  “I said you need to leave. Today. You can get yourself ready and then I want you out of my home.”

  “What…I don’t understand? What’s happened?” Her voice cracked with
a nervous giggle.

  Why did she have to ask questions? Why couldn’t she just leave and make it easier for the both of them?

  Luca rubbed his jaw as he gathered his thoughts. He could hear the soft swish of her body slipping across the silky sheets and prayed to God she wasn’t moving nearer to him. He couldn’t deal with her being in close proximity. She just needed to leave and then he could move on—life could be simple.

  “Luca?” Her shaky voice came from directly behind him. “Have I done something wrong? I thought last night…”

  Frustration began to build up inside of him, brewing and eating away at him.

  “This just isn’t working anymore,” he lied, his gaze fixed steadily on the rising sun.

  It could work. Of course it could work, if you let go of the past.

  A nervous laugh escaped Daniella’s lips. “What isn’t working? Last night wasn’t—”

  “Last night was part of my plan. You were just a toy to me and now I’m finished with you. You were nothing more than another notch on my bedpost.” He turned on his heel. She stood mere inches from him. “Call it revenge if you wish.”

  Damn! Why did he turn around?

  His eyes fell upon her, petite and vulnerable, confusion written on her face. The ivory bedsheets cocooned her and contrasted with her olive skin. He clenched and unclenched his fists, attempting to rid the imprint of her on his skin, from his memory.

  A tense silence lingered in the air for a few moments whilst she gazed steadily at him.

  Luca swallowed hard and ground his teeth together as he tried to hold together the mixture of emotions simmering inside.

  “I see. Revenge?” she said in a matter-of-fact tone, but the rolling of her bottom lip between her teeth couldn’t hide the telltale nerves he’d become accustomed to.

  That was it? That was all she had to say? He’d expected more than three words from her at least.

  Small tears formed at the corners of Daniella’s eyes, but she blinked them back before they could fall. There was no going back. This was his plan, he’d waited so long for this sweet moment and he was going to see it through to the very end.