Unforgettable night with him

Chapter 5

Why did you run you f*cking idiot? Because you have a husband; a husband you love. That's why you ran because you are a faithful wife.

"Shit." I moaned as he pumped his fingers in and out of me. He kissed up and down my neck, leaving marks I'd have to hide later on.

He kissed down my collarbone to the exposed part of my breast. Alessandro yanked my dress over my hips and palmed my ass while I gripped onto the railing behind me. "W- we're almost at the penthouse." I panted.

He threw my leg over his shoulder, not caring that someone could easily see us. He moved the thin layer of my purple lace underwear over. "Fucking beautiful." His hot breath hitting my clit causing me to suck in a breath. His entire mouth-

A loud honk brought me back to reality and I rolled my eyes at the car behind me. He put his middle finger out of his window, and I did the same. "Fuck you too, asshole!" I drove off and didn't hear whatever else he had to say back.

You are not allowed to be daydreaming about another man while married. I love Oliver and he loves me. I love Oliver and he loves me.

I pulled into the driveway of Serene's home and went to unlock her door. Sometimes I really regret having a spare key to her place. There was a pretty blue haired girl sitting on the kitchen counter... pleasing herself while Serene watched. I wasn't completely shocked, I'd walked in on way worse, so I just said, "Put some clothes on please."

While Serene groaned in annoyance the blue haired girl scrambled to put her panties on. "Why are you here right now?" I rolled my eyes at her.

"I saw him. Alessandro, I mean." Her eyes widened, suddenly interested in why I ruined her sex date.

"I'll go." The blue haired girl said. She was pretty; short figure, forest green eyes with specks of blue in them and pretty lips.

"No, no. Please stay, I'm Athena." I walked over to her in the kitchen and held out my hand.

She smiled and took it in hers. "Rachael."

"Alright now that everyone knows each other can we get back to the topic at hand. Sexy Alessandro." She pushed me into the living room and Rachael followed behind. They sat on the couch while I paced in front of them. "Stop pacing and talk stupid."

After catching Rachael up on my reality show worthy love life, I sat on the table. "Now for the reason I interrupted your orgasm." I sighed deeply. "I haven't seen Alessandro for six months and I kept this tattoo the entire time. I was coming back from a client's home, going through the back because of paparazzi was surrounding the front, and I was on my phone not paying attention. That's when I bumped into some mysterious guy, right?" They nodded.

"And as I was apologizing, I wasn't looking at his face. But at some point, when I did, all the memories from that night came rushing back as I stared at those silver eyes of his. Then he asked if we could talk, and we did. And fuck was there a lot of sexual tension." I bit back a smile thinking about him.

"You fucked him, right?" Racheal asked intrigued.

I grinned and looked at the both of them. "I left."

"You did what?" They said at the same time.

I stood up and ran a hand through my hair. "I know I know. But we have to be realistic here. I'm a famous lawyer married to a co- CEO. We love each other."

"I should slap you right now." Serene shook her head at me.

"Agreed. Look, from what I hear this Oliver guy is a real shithead. He doesn't deserve you at all." Serene hummed in agreement. "I'm not saying cheat on Oliver, but have you guys thought of an open marriage?"

I looked back and forth between them. "While that is a smart idea for most, I wouldn't like seeing Oliver fawning over another woman."

Serene rolled her eyes and Rachael threw her head back onto the couch in defeat. I gave them both a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry."

My phone started ringing and I dug it out of my suit jacket. "Fuck. It's Oliver." Both of their heads shot up to see me in panic.

"Calm down. He's your husband, you can talk to him normally." I nodded and took a deep breath before answering.

"Hi baby!" I said overly excited. They groaned at my stupidity.

I put him on speaker. "Um... hey baby. Did you get my message?"

"I'm with Serene right now so no."

"Serene. I assumed so. Well can you hurry back so I can take you shopping for your dress?" I looked at Serene and Rachael confused.

Realization dawned on Serene, and she mouth 'the yearly gala'. "Oh right! I'll be back as soon as possible." I hung the phone up and set on the table.

"Oliver seems... sweet."

Serene rolled her eyes. "He isn't. Wait until you've known him for as long as I have."

"He can be sweet." I defended him.

"No he cannot." Serene eyed me, silently reminding me of all the times I've called her crying about Oliver. I knew what she was thinking but neither of us spoke aloud about it. She grabbed her laptop. "What's Alessandro last name?"

I shrugged and moved in between them as she started typing. "Never asked." She smiled and went on to trying to find my side piece.

It only took two minutes before she said, "Is this him?" I looked at the picture she pulled up. I could recognize those tattoos, abs, arms, hands, legs anywhere. Just looking at him made me feel something.

"He's with someone?" Rachael asked, my attention moving to the brunette who had her arms wrapped around his waist with a bikini on.

"No, he's just a man-whore." Serene clicked on a link then scrolled.

"Alessandro Sinclair." Sinclair. His name sounded oddly familiar. I've heard it somewhere; I just can't put my finger on it.

"We're pretty close to being more powerful than the Sinclair."

I groaned in aggravation and leaned back onto the couch. "Oliver hates this man with every fiber in him."

Serene laughed at me as she shut her computer. "You're living the life, peach."

"I'm living fucking hell. I need to get my mind off them." I closed my eyes.

They were silent before I felt someone pulling on my arms. "You can help me find a dress for the gala. I have to look my best being a model." Rachael and I stood up and followed behind her as we went upstairs.

Her closet was massive, every shelve and hanger filled with designer clothes. "You make me seem more broke than I actually am." Rachael said in awe.

I laughed and went to grab one of her dresses along with Rachael. It was a black mermaid dress with ruffles at the top and a slit that went to her mid-thigh. "I wore that last year."

"Of course, you did." I rolled my eyes. "How about, you show us your options." She nodded and me and Rachael left the closet. We went over to her bed, and I slipped my suit jacket off. "So, how long have you known Serene?" I asked.

"For about a year. We're on and off fuck buddies." I nodded. A year on and off... Serene's got the hots for her, and I couldn't blame her. "How about you?"

"We've been best friends since eighth grade. So, sixteen years." She nodded. "Do you like her? Serene."

She chuckled and pulled her hair behind her ear nervously. "I-"

"Okay..." Serene walked out in a stunning, sparkling emerald, green dress with a high split. "This?"

"No. Next." Rachael and I said at the same time. She rolled her eyes and began to take off the dress as she walked back inside of the closet.

"So, what were you saying?" I said once she was gone.

"I don't know... She means a lot to me though. She can just be very confusing sometimes."

"I understand. As her best friend I'm just going to say it. If you hurt her, I'll destroy you; even though she's usually the heartbreaker." I gave her a smile and she laughed it off.

Serene walked back out in a black mermaid long dress with a high split. Her cleavage was shown off perfectly and she had on black gloves that went up to her elbows. "How are you changing so fast?" Rachael questioned.

"I'm like flash in this bitch." She flipped her hair behind her neck with a smile.

Racheal and I both laughed. "Pretty but not the one."

"You guys are so fucking complicated." She whined and walked back into the closet, causing Rachael and I to giggle.

We sat in silence and waited for her to come back out. She was taking longer than usual, and I was getting bored laying on her bed. "Serene hurry your fat ass up!" Racheal yelled.

"Please. I'm going to die laying here waiting for you." I sat up and groaned.

"Alright, alright. How about this?" She walked out and twirled. She had on a beautiful velvet royal blue dress with a high spilt. The neck was straight, and she had another pair of matching gloves that reached a bit above her elbows.

Rachael was the first to start clapping then I followed soon behind her. "Absolutely stunning." I spoke.

"Picasso would be honored to draw you." Rachael complimented.

Serene started to blush from Rachael's comment. "Now, all I need is a date." She acted as if Rachael wasn't right in front of her and I could see the disappointment on her face. Serene walked toward her and took her hand. "Wanna be my date sexy?" She wiggled her eyebrows and I grinned.

Rachael rolled her eyes. "Fucking asshole. Of course, I want to go." Serene smiled at her at her before leaning down.

"Oh, wait are you guys..." Their make-out session started to get a bit heated as Rachael laid back. "Okay... I'm going to go now." I ran as fast as possible away from the horny idiots and downstairs to grab my purse. I could already hear loud moans coming from upstairs and I just wanted to puke.

I laughed as I got into my car and set my purse in the passenger seat once more. Thinking about those two got me thinking Alessandro and I's night.

His fingers moved in and out of me at a rapid pace as his tongue lapped up my clit. I bit my lip and arched away from the wall. He used his free hand to pull the top part of my dress down and squeeze my left breast. "You taste so fucking good baby."

I moaned and rode his fingers, my toes curling and my head going back. His fingers still pushing me over the edge he moved up and took one of my breasts in his mouth. He groaned against me, causing me to moan louder. I felt a tightening in my stomach, my walls tightened around his fingers and my eyes rolled to the back of my head as he circled my clit, and I came.

The elevator doors opened, and he grabbed my ass picking me up and wrapping my legs around his waist. I tangled my hands in his hair and kissed him deeply as we walked inside of his penthouse. Setting me back down, our breathing heavy, he backed me up against a wall looking me over like a predator would his prey.

At this point Oliver and my marriage was out of my mind. Alessandro started to slowly unbutton his shirt, his eyes never leaving mine. As he went for his belt I stood to my tip toes, grabbed the back of his neck and brought him down for another kiss. His lips were soft yet rough at the same time and he ripped my dress off once his belt was gone.

He moved back from the kiss and looked over my body for the last time. The dress I wore didn't require a bra, so I stood braless and in dark blue lace underwear. "Beautiful." He said with a small smile. He crashed his lips back onto mine and picked me up, pushing me against the wall. His lips moved down to my neck, sucking and biting on the spot. In one swift motion he pushed himself inside of me, my walls tightening around his big size immediately.

I moaned and threw my head back in pure bliss. He thrusted in and out of me at fast pace and I dug my nails into his neck. "F- fuck." I tightened around him as he starts to fuck me harder, spreading his legs a bit. The pain and the pleasure made this moment all so much more memorable.

His body felt warm against mine and it engulfed me. The sexual pleasure I felt was more than any man on this earth had given me; it was intense, overwhelming even. He grabbed my legs, angling them to have more space, and started thrusting into me mercilessly. "Fuck. You feel so fucking good." He groaned at the feeling of me pulling at his hair. I moved his head from the crook of my neck and smashed my lips onto his.

I moaned into the kiss, feeling myself pulse around his cock. He moaned only turning me on even more and I scratched at his back. "Sandro." I moaned as I came. My nails dug so deep into his skin I knew it would leave a mark, but he didn't complain. He looked down at me with hungry, lustful eyes. I looked down between us to see his cock covered in my juices.

"I'm going to fuck you so good until you can't breathe." My legs now back around his waist as he carried me to the living room, and I set my head on his shoulder. Was I terrified that he was going to break me? Absolutely. But I wanted him to ruin me. I want him to turn me into his perfect mess. He set me down and turned me around so I was facing a window. "And I want as many people as possible to see."

He pushed me up against the glass and I could feel his mouth make a path of kisses along my back. This was by far the most harsh, powerful and hedonism intercourse I'd ever indulge in with anyone. The touch of his hands on my body brought me immense pleasure. I felt him rub his tip over my entrance, whining a wiggled my ass and pushed back to feel him inside of me already.

He slapped my ass hard and I moaned pitifully, he raised his eyebrows in amusement. "You like that don't you whore." His hand met my left cheek hard.

"Yes... I like it so-" I was cut off by my own moans when he slammed into me with so much force. My body jerked with every movement and my moans grew louder. He grabbed a hold of one of my breasts and squeezed it while using his other hand to push my ass back on his hips, meeting his thrusts.

He threw his head back his hands now back on my hips. "Fuck." He moaned and squeezed my ass. We looked at each other through the mirror for a split second then I looked away, closing my eyes. "Look at me, Athena." A hard thrust caused my eyes to shoot back open and I moaned as he pushed me further onto the window.

I put a hand behind me and touched his abdomen to get him to slow down but he just pinned it against my lower back. It was becoming too much, and I tightened around his cock, my pussy throbbing around his big dick. "I- I'm gonna c- come." My hands balled into fists tightly.

"Come darling. Come around my dick." I let out a scream, pushed back against him and moved to my tip toes. This orgasm came over me like a tsunami; so much force I thought I'd pass out. Alessandro never stopped thrusting into me, not even as I was riding out my release, until he came inside of me. "You look so pretty when you come. My pretty little whore."

Chapter 6

Why does my life have to be so complicated? I work my ass off but I still have to with not knowing what I want in my personal life.

I want to experience a night like the one I did six months ago. But Oliver doesn't like getting tattoos, he doesn't want to stay up all night and entertain me in any way and I'm almost one-hundred percent positive he isn't what I'm into sexual wise.

I grabbed my purse and briefcase before getting out of the car. "I love you so much, Oliver Smith." I took a deep breath, ridding Alessandro of my mind, and walked inside. Oliver was sitting on the sofa already dressed watching TV.

I gave him a kiss on the cheek before going upstairs and showering. I honestly didn't know why we needed to go to a store when I have plenty of dresses here. After showering I changed into black shorts, a rolling stones hoodie and slipped on red Jordan 1's.

"Are you-" Oliver walked in and once he saw what I was wearing he furrowed his brows. "You know that paparazzi will probably be around, right?" I nodded. "Do you want to be posted on the blogs alongside me?"

I sighed and pulled my hair into a ponytail, leaving a few strands out. "Yes Oliver. I feel comfortable in this and I'm not going to walk around like you every day." As usual he wore brown trousers and a blue button-up shirt, his blond hair jelled back.

"Like me?"

I grabbed my wallet and tucked it into my hoodie as I walked past him. "Never mind. We're just going shopping and I don't think it really matters what I wear."

"Are you saying I dress like a high-class person?" We walked downstairs and he went to grab his keys.

"No, not at all. You just dress the same every day." I shrugged and walked to the car.

"Because I like to look presentable. Why are you wearing basic clothes like that when you could wear designer?" He said as he shut his door. He started to pull out with an angry look on his face.

"Sometimes I would like to look like a normal person. Can we not argue and just enjoy our time together? Please?"

"It seems like that's all we do but sure." I leaned back in my seat and stared out the window. Petty arguments between us became a routine. I'd say, do or wear something he didn't like and we'd argue for a minute before he'd decide to leave.

The ride was long and filled with an awkward silence between us. Oliver was right though, paparazzi was standing right outside of the luxurious store and snapping photos of another couple. I pulled my hoodie over my head before getting out of the car and walking beside Oliver.

Usually, they'd ask about Oliver and his company so when I heard mine and Brinda's name's being said I was surprised. Oliver removed his hand from my lower back, probably out of spite, and I smiled.

"Will you get Mr. Dubois charged and time in prison?"

"Are you going to put Bella on the stand?"

"Do you think Mrs. Dubois is lying about her alleged rape from her husband?"

"Will Mrs. Dubois let Bella see her father?"

They all asked questions that legally I wasn't allowed to answer and that were also stupid. I used my hand to cover my eyes from the flashing lights and grabbed Oliver's with my other. When we walked inside the sounds of people speaking and camera's clicking was cut off.

The store was massive; it was dimly lit, diamond marble floors, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and walls, with open doorways, that held shelves with all types of different items. As we walked past a few purses I had to push down the urge to grab a few unneeded Birkin bags. Oliver went over to a glass counter full of diamonds while I walked over to a dress that caught my eye.

It was satin red with spaghetti straps and a slit that would go up to my hip. It was simple and looked like something I'd wear to prom instead of an award gala. I walked over to another dress and felt on the fabric. It was off the shoulder and, from how it fit on the mannikin, it wouldn't show much cleavage.

I smiled at it, pleased with how it felt in my hands, and walked over to where the cashier and Oliver stood, laughing their heads off. "Your husband is the funniest!" The cashier said with a huge smile. She was taller and slenderer than I was. Her breast was just the right size and her face resembled a model. Her dark blond hair was neatly trimmed just above her shoulders.

"I'm sure he is." I gave her a small fake smile.

She cleared her throat before speaking. "What can I help you with?" I showed her to the dress and went back to the register while she went to the back. Phoebe, the cashier, came back out with my dress in a garment back.

I paid for my dress while Oliver held it. "Have a nice night!" She yelled as we walked away, Oliver saying it back. It was pretty late so paparazzi had left by the time we were walking to our car. He hung my dress up in the backseat before getting in. I knew he was still upset about the paparazzi thing, but I found myself not really caring, instead thinking about Alessandro.

Ever since seeing and talking to him it's been harder to stop thinking about him. I hate to admit it, but I miss him, his touch, his groans, moans, grunts. The way he spoke to me as he fucked me brainless, his soft lips, and the way his skin felt on mine.

With Oliver the sex was pretty good at first but as the years of us being together grew the sex didn't. He started getting to his release before me and even if I didn't, he'd still stop and go straight to sleep. He didn't stay up with me just to talk about anything.

That one night with Alessandro he gave me more than my husband ever did. After we were both finished, he didn't fall asleep instead we took a shower together and laughed. Alessandro held me as I fell asleep, something my husband has only done once. The next morning, he made me breakfast and gave me Advil to help with my hangover. I hated comparing the two, but I couldn't help it.

Neither of us spoke to each other as we got out of the car. I took my dress upstairs and hung it up in the closet. Oliver stayed downstairs and went to his office, I never went in with him because he'd always say I was distracting him. I stripped of my clothes and laid in the bed wearing simple black silk satin shorts and a black lace bra.

My phone lit up, signaling that I had gotten a notification. I turned over and grabbed my phone.

Unknown

I miss you.

I furrowed my eyebrows at the message and sat up on my headboard.

Who is this?

Unknown

Alessandro.

How did you get my business number?

Alessandro

I saw it on your ad. I'm not that kind of stalker promise.

I smiled before responding.

So, you're a stalker?

Alessandro

Your very personal stalker.

When I didn't respond he messaged me again.

Alessandro

Now like I said, I miss you.

You barely know me.

Alessandro

I know enough.

The only thing you know is how my body feels and looks like.

Alessandro

I know your favorite color is purple, that you are terrified of dolphins, you absolutely despise Burger King, you love lilies because of the book It Ends With Us and much more.

You remember everything I told you after six months?

Alessandro

Every single thing. Big or small. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since that night. I know you haven't been able to stop thinking about me either.

Your confident.

Alessandro

Very.

I haven't thought about you since that night.

Alessandro

The way you were squeezing your thighs together tells me otherwise. You're also messaging me back.

I'm not allowed to miss you. I'm a married woman who had a one-night stand.

Alessandro

A one-night stand you can't get out of your head. I want to see you, hear you, feel you.

I can't do this to Oliver.

Alessandro

I don't give a fuck about your husband darling.

Alessandro's number popped up on my screen, although I knew I shouldn't have, I answered it hesitantly. "Alessandro."

"Athena." He spoke, his voice low and deep. "You know, I still remember every detail from that night." He said after a moment of silence, my breathing slightly growing heavier. "What are you wearing, Athena."

I let out a shaky breath and said, "A lace bra and shorts."

"You were wearing your hair straight down and you had little make-up on. You were wearing a beautiful black dress that hugged your body too well." I bit my lip at the way he described my appearance. "I remember how good your breasts felt in my hands, how you tasted on my tongue. How you begged for more, how loud you'd scream when your orgasmed, how you'd moan my name every time."

I shouldn't do this. I really shouldn't do this. My hand slid down inside of my shorts as he continued to speak. "I remember how you looked so damn good with your back arched and your ass in the air." My breathing grew heavier as I moved my fingers in and out of me. "You looked even better on top of me, riding me and using me. Are you touching yourself right now, Athena?"

"N- no." My mouth fell agape, and a quiet moan slipped past my lips.

"How are you touching yourself?"

"I- I'm moving my fingers in and out." Another moan came out and I arched my back a bit, speeding up my pace.

"Are you close?" I hummed in response and bit my lip. "Hold it."

I whined in protest. "I c- can't." With my eyes closed I moaned a bit louder, trying not to disturb Oliver. "Please."

I heard him groan lowly. "Go ahead." I had to put the phone down to muffle the moan as I came. I wasn't upset because I did it, I enjoyed every bit of it. I was upset because I didn't regret it. I wanted this to happen again no matter how much I wanted to deny it.

I put the phone back to my ear, breathing hard. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"I didn't say that."

"That muffled moan of yours did." I rolled my eyes. "Goodnight darling. I'll see you soon."

"Goodnight, Alessandro." I hung up and set my phone down, quickly running into the bathroom. I washed my hands hurriedly, hearing Oliver's footsteps clearer as he grew closer. I moved back into the bedroom, got under the sheets and acted as if I had just gotten off of my phone.

Oliver went to the closet and came back out, now dressed in just his boxers. I kept my back to him, and he turned over, so he was facing me. "Goodnight, Athena."

"Goodnight, Oliver." I bit my nail with a small smile. Even over the phone he still has a huge effect on me, an effect my husband doesn't have.

Chapter 7

Brinda's court date was set to the twenty-fifth, a week from now. We were both grateful and relieved that her case made it to court we even celebrated over a glass of champagne. When I told Oliver the good news, we had celebratory sex. I couldn't help but feel like I was, once again, stepping out on my marriage. I didn't want Oliver to be under me I wanted Alessandro. He was the only person I could think of while having sex with my husband.

I hadn't even spoken to him since that night, although he's been asking to see me. I've been dodging him with the 'I'm busy' excuse each time. I want to see him, so so badly, and that's the exact reason why I won't. I've already crossed a boundary because of what happened last night, and I can't go any further than that. Not again. Stay faithful, I'd tell myself whenever I'd want to call him.

I was getting ready for the lunch with Oliver's mom and to say I was dreading it was an understatement. Oliver's mom has hated my guts ever since we started dating and I learned to hate her as well. In the beginning, I wanted nothing more than to live up to her standards of the kind of woman she wants for her son but now I could care less for that rude bitch.

I put it off for a few days but Oliver's mom for some odd reason really wanted to see me. Knowing she hated most of the non-business clothing I wore, I put on a mocha mini skirt that fit tight on my hips and a tie back beige lace bustier. Pairing the outfit with ankle wrap heels, I grabbed my Saint Laurent handbag and walked downstairs. "Athena hurry! We're going to be late."

"I'm ready, I'm ready gosh." Oliver rolled his eyes once he saw what I was wearing. He wore a dark blue long-sleeve t-shirt with a button up underneath and grey suit pants, his blonde hair still gelled back.

"You know my mom doesn't like it when you wear stuff like that."

"Your mom is a bitch." I said and walked out to the car.

"She has never disrespected you, so I won't allow you to disrespect her."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "She literally called me a whore the last time we saw her in front of you and you did nothing." I got into the car just as he did.

"She hasn't said a rude thing about you since."

"That's because I haven't seen her ass since." I fixed the hem of my top and pulled my skirt down a bit. "Why does she want to see me if she doesn't like me?"

"She does like you."

"Yeah, whatever helps you sleep at night." Oliver was such a mommy's boy; he kissed his mom's ass every time we saw her. He'd just disregard her disrespecting me, which she does every chance she gets. At least my parents were mature enough to not like Oliver behind his back.

We drove to a very fancy and expensive restaurant, something about his mom was that she never was the type of person to go to regular place for lunch she had to choose the most high-class place to eat. We stepped out of the car and as I was fixing my skirt Oliver's mom ran over to him and hugged him tightly.

"My dear! I've missed you so much!" She beamed as if she never sees him. I stood there looking awkward until she finally looked over at me. "Athena." She said rather bitterly.

"Mrs. Smith." I gave her a fake smile. She never allowed me to call her mom even after I had married her son.

Looking back at her son with the most genuine smile she said, "Let's go eat, yes?" He nodded, walking beside her and raising his eyebrows at me signaling for me to behave. I rolled my eyes. We walked into a booth and there was another woman sitting there. She was a decent height, brown hair blue eyes and a gorgeous face structure. She stood with a smile and held her arms out.

"Oliver! It's been so long." She said as she hugged him. She came over to me and hugged me as well. "Athene, is it? I've heard much about you. I'm Katie."

"Oliver's ex." Oliver's mother interjected with a petty smile.

"Ah, well I haven't heard much about you. And its Athena." She moved to sit beside Emily, Oliver's mother, as I sat beside him. A waiter came over as soon as we were situated. "What can I get you?"

"Just a water, please." Katie said.

"I'll have gluten free chicken salad with a water." Emily said afterwards.

"I'd like your steak and a glass of wine." I said, knowing this dinner was going to be terrible. Emily raised her eyebrows and looked over the visible part of my body.

"Don't you think you should get something... different?" Oliver leaned over in my ear to whisper that he agreed. The waiter, who was a young brunette, looked over at Emily and discreetly rolled her eyes before looking back at me.

"I assure you; the steak will be delicious. How about you sir?"

"Rainbow persimmon salad with a water as well. Thank you." She gave a fake smile before walking off and mumbling something under her breath.

"So, Oliver, how have you been?" Katie asked with way too much enthusiasm.

"Good, how about you?" The waiter came back over and gave us all our drinks and I took a sip from my wine.

"Great." She looked over at me. "You've hit the jackpot with this one."

"Yes, I have." I said, looking over at Oliver and kissing him quickly. "So, how did you guys meet?"

"Oh God, that's a long story." She sat straighter. "Well, we met in high school, and I know this sounds cliche, but he bumped into me, and after that he asked me out."

"High school? What year?"

"Tenth, I'm sure. We broke up around eleventh because..." She paused, looking ashamed. "Just the wrong time for us."

There was a moment of silence before Emily cleared her throat. "Well, that is all in the past now. I'm so glad to see you two reconciling." I internally scoffed.

"So, Athene, how does it feel to be married to the Oliver?" She asked all too interested.

I chuckled and responded, "Great and it's Athena, with an a. He treats me amazing and I couldn't be more grateful to be married to him." I smiled probably over-doing it. I felt Oliver kiss my cheek and I put my hand in his.

"You guys are so cute! And my apologies." I didn't miss how Emily rolled her eyes.

"How about you Emily? Seeing anyone?" Oliver asked way to intrigued.

"No, not at the moment. No one's really... caught my interest." Her eyes focused on Oliver's and he stared right back. If you're going to eye fuck her at least have enough respect to not do it in front of me.

I cleared my throat, Oliver's head snapping into my direction. "Sorry, baby." He kissed my cheek once more. I took a sip from my wine as the waiter came with all of our meals. She set them down and asked if I needed a refill for my wine, which I of course accepted.

As we ate everyone was silent, exchanging words of how good the food was every once in a while. Emily was the first to speak, "So, Athena, how is the case going?"

Surprised by her sudden interest in me at all, I set my fork and knife down. "Um, it's going great. I think we have a real shot at winning."

"You think?" She questioned.

"Positive." I smiled trying to hide my annoyance.

"Isn't Mr. Dubois's lawyer better than you? You don't think he'll use his connections to win?" I was taking a sip of my wine and almost choked when I heard her.

"Mr. Dubois's lawyer is not 'better' than me. I've won plenty more cases than he has; the only reason he may seem better than me is because he's won more awards he didn't deserve. Plus, connections aren't really a thing in court unless your playing the illegal way." I said, the annoyance in my voice rising. And Oliver says his mother respects me, lies.

I sighed and excused myself to the bathroom, every time I was around that woman, she made it her mission to insult me. I pulled my phone out of my purse and saw I had a few messages from Serene but a message that caught my eye specifically was Alessandro's.

Alessandro

My love. How are you?

I blushed at the text before responding.

I'm fine. How are you?

He responded almost two seconds later.

Alessandro

Im in a better mood now that I'm talking to you. When can I see you again?

I see, eager to text me. I don't know, I'm still married Alessandro.

Alessandro

Always. Athena how many times do I have to tell you; your husband can go fuck himself.

As you've told me plenty of times.

Alessandro

I'll keep telling you until you get it through that pretty little head of yours.

Are you working right now?

Alessandro

Yes.

Oh. I'll talk to you later then.

Alessandro

Later tonight. You'll talk to me later tonight.

Sure.

I put my phone back into my purse and left the bathroom, trying my best to hide my smile. The rest of the dinner was me fourth wheeling to Katie, Oliver and Emily. I didn't really mind though; my mind was elsewhere as they spoke. When he said later tonight did that mean he was going to be at the award gala? Oh God that would be terrible.

"It was nice meeting you, Athena." She said, finally getting my name right.

"You as well, Katy." I smiled, being petty. As she tried to tell me the right way to pronounce it, I started walking off and dropped the fake smile. Oliver hugged Katie and his mom once more before getting in as well.

"Did you have to be disrespectful?"

"I wasn't being disrespectful. Your mother was."

"How? And what about the fact you purposely said Katie's name wrong.

"Katy said my name wrong plenty of times, I didn't hear you correct her."

"Because you did."

"Okay, Oliver." I said, not wanting to argue with him anymore.

"Please say what's on your mind. You know I hate it when you do that."

"Well, I hate it when you allow your mother to disrespects. I hate when you sit there and do absolutely nothing about it." I said, not making eye contact with him.

"I don't do anything because you handle it." His voice started to rise.

"Clearly I don't 'handle it' if she continues to speak to me the way she does. I don't want to argue about this, right now. We have a gala to attend in a few hours and I don't want to show up in a bad mood."

He sighed annoyingly but kept quiet thankfully. My phone started making notification sounds and I pulled it out of my purse, forgetting to text Serene back.

Serene

How was the lunch?

Terrible. How was your day?

Serene

Great actually. Rachael and I just got done finding her dress. Now back to you, what did she insult you with now.

Awe, you guys seem close. She told me that Mr. Dubois's lawyer was better than me, basically saying he had more of a chance to win.

Serene

Ugh! I hate that bitch with a strong passion. Let me guess, Oliver sat there doing nothing.

As per usual. His ex, Katy or Kaite was there. Mispronounced my name a bunch of times.

Serene

Yeah, already don't like her. I have to talk to you later... I'm busy.

I laughed, making Oliver look over at me. "Why are you laughing?"

"No reason it was just Serene." I said, slightly annoyed. I couldn't wait to see Serene and Racheal together tonight. They seemed really close but knowing Serene she'd deny her feelings till the day she died. We pulled into the driveway and I didn't waste a minute in getting out and going upstairs, knowing he'd go to his office as he always did when he was upset.

After a few hours Oliver was waiting downstairs for me as I got ready. Usually, I hated going to these things and just asked him to get my award for me but the feeling that Alessandro would be there got me excited. I know I'm married and I know it's wrong to have an attraction or pull towards another man but I can't help it.

Alessandro is embedded in my brain more than ever, ever since I saw him again after six months. It was also wrong of me to hope he'd be there but again I couldn't help it. I wanted to see him again and knowing he wanted to see me as well made me even happier.

I looked at myself in the body-length mirror and checked my body out. I had on the dress I'd pick at that store with clear stilettos, light make-up that included lip gloss and a bit of foundation and my hair had been curled and combed. As I walked downstairs, my white clutch in hand, Oliver didn't spare me as much as a glance before turning and walking to the limo.

"I'm sorry." I apologized as we sat. "I shouldn't get annoyed with your mom and I shouldn't have been petty towards Katie."

He sighed, finally looking up from his phone and looking at me. "Thank you. You look nice tonight."

"Thank you." I smiled. Him complimenting me didn't feel good anymore; it felt forced. There was still a bit of tension as we drove but once we were at the gala all of our problems disappeared and we were happy. We stepped out into the flickering camera's; questions being asked to both of us but neither of us responding.

Serene was beside me and motioned for me to come over, "I'll be back." I whispered to Oliver before walking to where her and Rachael were. "My baby. Rachael." I greeted them both.

"Hi, Athena. Good seeing you again."

"You as well." I said as we posed for our pictures; Serene in the middle, Racheal to her right and me to her left. Rachael wore a long black dress that had split mid-thigh with spaghetti straps. Her hair was curled, just like Serene's, and she had light makeup on.

"Is that Katie or Katy?" Serene asked, nodding in Oliver's direction. I rolled my eyes at the sight of my husband and Katie taking photos together, his hand on her waist and hers on his chest. He doesn't hold me like that anymore.

"That's Katie. The ex." I sighed, diverting my attention away from them and back to the camera's.

"Your husband's a prick. I'm not the type of person to encourage infidelity but he's an acceptation." Rachael said with a smile.

Their probably just trying to catch up on old times, I thought to myself. Looking back at them they looked like a nice couple, fit for each other. A lot of the cameras started moving away from taking pictures of the two and went to the black SUV that had pulled in.

Chapter 8

Alessandro. He wore black slacks, a tight black dress shirt that hugged his muscles too well. He got out of the car with a serious look, fixing the cuffs of his shirt. "I think your opportunity to be petty just arrived." I heard Serene say and Rachael hum in agreement.

After a minute of me staring and him not looking he finally did. His silver orbs staring right into mine with a smirk. He walked right past my husband, ignoring the dirty look and the people asking questions, and stalked over to me. "Fuck, fuck he's coming." I said, looking back over at Serene and Rachael.

"Just act normal dummy." Serene said.

"Act normal, Athena. Don't embarrass-" Rachael started but cut herself off. I could feel him standing behind me and that alone sent chills throughout my body. "We'll be inside. Alessandro." Rachael said, taking Serene, who wanted to stay and be nosey, with her.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked at him. "Athena." Oh, fuck. Why does he have to say my name like that?

"Alessandro." I said back. He wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me closer to him.

"You look breathtaking tonight." My breath had caught in my throat as his hand moved behind me and lower, resting on the top of my ass.

"You look handsome. Did you bring a date?" I asked, putting a hand on his chest and turning a bit.

"I didn't. But you brought your pathetic husband." I smiled at his jealousy.

"We're married. Of course we were going to come together." His hand moved back around to my waist and he squeezed it. My panties were most definitely soaked now.

"It seems like he came with someone else. Someone that is not as beautiful as you, of course." I looked back over at Oliver and Katie and pursed my lips. "Shall we head inside?" I looked back at him then back at Oliver before nodding.

I picked my dress up a bit and he held his hand on my waist, not caring that anyone would have found that inappropriate. The gala was packed with egotistical men and uptight women, all either married or bringing their mistresses. Alessandro handed me a glass of champagne and put his hand back on my waist.

This, him and I standing here looking like a couple, I liked it. Him just being near me made me feel beautiful, no matter how many times Oliver may degrade me. "Athena?" Speak of the devil.

I turned around, Alessandro's hand still on my waist, and smiled at Katie. "Oliver. I was just waiting for you to be done with your photos." Alessandro, ever so slightly, pulled me closer to him and his grip tightened.

Katie greeted me before holding her hand out to Alessandro, who looked at it then back at her. I wanted to laugh but contained it and remained professional. "Alessandro." Oliver said bitterly.

"Olivia." He was making it really hard not to piss my husband off because all I wanted to do was laugh right now.

"Oliver." He corrected. "Athena, let's go. I want you to meet some people." I was about to leave Alessandro, but he pulled me back.

"I'll see you later, Alessandro." I said and he pulled my hand up to his mouth, kissing it. Oliver and I walked away from him, but I could feel his eyes looking all over my body. We met a few of his work colleagues, only few of them being women, and I was so uncomfortable.

One of the men had been eyeing me up and down with a small smile and a desire in his eyes. Thankfully, his wife came back and he looked at her with that same desire. "Can we go sit? Your friends are weird, and I don't want to meet any more of them." I mumbled and took a sip of my champagne.

"Why? They've all been polite to you and you don't even care to engage in conversation?"

"I have talked to all of them. The one that was just here looked like he wanted to rip me apart, just like the rest of them."

He scoffed. "Your conceited."

It hurt, him telling me I think to highly of myself hurt. "Okay, Olivia." I said back, not regretting it as I would have a few months back. "I'm going to sit at our table since I think too highly of myself."

I ignored anything he had to say and replaced my glass with a new one as I walked over. Fucking hate this gala already. I just want to hopefully get my award and go to bed or distract myself with work. Serene and Rachael were at the bar looking like a couple and I didn't want to ruin that with my drama.

"Leave him." I heard him say. I knew it was him just by his bluntness.

I sighed, "Please, not right now Alessandro. I'm not in the mood."

"It took everything in me not to kill him. Athena, you deserve better." He moved his chair closer to me and put his hand on my thigh.

"Marriages aren't always pretty."

"He doesn't respect you." That shut me up. It felt true-- it is true-- he doesn't respect me as a person or a woman.

I was about to respond but was cut off by an announcer, "Can everyone please be seated?" The woman on stage said. I shook Alessandro's hand off as Oliver came to sit, Katie sitting next to him. "I hope everyone's night is going okay. Before we start, I'd like to give applause to Alessandro Sinclair for donating to the American Cancer Society." Everyone started clapping, including me and excluding Oliver, and he just gave them a small smile.

Alessandro kept his hand on the back of my chair. "Alright. Now to get into the awards, first off we have Michael Waters..." I usually just zone out until I hear my name being called, which isn't as much as I'd like. I took a sip of my champagne, almost choking on it when I felt a hand move to my inner thigh.

"Are you alright?" Oliver asked and I hummed in response. Alessandro had a smirk on his face as he slowly moved his hand up. Any other time I would have told him no but why not just get this tension with him over with. Deep down I knew it would only make it stronger, but I wanted it, this.

I opened my legs more, giving him access and I could feel his hand cup my pussy. I tried keeping my composure, but he started to rub my clit through the thin fabric and my breathing got heavier. "Are you alright?" Alessandro mocked, scoffing and moving my underwear to the side. No one noticed that I was getting fingered, not even Oliver but probably because his attention was on Katie.

"Dumbass." He put a finger in and my breathing hitched. "He doesn't even notice that I'm fingering his wife because his attention is elsewhere." His fingers started picking up the pace the more annoyed he got.

"Alessandro..." I whispered, "Please shut up and go faster." He smiled, looking down at my tattooed hand on his wrist.

"Yes ma'am." I put my head down and closed my eyes while he used his thumb to circle my clit. He kept his eyes straight ahead as if he didn't have me about to fall out of my seat. I let out a small gasp when he put another two fingers inside, his face now angry at the sound of Katie's giggles and Oliver's chuckles. My walls tightened around his fingers while he used his thumb to stimulate my clit.

Alessandro circled my clit at the same quick pace of his fingers, causing my legs to quiver slightly. "When you go home tonight," He leaned over and whispered into my ear, "I want you to think about this. I want you to think about my fingers inside of you whenever your husband touches you." He whispered lowly, slowing down the pace of his fingers and thumb, edging me on just as I was about to come. He pulled his hand away from my pussy and moved my underwear back in place.

I looked up at him, speechless and annoyed, as he licked his fingers. "Just as good as I remember." He groaned, his fingers that were covered in my wetness still in his mouth, and all I wanted was to fuck him right here on this table.

"Fuck you." I mumbled, fixing my dress and sitting back in my chair and he just laughed. I was so sexually frustrated right now that every time I heard a laugh coming from Katie, I wanted to rip my hair from its roots. After a few more names, Alessandro got called.

Everyone started clapping for him as he walked up to the stage. He took the award for best and most powerful company in Atlanta proudly. "Usually, I'd just get up here and say thank you then go about running the best company." Everyone laughed while Oliver scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I'll still be doing that, but I'd like to say thank you to my butterfly." He said looking directly at me.

"I guess you could say she's been a real inspiration." Everyone started 'ohing' and looking around. "I won't say anything about her until she's comfortable, but I'd like her to know that she means a lot to me, and I'd have anything for her to be up here with me." I blushed as everyone clapped and asked who she was, but he ignored them and came to sit beside me again.

He set a hand on my thigh again and squeezed it. When Alessandro won four more awards Oliver was overly Jealous, I was proud of him of course. When Oliver was saying goodbye to Katie, I tried to kiss Alessandro on his cheek bye, but he grabbed me by neck and kissed my lips.

He dominated my lips, bruising them in the most pleasurable way. He pulled back and said, "I want to feel your lips on mine not my fucking cheek. Got it?" I nodded leaning in for more, but he pulled back. "Words."

"Yes, okay, I got it." He smirked looking down at my lips, his thumb brushing against the bottom one, just like that night. We kissed a bit more and he left a few love bites on my neck, but they were easy to hide. We were behind the building having a heavy make-out session when I got a text from Oliver asking where I am.

"I have to go." I smiled, placing my phone back into my clutch purse. He groaned, kissing on my neck and I tilted my head to the side.

He placed on more kiss to my lips before straightening his posture. "When can I see you again?"

"I don't know." I moved my hair over my shoulders to hide his marks.

"I don't want you to hide my marks." He moved my hair from my shoulders and brushed his fingers along the hickey's.

I rolled my eyes. "Too bad. I'll see you soon." I grabbed the back of his neck and put my tongue in his mouth as I kissed him. I liked his lips they were soft; I liked his hands as well they made me feel good about myself.

"See you soon butterfly." He said once we parted.

"See you soon Alessandro." I was about to kiss his cheek but remembered what he said so kissed his lips quickly. As I walked away, I felt his hand connect with my ass harshly, making me laugh. "Fuck." He said readjusting his crotch area.

On the way home Oliver was blabbering on and on about Katie and her modeling career but I tuned out of it, thinking about Alessandro. I didn't want to hear Oliver talking about how he is so proud of his ex, especially since I almost never hear him praise me in that way. So instead, I thought of Alessandro and what it would feel like to be in a car with him, hearing him praise me and not some other woman.

I liked the feeling. A lot.

Chapter 9

Time has flown by and it's now four days before Brinda's trial. I've never been this nervous that it could go south but now is a different story. Sexual assault cases rarely make it to court and when they do, they don't even have a full trial. Having a male as judge isn't helping my case either.

I'd usually talk to Oliver about this, but he's been busy with his own company and whenever we do get time alone, he either wants to 'make love' or talk about himself. Serene is out of town for a while, with Rachael, and is very busy with modeling and disturbing her time with her girlfriend who isn't her girlfriend doesn't feel right.

I seriously need to make more friends.

A knock came from my front door, and I stretched, setting my wine down and pulling my crop top down. I wore very short black shorts and a matching top with white socks on, my hair falling down my back. There was a man standing in front of me with a huge bouquet of blue and white flowers. "Is Mrs. Escarra here?" He asked with a clipboard in his other hand.

"That's me." He handed me the flowers and I was in absolute awe. Beautiful.

"Just sign here." I took the pen and quickly signed my signature. "Thank you have a good day miss." I closed the door as he left and looked for a card inside the hundreds of roses.

Fuck I need to see you again. Now. I miss you, butterfly. Especially your lips. - A.S

I blushed and went to set the flowers down on the kitchen counter, hiding the card in my phone case. I had been working on Brinda's case trying to make sure everything was perfect, when I got a text from him.

Alessandro

Did you get the flowers?

I did. Their beautiful.

Alessandro

Only the best for my love.

Where are you?

Alessandro

With your husband. Why do you ask?

What?

Alessandro

His father wants to merge our companies so we're having a meeting. I might take him up on it, just to annoy Olivia. And I'd get to see you more.

Can't wait to hear him complain about that all day. I doubt you'd see me; Oliver doesn't like me showing up at his work.

Alessandro

I don't give a fuck what he doesn't like. I'll take his company just because I feel like it. This meeting sucks ass.

I laughed.

Wait, are you in the meeting now?

Alessandro

I am.

It's very unprofessional of you to be texting your business partners wife.

Alessandro

I do whatever I want. They need me I don't need them.

I bet they do. I have to go, working on a case.

Alessandro

I hope you win. I know you will. Have a good day, butterfly.

Thank you. That means a lot. Have a good day, Alessandro.

Oliver had never wished me well with a case, hell half the time he could care less. I turned my ringer off before going back to my computer.

I had everything printed and all the evidence I'd need within an hour. Brinda had been nervous about the whole case and at one point wanted to just put it in the past and divorce him but, luckily, I talked her out of it.

I put all her paperwork in a brown folder and went to set my computer on the charger. I went to the bathroom, taking my clothes off, then stepped into the shower.

It was days like these that I wanted Oliver to be home. I had absolutely nothing to do and I'd be bored until he got here. But he always wanted to go out in public and spend time with me, even when I was tired. I didn't mind staying home and acting like a married couple for once.

I stepped under the steaming shower water and closed my eyes, trying to imagine a simpler life. I saw Oliver but my life with him in the future looked horrific; we were just yelling at each other.

Then I saw Alessandro. I was sitting on his lap, laughing as he just stared down at me with a smile. How can I imagine a good future with someone who isn't my husband? My mom would curse me.

I stepped out, after two hours, and wrapped my body with a towel. I walked out and put on pink lace panties and a matching bra. My phone started ringing and Alessandro's contact popped up. Initially I ignored it and dried my hair but after another three calls I answered.

"Why aren't you answering your phone?" He said as soon as I answered with a bit of irritation in his voice.

I put him on speaker and set my phone on the dresser. "Because I just got out of the shower. Plus, we just talked three hours ago."

"So?"

"So, I wanted some time to myself." I lied with a smile. I thought he hung up when he didn't reply so I went to check and there was a FaceTime request.

I sighed and answered it, letting the camera see the ceiling only. "Alessandro, you're at work."

"I want to see you. Now."

"Demanding. I'm half naked."

"I've seen you naked. Now set the phone up." I rolled my eyes and set the phone up, letting him see my face and breast.

"Happy?" I pulled my hair into a ponytail and started on my makeup.

"Very. Where are you going?"

I shrugged and made sure to wipe my face. "Probably out to get coffee then to the library." I started to apply magic serum to my face.

"And you're putting makeup on because?" His phone was set up, so I was able to see his beautiful face and that he was working on his laptop.

"Because Oliver likes me to look presentable when I leave the house." I started putting on pretty fresh moisturizer.

"You look presentable without makeup." He shook his head and scoffed at my comment. I was quiet for a moment as I tried to focus on not applying to much.

"Do you have friends?" I asked.

"They all annoy me. Am I annoying you?" I applied some well people concealer.

"Not annoying me, more so being all over me but it's okay. I like talking to you." I stippled it out with a brush.

"I just like talking to you. But if you want me to be less 'clingy' as you would say I will."

I stopped what I was doing and looked at him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude I'm just not used to someone I have an intimate relationship with want to talk to me all the time. I like you being clingy." I smiled and went to pick up my beauty blender.

"Good because I was lying." I laughed and picked up the Charlotte tilbury contour. "You have a beautiful laugh."

"You're always complimenting me." I blushed.

"Because you don't get compliments enough." He said as I put on some glossier cloud paint and blended it.

"If I had a penny for every compliment I receive from you I'd be rich." I applied some hourglass translucent powder. "But thank you."

Someone walked in and it seemed to annoy him. "Boss, Oliver is here to see you." He rolled his eyes.

"Let him in." I put on some bronze in my crease while the powder sat. I wiped the powder away as someone entered his office again. "What is it you need?"

I stayed quiet. "Could you just spare us the time and decline my father's offer?" I picked up a pack of lashes and showed them to Alessandro, mouthing to him to pick one.

He looked at it for a second before choosing, "The fourth one." Oliver must be really confused right now. "And no. I think I'll take him up on it now."

I did my eyebrows and put on some lip liner before putting on buxom gloss. "Why would you even want to be a part of my company."

I put on my lashes. "First, I wouldn't be a part of your company you'd be a part of mine. Second I just feel like it."

I giggled and got up to go to the bathroom. "Damn. I like that color on you." He said, referring to the light pink thong I had on.

I walked back out with some hair supplies and a smile on my face. "Are you on the phone with someone?" I heard Oliver ask.

"That's none of your concern. Back to- fuck butterfly." I had bent down to grab something I'd dropped, giving him a full view of my ass.

"Stop it." I laughed and sat back down in the seat.

"Your very distracting." He adjusted himself in his seat. "Like I was saying, back to business. If that's all you wanted to talk about you can leave." His voice was deep and authoritative, sexy.

"How can someone be so unprofessional and still have this company." Oliver scoffed.

"Mainly because I know how to run a business." Alessandro said with a straight face. "I don't need daddy's approval for anything."

I sectioned and brushed my hair, trying my hardest to contain my laughter. I used some heat protectant before using the blow dryer inwards. "Your husband is like an annoying four-year-old."

I used hair rollers and bobby pins to hold my hair in place. "You're both arrogant."

"He's more arrogant than I am. How could you marry that thing?"

"Seventeen-year-old me though she was in love." This time I used the blow dryer outwards for the front pieces. I used the curlers and pins again before putting the dryer away.

"And now?"

I sighed and looked in the mirror. "Don't know. Why haven't you accepted his father's offer?" I asked trying to change the subject.

"I want Olivia to sweat." He smirked and looked at me. "What's up with your hair?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm doing a blowout." He looked confused. "You'll see once it's done."

"Now, since I have to wait for about thirty minutes to take them out help me chose an outfit to wear today." He clam-shut his computer as I stood up and walked to my closet.

"You should wear pink more. It makes me hard."

I laughed loud and replied, "Your always horny." I pulled on a black classic romper and a Balenciaga coat over it. "Okay. This?" I asked as I walked out.

"Turn around." I did. "Pull the jacket up." I furrowed my eyebrows but did it anyway. "No. Your ass looks too good." I rolled my eyes and walked back inside the closet. I pulled on ripped jeans, a white shirt that I tucked in and a leopard print cardigan.

As I walked out, he started talking, "No, nope. Turn back around you look like a soccer mom." I laughed.

"Fuck you. I look like a hot soccer mom." I posed causing him to laugh an actual laugh. "You have a beautiful laugh." I mocked him and walked back to the closet. I pulled on a long-sleeved black dress that would reach my ankles and exposed a good amount of cleavage.

Once I walked back out, he asked me to do a spin and I did. He was quiet for a moment before speaking, "Beautiful." He smiled. "Hugs your body just right and your breast look amazing. Simple suits you."

"Are you sure? You don't think it makes my stomach look bigger than it already is?" I looked at myself in the mirror.

"Absolutely not. I don't like hearing you talk down on yourself so stop." He warned.

I smiled and said, "I like when you get angry with me." I flirted a bit causing him to raise his eyebrows slightly and smirk.

"Athena. Stop flirting with me." I laughed and sat back down on the seat.

"Stop eye-fucking me." I stated boldly and started taking out the curlers and bobby pins.

"I'll eye-fuck you and fuck you all I want." He said sternly.

"Someone's getting angry." I used some hair spray and after a few minutes I was finished. "So?" I asked. "You like?"

"I love it, butterfly. You look beautiful." I stood up and grabbed retro Jordan 1's, sitting down and slipping them on. "Are you about to leave?

I nodded, "Coffee then shopping then library." I pulled my dress down more and fixed my bra.

"I just sent you money. Use it." He demanded. I furrowed my eyebrows and grabbed my phone, going to my account balance.

"Why would you send me ten grand. That's way too much." I sat my phone back up.

"Then get me something, just spend it, okay?" I nodded. His eyes fell down to my breast. "Can I see?"

I grinned and shook my head, "I'm about to leave. You can see another time."

"No, I want to see them now. Please?"

"Is the Mr. Sinclair begging to see my tits?"

"Only for you." I smiled and stood up, pulling the top of my dress down a bit. "More."

"Please."

He stared at me annoyed, "More please." I moved the top of the dress down, revealing the light pink bra I wore. "I want to see skin." I unclasped my bra but held it so it wouldn't fall. "Please, butterfly."

I let the bra fall down and he looked like as if he was in a trance as he stared. "Alessandro?"

"Hm?"

"You're staring."

"Sorry, am I making you uncomfortable? They just look really pretty." I laughed and shook my head. I put my bra back on and fixed the top of my dress, making him groan. "Just a few more minutes."

"No, I want to be back before or around the time Oliver gets home." Alessandro rolled his eyes at the mention of him.

"I'll see you soon, yes?"

"Yes, see you soon."

"Bye, love."

"Bye, Alessandro." I grabbed the phone and kissed the camera before hanging up. It felt easy to talk to him, even if he was a horny shit a lot of the time. I grabbed my black Chanel handbag and keys before leaving and getting into my car.

I played Nothing by Bruno Major on the way to the coffee shop. I was a regular there so when I showed up my drink was made pretty quickly and as usual, I gave them extra just because. Although I'd wish for Oliver to want to be around more, being alone was calming, peaceful even. Just me and Bruno Major, no arguing or bickering, forced conversations, awkward silences, just me and my music.

I went to a few stores, trying to find Alessandro some nice things because I didn't want to use his money just for myself. I got him cologne, hoodies, chains and some other things he'd probably never use. I decided to get some house things, cleaning supplies, food, and things I'd need for a relaxing bath. I went to another five different stores, buying things like heels, dresses, and purses that wouldn't fit on my already full shelf.

Going on a shopping spree because I was bored was going to fuck my closet up and probably annoy Oliver. Wearing lingerie was never something Oliver noticed or cared for, at least when I wore it, so when I found myself in a lingerie store, I wasn't there for him I was there for Alessandro. I bought a loud of pink lace panties and bra's, even some pink lace bodysuits, then bought a few other colors.

When I felt I got everything I wanted, I stopped by the library and used the rest of the money, which was only four-hundred dollars, and bought books and bookmarks. I probably wouldn't read any of these for a few months, seeing as my shelf was already full and getting more crowded by the weeks. I hopped into the car and drove, looking at the time and seeing Oliver would be home in a few minutes.

Chapter 10

I took the short way home, trying to get there before Oliver so he wouldn't question me on all of the manly products I had gotten. I couldn't hide them in my car because we switch between mine and his when we're going out together, it would just be plain dumb of me to keep them in the garage.

"Fuck." I sighed, chewing my bottom lip while thinking about where to hide the bags. I walked into my closet, dumping all of my heels and other shoes out. I had brought Alessandro's things upstairs already so I stuffed all of it in the boxes, knowing Oliver wouldn't go through my things.

I had a few minutes left so I hurriedly put all the boxes back and ripped the receipt before throwing it away. Having a sidepiece is hard when you're married. I changed into a pair of short pants and a tank top that pushed my breast up.

Oliver's car was pulling in when I started putting up the things I bought for myself. I already knew what to expect when he walked in and threw his things on the bed where I was folding clothes. "Sinclair is going to make me strangle him." he said angrily. I highly doubt you could even reach his neck without getting on your tip toes but okay.

"What happened? And could you not throw your shit on a pile of folded clothes?" I said, refolding a few of them.

"Sorry, I've just had a terrible day." He took his briefcase off of the bed and went to take his tie off. "My dad wants to work with Sinclair. Like merge our companies."

"Why?"

"Because he sees no reason for us to be competing when we could be working together. I think it's a dumb idea, we'd look weak."

"But wouldn't it be good to partner with a powerful company like Sinclair? I mean it would benefit you."

"Are you saying that his company is better than mine?"

Yes. "No, but the stats are saying that. I actually agree with your father."

His shirt was off now, and he went for his belt. "Fuck what the stats are saying. Alessandro Sinclair is not a good businessman. When I went to see him, he was on a call with a woman, they were flirting, and it was like he didn't even acknowledge me." I bite the inside of my cheek to prevent a smile from forming.

"At least he likes being on the phone with his girl." I mumbled but loud enough for him to hear.

"A good CEO doesn't have phone sex with someone right in front of a business partner." He said rather annoyed with my statement. "Why does it seem like you want Alessandro to win?"

I laughed internally and said, "I don't." I lied. "But you can't be upset with your father for trying to grow his business."

"Our."

"What?"

"You said his, it's our business and soon to be mine."

I nodded. "Sure." I went to the closet and put up the folded clothes.

"You're agreeing with everyone else but me."

"I just think that you shouldn't let your ego ruin a good deal." I shrugged and went to pick up more clothes.

"My ego? Athena what's gotten into you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you've been putting me down non-stop lately."

I raised my eyebrows at him suggestively. "Oliver, you've put me down more times than I can count. I don't want to argue with you."

"When have I ever done something like that? -" He paused looking at the lingerie I bought. "You went shopping. Since when you wear lingerie?"

"I've always worn lingerie. Your just too busy to notice." I finished putting everything up and went to stuff the trash in the shopping bags.

"So now I'm too busy to notice my wife."

Well seeing as I got fingered right in front of you, I'd say so. "You do work a lot. We barely have sex, nor do we ever really spend any quality time together."

"You work a lot as well, Athena."

"But if my husband wants to spend more time with me then I can take a few days off. We have the money to at least take a thirty-day vacation."

"I'm sorry I can't be under you all day. I'm sorry that I'm trying to keep a roof over our heads."

I rolled my eyes and took the bags downstairs with him following behind. "I don't want you to be under me all day I'm just asking that when you are with me you don't find something to argue about. Like now, we could've been cuddling and watching a movie together or something if you hadn't brought your work issues home."

"Athena, I have to work in order to provide. Do you not understand that?"

I turned around pointing a finger at him. "Stop talking to me like I'm some dumb child. I work and work, but I never bring my shit home. Every time you come home; you talk to me about how work was. It's never 'Do you want to go out to dinner?' or you just holding me and laughing with me about nonsense."

We were back upstairs now, and he had changed into casual clothes. "I'm not going to sit here and argue with you right now. I'll be at Jacob's if you need me." he started walking downstairs but I ran behind him.

"You do not get to leave right now! This isn't making the situation any better, Oliver." I yelled.

"You and I both need to calm down. I'll be back later tonight." And with that he slammed the door shut. I blew out an angry breath and locked the front door. I was sick of him leaving whenever we had a disagreement, he was like a four-year-old child.

I went upstairs and just as I was about to call Serene her contact appeared on my phone. "Hey babe-"

"I am so fucking sick of Oliver!" I yelled, cutting her off.

I heard her sigh on the other end of the line before saying, "What happened?"

"Him and I just got into an argument over his business. Oliver's dad is making a deal with Alessandro to become partners and Oliver, of course, doesn't like that idea. We talked about it, and I brought up his ego then, that bitch, has the nerve to say I've been 'putting him down non-stop lately'." I paced the room, one hand on my hip and the other holding the phone to my ear.

"He left, didn't he?"

"Per usual." I scoffed.

"Athena, you guys have been married six years. Usually, I'd tell you to leave but that seems to be getting nowhere so just wait it out. Once he comes back home, calmly, talk to him and if he decides he doesn't want to hear you then go fuck and marry Alessandro."

I laughed at the last part, "I'm not marring Alessandro."

"You didn't say you weren't going to fuck him." I could see her wiggling her eyebrows vividly.

"Shut up, idiot. I've missed you, when are you coming back?"

"Few weeks. Rachael loves it here, so she wants to stay an extra few days."

"I hope you guys are having the time of your lives."

"Definitely better than yours at the moment." She laughed and I rolled my eyes. "Hey, when I get back, we can have a date night then go back to place and fuck?"

I laughed at her bluntness and feel back onto my bed. "I'd love to. But if you take me to some cheap restaurant then sex is off."

"I-" She was cut off and I heard someone talking on the other end, but they were pretty far. "I have to go. Duty calls."

"Alright, I love you. See you soon sexy."

"I love you too. See you soon baby." She hung up the phone and I threw it beside me on the bed. I'm so fucking bored I could scream. Just as I was about to, someone knocked and rang my doorbell. I groaned and sat up, not expecting anyone I looked through the peephole before opening the door to a delivery person.

"Athena Escarra?" I nodded. "I have a package for you, could you sign here please?" I took the package and held it on my hip as I signed the papers. "Thank you, have a nice day." I smiled at him before closing the door and walking to the living room, setting the package on the table.

What if it's, like, a bomb or something? I didn't order anything. Oh my gosh, what if it's a body part?

Shut the fuck up and open it.

But-

Athena.

I went to the kitchen to grab a knife and opened the box. I swear if I die- oh. I grinned and held up the black vibrator, among other things there were snacks, lace underwear, very expensive makeup products etc.

It was quiet enough to where I could hear my phone ringing, so I grabbed the package and ran upstairs. Of course, it was Alessandro and to not seem desperate I let it ring for a moment then answered. "Why did you send me a vibrator?"

He chuckled, his eyes falling down to my breast, "Your breast look extortionary and because you'll be wearing it for tomorrow night's dinner."

"What dinner?"

"Olivia's father informed me about having dinner at his place today."

I set the box on the bed beside me and laid down. "Stop calling him Olivia."

"No."

"It's rude." I said a bit defensively.

"I don't care. I've called him Olivia plenty of times and you've never seemed to have a problem with it."

"I've always had a problem with it, I'm just now saying something about it. You can't disrespect my husband, Alessandro."

He took a deep breath and was quiet before saying, "You've got a mouth on you today. Where are you?"

"Home."

"Your... partner?"

I sighed, "He left."

"Sounds like there's a backstory to that."

"Just another argument. I don't want to talk about him."

"You want me to give him a shit load of work?" He asked, making me laugh and smile.

"No, no, it's fine. What are you doing?"

"I'm going to accept Oli- Oliver's father's offer." The sound of elevator doors was heard.

"You call me at the worst times."

He chuckled and said, "I'm a very busy man but I make time to speak with you, even as I'm working."

I smiled, "Whatever."

I heard the sound of the elevator coming to a stop and talking in the background. "It's true. I like talking to you."

"He's in the conference room boss." I sat upright on the headboard, suddenly feeling nervous.

"I can hang up and call you once it's over." I suggested.

"No." I rolled my eyes at his stubbornness, "Afternoon, Mr. Smith."

"Afternoon, Mr. Sinclair." Oliver and his father were so similar, in looks and the way they spoke.

"Well-"

"Give me one moment." I heard Alessandro say, cutting off Oliver's dad, Olson. His facetime request appeared on my phone, and I sighed before answering it. "Okay, continue."

"We've already gone over profits, liabilities in both companies, partnership incentives etc. Do you have any questions about anything?"

I could see Alessandro rubbing his stubble as he thought, glancing at me every few seconds. "Oliver, your son. I don't want this partnership unless he learns how to respect me." His voice, deep and dominating.

Olson cleared his throat before saying, "I'll be sure to talk to him about his manners, my apologies on his behalf."

"Good. Now that we have that under control, my lawyer and I have already gone over the papers and I'm ready to sign. I hope you are as well." There were papers handed to him and the way the veins in his hand popped out as he signed was oddly sexy to me. How can someone make writing sexy?

"Pleasure doing business with you." He shook Olson's hand, thankfully Alessandro had me to where only he could see me.

Alessandro stayed in his seat and when the doors closed, signaling everyone had left, he groaned and threw his head back. "I'm so sick of this fucking job."

"No, you're not. Your just stressed."

He picked his head up and looked at me with a small smile. "You're so beautiful."

"Thank you." I blushed.

"Your eyes are the most beautiful shade of brown I have ever seen. I love your lips and how they taste like strawberries. Fuck, even your hair is gorgeous, I enjoyed watching you do it even if you did look weird when you had those cylinder things in it." I laughed, my face now fully red from his load of compliments.

"You're a flirt."

"Only to you, love. What are your plans for today?" He said, never taking his eyes off of me even as people spoke to him, he just ignored them and kept his attention focused on me.

I shrugged, "No clue. Serene is out of town for a few weeks and Oliver... is Oliver."

"I'm assuming Serene is the woman you were with at the gala." I nodded. "Oliver won't be back until later?"

"Don't know."

Alessandro was now in his office, setting the phone up so I could see him getting ready to leave. "I need company and you're the only human being who doesn't annoy me." I laughed. "Would you like to stay on the phone for the reminder of the day?"

"I'd be honored Alessandro." I smiled. I went to set the phone up then went to look on the dresser for a hair tie.

"You have a very nice ass."

"You've told me."

"I'll keep telling you." I pulled my hair into a ponytail and grabbed another just to play with. I sat up on the bed, my legs crisscrossed. "Now, tell me about yourself. Something you didn't tell me the night we met."

We talked on the phone for hours, and not the metamorphically hours where we talked for a few minutes, but actual hours. He told me about his brother, Kano, and how he's the second oldest then his sister, Rosa, who was the youngest but second smartest since Alessandro claimed to come first. He told me about his mom, Rosaline, who was the sweetest thing on Earth and his father, Michael, who can be an asshole but loving as well.

I told him about my brother, Damien, and my parents, Elora and Carson. He told me all about his childhood; a core memory being that when he was a child, he pushed his sister off of the top of the slide at the playground and got grounded for breaking her arm. I'd hate to be a sibling of his.

"My stomach hurts!" I shrieked through a fit of laughter. I had now slipped my pants off, leaving me in light pink lace panties and the white tank top. Alessandro was sitting in his bed as well in nothing but his sweatpants and a silver chain, his chest was on full display for my eyes.

"You're laughing at me for almost dying?" He put a hand over his heart and faked a sad expression. "I'm hurt, butterfly."

CHAPTER 11

Waking up, I found myself turning over and trying to go back to sleep when I saw Oliver and wished for Alessandro. It had to be somewhere around four o'clock in the morning and Oliver looked like he'd been asleep for some time.

I smiled, thinking about Alessandro and I's time on the phone, laughing and joking around for seven hours straight. Simple, I thought. He was... new. Something I'd never experienced, only being with Oliver. At sixteen I wouldn't have even looked in Alessandro's direction, mostly because of my father.

I think that's why my attraction to Alessandro is so strong; I was never able to experience the excitement of being with someone so dominant. But I can't blame anyone but myself for the infidelity, even if I want to blame my father and the rest of the world. I know right from wrong; I knew I shouldn't have let him touch me intimately, but I let it happen anyway. I let the passion take over and I fucking enjoyed it.

I enjoyed every bit of it, the night I met him and the night of the gala. His touch was like a drug that I craved for but knew I shouldn't and couldn't have. Just his presence sends my body into overdrive and my pussy throbbing. He had an effect on me that scared me because I wanted it so badly, I want him so badly.

But I'm married. Married to a man who loves me and who I love, just maybe not in love with him.

I threw the covers from over my body, walked to the bathroom and turned the shower water on. Throwing my clothes into the hamper, I stepped under the steaming water and let out a sigh of relief at the feeling of it burning my skin.

He wasn't here but I could feel his breath against neck as he kissed down it. I tilted my head to the side and held the loofah up to my chest, my eyes closed. His hand slid down my stomach while the other gripped my hips and pushed my ass further onto his hardened cock.

"Athena." I heard him say, his voice deep just how I like it. He bit at my shoulder.

"Athena."

"Athena. Are you okay?" I heard Oliver's voice now, causing me to snap out of my dream and see him naked behind me.

"Yeah." I breathed out, "Yeah, I'm okay." I sighed, upset at myself for imagining him while my husband was right behind me. Oliver walked up to me and kissed my cheek.

"Sinclair and his father are coming over tonight for dinner. Are you okay with that?"

"Sure." More than okay with it. "But we should talk before they get here."

"I agree. But first..." He trailed off, turning me around and picking me up. "I've missed you, baby."

I smiled falsely, "I missed you too." He kissed me softly, gentle. I hated it. He moved me so my back was against the wall and kissed down my neck. I tried so hard to feel something, anything, but I couldn't. It wasn't like when we were kids and wanted fuck all day, the sex got worse as our marriage grew.

When he brought his face up to look at me, I suddenly saw Alessandro instead. The sight of his face made me feel everything and I smashed my lips onto his hungrily. He went to suck on my neck and that's when I felt him enter me.

Right then I snapped out of it and saw Oliver again. I felt like a terrible person; imagining my husband was my secret lover. I was a terrible person. He deserved better than I could give, than I wanted to give him.

"Are you okay?" He asked, moving in and out me slowly but fast at the same time.

"No." I said and he stopped. "I'm not in the mood. I'm sorry, Oliver." I said, sincerely.

He set me down on the ground and kissed my forehead. "It's okay." He sounded irritated but tried to hide it. "I'm not mad. I'll wait for you in bed." He started walking out.

"Wait." I grabbed his hand and brought him back to me, kissing him. "I love you, Oliver."

He smiled, "I love you too, Athena." He kissed my lips again before leaving. I stared at the closed door, an immense amount of guilt flooding down on me. I turned back to the water, quickly washing my body, then dried off and changed into a hoodie and a red lace bra.

I crawled into bed beside and, again, he gave me a kiss on the cheek before turning over and mumbling a goodnight. I said it back and closed my eyes, trying to fall asleep but instead feeling Alessandro's arms around me.

When I woke up for the second time this morning, I was clutching onto a pillow and in a fetal position. The bright light peeking out through the windows made me groan and cover my face with the pillow. I sat up after a while and stretched, throwing the pillow somewhere on the bed.

I was glad I woke up alone, I didn't want to see Oliver's face and feel shameful for not wanting him there lying beside me. I took my hair out of its ponytail as I walked to the bathroom, brushing my teeth then walking downstairs to make see what Oliver was doing.

"Goodmorning." I said and sat on a stool, looking over at the flowers that sat beautifully near the sink and smiling.

"Morning." He set my plate in front of me, eggs and bacon being served. "You know, I've been meaning to ask about those flowers. Was there a card or something?"

I stuffed my mouth with eggs, thinking of some lie. "No. They're from Serene."

"Ah, Serene." Serene and him were never close. He hated her because he thought she was a bad influence on me and she hated him because he was a boring shit, quoting her of course. "Well, they are stunning." I nodded in agreement.

"Oliver-"

"I'm sorry." He interrupted. "I've been a shitty husband, just walking out whenever we argue and I'm sorry." He sounded sincere as he spoke and he even held eye contact but, as a lawyer, I felt he was just saying this to move past the subject. Nonetheless, I ignored my instincts and accepted his apology. "So, for tonight. Are you cooking or would you like to order takeout?"

"Cooking. This is a dinner party with your newest business partners, ordering takeout would be plain out unprofessional." Once I finished, I set the plate in the sink and walked towards the fridge.

"Should I drop by the grocery store before coming home tonight?"

I shook my head and poured myself a glass of orange juice, "No, it's fine. I'll go since I don't really have anything else to do." His phone started ringing and he groaned in annoyance before answering.

"Sinclair." He said, gaining my attention. "How can I be of service?... I'll be down there as soon as possible... I-... My father doesn't control me..." He sighed, clearly annoyed then said, "I'm coming now."

"Seems tiring." I laughed softly.

"He just makes my life ten times harder than it already is." I followed him out to the living room, going to sit on the couch as he went for his briefcase. "See you tonight, bye baby." He placed a kiss to my lips before leaving.

I held the cup to my lips, not drinking the liquid and waited for the door to slam shut. I set the cup on the table and rushed upstairs. I grabbed my phone and rushed to call Serene, luckily, she answered.

"Hey-"

"Alessandro's coming over for dinner." I interrupted. "Sorry, hi babe. How are you? Are you having fun?"

She was silent for a moment before I heard someone shrieking in the background. "Fuck me for a second. Why is your boyfriend coming to your house for dinner?" She yelled.

"Because Oliver, Olson and Alesandro have recently become business partners and they want to celebrate. Is Rachael with you?"

"She is. I have you on speaker. Now back to the dinner, what are we wearing?" I facetimed her, she didn't even let it ring twice before she answered, and I set it up.

"Okay. So, I don't want to come off desperate or anything, you know?"

"Let's start off simple, black or red." I went through my rack of dresses and pulled three of the hangers then laid them out on the bed. "When was the last time you spoke to Alessandro?" She asked just as I slipped my top off.

"Last night actually. We talked for seven hours before I got tired." I slipped my shorts off and went to put the black dress on. It wasn't unusual for me to undress in front of Serene, we'd seen each other naked on multiple occasions.

The dress was tight-fitting, showing off my curves and making my ass and breast pop out more. "This?" Rachael and her, were now sitting beside each other and they both tilted their heads, looking at the dress intently. I did a little spin.

"Eh. I mean it looks stunning on you, but it could show a tad bit more tits." Serene said after a while and Rachael nodded. "What'd you guys talk about?"

"Literally everything." I said as I slipped my dress off. "He told me about himself and his family and I told him about mine. It felt like he actually enjoyed talking to me; I didn't have to keep the conversation going and that felt really good." I slipped on another dress, it was black and short, a short v-line.

"No. Very boring." Rachael said as soon as I turned to the camera. I rolled my eyes but laughed and went to put on the last dress. It was a spaghetti strap dress and reached down to my ankles, leaving everything to the imagination. "Pretty but no."

I took the dresses back to the closet and grabbed a red one and black one, "I feel guilty though. Like, this morning at around three I was taking a shower and while doing so I was visualizing Alessandro. Then he came in and we tried but I just couldn't. I didn't feel anything, not one ounce of passion and I felt like an absolute terrible person, you know?"

"You don't seem to be feeling guilty now, seeing as your dressing up for him." Serene said as I slipped on the red dress. There was a mid-thigh slit, thin straps and was fairly long. It also put my breast up and made them look perfect.

"I'm not dressing up for him, I'm dressing up for Oliver." Somewhere deep down inside me I knew that was a lie and so did Serene and Rachael.

"Oh, that's pretty!" Rachael commented. "I like the way it hugs your body and doesn't overly show your tits."

I nodded and waited for Serene to say something, "I want to see the last option first." I slipped the dress off and put the black one on. It was a one shoulder mermaid dress with a side slit that reached up to my thigh. "That's perfect. Easy access to the fruit and gives the perfect amount of cleavage. My vote is for black."

"I'm split between the two. I love red but I adore black." She sighed deeply and took a minute before deciding. "Black."

"Great!" I said, taking it off and laying it out on the bed then went to put the red dress back. "Now for the hair and makeup."

Why was I anxious? Because Alessandro would be here in less than five minutes. I had already set the table with tonight's dinner, which consisted of filet mignon with a side of green beans and potatoes. There were two choices of newly bought wine sitting on the table and Oliver was already pouring himself a glass.

The vibrator he'd given me was already sitting inside of me. I wanted to take it out but the anticipation of what would happen if I kept it in made me chose to let it stay.

I was upstairs, finishing up my hair and makeup. Serene, Rachael and I spent an hour at most on Pinterest looking for hairstyle inspirations and finally found this 90's fluffy hair picture. Afterwards, I decided to do a simple natural look for my makeup.

Fuck! My hands are trembling right now

Serene

Stop acting like a bitch. And stop texting me and go down there and be a queen. Don't embarrass me.

I was responding when I heard the door closing and voices downstairs. I took a deep breath and set my phone down on the bed before walking downstairs. "Ah, there she is." I heard Oliver say as I walked down. I kept my eyes on him, not wanting to feel more affected than I already was by his presence.

First, I saw his mom, Rosaline, who was absolutely gorgeous in her short red dress that showed off her slim figure. She had dark skin that the dress complimented. Her husband right beside her, Michael, was dressed in a black dress shirt and slacks. Alessandro and him looked exactly alike, Alessandro only being a younger version of him.

Then I looked at him. He wore a dark burgundy dress shirt, that gave me a great view of his perfectly sculptured chest, with his usual black slacks. "Athena, pleasure seeing you again." He gave me a beautiful bouquet of lilies.

"Thank you." I said taking the flowers, our fingers slightly brushing against each other's. Everyone shook hands, Alessandro instead kissing my cheek and letting his lips linger there for a few seconds to long. I set the flowers down in the kitchen before joining everyone else at the table. Alessandro sat right in front of me, Oliver right beside me.

They all chose Mumm Napa Brut Prestige before digging into their meals. "This is delicious, Athena." Alessandro complimented, looking at me with a small smile.

"That's great. I had to cook Oliver's partner the best of the best." I took a sip of wine and kept my eyes on him.

"I agree with my son. You'll have to give me the recipe." Rosaline's mother said.

Michael raised his glass, "Cheers to that and here to this new partnership that will hopefully grow both companies." Everyone's glasses clinked together, except Oliver and Alessandro's. Olson eyed Oliver, silently telling him to behave.

So," Oliver started, "How come you decided to give the Sinclair company to Alessandro? I mean your other son, Kano, seemed to be the perfect person to run a business such as yours." Alessandro's attention finally moved away from me and to Oliver with annoyance and anger on his face.

"Oliver." Olson warned.

"No, no it's fine." Michael wiped his mouth before speaking again, "Yes, Kano would have been good for the company, but he wasn't, and still isn't, mature enough to run the company."

"I think Kano would have been more mature." Oliver mumbled but it was loud enough for everyone to hear.

"I'm sorry about my son." Olson said slightly irritated.

Michael nodded, "Kids. It's fine." He tried to sound calm, but his face showed little signs of anger by the way his jaw clenched. Rosaline leaned over and whispered something in his ear, causing his jaw to relax and his eyebrows slightly rising. She kissed his cheek with a smile before going back to her food.

It was quiet for a moment before she decided to speak, "So, Athena, how is your case going?"

CHAPTER 12

I wiped at the tears and said, "I'm sorry but you deserved it. You threw a fork at him, I think it's only fair that he threw a knife at you."

"I was in the emergency room for days. He should be locked up right now."

"Well," I started. "He was a minor and plus your parents probably told the officers it was a mistake, coming from a lawyer."

"I love it when you go lawyer on me." He smirked causing me to laugh more.

"Oh!" I yelped and jumped up from the bed, leaving Alessandro confused. I went back and forth from my closet with shoe boxes until I had everything on the bed. "Okay. So, since I don't know when I'll be able to give these to you, I'm going to go ahead and show you."

"You got me shoes?" He furrowed his eyebrows, and I shook my head. I opened the first box and pulled out a few chains and colognes. "I got you these. They were very expensive, and the cologne smells great."

"I'm sure it does. What else did you get for me?" I pulled out a few stud earrings since I found men who wore them hot, even though Oliver absolutely hated them, and a pair of Nike joggers.

"Stud earrings because their hot. Nike joggers because... you just can't go wrong with having a few pairs of these. I got you these gray ones and a black one and matching hoodies." I set the things back in the box and set it aside before opening the next one. I pulled out a wallet, a workout bracelet and aftershave products.

"Okay. The wallet is here because I know men, for some odd reason, don't like to keep up with theirs and it has your initials in it. The workout bracelet because you just look like you work out. The aftershave because I have never seen you let your stubble grow so I know you shave a lot. And these are the expensive kind, so they have to work."

After twenty minutes or so, I was done showing him everything and when I looked up to the camera, he was just staring at me with a smile. A genuine smile. "Do you like everything?"

"I fucking love everything." I smiled brightly, glad that I hadn't failed at shopping for him. "I'm throwing out all of my colognes and only using yours."

"No, no. You smell really good with your original cologne, but still do use mine." I picked up the phone and laid back under the covers, the phone now pretty close to my face.

He mimicked my actions and said, "I could never get tired of looking at you." He smirked and looked over my face.

I looked at the time, noticing it was 11PM. "We've been on the phone for seven hours."

"Best seven hours of my life." I blushed just as I started yawning, turning my face away from the camera as I did so. "Are you tired?"

"No." I said, my eyes closed and my voice sounding sleepy.

He chuckled; I could feel his eyes staring holes into my face, but I kept mine closed. "I can't wait to see you tomorrow night." He said, but I was too tired to respond. "Goodnight, Athena.

I set my glass down and looked at her with a smile, "It's going great! Now, legally I'm not allowed to disclose any information but I'm really hopeful that we'll win."

"Aren't you afraid? Cases like these almost never win although it seems like you've been working really hard on it."

"I-"

"She's been working very hard." Oliver interjected. "She stays up all night on her computer." Rosaline furrowed her eyebrows at him interrupting us but quickly undid them and nodded.

"Based off your other cases, I'm sure you'll win this one." Rosaline complimented.

"You've seen my other cases?"

"Of course! You are one of the very few women lawyers who have made it as far as you have." She said truthfully.

I smiled brightly and thanked her. "I'm proud of you, Athena." Alessandro said and I had to bite my cheek to prevent myself from blushing.

"And once I get that promotion, Athena won't have to work again." Oliver said, kissing my cheeks and I furrowed my eyebrows.

"We never talked about that. I don't plan on ever quitting." While everyone tried to mind their business, Alessandro was full on listening.

He put his arm around my chair and leaned in to whisper, "We'll talk about this later." Your damn right we will, I thought to myself.

"I don't think she should have to stay home and be a housewife if she doesn't want to." Alessandro said, putting the glass to his lips.

"I think our marriage isn't really any of your concern." Oliver said back a bit angry.

"Well, Oli-" He looked at me, wanting to call him Olivia but seeing the expression on my face. "--Oliver, you've brought up a topic that you both haven't discussed, it's everyone's concern when you bring something like that up publicly."

"Have you ever been married? No. You haven't so don't tell me anything about my marriage."

Alessandro chuckled, getting angrier by the minute. He was about to say something that would've made this dinner worse than it already was when I decided to lift my leg and put my heel on his crotch. "That's enough. You both are going to be working together soon so it would do everyone a favor if you just settled this beef."

Alessandro was staring holes into my face, but I didn't dare look at him as an idea came to mind. I started moving my feet over his pants, already feeling his cock harden under my foot. "My apologies." He directed it at me, his hands moving up and down my leg, me smiling but biting the inside of my cheek at the same time.

"My apologies." Oliver said, not meaning it whatsoever. I tried moving my foot away, but he grabbed it and kept it in place in his lap. I looked at him and the sexual tension flowing through us both was strong, I bit my lip and his eyes fell to them, licking his own.

He picked his fork up, acting as if he was about to eat the little bit of food left on his plate but instead dropped it. They were too into their own conversations to notice Alessandro and I flirting with each other. He got onto the ground, taking my foot with him and kissed my calf before softly biting into it.

He got back up, leaving my foot on the ground and placing his fork on the table. "Where's your restroom, Athena?" He asked.

"Follow me." I tapped Oliver's shoulder, taking him out of the conversation with Michael. "I'm showing Alessandro to the restroom." He nodded and quickly went back to conversating, making Alessandro chuckle and shake his head.

He followed me upstairs and once we were out of sight, pushed me up against the wall and attached his lips to my neck. "You smell so good, butterfly." He mumbled. I pulled his head back by his hair and brought his lips to mine hungrily.

That guilt I was feeling prior to this was gone, all I was feeling was a need for him. A need to feel him. Hear him. The need to have his body hovering over mine was stronger than the want to save my marriage. It was because of me that my marriage was going to fail and in the very moment I couldn't care less about the consequences.

I moved away from him, grabbing his hand and walking quickly to the bathroom. As soon as we entered, he kicked the door closed with his foot and picked me up into his arms, kissing me roughly yet passionately. "I hate seeing with that asshole. It angers me whenever his lips touch any part you. Whenever his pale hands get anywhere on your body."

He walked me over to the sink, setting me down and moving his kisses to my bare shoulder. He pulled the strap of my dress down until my breast were out and pulled one into his mouth. He sucked on my nipple hard and massaged the other, a moan ripping up from my throat.

Did I care about getting caught? Absolutely not. Infact, it excited me to not know if my husband would walk in on me getting pleased by another man.

"W- we can't have sex." I breathed out, tugging at his hair. He moved his attention to my other breast, pulling the nipple between his teeth, biting down on it. I moaned but covered my mouth so it wouldn't be too loud.

"And why's that?" He asked, grabbing a handful of my hair and pulling my head back to have better access to my neck.

"I wouldn't want it to end a- and at some point, it would have to. Not here and not now." He pulled my dress down further, completely disregarding what I said, until it exposed my stomach.

"I won't fuck you." He kissed between my breast then down my stomach and planted soft kisses right below there. "I just want a taste." He pulled my dress further down until it hit the ground, leaving me braless and in the light pink panties he said he liked along with the black vibrator. "Fuck." He said in awe.

Alessandro moved my panties down so slowly and teasingly. Once they hit the ground, he just stared between my legs. I was about to close them, but he forced them open and put them over his shoulders when he had gotten on his knees. "Your beautiful, Athena." He kissed my inner thigh, leaving a few bitemarks, then kissed my lips.

When his entire mouth attached to me, I gasped and leaned back, grabbing his hair and pushing his face further onto me. His tongue thrusted in and out of my hole, I was a moaning mess at this point, keeping my hands on my mouth to not be overly loud. "F- fuck."

"So fucking good." He groaned against me, sending vibrations all throughout my body. I felt high. He was the drug making me feel every emotion there was. Oliver was out of mind at this point and all I could think about was his tongue pleasing the fuck out of me.

I felt his hand leave me thigh and I wanted to pass out when I felt the vibrator being turned on inside of me. "Shh, butterfly. You don't want to get caught do you?" He asked turning the level of the vibrator up, I whined as my legs started to shake. I bit into my hand to muffle the moans as much as possible but it was hard considering I had a vibrator lodged deep inside of me plus his tongue stimulating me.

He kept one hand wrapped around my thigh and used his thumb to circle my clit. My legs started to quiver as I felt my lower stomach tighten, my walls clenching around his tongue. His mouth started sucking on my clit harshly, his other hand now off of my thigh. Still sucking and nibbling on my clit, he pushed two of his fingers inside.

"S- Sandro-- oh shit." My release was coming, and I could feel it was going to come hard. "Faster." I panted and he obeyed. Moving his fingers in and out at a rapid pace while his mouth worked on my clit.

I gripped at his hair, my toes curled, and my head flew back as I let out a loud muffled moan. I came all over his mouth and he never stopped until my orgasm was done. Alessandro stood back, placing my legs down, grabbed my throat and smashed his lips onto mine.

I could taste myself on his tongue and moaned into the hard kiss. "Next time," He said once we parted, "I'll do more than just eat your pussy." I leaned forward to have a taste of his lips again, but he moved back, his hand still wrapped around my throat and eyes on my lips, then kissed me again. He kissed down my arm until he reached my hand and pressed a longing kiss on the butterfly tattoo while looking up at me.

That was fucking amazing, I thought to myself as he started to clean between my legs. "We should probably hurry and get back down there." I said, once he was done and quickly slid on my panties and dress.

I walked out first and once I reached the bottom step he started to come out. Once he was seated in his seat, I smiled and said, "Who's ready for dessert?"

CHAPTER 13

I could shit myself right now.

It's the day of Brinda's trial and here we are, a few minutes early to court. My hair was straight, light makeup, and I wore high-waisted army green dress pants, a matching color blazer and a simple black shirt. I slipped on black heels and grabbed my bag, checking the time on my watch as I walked downstairs.

The dinner went extremely well. After Alessandro and I... connected, I served everyone desert, which was a simple crepe cake. Everyone enjoyed it and as they were leaving, Alessandro placed another kiss to my cheek and thanked me for the night, subtly thanking me for our time in the bathroom.

I was pleased to say the least. But I still had this thought in the back of my head telling me that what I did was wrong, and that Oliver deserves better than me. Any other day I would be pondering in my feelings right about now but today isn't any other day, it's Brinda's trial day and any thoughts of my personal life would be shoved down the toilet and flushed.

Bella was here, but not with us, since after opening statements, I'd need to present my witness and she was my only witness. "It'll be fine. He won't even speak; it'll be like he's not there." I set a hand on her shaking thigh.

"No, you don't understand. I'll feel him. Even if he is far away, I'll hear his breathing a- and-" She choked, tears spilling down her cheeks.

I hugged her. I didn't know what else to do but hug her and wipe her tears. "Don't let him have this power or hold on you Brinda. When we get in there, don't let him see weak, even when we leave show him that your stronger." She nodded, wiping away at the rest of her tears. "Deep breaths. Come on." I took a few breaths in and out with her until her leg stopped shaking and she seemed calmer.

"Thank you-."

"The judge is ready." I nodded at the officer and waited until Brinda felt good and ready to enter the room. "Head held high." She nodded, breathed deeply and fixed her stance. We walked inside, side by side, and not once did she even glance his way even as he was staring holes into her head.

After the judge and everyone were seated, it was time for the opening statements in which the defense would go first. Nate Thomas stood, tall, dark brown hair that was slicked back and he wore a black suit and blue tie.

"As the judge just instructed you the defense doesn't have to stand here give an opening statement, the burdens not on the defense. We can sit back and wait and see what the evidence is, and the later team can come and try and poke holes at it, bring up issues. But we're not doing that, we're going to stand here today and tell you, at least based on revealed evidence, what this case is about. We often times hear people talk about no means no of course no means no, but the question really becomes, and you will see through the course of this case and in this case, the state of Atlanta versus Zac Dubois, did anybody ever really so no."

This fucking asshole.

"You and your husband get into a heated argument and you claim to be sexually assaulted," He looked over at us with a sly smirk almost unnoticeable, "There are studies on this, and they have shown this occurs. The plaintiff has said there was alcohol involved and cannot remember nights accurately but that does not suggest there was no consent." He looked away. "Some of you may not be comfortable with your verdict in this case. But nonetheless upon the close evidence in this case in the state of Atlanta we will especially submit to you, Mr. Zac Ryan Dubois the verdict is not guilty. Thank you."

I fixed my blazer as I stood up, he was whispering something in Zac's ear and from the small smile on his face they probably thought they had a shot.

"Brinda Dubois. Fighting with her husband in the late-night hours, attacked, beaten, and horribly raped. The state will prove to you throughout the course of this trial, all at the hands of one man," I pointed towards Zac, "the defendant, Zac Dubois. The defendant is charged with multiple accounts of intercourse without consent, assault, and assault with a weapon. For the three crimes he perpetrated on Brinda Dubois, his wife, over three months of their marriage he has since gotten no punishment. We'll see a lot of photographs, videos, and physical exhibits but most importantly you will see the defendant, Zac Dubois's telephone. You will hear and you will see the contents of that telephone."

I looked over at Nate with the same sly smirk he had given me before turning away. "You will see his face through all of this evidence and the state will prove to you, beyond a reasonable doubt, the defendant, Zac Dubois, is guilty as charged of all the crimes."

"I'd like to call our first witness to the stand." I started, going behind the table. "Bella Dubois." Nate's head snapped in my direction, not knowing that I'd be using Bella as my first piece of evidence.

What a fool.

Bella walked in, head held high and not glancing in her father's direction and was seated on the stand. The officer held a bible out and she placed a hand out and the other up. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."

"I do." He walked away and she sat down.

"When was the first time you saw your father, Zac Dubois, hit your mother, Brinda Dubois?" I asked, leaning against the table with my arms crossed.

"When I was thirteen. We'd gotten back from a dinner and he claimed that she was looking at other men. When she denied he hit her over and over again."

"Had there been any alcohol beverages at this event? Or was your father sober as he abused your mother."

"Yes. There had been but I hadn't seen him drink anything."

"So you'd say your father was sober when abusing your mother?"

"Yes."

"Your witness." I said towards Nate as I sat back down.

He stood and walked in front of Bella. "You have a good relationship with your father, the defendant, no?"

"Up until last night he's treated me like a princess." She sat more upright in her seat.

He nodded. "But you have a better relationship with your mother, the plaintiff."

"Anyone in this situation would."

"Yes or no, Ms. Dubois."

"Yes. I do."

"So would you lie under oath for her?"

"Objection! He's putting words in my witnesses mouth!" Nate looked at the judge, silently asking if he could continue.

"Overruled. Answer the question Ms. Dubois."

"No. I wouldn't lie for her under oath."

"But you'd lie for her if you weren't."

"I- no." She looked over at us.

"Don't look at them look at me." She listened. "Where did your father hit your mother? Last night specifically."

"He slapped her first. Then grabbed her by the arm and threw her onto the table, making the vase fall and break. That's when he started to uh-... to take her clothing off." Brinda closed her eyes and put her head down.

"Did you see this happening, or did you hear it?"

"See. I heard the vase fall and that's when I walked out, and he had her under him."

"So you didn't actually see the abuse? You just heard the vase fall and assume that she was hit by my client."

"I mean, yes-"

"No further questions, your honor."

I'm going to kill that bastard and get away with it. He made it seem like she lied about the whole fucking scene. "Have you been hit or has anyone tried to harm you in any way in the past week?"

"My father. I tried to stop him, but he grabbed me and threw me against the wall. He was about to go back to my mom, but it was like something clicked in him and he came at me."

"What was he doing?"

She took a deep breath and said, "He was trying to take my clothes off. It was like he wasn't himself, something in his eyes had darkened. My mom jumped on his back and got him off of me, but she had gotten hurt more in the process. That's when she had hit him with a lamp and knocked him out."

I could see in the corner of my eye, the judge had pity in his eyes but not the kind of pity where he believed her but the kind where he didn't, and he was sorry about it. "No further questions. Your witness."

He sighed defeatedly and said, "No questions."

"If that is the case, this court is adjourned." He hit the gravel and stood, beginning to walk out.

"All rise." Everyone started leaving the courtroom and I had a sense that we had the upper hand in this case already.

"Bella did great. I'll be by yours tomorrow to discuss the video evidence we'll use next."

"Thank you. And I'm sorry about the press you're going to get because of this case."

"I assure it's fine-" The sound of camera's clicking and people yelling questions surrounded us. Literally. They were huddled up around us as we walked towards the elevator, but her bodyguards blocked them from getting a clear view.

We rushed inside of the elevator, and I let out a big breath and leaned back on the wall. "Nate is going to do everything he can to win. Mainly because if he loses to a woman, it'll ruin his reputation and also because your husband is a well-known man and he'll get a lot of publicity if he wins. If there is something you haven't told me, even the smallest things, then I need you to tell me now."

She stood quiet for a moment, deep in thought, before saying she didn't have anything. I nodded and waited until we reached the first floor. That wave of press wasn't anything compared to this one.

"My client has no comment on the matter. But I ask that you respect her privacy and do not bash her on social media." I gave Bella a hug and told her she did well before closing the car door behind her.

They were too distracted with trying to follow them to follow me, so I ushered into my car and quickly drove off. Fucking Nate is the worst lawyer to go up against. He's known for how he wins cases, which isn't always legal, but no one likes to talk about it. I had to win, not only for Brinda and Bella but for myself as well. If, no when I won, I'd feel like I was able to do something the world would be proud of.

I had gotten a message and it was, of course, from Alessandro.

Alessandro :)

You looked so hot in court. I couldn't come in person, but I saw photos.

Awe, thanks. And it's fine I didn't expect to see you there anyway.

Alessandro

I'll be there next time to see you knock Nate Thomas off his ass.

You're going to make me crash.

I set my phone down with a smile and went back to paying attention on the road. A call came in from my radio, interrupting my music, but I answered seeing as it was Alessandro, and he probably wouldn't stop calling until I did. "I would've texted you once I was home."

"I couldn't wait to speak to you any longer. Now back to your case, what are the possibilities of you winning?"

"I have no clue. It's only the first day and the way the judge was looking gave me a few doubts."

"You shouldn't doubt yourself. If you saw what everyone else sees in court then anyone would say that you have a real shot at winning."

I blushed, "Thank you. It means a lot to me that your supporting me."

"Someone has to. I know your husband doesn't."

Moment ruined. "Ale-"

"Sorry." He interrupted. "I won't bash your partner anymore."

"Good. How are you?"

"I'm great. The company is doing fantastic and that means I have money coming in so that's amazing."

"Your rich enough as is."

He chuckled and said, "That's why I donate. I have all this

money sitting around so why not help those in need."

"That's actually-" I honked my horn at someone suddenly stopping, causing me to almost crash into them. They had the audacity to pull the finger at me. "Aprende a conducir, puta!"

"That sounded hotter than I'm sure you intended it to be."

"Shut up. Anyway, as I was saying, that's really kind of you to be donating. Most people are selfish."

He chuckled, "Very weird mood swing. But my mother raised me so I couldn't be selfish if I tried. Am I going to see you tonight?"

"Why would you see me tonight?"

"Because of the party. We're celebrating the new partnership in public now."

"I didn't know there was a party. Was Oliver informed about this?"

"Of course he was."

"He usually tells me these things."

"Maybe he didn't tell you because he was going with that girl from the gala."

"Katie? No, they haven't talked since high school. Well, technically the gala."

"People would assume we haven't spoken since the gala and here we are, on the phone, talking."

I rolled my eyes, "I don't believe that."

"Alright, alright I won't say anything more."

"Someone is here to speak with you." Someone said as they entered his office.

"Who?"

"May Shaw. Say's it's about personal matters."

He sighed annoyingly and told him to bring her in, "I have to go, Butterfly."

"Oh, okay. See you soon."

"See you soon." Any other time he'd be urging me to stay on the call with him when he was meeting someone and now that it was a woman it was different. I know I didn't have a right to be jealous, we aren't in a relationship, and I am married, but I was.

I didn't stop thinking about this May Shaw even after I was home. Just to put my mind at ease, or that's what I told myself, I grabbed my computer and searched her. She was beautiful; slim, short, blond hair, dark green eyes, and nice lips. I see why Alessandro would be attracted to her.

I saw a few photos of them together at events, no more than three thank goodness. I closed my computer and set it aside, I was trying to hold back from stalking this woman. After showering, I changed into shorts and a tee before crawling into bed.

Today has been exhausting.

CHAPTER 14

When Oliver had come home, he'd finally decide to tell me about the celebration, I didn't mention the fact that I already knew. I wore a long red mermaid dress; thin straps, slit up to my mid-thigh and strapped sandal heels. It showed off a good amount of cleavage and hugged my body in all the right places.

Oliver wore blue casual pants and a blue and white stripped button shirt with dark leather shoes. His hair was slicked back as it usually was, and I left my hair in its natural curls since I was being lazy. He didn't like my hair choice, but we had to leave if we wanted to arrive on time, so I didn't change it.

When we arrived, he held my hand to show people we were here together. I was tired as hell, but I still wanted to be a decent wife and show up for him. "Athena. Still as lovely as I remember." He, Albert, took my hand and kissed it.

"Thank you." I smiled falsely and pulled my hand away when he let his lips stay on for too long. Oliver introduced me to all of his collogues and work friends, even ones I had already met. "It's good to see you again, Gina." I hugged her and she hugged back.

"You as well, Athena. I hope you do well with this case."

"Thank-"

"She sure will. She is my wife after all." Him and Chase laughed at the not funny joke while Gina and I smiled awkwardly.

"Thank you, Gina. How are the twins?"

Her face lit up at the mention of her children, "Fine. I miss them so much although I see them every day. They've become the little tricksters though." She chuckled.

"I can't wait to have my own kids." Oliver looked over at me, telling me to change to a different subject.

"They'd be beautiful babies, especially if they get your genes."

"They better! I don't want to carry a child for nine months if they don't look like me." We laughed and Oliver cleared his throat.

I see a lot when we go to events like these, friends of Oliver's with their mistresses instead of wives, them with their wives and still flirting with other women. The next person we talked to was Alex. "Athena, you look beautiful in this dress. Your body is outstanding."

"Thank you." Disgusting shit.

"Oliver. It's good seeing you again." They discussed business matters and I just stood, nodding when they asked something and laughing when they told a joke they thought was funny. I was like an accessory when I stood beside Oliver, I didn't feel like he showed me off because I was his wife but because it was good for the company's image.

"Can we go sit at the bar now? We've met over a hundred of your friends."

"It was only a few, Athena."

"I've met them plenty of times before. Who else do I have to say hi to tonight?"

"You've barely engaged in conversation with any of them."

"I have, actually. And plus, their all creeps who keep looking down at my breast." I fixed the straps of my dress.

"I mean you do have a dress on that's giving them the chance to see."

"So it's my fault they don't know how to keep their eyes up? I mean you have been doing it all night."

"Because I'm used to seeing them and I'm not saying that. I-"

"Oliver!" Someone said as they came over.

"Nick." He greeted back and they shook hands before giving each other a hug.

"Valentina." I smiled.

"Athena." She smiled back, she looked like she wasn't having as much of a fun time here just like me. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. This case is stressing but it's going well so far."

"That's good. I'm sure you'll win it; you are the best lawyer I know."

"Thanks. How are you?"

"Great, actually. I've been really happy with how life is going for me right now." She blushed. Oh, you have, have you? Just like the other couple's Oliver and Nick talked business and jokes, Valentina and I laughing at them just to be polite. Valentina was a very beautiful woman, I don't see how someone like Nick could have swiped her off the market.

"You and Valentina have always gotten along."

"Yeah, she's always been polite."

"Do you still think my co-workers are creeps?"

"I do. You can't change my mind about that."

He rolled his eyes. "They are all just being friendly."

"Too friendly. Did you not see them glancing down at my breast or the exposed part of my leg? Some of them even kissed my cheek, a little too close to my lips."

"You're not all that, Athena so stop acting like it. Just smile and look pretty." He said, just as someone's hand touched my lower back. His hand.

"Alessandro Sinclair." Oliver wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me closer to him. He was acting weird, possessive.

"Athena Escarra. Pleasure to see you again." He didn't even acknowledge Oliver and just grabbed my hand and kissed it.

"Pleasure to see you again as well. The company seems to be doing great."

He nodded, "It is. You look... words can't even describe your beauty."

I smiled, "Thank you."

"So, Sinclair, do we get to know who this butterfly is?" Oliver said, moving his hand from around my waist and putting it in his pocket.

"No. She isn't comfortable just yet."

"You seem comfortable to just have her on call when your in meetings. I hope she knows how unprofessional you are."

I looked up at Oliver, "That's enough."

"No, no it's fine. She tells me all the time, but I don't care because this is my company and if I want to talk to her I will." Alessandro took a step closer, downing his glass of whiskey.

"A company that can be snatched right from under you." Oliver took a step closer. The tension between the two was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

"Let's act like we all have some sense and be cordial." Oliver's phone started to ring and even though he didn't want to take it, he had to.

"I'll be back, Athena." He kissed my cheek and sent one last glare to Alessandro before leaving.

"I'm this close to terminating this entire deal." His thumb and finger were basically touching.

"Why are you doing this if you don't like him?"

"Because it gives me an excuse to see you."

I sighed, "There are so many single women. Why are you so hung up on me?"

He chuckled and set his glass down. "Follow me. Top floor." I furrowed my eyebrows as he walked towards the elevator.

Your married.

Oh what the fuck am I doing.

I set my glass down and went to the elevator once it came back down. When I reached the top floor, I went into an office that looked like it was his from how dark it was. He was standing in the middle of the room, an empty glass in his hand. "Alessandro, what are you-" In a swift and quick motion, I was pushed up against the wall and his lips were on mine.

"You want to know why I can't fucking get you out of my head?" He mumbled as he kissed down my neck. "Because your everything I've ever wanted in a woman; you reached way past my standards." He hooked my leg around his waist.

"W- we can't do this. Not a- again." Stop fucking stuttering.

"Beautiful." He started, kissing my neck and putting love bites I'd have to hide.

"Talented. In many ways." He kissed my lips roughly, biting on my bottom lip.

"Smart." He moved the strap of my dress down and kissed down my shoulder, softly biting at the skin on my arm.

"Educated." He took one of my breasts in his mouth and I used my hand to muffle a moan.

"You are the perfect woman for me." He took my other breasts in his mouth, and I tugged at the strands of his black hair. "I want you. And I always get what I want." He looked up at me as he kissed a line down to the center of my legs.

His eyes moved down there, my leg now on his shoulder. He kissed on my thighs and kissed around my pussy before lightly touching it with his tongue. I moaned and he wrapped his entire mouth around me. My back arched away from the wall behind me, and I closed my eyes, grabbing ahold of his hair.

My toes were curling in these heels as he sucked on my clit harshly, putting in two fingers. He groaned against me as if he was gaining pleasure from the sounds of moans. "I- I'm close. Shit." I threw my head back and rocked my hips on his mouth. My walls tightened around his fingers, and he started pushing them in and out at a quicker pace, his sucking becoming rougher.

Just as I was about to come all over his mouth, he stopped. Completely stopped and left me in a sexually frustrated state. My breathing was heavy as he fixed my dress and let my leg to the ground. "I won't let you come until your mine. Until you see you want me to." He whispered against my ear before kissing my lips again.

Oh hell.

CHAPTER 15

Alessandro Sinclair was menacing.

He was everything I was supposed to stay away from as a teen and as a wife. The piece of candy I wasn't allowed to have because it was bad for me. The more I couldn't have it the more I wanted it. I was going to be the reason my marriage was going to fall into shambles and break.

I'd already cheated by dreaming of him touching me. Touching myself and wanting my hands to be his hands. Being touched and wanting him instead of the man I tied my life to. I tried to miss Oliver. I tried to feel anything I did when I was younger with him, but I didn't.

I turned my car off and sighed. Leave it at home, I reminded myself. Deal with it later, it's about Brinda and Bella right now. I grabbed my purse and stepped outside, my Christian Louboutin's sounding against the concrete. I wore cropped red slim fit pants, a black lace top that was tucked in and a matching red blazer, my hair was in its natural curls once again.

I didn't have to be searched anymore, thank God, but only because I was a regular guest and Brinda trusted me. Court was tomorrow so today I'd review the video and photographic evidence with her. Even with all this evidence this case could still take up to several months but I'm hoping it would be a lot less long.

Brinda wore a long sleeve brown dress that reached just below her knees and her hair was tied into a neat and tight bun. "Athena. How's your day been?" She shook my hand.

"Brinda. It's been good so far, you?"

She sighed and took a seat back on the sofa, "Quiet. Bella's been in her room all day, anticipating what to say so she doesn't 'fuck it up' as she said."

"She'll do fine." I assured. "But you'll both do even better with that evidence." She nodded and led me to her security room. I aspire to be Brinda rich one day. Her security pulled the video up but waited for Brinda's approval to play it. After a few deep breaths, he pressed play.

Bella was the first to walk in, giving her mom a kiss on the cheek then going straight to her room. Zac went into the kitchen and popped his first bottle of beer. "Brinda." She stopped walking and unzipping her dress and turned to face him, who was already on his second bottle quickly downing that one as well. "Who was that man you were talking to?"

She looked at him for a moment before saying, "Hank? Oh, he was just asking questions about your business, wanting to know if he should make a proposition to join it. Very funny man." She chuckled and went to turn around but him throwing his bottle to the ground stopped her from moving once again.

Zac had about four bottles now and was started on his fifth. "You were fucking flirting with him!"

"No, I wasn't. I was simply making conversation and trying to help you out." She started to slowly back away, seeing his drunken state, as he walked towards her. "I- I swear. I would never flirt with another m- man." Her voice cracked.

"Fucking liar." He slapped her before punching her, then grabbing her arm and throwing her onto the table, the vase falling just like Bella said.

"Please." She begged, "I love you and only you." He grabbed her again, ignoring what she said before, and pushed her down onto the couch. "Baby-"

"Shut the fuck up. You don't love me." He started ripping her clothes off. "You're a whore. You must want attention."

"No, please stop." She tried fighting him off but even in his drunken state she still couldn't get him off. "Zac please!" He hit her in the face, weakening her and started to move his pants off.

"You want attention? I'll give you your fucking attention. Fucking whore."

At this point she had given up, "Bella's still awake. B- be quick."

He slapped her again. "Don't tell me what the-"

"Mom?" Bella had now walked into the frame and Zac immediately looked in her direction.

"Go to your room Bella!" He yelled and she looked at her mom who had turned her face away from her.

"I'm fine sweetie, go lie down."

"Dad get off of her." Bella said, not listening to Brinda.

"Go back to your fucking room, Bella!" He warned once more.

"Get off her!" She yelled and went to pull him off.

He pushed her off as Brinda yelled, "Bella please!" Zac was now off Brinda and was fighting back as he threw punches her way. Just like Bella said, he picked her up and threw her against the wall, "Zac stop!" He was about to go back to Brinda, but he paused, as if something in him switched, and went back towards Bella.

He started to take her clothes but wasn't able to get glimpse of her body when Brinda jumped on his back. He pushed her off and she grabbed the lamp, throwing it against his head as hard as possible. She and Bella stared at him for a while, most likely thinking he was dead, but when he groaned, they both flinched away.

She went over to Bella asking if she was okay before she quickly slipped on clothes and they both ran out of the house. He paused the video and sighed, "I'm sorry we couldn't protect you, Ms. Dubois. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you from him."

She patted his shoulder, "I don't blame you and like I've said a thousand please call me Brinda."

"Of course, Ms.- Brinda." They smiled, staring at each other for a bit too long. He was handsome, tall, tan skin and plump lips, his eyes were a pretty light brown. He stood, still looking at her before taking a deep breath and leaving.

She looked over at me, a blush crawling up her neck. "I have the photos on my phone." We walked back downstairs, and I didn't bring up that heated eye contact back there. She handed me her phone and I swiped through a few of the many photos.

The first photo I saw was her with a hand bruise around her neck and a busted lip. The second was similar but she had a black eye. The third had blood trickling down her chin, lips busted, and a broken nose. The fourth was a full body photo, her legs had purple bruises all over them, her arms bruised as well and her eye black.

She left and went to get a cup of water while I went through the photos and picked the ones that would be better used for evidence.

My heart twisted at the sight of these photos; seeing all of the things that happened to her was saddening. Her court date was tomorrow so I gathered as much photographic proof of abuse, mainly the ones that would catch the jury's attention.

After my meeting with her, I went back home to continue to put everything together. I had to make sure everything was behind perfect because the of the smallest thing goes wrong then the whole case is going downhill.

CHAPTER 16

"I want you to fuck me. Just for tonight, I'm not Mrs. Escarra, I'm not Oliver's, I'm not married. I'm yours. Just for tonight."

Hours earlier...

I wore light pink cropped tailored trousers, light pink lace top that was covered by my neutral color blazer, and I paired the whole outfit with champagne color stiletto pumps. My hair was in its natural curls, they weren't trying to straighten like I wanted them to today so i just left it.

"I'll be home late tonight. I have a dinner with my mom then some more work at the company." Oliver said as he rushed downstairs, bright and happy.

"You seem happier than usual about being home late tonight." I grabbed my coffee and brought it into the living room.

"I'm just having a good morning that's all baby." He kissed my cheek and I smiled. "Have a good day." He said before rushing out of the door. Weird.

Just as I was leaving, my phone buzzed with a notification and I quickly set my bag in the passenger seat and my coffee in my cup holder.

Alessandro

I hope you make big progress with your case today. I also hope you fucking bury Nate and his pathetic career, have a good day butterfly.

I blushed at the text.

Thanks. I hope you succeed in whatever a company needs to succeed in. Have a good day, Sandro.

I hadn't even thought about the nickname until after I sent the message and I literally wanted to punch myself.

Alessandro

Sandro... last time I heard you call me that was when I was pleasuring you. I like the nickname. It's... cute.

Im never saying it again.

Alessandro

We'll see about that. Destroy Nate today in court. I have faith in you.

You always do and I appreciate it.

Alessandro

Anything for you, my love.

I set my phone down in the passenger seat as well and distracted myself with music before I was late because I was flirty with my side-piece.

I pulled into the parking lot of the church and quickly got out. Paparazzi didn't waste any time in swarming me but I got into the building just as they were getting close. It's like running from a herd full of children.

Brenda and I walked into the courtroom, being right on time, and stood as the Judge walked in. "Please be seated." Everyone sat down and Judge Matt nodded in Nate's direction. This whole day has been weird.

"Let's begin-" He started but the doors opening in closing interrupted him. Everyone looked back, including Brinda and I, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight. Alessandro came. He came to watch me in court.

I was making myself more nervous by trying not to be nervous.

Even as everyone watch him sit right behind me he maintained eye contact with me and smirked. I had to turn away to not cause any ruckus or speculation but I'm sure he saw the blush that was creeping up my neck.

After marking everyone that was needed in the court present, we started. "I'd like to present my first piece of video-graphic evidence." I said as I stood and fixed my blazer.

"I hope you have the means to present this evidence?"

I nodded. "I do, your honor."

"Then you may proceed." Nate whispered something in Zac's ear and he put his head down nervous. He couldn't even hide the fact that there was something incriminating on the video even as he told Nate there wasn't.

A TV was rolled out and the officer powered it on, showing the entry way of the mansion. "The events in this video happened two nights ago." The video started.

I stayed standing and watched how Zac leaned back in his seat angrily as the video showed him drinking and putting his hands on Brinda. When the video had gotten to the clip where Zac went for Bella he yelled, "Objection, turn this off!"

"Overruled!" The judge said back and Zac had no choice but to remain quiet. "How much longer do we have to watch this?" He asked irritatingly.

"There's just the last few seconds were Brinda defends her daughter, Bella, by launching herself towards Zac Dubois. She knocked him out and they both ran."

"Objection!" Zac yelled once more.

"Overruled."

"I rest my case." I smiled, looking over at an distressed Zac and his lawyer. If your lawyer looks stressed then you aren't doing so well. They aren't doing so well.

"Six minute recess."

"All rise." A fucking recess. Court is so difficult for no reason. We walked out, I hadn't forgotten Alessandro had come but my focus was on Brinda. "We're doing great. Did you see Zac and his lawyer? If we have them scared then we have the power. We have the power in this situation, okay Brinda?"

She nodded and took a deep breath. "I need to make a call."

"Okay. Hurry back." She nodded before going in the direction of the bathroom. I sighed and sat on the bench. "Athena."

My gaze shot up to the handsome devil towering over me. "Hi. I didn't know you'd be here."

"Wanted to surprise you. You looked surprise." He sat beside me and leaned back on the bench, never taking his eyes off my face. "In the papers and on the blogs you look sexy in court but in person..." He blew out an exaggerated breath. "Hot. Not lowercase hot but uppercase hot."

I smiled, "It means a lot to me when you show up. Even if it's in the smallest ways, it means a lot. Especially since the only person whose ever come to my trials was Serene."

"Oliver never came?"

I shook my head, "He was always too busy. This morning he didn't even wish me well, I don't know if he even remembered I had court today." I sighed.

"Your husband is one dumb fuck." I raised my eyebrows at him. "Sorry. Said I wouldn't talk down on your husband. Your husband is one smart fuck."

I laughed at his sarcastic ways and he just looked at me with a smile and eyes that looked like he was in a trance. "You should laugh more. I like the sound of it."

"My laugh? Stop lying, I sound like a pig."

He rolled his eyes, "We've talked about this Athena. Stop talking down on yourself."

"Sorry, can't help it." I looked down for a moment before looking back at him. "How was your day? Shouldn't you be at the company?"

He shrugged, "I stayed up really late last night and finished up a ton of paperwork so I could come see you so I'm free for a few days."

"You lost time on sleep so you could see me in court? I must really mean a lot to you." I chuckled, still looking at him.

"That you certainly do." He smiled. He knows exactly when to say the right things, what tone and facial expression to use and everything.

Brinda had come back with a smile on her face just as the officer did. "The judge is ready." Alessandro held the doors open for Brinda and I but as other people were about to come he let the doors close.

We sat back in our respective seats, "All rise." We stood up and sat back down once the judge was settled. "We'd like to call our first witness. The officer who responded to the alleged incident, Brandon Barnes."

Alleged incident. Alleged my ass, there's literal video proof. "As seen in the video, my clients face was never visibly or clearly seen. Officer Barnes," He started to walk up to the witness. "when responding to the incident, what did Mrs. Dubois say happened to her and her daughter?"

"They were attacked by there husband."

"Could you please be more specific?"

Officer Barnes cleared his throat, "Brinda here, says that her husband tried to rape her then she knocked him out."

"Did she ever say anything about something happening to her daughter?"

"Not that I recall."

"No further questions. Your witness." When he turned away from the judge he sent me a cocky wink.

I stood, ignoring his childish ways and walked over to him. "Officer Barnes, you say that Brinda, my client, never said anything about her daughter?"

"Correct."

"Could you explain to me exactly what was said to you during the time you asking her questions?"

He sat up straight, "Brinda said she, her daughter, and Zac were all coming back from an event. Once they had gotten home, he started drinking and accusing her of flirting. That's when he hit her then tried to rape her. Brinda told me that their daughter had come in and tried to stop what was happening but-" He stopped himself once he realized what had just slipped out of his mouth.

I looked at him, putting on a fake confused face. "Officer Barnes, did you not just tell the defense that my client never said anything about her daughter?"

He looked back and forth between Nate and I. "Answer the question." The judge demanded.

"I- I- I meant that she didn't say anything about her daughter almost being a victim of rape."

"I don't recall you being in here when that information on her daughter was released." He was red now. "Nor do I recall that information being leaked to the public. Officer Barnes are you lying to the court and on stand? Even after swearing to tell the truth with a hand on the Bible?"

"No!"

"You told the defense that Brinda never said anything about Bella, her daughter, but you were just going to tell me the exact words she said." I went back to my table and pulled out the report of the police file.

"Officer Barnes, could you read the highlighted portion of this document." I handed him the papers.

"This report says that Brinda stated her daughter was attacked by the defendant."

"Officer Barnes, did you or did you not hear my client say something, anything, about her daughter."

His breathing had become quicker, his face scared of what would happen. "No further questions, your honor."

"Objection! The witness could have just forgotten." I scoffed as I took a seat in my chair.

"Overruled. Defense, come to the stand." Nate stood up, head down and mumbling something under his breath. They started to talk, whispering inaudibly, and the Judge looked sympathetic while Nate was on the verge of yelling.

Once again, weird.

After a few moments, Zac went back to his seat. "Officer Barnes your dismissed. This testimony by the witness has been disregarded. The evidence presented by Officer Barnes is unreliable and not credible."

Nate was bouncing his knee up and down and glaring at me angrily. I kept up the eye contact with him but when he glanced behind me, he immediately looked down.

"The court would like to call their second witness, James Pratt." Brinda and I had already discussed the fact he'd testify. Zac looked confused for a minute before it dawned on him that we were going to use his security.

He whispered something in Nate's ear and he nodded, his lips tugging into a small smile. After swearing to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, I stood and walked over to James. "How are you today, Mr. Pratt?"

"I'm fine. Thank you for asking."

I nodded, "Now, it's come to my attention that you may have witnessed a domestic violence act that happened against my client?" He nodded, "Before we get into detail, what is your relationship with the defendant?"

"My time working with him he's always payed well. He was polite when he wanted to be, but could be stuck up at times."

I nodded again, "Back to my client. What is your relationship with her?"

"She was the nicer one. Whenever he'd scream or yell at me and the rest of security she'd say sorry on his behalf. We never had to worry about being talked down on when we guarded her."

"Okay, this incident you saw, care to explain it to us?"

He nodded and sat up straight, "It was in the afternoon and I was surveilling the home. When I walked into the living room they were arguing but it was a regular occurrence to hear. I was about to leave when I heard a loud thud and when I turned around she was on the floor. He then threw a bottle at her before storming out of the house."

"And what did you do when you saw this event occur?"

"I stood there. She didn't want me to come and I knew that by the way she looked at me when I saw the scene unfold. After he left I immediately went to her aid, though."

"No further questions." I went to sit back down as Nate stood up.

"May you say again, for the court, your relationship with Mrs. Dubois?" He started out

"Strictly professional."

"Are you sure?"

"One hundred percent."

"Have you ever looked at Mrs. Dubois inappropriately or thought about her in that way?"

"Objection! What he's suggesting has nothing to do with the fact at hand." I stated waving my hand in his direction.

"Overruled. Answer the question, Mr. Pratt."

"No, I haven't."

"My client tells me otherwise. Mr. Dubois states that you and his wife have an ongoing affair."

The people in the bleachers started making noise, "Quiet! Quiet!"

"That isn't true. I have never, nor will I ever, look, speak to, or touch Mrs. Dubois in that manner."

"Mr. Pratt you are under oath. Don't lie to the court."

"I would never jeopardize my work to have an affair with Mrs. Dubois."

Nate leaned against the witness stand with a smirk, and whispered something loud enough for everyone to hear. "Come on man. I mean look at her, she has the body of a God."

"Fine. Leave." He stopped.

"What?" He turned around to face me.

"Leave. I'm not going to force you to stay when you clearly have more important things to tend to. I'm leaving as well anyway."

He furrowed his brows, "Where?"

"None of your concern. Have a nice dinner." He looked at me for a moment before finally leaving. At first, I lied saying I was going somewhere but when I downed the rest of my wine and he came to mind I only wanted to be with him. Under him.

Remember what I said about Alessandro being the candy I wasn't allowed to have? Yeah, well, I'm craving a taste of him.

A sinful desire that I will, at one point or another, indulge in. That desire that I so badly crave is the exact reason I stand outside of his door. I crave him. I want him. And I know he wants me to.

Before any thoughts of me backing out of this invade, I knock on his door and wait for him to answer. I was about to knock again but I heard the locks and put my hand back down. He looked annoyed at first but when he saw me and the outfit I was wearing, a smirk tugged at his lips.

"Come in." I did just that when he stepped aside. His penthouse was dim, all of his decorations black or a dark grey.

I turned to see him slowly eyeing my outfit before his eyes landed on me. I set my purse down on the table against the wall. "What are you doing here, Athena?"

"Are you not glad to see me?" I said, moving my attention across his home.

"I'm very glad to see you. Just curious."

I looked back at him and slowly walked towards him. "I missed you. I missed it. The way you made me feel and I want to feel it again."

I was standing right in front of him now, moving my hands down his bare chest. "Are you sure?"

Yes.

I grabbed his chin with my hand and brushed his lips with mine before pressing them against his. His hands moved down to my hips and he gripped them.

His lips were so smooth but rough and forceful. He let me take full control over the kiss and by the way he groaned into it I knew he liked it.

"Does that answer your question?" I said once we parted. His breathing had increased and his hands were still gripping my waist when he asked, "What do you want me to do, butterfly?"

"I want you to f*ck me. Just for tonight, I'm not Mrs. Escarra, I'm not Oliver's, I'm not married. I'm yours. Just for tonight."

CHAPTER 17

Alessandro

Athena Escarra was standing in front of me in nothing but the light pink lace bra and panties that I liked so much.

She is the definition of perfect.

The way her breast sit so perfectly, how her hips curve, that beautiful ass of hers, and most of all that fucking face that needs to be on Vogue. I love everything about her, from her light birthmark that sits on her ass to the stretch marks on breast, ass, and hips.

"I want you to fuck me. Just for tonight, I'm not Mrs. Escarra, I'm not Oliver's, I'm not married. I'm yours. Just for tonight."

I didn't waste anytime in picking her up by her thighs and wrapping her legs around my waist. Those sweet cherry lips melted on mine and she pulled me closer to her by my neck.

I've been craving this woman the moment she stepped out of my penthouse and I wasn't going to waste a single moment I have with her.

She reached between us, putting her hand in my sweatpants, and started stroking my cock. She moved quick and I thrusted into her hand. Just her hands could push me over the edge.

She pulled my dick out and moved her panties to the side. "In. Now." She demanded and I smiled into the kiss.

"Not yet, love." She whined when I set her back down on the ground, making me chuckle as I tucked my dick back in my sweats. I pecked her lips then kissed along her jawline and neck, leaving as many marks as possible. I ripped her bra off and was amazed by the way her breasts bounced at the action.

I captured one in mouth and massaged the other, emitting a moan from her pretty lips. Her breasts even tasted like cherries and it made me grow hungrier for her. I repeated the action before kissing along her stomach and down to her panties.

I looked up at her with dark eyes and she looked back down at me with the same lustful look, waiting for my next move. I brought her thigh up to my shoulder, now being on my knees, and placed hickey's all over the fat flesh. I set that thigh down and repeated the same action with the other before slowly sliding her panties down.

Her wet pink cunt was on full display for mine and my eyes only. I kissed around it then brushed the tip of my tongue along her slit. "Stop teasing."

"I'm not teasing. I'm savoring." I did it again then, finally, placed my mouth around her clit. She let out the most beautiful sound and moved her hand to my hair. I kept my eyes on her as I ate her at a teasingly slow pace.

Athena's eyes were closed, her head to the side, and her hands tugging at my hair. It was the sexist sight I'd ever seen and will ever see. I sucked at her clit faster and rougher and put two fingers in her hole.

I sucked at her pretty clit, moaning at her taste and closing my eyes. My fingers moved in and out of her at medium pace, not too fast but not too slow, as I pleased her dripping cunt.

"S- Sandro... oh fuck..." She arched her back from the wall and started moving her hips. "I- I want you inside me. Please." I moved my fingers at a quicker pace before putting in another and stretching her tight little hole out.

Her pussy tasted like a foreign fruit that could only be tasted be the riches. It was so fucking addicting and I could never get enough of tasting her.

Her cunt tightened around my fingers and she moved her hips quicker, still shoving my face into her. I groaned against her and she let out a whimper as she bit her lip. "I- I'm close. Oh fuck, I'm so close."

I curled my fingers and bit softly at her clit. She climaxed all over my mouth and hands and I couldn't have it any other way. I swallowed every bit of her juices and continued to suck at her sensitive clit even after she finished.

She tried pushing me away but it only made me grip on her hip more. Her body shook as she came on me again, almost as hard as her first orgasm. I made a line of kisses up her body until I reached her lips.

Athena moaned at the taste of herself on my tongue. I wrapped her legs around my waist and I could feel the eagerness radiating off of her as we walked to my bedroom. The kiss never stopped even as I laid her on my bed and slid my sweatpants off.

When I felt her lips stop moving against mine, I opened my eyes and saw her staring at my cock. "Don't worry, baby." I tilted her head up so I could see those beautiful brown eyes.

"You got... bigger."

I chuckled, "It'll fit. Just spread your legs for me." She opened her legs but not far enough so I pushed them open a bit more.

She looked extremely nervous.

I kissed her again and she melted into it swiftly. I moved my cock up and down her hot cunt and she moaned into the kiss. "Are you in yet?"

"No."

"What-?" Just as she broke the kiss I shoved my cock balls deep and she screamed so fucking loud. I groaned, almost cumming on the spot, at the feeling of me inside of her.

Her eyes were closed and she gripped at my arms. Her walls felt so tight and hot around my cock it took everything in me not come.

"I'm going to move now, is that okay?" She nodded, her eyes still closed and her nails still digging into my skin. I started off slow so she'd get used to my size but once I felt her muscles relax I sped up.

My hands were beside her head, her hands roaming all over my chest and her legs wrapped around my waist. "Harder. Please go harder." I did what she wanted and my head fell back at the sound of her moans. She was so wet I could hear it every time I pounded into her sweet cunt.

It was because of me she was feeling all of this. It was because of she was about to come for the third time tonight. It was because of me her eyes would be rolling in the back of her head tonight.

Her husband was a fool to treat her the way he does. This goddess of a woman needed to be treated just like a goddess.

"You look so beautiful under me." I bent back down and whispered praising words into her ear.

She clawed at my back and her moans grew louder as she tightened around me. I groaned in her ear, picking up my pace. "Mierda Sandro..." Athena speaking Spanish sounded so fucking sexy. Her accent, the way it slowly slipped off her tongue.

I was the cause of that. Not her husband.

Her mouth fell agape and she threw her head back as her orgasm approached. "Hold it." She protested, as her legs started shaking with the increased speed of my thrusts. I pushed myself further into her and once I found my spot I kept thrusting into it repeatedly.

"I c- can't. Oh God, I can't, please." I kissed her chin before going down to her breast and sucking and biting at the nipple. Her nails drew marks along my back and her legs shook around my waist.

"Fuck." I mumbled under my breath at the sight of her beautiful breasts jumping with each of my thrust. She looked stunning. A work of art.

"Come. Come around my cock, butterfly." She bit down onto my shoulder, her legs closing tightly around me, and screamed as her orgasm washed over her. I continued to pound into her as she orgasmed, overwhelming all of her senses.

Even with her legs tightly closed around me they shook vigorously and her scream wasn't all to muffled, no matter how hard she bit into my shoulder. She came all over my cock and was panting, fighting for breath, as I continued to thrust into her. "S- stop. I'm gonna c- come again."

"One more time. Come for me one more time." Her toes curled, her nails dug deep, her back arched and her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Her legs shook harder and she held onto me for dear life as she came. I had the most beautiful woman under me, cumming around my dick and I fucking loved it. Whatever Oliver did, I'm glad he did it.

I followed after her, pulling out and coming on her stomach. Her eyes were closed and she still had her arms and legs wrapped around me. "That was fucking amazing." I chuckled and placed a kiss to her lips.

"Bath or shower?" I said as I slowly slid out of her. She winced a bit.

"Bath. My legs feel like they could fall off at any minute." She laughed, a sound I wish I could hear for the rest of my life. I kissed her forehead before going to the bathroom and turning on the water in the oval bathtub.

She deserves someone better. Someone whose willing to spend time with her without her having to ask or beg. Someone who supports her in everything and anything she does. Oliver isn't that someone.

He's a boy. He can't handle all that Athena brings with her and he never will be able to. Athena is to much for an immature and insecure boy like him. She could do so much better than him and I know she knows it.

I heard her grimacing in the room and smiled at it. She was hurting from the pleasure I had given her, I'd take care of her, of course, and make sure she was okay before we went to bed.

"Let me carry you." She didn't have time to protest before I lifted her into my arms bridal style. She giggled and wrapped her arms around my neck, setting her head on my chest. I set her in first before getting in behind her.

"Are you tired?" She asked.

"Are you asking for another round?"

She laughed, "I'm way to sore right now. You don't have to stay up with me. It's fine I'll understand."

"Okay." I kissed her luscious lips for a moment. "Serene is going to have a blast when she hears about this." She laughs at herself as her fingers skim the water.

"You talk about her a lot." I set my chin in her hair and watched as she played with the water.

"I grew up with her. She means a lot to me."

"You know," I started, "I don't know much about you."

I saw a smile form on her lips. "What would you like to know?"

"Favorite childhood memories?" I asked.

She sat quiet for a minute, continued to play with the water. "I don't have a lot. But there's one where we were in New York at the time and we were walking around. I wanted to jump over the water that sprayed up but I was to small so my dad picked me up, I acted as if I was flying and he'd bring me up over them. One of the best times I had with him."

Her face was sadder now. Fuck, Alessandro your such an idiot. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up anything hurtful."

"No, no it's okay. Have more questions?"

"Do you write?" At this point I was just asking random questions to hear her speak. I just wanted to hear her voice for as long as possible.

"I used to right poems. They were representations of things I couldn't say aloud to anyone as a child."

"Can you remember any?" She laid her head back on my chest.

"I think I named it something like Escape." She took a deep breath before starting. "I wanna run. Run as far as possible. Away from the reality I live in. But I can't. No matter what life is always there, caging me in. So, instead, I sleep. The only escape I'll ever truly have forever. An escape that will never leave me. A place where I can dream."

I stared down at the woman who played with her hair. That poem alone explained to me a lot of her childhood, why she didn't have many favorite childhood memories. "It's beautiful. What does it mean?"

"How do you know it means something?"

"Because everything has a meaning. A poem especially. Poetry can stir a lot of emotions in someone and the way you wrote tells me it has a strong meaning behind it."

"Going into the depth of poetry are we?"

"Only if you allow it."

"At thirteen, I thought I didn't have a reason to be mad at my parents. They gave me food, clothes, a roof over my head. They didn't have to do any of that but they did. But as I got older, I noticed how toxic my family was. The constant bickering and fighting... it was a lot.

"Yep. Like you, it allowed me to communicate with different parts of myself on personal levels."

She smiled, and no not the small smile but a big one. "I'm glad someone else gets it." She laid her head back on my chest. "Anything else?"

"Did you always want to be a lawyer?"

"Oh God yes. Ever since I was a kid I'd watch my mom on TV putting away all the bad people and I wanted to do that same thing. It looked fun... challenging."

I played with her soft hair, "Do you plan on being a lawyer forever?"

"As long as possible." I hummed in response in response and continued to play with her hair. She took on of my hands and started fiddling with the rings as we fell into a comfortable silence.

"One condiment for the rest of your life, go." I smiled and started to think.

"Relish." She looked at me with the most disgusted look ever and I laughed at it.

"Ew! That's so nasty. I would never go near that disgusting-" She made a fake puking noise and rolled her eyes at me. "You could've chosen honey mustard."

"Yeah, that's disgusting."

"Your disgusting."

"Relish is a supreme condiment."

"No, honey mustard is way better. How many people do you know would pick Relish over Honey Mustard?" I was quiet. "Exactly."

I chuckled as she interlocked our hands, hers significantly smaller than mine. "Being a lawyer comes easy to you."

"No, Honey Mustard is clearly just the smarter choice." I brought her hand to my lips and pressed a kiss to her soft skin. "I have the big and bad CEO acting like a romantic."

I chuckled and rolled my eyes, "Only for you, my love. Only for you."

After washing our sins away we got out and went to my closet. I pulled on my boxers and pair of sweatpants that hung very low on my waist. Athena dropped her towel and grabbed one of my black dress shirts.

I walked out and threw her towel in the hamper. As I was walking back into the bedroom she was as well and was buttoning up one more button. The shirt fell all the way down to right below her knees and she look stunning in my clothes.

My eyes fell down to the marks on her neck and legs and I smirked. "Stop being nasty."

"I can't help it. You look overly beautiful with my marks on you." She laughed and got under the dark grey comforter. We were facing each other, just staring into the others eyes.

Athena Escarra had to be the most beautiful woman on this planet. Her nose, cheeks, ears, brows, smile, hands, legs, body, hair, eyes, lips, everything. I was obsessed with everything about her. She was absolutely magnificent.

"Your eyes are really pretty." She said, I had just now noticed her hand was on my face and her thumb was moving back and forth.

"Not as pretty as yours." She smiled moving her face so that our lips would be closer. Athena initiating the kiss made me want her again. My hand was on her hip and hers was tangled in my hair.

The kiss was slow but still rough and hard. I let her take over it again; I enjoyed the way she took control, it turned me on. She moaned when I pulled her lip between my teeth. I could tell she was aroused when she moved my hand to her ass.

We kissed for what felt like hours before she finally pulled away, her cheeks pink. "Can we... uh.."

"Can we what?" I pulled her hair behind her ear. She looked down pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. "Athena, you can ask me anything, okay?"

"Can we c- cuddle?" I smiled down at her; she had her eyes closed and head down, waiting for me to reject her.

"I'm not really a big fan of cuddling." I said, still looking down at her.

"Oh."

"Do you want to cuddle?" She nodded slowly and I wrapped my arms around her small body. Oliver was one dumb man to let a woman like this go. Athena was the dream woman of any smart man's dream. She was intelligent in every aspect of life, had her entire future planned, she gave so much love and only asked for the bare minimum, she was gorgeous in every way. Everything about her was astonishing and I wanted to learn more.

"Good night, butterfly."

"Goodnight, Sandro." I kissed her hair, she snuggled closer, and I tightened my arms around her. I fell asleep with the image of her face and beautiful smile on my mind. Athena was mine.

CHAPTER 18

Alessandro

Athena's hand moving over my stubble woke me up and I have never woken up to a more beautiful view. She was still asleep, her hand still subconsciously moving, her mouth parted, and her body relaxed. I've never really saw her relaxed, she's always tense when she's around Oliver or other people.

The sunlight coming through from the windows illuminated her perfect face, her skin glowing. She looked so peaceful.

I brought her closer to me and her hand fell down to my chest. Her hand was now in a loose fist and she scooted closer to me, her leg over both of mine. I moved her hair from her face so I could have a better view of her.

All I could do was stare. Even sleeping, she looked absolutely gorgeous. I kissed her forehead and got up from the bed. She tossed and turned as soon as I stood up so I placed a pillow under her. After giving her one more kiss on the forehead, I walked downstairs to start breakfast.

I found myself smiling as I started making her an omelette. I liked knowing she was upstairs and I'd be able to reach her whenever I could. That she was under my roof and that I'd be having breakfast with her. I liked the feeling of her just being around.

When I finished making her omelette and started on her bacon I felt small arms wrap around me and kisses on my back. "Good morning."

"Good morning, butterfly. Did you sleep well?" She hummed in response and peaked around. Athena watched as I made her bacon, patiently and quietly.

I enjoyed her company, even if we weren't talking to each other it was nice to have her around. She placed one last kiss on my back before hopping on the counter. "I didn't know you could cook."

"I have a lot of secret talents." I put the bacon on a separate plate and started on pancakes.

"That you do, Mr. Sinclair." I clenched my jaw and tried to ignore the way she said my name. She smiled, swinging her legs back and forth and acting innocent. "I'd like to explore one of your more... not so secret talents."

I looked at her and saw her slowly opening her legs. "Athena. Im making you breakfast."

"I'm a little hungry for something else." She bit her lip and leaned back a bit. I took in a deep breath and forced my attention back down to the pancakes, flipping them over. "Oops." She said when her panties fell onto the floor.

She was going to be the death of me.

She slid her hand up her thigh slowly and kept her eyes on the side of my head. Don't look at her. Don't look at her. Don't look at her.

I couldn't help but take a little peak that turned into a full on stare. She kept her legs spread open and started pleasing herself on my counter. My cock was twitching in my pants as she let her mouth fall open. She unbuttoned my shirt and started to massage one of her breasts.

"Oh Sandro..." She moaned making my dick harder than it already was. "I wish these were your fingers instead of mine..." I looked down at the pancakes to see that they were all done and quickly moved them onto a plate.

I walked over to her, she had a smirk on her lips as I stood in front of her. "You want my fingers inside of you, slut?" My hand moved up her thigh.

"Yes sir. Please finger me." She begged. My little butterfly was begging for my fingers inside of her and fuck was it attractive. She slipped her fingers out of her as I moved closer to her pretty pussy.

I took her hand and put her fingers in her mouth, she moaned her eyes still focused on mine. I rubbed my fingers along her slit, coating my fingers with her juices. "Please..."

"Please what?" I said, still rubbing her juices all over her cunt.

"Please finger fuck me." I slipped one finger inside of her hot cunt and she moaned. My cock was getting harder and harder as she made those pretty noises I love so much.

She grabbed onto my shoulder and I fingered her faster, using my thumb to circle her clit. "Oh yes..." She moaned, her head falling back. I attached my lips to her neck and bit on the spot, eliciting another moan from her lips.

I moved my kisses down her neck and pulled one of her nipples between my teeth. "Your so fucking wet." She moaned and leaned back against the cabinet. I bit down on it then licked and sucked it to ease the sting.

Her pussy clenched around my fingers and I moved back up so I could see her clearly. "Open your eyes, Athena." She complied, her eyes now open and her face full of pleasure. Her hand on my wrist and the other laying flat on the counter, her legs still spread and her back arched as her orgasm came.

Watching her cum over my fingers as her legs shook was one of the most beautiful things. She looked bewitching. I could've come just from watching her.

I kissed her cheek as she panted, "Breakfast is ready."

"No shit." I laughed and sucked her juices off of my fingers before making her a plate, adding fruits on it. She went to buckle my shirt up before coming off of the counter and looked at her mess. "I'll clean it. Go and eat." I kissed her temple and saw a smile on her lips as she went to go sit.

After I finished cleaning her orgasm off of my counter I made myself a plate and sat beside her. "This is really good." She said with a mouth full of pancakes and bacon. "Your going to make me gain an extra twenty pounds."

"And you'd still look beautiful." I kissed her temple as she smiled and drank some of her orange juice. "So... Colleen Hoover," I said after a moment of silence and us eating. "the author of It Ends With Us, Ugly Love, and some other books?" She nodded still eating. "Well, remember how you told me you could never get a signed book from her because you were always so busy?"

Her attention was on me now, "I do."

I got up and walked into the living room then walked back to her with a bag. "I got all of the books you have read and some you haven't signed by her." Her eyes widened and she shrieked as she ran towards me.

She jumped on me, wrapping her arms and legs around me, and kissing me all over my face. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" She kissed me on my lips the longest then hopped down, grabbing the bag and looking through it with excitement flooding through her body.

When I got closer to her, she hugged me even tighter with the biggest smile on her face. "Oh! I have your things in my car!" She was about to rum to the door but I grabbed her waist and brought her back.

"Woah woah, I'll have my men bring it up."

"My door is locked."

"Then they'll have to come up here and get your keys. I want you in my sight for as long as possible." She blushed, from her neck to her face, and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"I-" She paused. "I wish this could last forever."

"It can. If you let it. If you leave him." I despised seeing them together, in person and in papers. He didn't know how to treat her, hell he didn't even appreciate her.

She set her chin on my chest and looked up at me with the most beautiful eyes. "Like you said, don't think or talk about Oliver while I'm with you."

"Okay, pretty girl." She smiled and wrapped her arms around my waist, puckering her lips and closing her eyes. I chuckled before kissing her pretty lips. It was a quick few kisses but I still felt her lips on mine when she went to go retrieve her keys.

I went to answer the door and one of my men were waiting for her to bring her keys. "Here you go." She smiled sweetly and handed him the keys. He looked her up and down, stopping at her breast, before meeting her gaze.

I slammed the door in his face before he had the chance to say anything. Athena jumped back in surprise and looked up at me with a confused face. "He was eye-fucking you. I'm firing him."

She rolled her eyes at me and stretched as she walked into the living room. So. Fucking. Sexy. "Stop staring at my ass."

"I'm not staring at it, it's staring at me." She laughed and plopped down on the couch. When my door opened she instantly sat up and crossed her legs on the couch. "Take it to the living room. Look at her and your fired."

She shook her head at me but smiled as they placed bags on the table. They kept their eyes straight ahead, only one of them didn't. I stopped him when he was about to walk past me like he didn't just eye Athena with a smirk. "Your fired." I head her laugh as his eyes grew in fear.

"B- boss I- please. I need this job." He begged.

"Should've thought of that before you looked at my girl. Get the fuck out." He wanted to beg, plead for me not to fire him, but he didn't.

"He could've been looking at the gifts." I walked over to her and pulled her into my lap.

"He looked in your direction with a smirk. I doubt he wanted to fuck bags." She went through all of the bags before finishing and laying back against my chest.

Her eyes were closed, her body relaxed, and a small smile playing on her face. We fell into a comfortable silence and I took the opportunity to study her face. I'll say it for the rest of eternity, this woman is so fucking beautiful.

"I feel you staring at me." She mumbled and I smiled down at her. I wrapped my arms around her tightly and she put her small hands on them.

"I can't help it. Have you ever thought of modeling?" She shook her head.

"That was Serene's thing. I was afraid of being in the spotlight, having so many eyes on you, judging you. I preferred something low key." Her eyes were still closed as she spoke.

"You should try it. You'd be a great model." She shrugged when her phone started to ring. "It's probably just Serene."

I kissed her forehead and laid my cheek against the top her head, closing my eyes. Her phone rang again but we ignored it and stayed in this position. "Oh God." Athena groaned as she forced herself out from my arms and to her phone.

I stayed seated and watched as she walked back over to me while answering. "Yes?" She said as she got back in my arms.

I could hear Oliver's voice on the other end. "Where are you? Why aren't you home?"

"I'm with Serene."

"Come home. Now. We need to talk." I grew angrier and angrier at the way he spoke to her.

"I'm busy. Why do we need to talk?" She tried pushing my head away as I kissed her neck but eventually gave up and leaned her head back to give me access.

"Why do think, Athena?" He sounded annoyed with her, I bit her neck and she breathed out.

"Oliver, you had the chance to talk to me but decided to be immature and walk out." I massaged her thigh and continued to suck and bite on her neck.

"Athena, I don't want to talk about this over the phone can you just-" I took the phone away from her, fear and confusion in her eyes. I hung it up and threw it on the other side of the couch.

"Very delightful boy." She rolled her eyes but laughed at me being sarcastic. My phone started to ring so Athena got up so I could go answer. "Sit back down."

"It could have something to do with your company." I was about to protest but she raised an eyebrow at me, challenging me to question her. It was hot as fuck but she looks scary when she's serious so I went to answer the phone.

"Mama." I answered with a sigh.

"Alessandro, sweetie, your father and I want to come see you." You always want to come see me. Athena started grabbing bags and heading upstairs.

"I'm kind of busy right now." I held the phone to my ear with my shoulder as I picked up the rest of the bags.

"Your always busy. I just miss my son, that's all." Athena tried taking the bags from me but I held onto them tightly and she rolled her eyes as she walked upstairs.

I followed behind with a smile and a clear view of her round ass. "You just saw me yesterday." My eyes were practically glued to her ass as she leaned over on the bed.

"Actually I saw you three days ago. Please? I miss you." I had put her on speaker so I could hear her as I put everything away. Athena came up behind me and laid her cheek against my back.

I'd love to get used to this. To her.

"Okay. Not right now, though. I have company over."

"Is it another one of your one nights?" I looked behind me at the smiling angel and smiled back.

"No mom. She isn't one of my one nights." Her big brown eyes staring up at my silver ones.

"Really? When can I meet her?"

"Never, mom. Bye love you." I hung up before she said anything.

I picked up the giggling angel and set her down on the dresser. She put her hands on my face and smiled before pecking my lips. I let my hands move up and down her sides. "I have to go in a few."

I groaned and laid my forehead against hers. "How long do we have?" She took my phone, looking at me for permission to grab it and I shrugged. Her brows furrowed but she went to grab it and look at the time.

"Eh, about thirty to forty minutes."

"Well, how about we play a game of uno and whoever wins gets to be on top." She laughed that beautifully laugh of hers.

"Your going to get the ride of your life, love." She said, trailing her hand across my chest. I slapped her ass and let it rest there as we walked downstairs.

"I can't fucking wait."

CHAPTER 19

Athena

I ended up not giving him the ride of his life.

It was me who got fucked on his refrigerator, floor, and the living room table. It was very exhilarating. Did I regret it? No. Just like I told him, just for tonight was I his. And yes, although that lasted until ten in the afternoon, I meant that.

That would be the last time I'd fuck Alessandro.

Okay. That was most definitely a lie but it'd be the last time I fuck him for a while.

I was hesitant but I let him kiss me goodbye which almost lead to a few more rounds. If I said I hadn't been thinking about him my entire drive to Serene's I'd be lying. I almost crashed because I was daydreaming about him.

I swore to myself that I wouldn't think about him while driving. I almost died doing it.

I pulled into Serene's house, unlocked her door and walked in. Thankfully, her and Rachael were just sitting on the couch, eating ice cream and watching... The Notebook?

Sobs came from the both of them and I couldn't help but laugh. They turned in my directions, tears streaming down their faces as the credits started to roll. "Hi."

"Are you laughing? You think us crying is funny?" I shook my head while grinning.

"They died while holding hands!" Rachael started sobbing and setting her head on Serene's chest.

"Your a horrible person." Serene scowled me and rubbed Rachael's hair. Cute.

"Serene? Are you crying as well?" I said as I walked around the couch.

"No. I'm just extremely tired." She quickly wiped at the tears under her eyes, and did a double take on me. She furrowed her eyebrows, "Your glowing... Did you get fucked?"

"What?" Rachael said, looking up and observing my face.

"No, I'm just naturally beautiful."

"Sure." Serene said.

I rolled my eyes, "Yes. I did get fucked. Last night and before I came here."

Rachael started crying again, "So she's getting her pussy pleased while I'm balling my eyes out? Life is so unfair."

I laughed, "I'm sorry Serene isn't fulfilling her duties to your vagina."

"Yeah, me too." She sat up, wiping at her eyes and pulling her knees to her chest. "So, was it Alessandro?"

"Yes."

"Expected."

"How? I never said anything about sleeping with him again. It just happened."

"Like you getting fingered by him at the gala just happened?" Serene said and my jaw dropped. "It wasn't that hard to miss."

My face was flushed red. "Don't be embarrassed. It happens to the best of us." Rachael said with a small smile.

"It's still embarrassing."

"When are we leaving Oliver?" Serene asked with a huge smile.

"We aren't leaving him any time soon. I talked to Alessandro, and although he didn't fully agree with me or agree with me at all, I won't be fucking him for a while. I need to get my life in order."

Racheal and Serene both rolled their eyes, "Okay. I'm not even going to talk you out of it or into it. I'll let you move at your own pace."

"Good. I'll talk to Oliver and we'll probably get therapy or at least talk our shit out somehow." I could tell Serene had fully given up on me when she just shrugged and gave me a tight lipped smile. I turned around, found a spot between them and said, "I've never watched The Notebook. Seemed boring."

"Oh you fucking whore. Let's rewatch it." Rachael nodded, Serene grabbed a blanket and we all cuddled up with a bucket of ice cream to share.

I absolutely fucking despise the director of The Notebook.

We were all crying now. "What sick person would make a movie to intentionally break others heart?" I sobbed, eating more of the credits and watching the credits roll.

"A person who is a depressed psycho and has never experienced happy love."

I wiped my tears and ate another spoonful of ice cream. "I have an idea." They looked at me. "Shall we find the director and send hate but loving comments to his Facebook or instagram?"

"You've never had a smarter idea in your life." Serene said, grabbing her laptop that was always on the living room table.

"I'll take it a compliment." I smiled and sat up as she typed his name. "He gets to live a happy looking life while we must suffer because of his movies." We scrolled through a few photos before going to inbox him.

We started off with loving messages.

Your movie, The Notebook, was so good! I enjoyed it so much and it really lifted my sprit! Sent by me of course.

Your movie will forever have a hold on me, Nicholas Sparks. Allie and Noah are such a beautiful couple! Sent by Rachael.

The Notebook... outstanding. The way your able to even come up with something such as that is just absurd to me. Sent by Serene.

Then we went in for the hate messages.

You have to be the most delusional person I know to make a movie as sad as this was! Sent by me.

You had a choice to end a off the movie happy and loving but decided to end it brutally! You are sick in the head. Sent by Rachael.

The movie could have been beautiful. You chose to be the type of writer that ends beautiful couples by killing them and I will forever hate you for it. Sent by Serene.

We ended it off with, a "When I see something I like, I gotta... I love it. I go... I mean, I go crazy for it." That's how we feel about your movie. Spectacular. Romantic. Sad.

"I bet he'll write back. We're all famous, I doubt he'd over see us."

I shrugged. "Doubt it. He's a busy man."

"If he replies then you have to go on vacation with us in a few days."

"Did you guys not just come back from one?" I questioned.

"Technically, it was a business vacation. We're going on for ourselves, deal?" Rachael and Serene held their hands out and I hesitantly shook them.

After that movie we watched Safe Haven, cried. The Fault in Our Stars, cried. Then The Last Song and, of course, cried. Oliver had started blowing my phone up a little while after so I said my goodbyes and headed home.

I wasn't going to tell Oliver that I cheated on him for the second time, it would probably destroy us. I'd keep it a secret to the day I die while trying to save my marriage. A few deep breaths later and I was walking in to find Oliver leaning against the counter. He wore jeans and a white shirt with socks. Plain.

He turned to look at me as I set my things down. "Athena, where the hell did you go?"

"Serene's. I spent the night." I didn't make eye contact with him.

"Then why couldn't you answer my calls? I was

worried!" He followed me upstairs.

"My ringer was off. Plus, we were drinking so I slept in for a while." I showered at Alesandro's place before leaving so I just closed the bathroom door, locked it, and stripped off my clothes.

Oliver knocked repeatedly, "Athena, come out of the bathroom we aren't finished talking."

"Give me a second." Fucking Alessandro. Leaving all of these marks on my body, he'd probably be laughing if he saw me trying to hurriedly hide them.

"You could've at least texted me that you weren't going to be able to speak to me for a few hours." I put makeup all over my chest and stomach.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry for not letting you know." After I finished with that, I slipped on leggings to hide the hickeys on my thighs. "I just wanted a break from everything and getting drunk and turning my phone off was how I wanted to do it."

I pulled a shirt over my head and walked out. Oliver was sitting on the bed, still slightly angry, and I smiled a bit as I walked over to him. I straddled his lap and kissed his forehead. "Sorry."

"It's okay." He breathed deeply. "I can't really be mad. I did walk out." Finally owning up to something. "Baby?" I hummed in response. "I think we should see a marriage counselor."

"Why? We can fix whatever's going on with us by ourselves."

"This, whatever it is, has been going on for a year now. I think we need help."

Just do it. You want to be with Oliver for the rest of your life anyway so just do it. "Okay. You schedule the meeting though." He nodded, smiling then pressing his lips against mine. Still nothing. I internally sighed at how boring, plain, the kiss felt. It'd take time, of course, but how much time?

Oliver was eager as he laid me down on the bed. He kissed my mouth, slowly, like he didn't want to hurt me. I wanted him to hurt me, to bruise my lips like- no. No more thinking about him while you're with your husband, or at all for that matter. I quickly snapped out of my thoughts when I felt Oliver pulling on my leggings. "Wait, wait." He stopped and looked up at me with heavy breaths. "I'm not really in the mood. Later, okay?"

He sighed and moved to get off the bed while I sat up. "Can we, like, watch a movie or something?" He kept his back to me and I felt hopeful he'd want to spend some quality time with me.

"Can't. Alessandro wants me to come in." My heart fell in my stomach. We were just about to have sex and he didn't seem to care about being late to do it.

I rolled my eyes, wanting to say what I felt, but bit my tongue and decided not to start an argument. "Okay." I got up and went to kiss his cheek then followed him downstairs. "I love you, Oliver."

He kept his back to me again and said, "Love you too."

CHAPTER 20

I spent the next few hours of the day preparing for Brinda's case, even though I had everything. Any other case and I'd say I was one hundred percent certain I'd win but this case was extremely different. Brinda and Zac were, for one, married so it wasn't a messily divorce that could be solved within a month. He abused her, possibly raped her before, and tried to go for his very own child. He deserves to rot in hell but for now prison.

As I was getting up to stretch, my phone started going off. Thousands of media sites tagged me in post, and I noticed a few messages coming from Serene and Oliver. I was about to respond to Serene first when Oliver came busting through the doors.

"Oliver? Are you okay, why are you back so early?" His eyes held fear for a quick moment before he breathed out a breath of relief.

"You know I love you, right?" I chuckled and said of course. "And that I'd never hurt you."

"Oliver, what did you do?" He quickly came to sit on the couch, grabbing my hands and holding them as I sat beside him. "You're scaring me."

"I'm so, so sorry. I need you to know that." I nodded and he took a deep breath. "I-" My phone, once again, started going off with more media sites and messages from Serene.

"One second." I took my hand out of his, about to reach for my phone, when he grabbed it again.

"I want you to find out from me."

"Find out what, Oliver?" He was quiet, scared. "Oliver, what is-"

"I kissed her. I kissed Katie." Who is- oh Katie. I furrowed my eyebrows and took my hands away from his. I had no right to judge him for kissing the girl but I felt like, in a way, I looked stupid. I went to lunch with her, talking about how much we loved each other, just for him to kiss her. I was upset because I felt like I was the only one being unfaithful in this relationship and that I was the reason it was going to end in shambles.

"Please don't leave me, I love you so much, Athena. Please." He begged, putting his head in my lap.

"You kissed a girl you said I didn't need to worry about."

"I know and I'm sorry." That's what all the fuss from the media was about.

"Oliver, I-" Tell him. "I need to think." I lied. I know what I wanted, what I was about to do, and that I won't regret it.

He looked up at me with fearful eyes. "O- okay. I'll leave."

"No." I stopped him from getting up. "I'll leave. I'm packing a bag and staying at Serene's."

"Please, Athena. Let me leave, please." I stood up, grabbing my phone and silencing it.

"I can't think while staying in this house." We walked upstairs and I grabbed one of my smaller bags and started packing a few things. I discreetly packed some lingerie.

"You'll be back though, right? So we can talk?" I sighed and nodded, throwing the bag over my shoulder once I finished.

"I promise. Just give me time, okay?" He nodded and tried to lean in for a kiss but I dodged it and walked past him. I don't want to seem like a hypocrite, I mean I did sleep with his sworn enemy. Twice. But could anyone really blame me? Oliver told me that he'd never get back with Katie, hadn't even thought about it since we met, and goes and kisses her.

Oliver had been with many women before me, but me? I had only ever been with him and at one point I did truly love him. He was all I knew and all I wanted to know. We are both in the wrong for even thinking about another person while being tied to each other. But him kissing Katie didn't hurt me as much, mostly because mentally I was already done with Oliver.

I used his cheating as an excuse to go and see someone I wasn't supposed to be attached to in any way. I didn't need to look at my phone to know that the media most likely tagged me in posts with pictures of the two kissing. I didn't want to see that.

It was hard trying to leave my house; the paparazzi moves very quickly. They had surrounded my front lawn and my patience was running thin from them not letting me out. I was this close to just running them over and catching a charge but thankfully they moved out of the way. It didn't take long to pull into Alessandro's driveway, his guards already let me in since he put my name on the list. I left my bag in the car, wanting to hurry and go up to see him.

I knocked on his door a few times and it took him a while to answer. "Athena, love, I saw-" I cut him off, grabbing his face and slamming my lips onto his. He didn't hesitate to kiss me back, bringing me into the room and pushing me up against the door.

He was the first to pull back. "Athena, are you-"

I rolled my eyes and started slipping my shirt over my head. "Stop asking and just fuck me." He kissed me again, snapping off my bra with ease as if he'd done it a million times before. He broke the kiss momentarily to take his shirt off before kissing me with more hunger.

Our chests were pressed against each other, and I moaned at the contact, pushing myself up against him making him groan out. He grabbed my legs and wrapped them around his waist, one hand on my legs and the other on my bare back. I kept my arms around his neck, kissing along his perfect jaw and down his neck. When I sucked and bit at it and he groaned it made me smile as I marked up his neck.

I hadn't noticed we made it to his bedroom until he threw me onto the bed. He tucked his lower lip between his teeth as I slowly moved onto my stomach, arching my back and pushing my ass back onto him. He gripped my hips and ripped the leggings I had on, then slid his hand over my wet cunt through my lingerie. "Already so wet for me, hm?"

He moved my panties to the side and slid one finger in. "Please." I whined, riding his finger and looking for any type of release.

"Please what, butterfly? I need you to be specific." He took his finger out, putting it in his mouth.

"Please fuck me, Sandro." I begged, wiggling my ass as he took his pants off. He kissed down my back, leaving a bit mark in the middle and one on the back of my neck.

"Of course, love."

After my begging to come another thousandth time we were sitting in his bath, his arms wrapped around me and me holding onto his hands. I had my head leaned back on his chest when he kissed my cheek. He hadn't asked me about the Oliver situation but then again, we hadn't said anything since he tried to fucking drown me.

He pushed my head underwater and I actually thought for a quick second I was going to die. Then he made some weird comment about how he'd drown in me any day. I was disgusted with myself because I got turned on by it.

"Tired?" He asked when he noticed I was getting a bit too comfortable in the tub.

"Very. You wore me out." I snuggled closer into his chest as he chuckled.

"I had to force myself to stop. You just taste so damn good." I laughed as he started attacking my neck with kisses.

After we settled, I said, "You haven't said or asked me anything about Oliver."

"Because it's not a relationship I want to pry in unless he hurts you. But I do have a question."

"All ears."

"Are you leaving him?" Straight to the point I see.

"Yes..." Technically, I don't know. It's hard trying to move on from something you've known half your life to something new. It's scary.

"You sound unsure."

I breathed out, "I am. What if you find someone better? Or you get bored of me? What if you see me as a whore for cheating and think I'll do the same to you? What if-"

"One, no one's better than you." He grabbed my chin and turned my face so I'd look at him. "Two I won't get bored of you. Three you aren't a whore and I know you won't cheat on me. The 'what if's' are endless but if you dwell to much on them then you lose sight of something good."

"You called me a whore almost twenty minutes ago. And a slut."

He rolled his eyes. "My whore and my slut. There's a difference." He pressed a kiss to my lips and nose. I was smiling when he had reached my forehead. "Cute."

"What?"

"Your smile." He said, staring at my lips. "It's cute."

I was about to downgrade myself again but his words repeated itself in my head. "Thanks." I smiled and turned, pressing my back into his chest again.

"So, how's your case?" He asked, stroking my hair while I played with the bubbles.

"Good. Besides the fact that stupid fucker tried to buy me out of the case." I scoffed at the memory.

"When does the trial start back? I need to set a reminder in my phone." I smiled, continuing to play with the bubbles.

"In four days. Early so you might not make it."

"I'll be there. Promise." He grabbed my hand and interlocked them.

Facile. That's how it felt to be in his presence. I didn't feel the need to force a conversation to continue. He made everything feel easy. I liked it.

We indulged in a simple conversation for another twenty minutes before actually washing ourselves off. I'd stay here for some time, using Oliver's cheating scandal as an excuse to be here. I kind of felt bad that I didn't care about what Oliver and Katie did. The only thing that annoyed me was the fact he said I didn't have to worry about her.

I also felt bad because I had already moved on from anything and everything that Oliver and I had. Yes, he'd always have a piece of my heart but what I felt for him differs so much from what I feel for Alessandro.

We sat in his office, me straddling him and my arms wrapped around his neck while he typed up documents and left one hand on my ass. He'd kiss my forehead every once in a while, and every time it made me smile. I would've sat somewhere else, but he doesn't want me to leave his sight.

After another hour, I was on my way to sleep when he started to rub my back soothingly and relax in his seat. "Do you want to take a nap?" He whispered.

"I'm not tired." I said and sat up to stretch.

He chuckled and kissed my lips, "You need as much sleep before tomorrow. We'll take an hour nap then we can do whatever you want." We walked upstairs and he set me gently on the bed, getting in beside me. He pulled me closer to his chest and kissed my head once more, "Sleep well, butterfly."

Shouting and yelling came from downstairs, waking me up from my very peaceful nap. Alessandro wasn't beside me like he was when I was asleep and I could hear his deep angry voice downstairs.

I carefully stepped out of the room and peaked down the staircase. "Tabitha I haven't fucking spoke to you in seven months. I want nothing to do with you." He shouted quietly, probably thinking I was still asleep.

Who is Tabitha?

I walked down a few steps but stayed out of sight. "And why? You know what we had was something good." Ew.

"Because you fucking disgust me." I smiled at that and went down a few more steps trying to steal a glance of this Tabitha.

She was tall, thin. Honey eyes and pretty light skin, her hair falling behind her back. "You weren't saying that when you were fucking my brains out!" She shoved him and I literally wanted to kill her for touching him.

"I don't hit women but I swear to fucking God if you don't leave my house..." His fist were clenched at his side and even though I couldn't see his face I could tell he was extremely pissed.

Now, I should have hid behind the wall since I'd already seen her but me being to invested, I got caught. "Who is she?"

Alessandro turned around, his eyes landing on me and I awkwardly waved. Oh God, your so fucking stupid, Athena. "No one." He directed his attention back to her. "Leave my fucking house." Oh.

"Doesn't seem like no one, she's wearing your clothes. Did you find yourself a new whore? She can never do what I did for you, Alessandro."

I wanted to cry.

He grabbed her arm and forcefully pulled her closer, her face that once held anger now held fear. "Get the fuck out or you'll regret having stayed another second in here."

She looked at me, tears pricking at her eyes. "He'll treat you like every other girl! He'll fuck you like he hates you then throw you out like trash." She said just as he dragged her out.

"Athena-" I ignored him and went upstairs, taking his shirt off and replacing it with mine and a pair of jeans. I was no one to him.

"Athena, please, wait." I grabbed my bag, wiping at the tears that had spilled. "Athena..."

"I'm no one to you, right?" I looked up at him with teary eyes and I could see his expression soften.

"Your everything to me, butterfly." He wiped at my tears, leaving his hand on my cheek.

"No Im not. You said how truly felt about me downstairs, it's fine." I lied, tears still spilling down my face. I wasn't going to leave my husband just to get with someone that felt nothing with me.

"Baby, please, you mean the fucking world to me." He continued to wipe at the tears that wouldn't stop falling before pressing his lips against mine. So soft. Always so damn soft. "I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry let me make it up to you. I'll tell the whole world how much you mean to me just please don't leave." He begged.

"Butterfly." I said and he paused. The safe-word I'd come up with the first night we met; a word I thought I'd never use with him. But here I was, not wanting to make this harder than it already was.

He took a few steps away from me, his eyes fighting a battle; kiss me or let me leave. In the end I was leaving his home and getting into my car. He closed the door for me, eyes back to that dark shade of silver instead of the bright shade I came to love.

He opened his mouth to speak, to beg me to stay, but closed it back right after. "Alessandro." I said when he didn't let go of my door handle.

He took a deep breath before retreating away from me. He stopped just as I was pulling out, beginning to turn around but walking back into his home instead.

CHAPTER 21

Alessandro

It's been three days since I've last seen Athena. She sent Jasper, my best friend, and Kano here every day to make sure I was fine, and it made me miss her even more. She's too good for someone like me, for anyone for that matter.

I called her for the thousandth and it, as usual, went to voicemail. "Athena, please baby, I miss you so fucking much. I'm so sorry." I was cut off by it saying her voicemail box was full, probably because of me. I drunk the rest of the bottle of whiskey, becoming a bit light-headed, as the two most annoying voices came into focus. "It's noon and your drinking?" Kano said with a scoff.

"Athena. How's Athena?" I managed to slur out as I tried to grab another bottle.

"Nope." Jasper grabbed and took a swig. "She's fine. How'd you manage to fuck that up? She's funny and she's gorgeous, that's some hard shit to find."

"Has she spoke about me?"

"Clearly if she's been asking us to check up on you every damn day." Jasper rolled his eyes as him and Kano grabbed my arms. "You drinking isn't going to get her attention. Be a man and show the woman you love her."

Love? Is that what I'm feeling for her? I love Athena, I love her so fucking much. "Is she still at Serene's place?" I know it may sound weird but I've been keeping in contact with Serene and she's been giving me little information, to respect Athena. I only know that she's been fine. Better than me.

"Yeah, don't act like a bitch and sober up before you go see her." Kano slapped my face playfully after they set me in the bed. "We'll help ourselves and take the alcohol."

"Assholes." I groaned, the headache coming harder than last night.

"Yeah, yeah, we love you too."

Athena

If it weren't for Serene, I'd be right back in Alessandro's arms by now. I miss him so much and it's so hard to ignore his messages and voicemails. Hell, he's even started emailing me on both my regular and business email. Serene told me he's been calling and whenever he does, I sit close just to hear his voice, even if he's drunk off his ass half the time.

Three more days until Brinda's court date and I'm stressing about other things. The press has still been on my ass, especially with the cheating scandal. Not only did Oliver kiss Kattie but they also had sex. Multiple times. They found out I was staying at Serene's, and they've been hounding her home day and night. It's honestly exhausting, having to somehow distract the press so the other is able to leave the house without running someone over.

"You ready?" Serene asked, adjusting her white shirt. The two of us, including Rachael, were getting ready to go out to the gym.

"Yeah."

"Did he call again?" I nodded. "Your better than me. With the type of voicemails and messages he leaves you I would've ran back to him."

I laughed as we went out the back door. We'd put a car there now, one the press had never seen us drove. "I want to. I really, really do. But I also don't want him to think it's going to be easy to get back into my good graces whenever we get into an argument."

"I understand. Gotta make him regret everything." Rachael said as she climbed into the backseat and I nodded. The press was lined up outside of Serene's place and I couldn't help but feel a little bad for bringing all this attention to her.

By the time we had gotten in the car I'd realized I had forgotten my gym bag so, much to Serene's annoyance, I went to retrieve it. As I walked in, the house had some weird vibe like something bad was about to happen. I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared as shit.

I took a deep breath and went looking for my bag. I started to go through it to make sure I wouldn't annoy Serene and leave something again. Her car horn honked and I laughed, throwing the bag over my shoulder and beginning to walk out. A hand came out, covering my mouth and dragging me back inside.

"Just drop it." The voice said angrily. I knew it from somewhere I just couldn't pin it because I was in shock. All I could think about was if I was going to die.

The duffel bag had dropped to the floor, with one hand on his arm that was suffocating me the other reached down into my pocket to grab my keys. I was getting more dizzy the longer he choked me but once I stabbed the key in his arm he let go.

I started coughing falling to the floor and gripping my neck as I tried to breathe in air. Instead of just sitting there I got up feeling light headed and making a run for the door.

Just as I was close I was yanked back by my hair and thrown onto the ground. The masked man tried to land a punch to my face but I rolled over, making him fall to the ground. I crawled into the kitchen and tried to stand when he gripped my hair again.

"You brought this on yourself." He said and pulled me down onto the floor. He stood over me and I took the opportunity to kick him in the balls. Getting up as he held onto his crotch I grabbed a knife but it was twisted out of my hand and he turned me around to face him.

"Stupid fucking bitch!" He punched me in my face sending me falling to the ground and almost passing out. Blood had spilled from my mouth and nose and when I tried to get up he kicked me in my stomach.

"We warned you." Another kick. "But you didn't listen." I winced at the hardest kick he'd sent me. There was blood. Too much blood.

It took all of the strength I had to grab his leg just as he was about to kick me and pull him to the ground. I stood up, shaking and feeling a weird hard pain in my stomach as more blood dripped down my legs.

I grabbed the dirty knife that sat in the sink and turned around just as he stood up. Tears had fell down my face as I pointed the knife at him. I know I'd gotten kicked repeatedly but something in my body felt off.

"I swear to fucking God if you don't leave I will kill you." It was a lie, of course, I was to weak and feeling way to much pain in my stomach to try and kill this man.

He lunged at me and the knife was able to scrape his neck before he knocked it out of my hand. His hands wrapped around my neck and I gripped his wrist. "I told you you'd regret this. He will not go to prison because of a whore like you. You will not let him get killed in that prison."

I choked and choked, trying to get him away from me. It started to hurt to breathe and my eyes started rolling to the back of my head. "Get the fuck off her you asshole!" Someone yelled, jumping onto the strangers back.

I passed out before I could hear or see anything else.

Alessandro

I woke up feeling happy for once.

I was going to see Athena and apologize, tell her how much I love her, and do anything to get her back in my arms.

I wore a white dress shirt, black slacks, and her favorite watch of mine. I had a blue bouquet of flowers in hand along with a box of her favorite donuts.

I'd rehearsed everything over a thousand times. And made a few adjustments here and there.

Fuck I'm a nervous wreck. I've been making sure the flowers and donuts looked perfect for the last thirty minutes. If I fuck this up not only will I hate myself Kano and Jasper would probably murder me and get away with it.

After another ten minutes of checking everything I decided to finally leave the house. I took over a hundred deep breaths and kept on reassuring myself that everything was perfect.

I took one final deep breath when I get closer to Serenes house. Don't ask how I got the address. Confusion took over my features at the sight of cop cars and ambulances.

Is Athena okay? The worst case scenarios played in my head as I hurried out of the car and into the home. "Sir, you can't go in there! Sir!" An officer yelled but I pushed past all of them and ran through the front door.

"You can't be-" Their voices faded when my eyes landed on the bloody handprints, knife on the floor, then slowly to the puddle of blood. Where the fuck is Athena.

My heart was racing and I felt myself stop breathing at the thought of possibly losing her. "Alessandro? Alessandro, it's okay." Serene was in front of me now, the officers had gone elsewhere.

She had a cast on her arm and a worried look on her face. She already knew what I needed to hear. "Athena's at the Sinclair hospital. She's fine but in critical condition. Do you-"

I thanked her before rushing out of the house. I needed to see Athena and make sure the love of my life was still breathing. I needed her to still be breathing.

She probably wouldn't want me speeding down the road and almost crashing but I could care less. I was surprised I made it to the hospital without cops pulling me over.

I ran inside to the front desk. "Mr. Sinclair, how can I-"

"Athena Mallory Escarra. Where is she?" I was getting impatient as she typed her name.

"I'm surgery right now. She'll be out in a few minutes."

"How long is a few minutes."

"Um, twenty minutes." I chewed on the inside of my bottom lip as I paced back and forth. The receptionist said something but I was already walking away.

It took everything for me not to walk in the surgery room and hold her hand. To see her face and feel her soft skin. I needed the reassurance that she was still here. That we still had time to be together. To hopefully get married and have mini versions of us running around. I needed to know she still had time to be Athena Sinclair-Escarra.

There was way to much blood for her to be fine.

I flew up out of my seat as the doctor came and walked to us, blood on his gloves. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay.

The doctor spoke. "She's okay." And I felt relief flood my body. She's okay. My butterfly is okay. Serene started crying and hugged the blond woman.

"What room is she in?" I asked, my hands itching to feel her skin.

"104 but-" I didn't stay to listen to whatever he said but whatever it was made Serene cry harder and louder. I ran towards her room and the sight made my heart crumble.

Her hand had been bandaged and there was a bruise around her neck. I walked closer and saw the bruises that disappeared underneath her gown. Her eye and lip were busted and she had a bruise on her cheek. For the first time, I wanted to cry. I wanted to cry because the sight of her made me feel bad. I wasn't there to protect her like I was supposed to be.

I grabbed her hand and kissed it over and over again. "I'm so sorry, butterfly. For everything." My eyes were closed as I kissed her hand.

I heard a cough then a wince right after it. She was awake. "Baby, Athena, how are you. Are you okay? Never mind, that was a stupid question-"

"Alessandro." She said, her voice strained. "Water."

"Fuck, right, sorry." She returned her gaze back to the ceiling. I poured her a glass of water and walked back over to her with a straw. She opened her mouth and took a few sips.

"Thank you." She cleared her throat which seem to make it hurt worse.

"No, no. Don't talk it's okay." I kissed her forehead and moved hair out of her face. "Your okay." I smiled but it quickly fell when she started crying. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

She cried and cried, shaking her head and apologizing. "Please don't be mad. I didn't know. I- I- I didn't know. I'm sorry." She cried and I wiped the tears away from her face.

"What? What didn't you know, butterfly?"

She took my hand and squeezed it with very little strength. "I lost it. I- I lost our... our baby." She cried, and I froze. She was pregnant? She lost the baby. Fuck, she lost our baby.

Her crying grew harder and I carefully moved her to the side, crawling in and cradling her head to my chest. "Shh, shh. It's okay, I'm not mad. I would never be mad. It's not your fault, baby." I kissed her hair, letting my lips stay there as she cried more.

We lost our baby. We lost our baby. She would've had my child. We would've had kids if it weren't for- "Do you know who did it?" I asked, my worry turning into anger.

"N- Nate." She sobbed, moving closer to me and I wrapped my arms tighter around her.

Nate... Nate... "Nate, the guy that threatened you?" She nodded. "Your positive?"

"Yes, he kept talking about how he told me I was going to regret it and that I should've listened. I know it was him. He- he-" She started to cry again which made me more angry. "I want him dead." She cried out.

"Baby, butterfly, I need you to breathe." I made her look up at me and placed her hand on my chest where my heart was. We breathed in and out until she started breathing normally.

"I-" Someone opened the door frantically, cutting me off and catching Athena and I by surprise.

"Athena?" Oliver said but stopped moving towards the bed once he noticed me. Oh great, just make my day worse than it already is.

He scowled at me and his fists were balled by his sides. "Why are you holding my wife."

"No." Athena cut in before we could start arguing like children. "Leave. Please leave."

"But-"

"Get him out of here. I don't want to see him." I nodded, kissing her forehead before getting up. I grabbed Oliver by the arm and against his wishes dragged him out and locked the door.

He was like a little kid, fighting me and calling me all types of names. Security came and grabbed him and literally threw him out.

"He's gone, butterfly." She tried covering her face as I got closer. I got back into the small bed and moved her hand away. "Your beautiful. You've always been beautiful and always will be." I kissed the bruise on her cheek, her busted eye, and her busted lip.

I glided my lips down to her neck and kissed along the path of the bruise around it. "How-" Her voice came out pinched so she cleared her throat. "How long are you staying?"

"However long you need me to." Her stomach growled lowly and we looked at each other. "When was the last time you ate?"

"Uh," She chuckled nervously. "I had a pop tart for breakfast."

I rolled my eyes, "I'll be back." Her face dropped as she silently begged me to stay. I pressed my lips against hers softly. "I'm just going to my car."

"Promise?"

I picked up her butterfly hand and kissed it. She smiled. "Promise, love." I quickly left out of the room but had a bit of trouble leaving since paparazzi surrounded the front side.

When I made it to my car in one piece I grabbed the flowers and donuts before jogging back in. She probably couldn't eat them right now but whatever. I opened the door and set the food down on the chair, not looking in her direction just yet.

"Hey, baby, I don't know if you can eat donuts but-" I didn't see her in the bed but a bit of blood was on the floor and went into the bathroom. That's when I heard muffled crying and ran inside to see her crouched on the floor, blood still spilling out of her.

"I'll call a nurse." She didn't respond, kept her gaze on the blood and cried. Once I called for a nurse they quickly came in and cleaned her, she never stopped crying.

For the hundredth time today, I wanted to cry. For Athena, my love, who is going through so many emotions. For our baby girl or baby boy that would've been so loved. It hurts me that I'll never get to meet them.

It's weird how, even though I'm just now finding out about them, I already have this strong feeling of love for them. A feeling that I'll never be able to show them because they were taken away from me.

CHAPTER 22

But I needed to stay strong for Athena. I would grieve after I made sure she was okay. I helped change her out of her hospital gown and into my dress shirt. She was facing me, looking down, as I tied her hair up into the neatest bun I could.

"Butterfly?" I said when she kept her head down. "Look at me." I tilted her head up by her chin and as soon as her eyes landed on me they became glossy.

"I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry, Alessandro. Please don't hate me I didn't mean for it to happen. I didn't mean for any of it to happen." She cried, putting her forehead on my bare chest. "Please..."

I stroked her back and blinked back any tears. "Athena, I need you to hear me when I say this." I pulled her head back so she could look at me, my hands cupping her face and wiping at her tears. "You did not do any of this. None of this is your fault it's Nate's. I'm not mad and I don't hate you, okay?"

I kissed her soft lips then her cheek. "You know I'd do anything for you, right? Even kill." I had my forehead pressed against her, eyes closed but i I could still feel her eyes on me. "What do you want me to do to him, Athena?"

She hesitated before saying, "Torture him. I want him tortured for what he did to our baby."

Our baby.

"Done." She hugged me tighter, I picked her up and wrapped her legs around my waist. She had her head nuzzled in the crook of my neck as I carried her to the bed.

I set her down first so she'd get comfortable before going to turn the lights out. I basically owned the fucking hospital so I was staying all night. Crawling in next to her, she set her wrapped arm on my chest and her leg over mine. I held her thigh while my other hand rubbed her back.

After all of the hours I've spent with her, she finally felt relaxed. I kissed her butterfly hand before falling asleep with her in my arms.

Athena

I wanted to kill Nate Thomas. I still do.

I felt bad for Alessandro because all he was doing was taking care of me and not taking the time to grieve the loss of his child. Our child.

He's been caring for me and I love it but I haven't even seen him shed a tear. It hurts me more when he feels as if he has to be strong around me.

I felt soft, gentle kisses being placed all over my face. "Baby. It's time to wake up, love." Alessandro said softly and continued to kiss my face. I groaned but moved closer to where the kisses were coming from.

He chuckled and rubbed my back, moving to my stomach but freezing. It was almost unnoticeable because he immediately went back to rubbing my back. "Serene's here to see you. I have to step out for a moment."

I nodded, kissing his lips quickly. He stood up and started pulling on his pants. "Oh, Athena. I need to apologize." He walked back over as I sat up in the bed. "I- You mean everything to me. I'm sorry for the way I acted when Tabitha was there. I said it because I knew she'd go to the press about it and I wasn't sure if you were ready for that. It's no excuse for saying your no one to me when, in reality, your my entire life. Im sorry, Athena." He kissed the tattoo and looked up at me with sincere eyes.

I smiled and placed a hand on his cheek. "I know your sorry. But," Worry appeared in his eyes causing me to laugh slightly. "I won't allow you to just have me again. You'll have to work for it."

"Of course, my love. I'll do anything." He kissed my palm and stood up. When he finished dressing he kissed me on my eye, cheek, lip and neck. "Your beautiful. You've always been beautiful and always will be." I smiled.

Just as he left, Serene and Rachael walked in with big sad smiles on their faces. "I knew the bitch wouldn't die. She's fucking immortal." Rachael said, trying to lighten the sad mood. We laughed, Serene trying her hardest not to cry.

She had a broken arm and her face looked as if she'd been crying all night. "How are you?" They sat on either side of my bed.

"I'm fine, Serene. From the look your giving me I assume you both already know." They reached for either of my hands at the same time.

"I'm sorry. No deserves to lose a baby."

"I didn't even know I was pregnant." I scoffed. "All the signs were there but I ignored them. Of course I did." I bit my lip so I wouldn't cry. I was tired of crying. I felt weak.

"Athena, you know this isn't your fault, right?" Rachael asked.

"Alessandro's been telling me all night but I can't help it. I should've at least noticed something was different."

"He's good for you. I'm glad he's here, and he's right. Whoever did this to you, they'll suffer. I promise."

Oh don't I know.

"I'm glad to finally see you guys, though!" I said and we all leaned in for a group hug.

"Ugh, me too. Did Oliver come in here by any chance?" Serene asked.

Rachael rolled her eyes with a small smile. "Yes he did. How'd you know?"

They laughed, "Well let's just say that if your husband wasn't practically the owner of this hospital and hated Oliver's guts then we wouldn't be here."

"What did you do, Serene?" She laughed knowingly and they both made themselves comfortable on my bed.

"First, it started with him saying I turned you away from him. Then I said he has bitch like tendencies." I laughed as well as Rachael.

Long story short; Oliver and Serene were arguing, Serene of course insulting him to the fullest extent. And she slapped him, almost made him fall to the ground, and started to cuss him out. Alessandro had him completely thrown out of the hospital.

We all sat and laughed for a moment, giving me an opportunity to be distracted from current life problems. It had to have been an hour or two before Alessandro finally came back.

"Oh, seems like your big dick daddy wants some alone time with you." Serene wiggled her eyebrows and Alessandro chuckled while shaking his head.

"Oh God. You nasty whore." Once she and Rachael were behind Alessandro, Serene bent Rachael over and they started making moaning faces. He turned around and they almost fell over when they tried to get out of position.

They walked out like giggling highschool kids. "Their characters." I nodded with a smile. "I have your discharge papers." My eyes fell down to the visible parts of his chest before slowly moving down.

Stay focused. Your mad at him.

"Love? Your drooling." He used his thumb to wipe fake drool from the corner of my mouth. I slapped his hand away causing him to laugh and his dimples show. It's so hard being mad at this Greek God.

"Where- uh.. Where will you be staying?" It was cute when he was all flustered and nervous.

"Serene's or my parents. That reminds me have you seen them? They look exactly me." He shook his head. "I should probably go see them."

He looked like he wanted to say something and took a deep breath before he did. "Can- can you stay with me?"

I smiled, signing the papers before handing them back. "I don't think so."

"I just want to keep an eye on you. You know, be there for you while you go through this..." He set the papers down and helped me out of the bed. He got onto his knees while I stayed seated on the bed.

I sighed, "We're both going through this. Your allowed to feel it too, Alessandro." He didn't make eye contact as he helped me into a pair of leggings. I grabbed his chin and forced his eyes up to mine. "Men can cry. If you want to cry I'm here."

The longer he stared into my eyes the watery they got. "It's okay. I'm here for you like your here for me. I've got you like you've got me." I said, he wrapped his arms around my waist and placed his head in my lap.

He was holding back his tears but I could feel his pain. His arms tightened around me and I placed a few kisses in his hair. We sat in this saddened silence, comforted by each other's breathing and the knowing fact that we'd be here for each other through this entire process.

"I'm sorry. I- I just-"

I cut him off, picking his head up and seeing one single tear fall. I kissed it then wiped it away. "I understand. But it's me, if you ever need to cry then I'm here." He nodded and I kissed his forehead.

He helped me change into a hoodie and grabbed all of my personal items. The nurse brought in a wheelchair since Alessandro didn't want me walking too much. We walked out the back so press wouldn't surround us.

"So, your going to reschedule the case right?" He asked as we neared his car.

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Why would I do that?

"Because you need to rest."

"I can rest after Nate is thrown in jail."

"I don't want you to be stressing right now."

"I understand that but I won't be able to sleep if he isn't behind bars." He helped me get into the car, put the wheelchair in the backseat, then got in.

"Okay, but after this case you need to take vacation days."

"Fine." I rolled my eyes and started to play with the flowers. I thought of Oliver just as my phone started making notification sounds. Deep down I knew it was more news about Oliver and Katie but I still wanted to know for sure.

There were just more photos of the two, hugging kissing, and looking happy. He showed her everything I begged and asked him for with no argument. I was angry because I gave him everything I had to offer and he took it all for granted.

Alessandro placed his hand on my thigh and squeezed it. "Want to talk about it?"

"Not right now." He took my hand and brought it to his lips, letting them linger on my hand for a while, before setting his hand back on my thigh.

My eyes drifted from his hand to my stomach. I placed my hand on it and smiled at the thought of me being a mother. There would've been a mini me or mini Sandro running around.

We would've had a little one and I would've loved them more than the world itself.

I hadn't even noticed I was crying until Alessandro was wiping my tears and hugging me. I knew the random crying and wishing I still had my baby was going to last a while. It hurt like hell that I was never going to be able to grow a relationship with her or him. Hell, I didn't even know there was someone in there I had to protect.

We were parked on the side of the road, bystanders stopping for a second to see what was happening. He pulled me into his lap, my arms around his neck and head in the crook of his neck. He rubbed my back and kissed my temple.

"I'm here, love. I'll always be here." He whispered in my ear and continued to rub my back. I cried myself to sleep in his arms and he didn't seem to mind at all.

I woke up in bed at Serene's. I honestly didn't want to get up but I felt something wet between my legs. I sat up and moved the cover, seeing the little blood on the sheets.

After taking the sheets off the bed and throwing it all in the hamper I stripped and went into the steaming shower. I just stood there. Not moving, not blinking, just staring off into space.

I watched as the blood ran down the drain and disappeared. My poor baby. I rubbed at my belly with a sad smile, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you and that I didn't know I had an angel in my belly. I promise I'll put Nate in prison for what he did to you. To your father and I."

I've never experienced such an extreme amount of pain, physically and emotionally. It felt like I lost an entire part of myself I hadn't even know was there. It felt like my heart was being stabbed over and over again. I just wanted to curl up in a hole and die.

I showered quickly before going out and changing into a pair of shorts and hoodie. I just put a pair of panties on and no bra, I didn't even bother to dry my hair. I walked out of the bedroom, grabbed a blanket and a bottle of water.

"Athena-"

"I'm not really in the mood to talk. I love you guys." I shut my door and plopped down on the bed. I didn't want to do anything but sleep. The longer I was awake the more I thought about my angel. The more I thought about Nate and how he was going to die.

So that's what I did, I fell asleep with a pillow clutched to my stomach.

CHAPTER 23

Alessandro