Caught In The Crossfires - Lola's Story

41

Chapter 41

Lola

The room around Cristiano and me was filled with loud side conversations and open-mouthed chewing as the men began digging into their food. My attention was completely his, and he knew it.

Leaning back, he rested against the length of his seat and lifted his fork to his lips. I wet my own, watching him take a hardy piece of red meat into his mouth. Mine began to salivate, and I swallowed hard, tasting it with him when his soft pink lips wrapped around the metal utensil.

I silently racked my brain for some reason why Cristiano would choose to punish me like this as he casually continued to devour his food bite after bite. Yet, nothing came to mind. "Hungry?" He somberly asked, reaching forward to bring a glass of red wine to his lips. His eyes remained locked with mine as he sipped on the drink.

Sucking on his teeth in disapproval, he placed his glass back on the table, and he took another bite of his food. My eyes chased his every movement. From the way, his jaw flexed as he chewed to how his adam's apple bobbed when he swallowed.

"I'm curious, Lorella, do you think I didn't notice you playing with your breakfast this morning? Or that you skipped lunch entirely?" Shit.

He questioned, only speaking loud enough for us to hear and as if on cue, my stomach growled embarrassingly loud. He shook his head and snorted under his breath before his tongue darted from his mouth and slowly tracked the juicy remnants of the medium-rare steak.

Fuck me. I could eat him right here.

Focus! Skipping breakfast and lunch. That's what this is about.

Funny thing was I'd quickly come to learn that was how he preferred his meat—still mooing a bit. Just like the way he insisted that I ate something like ten times a day. It was ridiculous the amount of text I got during a regular school and work day reminding me to eat a proper meal.

Cristiano: Have you eaten yet?

Me: Of course I have.

Cristiano: Lola

Me: You know I hate that.

Cristiano: What did you eat?

Me: Oh, you know, just the beyond stressed-out student slash struggling business owner starter pack. The shop has been stupid slow these last few weeks.

Cristiano: Two bags of Ruffles and a Dr. Pepper don't count, Lorella. Have you thought about reexamining that offer you got to sell?

Me: Hey! It was only one bag, and we talked about this. It's my parent's place—the only thing I have left.

Cristiano: Understood. Then my offer still stands.

Me: Thank you, but like I said before, I don't want your money, old man.

Cristiano: Watch it, little girl.

Me: Sorry, Sir. Anyway, I'm studying—no time to make anything. But if you're offering to come cook for me...

Cristiano: You know I would if I were in the states, but I don't get back until tomorrow evening. And I've told you before that a learning mind needs a nourished belly to function properly.

Me: I know... I just... I forget sometimes.

Cristiano: I know it's a lot with exams around the corner. I've ordered you food, and it's on its way to you now.

Me: You need to stop doing that. You always order way too much, and I eat it all. Not good for the summer body, old man. I've already gained like 20 lbs this week.

Cristiano: I'm failing to see the issue with that, Lorella. I just walked into my meeting. I'll call you this evening.

Me: The issue is... you know what, never mind. Also, I would appreciate a video call instead. Don't read too much into this, but...

Me: I've missed your face, Sir.

Cristiano: I can do that.

Me: Thank you, Sir.

Cristiano: You're welcome. Don't read into this either, but ditto.

Me: I promise your secret is safe with me. Scouts honor. These lips are sealed, and your rep is completely intact. I'm taking this one to the grave.

Cristiano: Haha, funny, brat. Enjoy studying.

Me: Oh yeah, I'll try.

Me: Hey, What did you order, by the way?

Cristiano: Everything from that Indian place you love.

Me: You spoil me.

Cristiano: That's my job. Until tonight, Lorella.

Smiling to myself, If I hadn't known any better, I'd thought the man was trying to fatten me up. Not that I would have an issue with that as long as he was going to keep me. But I wasn't that delusional to let myself think that was the case.

I did my research. It was for sexual purposes only. So I didn't pass out after he made me come a thousand times.

When I didn't answer, Cristiano cleared his throat and arched a brow curiously at me. I swallowed hard, and my mouth suddenly became incredibly too dry to speak.

"Why?"

"I—" I started to tell him, but I quickly shut my mouth and shook my head, averting my gaze to the floor in front of me. I didn't really want him to see more than he needed to. "Nothing, Sir."

"You're lying, and you know how I feel about being lied to."

Tugging my brows together in disbelief, I snapped my head up to meet his gaze and shot a narrowed glare in his direction. He had a lot of nerve, considering he was keeping things from me. Like who that man was.

"You've been uncharacteristically quiet all day. I gave you time to tell me yourself. But now here we are," Cristiano's jaw ticked, and I mimicked the small action unconsciously.

Was he really acting as though he was the only one who should've been annoyed?

"Now. Lola."

Frustration flared in the pit of my stomach, and I tilted forward on my knees, positioning myself further between his firm, parted thighs. This man was on my last nerve and from the amusement staring back at me in those blue-green eyes. He knew it too.

"You know I hate when you call me that," I hissed, fighting the urge to reach up and stab him in his hard chest with my finger as I spoke.

"And what else should I call you?"

"You know what."

"Mmmhmm," he hummed, relaxing in his seat.

He ran his tongue over the front of his teeth, and slowly wet his lips. I silently watched as my knees started to ache. They shook slightly beneath me as heat gathered between them. Buzzing, I swear I could hear my heart pounding loudly in my ear, and I felt my warm blood rushing through my hot veins. He took his time rolling up each individual end of his black dress shirt sleeves, making his biceps bulge as he did so.

"If that's what you want from me, you bratty little girl."

Cristiano paused, giving me his full attention. The deep pulsing warmth grew further between my thighs. I unconsciously pressed them together to fill the ache. He snorted to himself, studying my face for a long moment before the rest of my tightly wound body. I suddenly felt incredibly self-conscious.

"Y-Yes, Sir," I croaked out and swallowed hard as my breathing picked up. The corner of his lip tipped upward, and his heated gaze shifted to hold mine.

"Then earn it."

Earn it?! I was the one on my knees in a room full of strangers... And Alessandro. Like some freaking lap dog. All for what, huh? Because you love this. My inner voice taunted, and she wasn't wrong, but... Nothing! Absolutely nothing!

I wanted to earn it. I wanted him to break me down and defile me. I wanted to be good for him, even if that meant going against my true bratty nature. I wanted to be his wholly.

Shit, I was one fucking sick bitch. And after dealing with all the crazy shit that Brody and Nathaniel put me through. I loved that for me.

Peering up at him through my thick dark lashes, I tried to sound as unassuming as possible. I wanted to prove that I didn't always have to be a brat. "But- But you'll think it's stupid, Sir."

"Nothing you say is stupid. Now speak."

"I just... I hated the thought of leaving you tonight," I trailed off, averting my gaze to the floor again. I was too scared to look at him. In case I saw something I didn't want to see. This was a type of vulnerability I wasn't used to. "I mean, you know... because I'd be going back to that big empty house... alone."

"That wasn't stupid at all, Lorella," "I understand that, considering how much time we've spent together more recently. You don't have to go home tonight or tomorrow, even.

"I don't?" My eyes snapped upward, not expecting him to say that.

"No. As long as the arrangement between us is still actively in place. You may stay every night if you'd like. That is why there is a bedroom for you in my home." Cristiano told me matter of fact, and despite already knowing this, I shrunk a bit. Leaning forward, he took my chin into his hand and lifted my face to his. "Lorella, in the future, I would appreciate you vocalizing the things that are bothering you, understood?"

"Yes, I understand, Sir." I did understand. This was an agreement. Not a relationship. No matter how blurred the lines were beginning to become for me. An arrangement. That was all. And I needed to remember before I ended up hurting my own feelings.

"Good girl, now come here."

ツ hope you enjoyed it.

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