The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

Leonardo’s gaze hardened as he delved into the painful memories of his past. He knew he had to be honest with Sofia, to reveal the depths of his heartache. With a deep breath, he whispered, “Yes, I was in love with Evelyn.”

Sofia’s eyes remained fixed on Leonardo, capturing his attention completely. He found himself momentarily lost in the depths of her captivating blue eyes, but he quickly composed himself, clearing his throat to continue.

“I was only nineteen at the time, Sofia,” Leonardo began, his voice tinged with a mixture of regret and resignation. “I was in college and foolishly gave my heart to Evelyn. However, she betrayed my trust and cheated on me with a famous NFL player.”

As he recalled the pain of Evelyn’s betrayal, Leonardo’s gaze shifted, glancing out through the window, as if seeking solace in the outside world.

“But it has been seven years since then,” he said, a hint of carelessness entering his voice. “I have moved on, and the wounds have healed. I have forgotten about her and the pain she caused me.”

Sofia’s voice trembled with uncertainty as she mustered the courage to ask, “Um… How old are you now?”

Leonardo raised an eyebrow in question, his eyes fixed on Sofia’s innocent face. “I am twenty-six,” he replied, awaiting her response.

A flicker of surprise passed through Sofia’s eyes as she processed the age difference. She faltered for a moment before shaking her head gently. “You… you are eight years older?” she stammered.

Leonardo’s worry creased his brow. He feared that Sofia might believe he wasn’t deserving of her or that the age gap would pose a problem. “Am I too old for you?” he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

A shy smile tugged at the corners of Sofia’s lips, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. “No, Leonardo,” she reassured him. “I didn’t mean that.”

Leonardo’s warm breath caressed Sofia’s neck as he whispered into her ear, his voice laced with desire and vulnerability.

“So, do you think I am good enough for you?” His words hung in the air, filled with anticipation.

Sofia’s lips quivered, her eyes locked with Leonardo’s intense gaze. Her heart raced in her chest, and a flush spread across her cheeks. She tried to respond, but the words seemed to escape her, lost in the intensity of the moment. Before she could find her voice, Leonardo’s lips found her neck, pressing against her skin with a gentle yet passionate kiss.

A gasp escaped Sofia’s lips as her body arched toward his touch, the sensation sending shivers down her spine. The car came to a halt, its motion ceasing, as if it mirrored the stillness that had descended upon them. It was a silent signal that they had reached their destination. Leonardo just got a taste of her in the morning, and He couldn’t wait to taste her again. He wanted her badly and right now.

Without hesitation, Leonardo flung open the car door, his hand securely clasping Sofia’s as he whisked her inside the house. The anticipation in their steps matched the quickening pace of their hearts. They ascended the stairs, their footsteps echoing through the hall, drawing them closer to their private sanctuary.

Finally, they stood before their room, a refuge where their desires would ignite. Leonardo closed the door behind them, shutting out the outside world. Sofia’s pulse quickened as she felt the weight of his presence pressing against her, his firm body embracing her in a magnetic hold. She was trapped, willingly caught between the door and his unyielding form.

Leonardo’s hands settled on Sofia’s waist, his touch sending electric currents through her body. Their eyes locked once more, a silent language of longing passing between them. His gaze descended to her lips, and Sofia’s breath hitched in anticipation, her own desire mirroring his.

In that intimate space, time seemed to stand still, the air charged with a potent mix of passion and longing. Their hearts beat in sync, a rhythm of connection and desire that would guide their every move. With a silent understanding, their lips met in a searing kiss, a testament to the intensity of their love and the depth of their connection.

Sofia’s breath caught in her throat as Leonardo’s face neared hers, his breath tainted with the scent of alcohol. In an instant, a rush of memories flooded her mind, memories of her mother enduring the brutality of her drunk father. Panic gripped her, and she reacted instinctively, pushing Leonardo away with all her strength. However, despite her efforts, his firm grip remained unyielding.

Leonardo’s brows furrowed in confusion and concern as Sofia’s abrupt action startled him. He withdrew, creating a distance between them. With a heavy swallow, Sofia found her voice, her words trembling with a mixture of fear and regret.

“You… you are drunk,” she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. Her heart pounded in her chest, knowing that her reaction might have offended him.

“Yeah, I had some Scotch, but I am very sober, baby girl, not drunk. My alcohol tolerance is good.” Leonardo said, his features softened.

He reached out, his hand hovering near Sofia’s face, but she flinched and closed her eyes tightly, a reflex born out of past traumas.

A sigh escaped Leonardo’s lips as he retracted his hand, understanding the impact his actions had on her. He stood at a distance, his gaze fixed upon her, filled with a desire to ease her fears.

“You don’t need to be afraid of me,” he assured her, his voice laced with sincerity. “I won’t do anything to hurt you. Please, relax.”

Running his hand through his hair in a gesture of frustration, Leonardo made a solemn promise. “If my drinking makes you uncomfortable, I won’t touch alcohol in the future. I promise you, baby girl. But please, don’t hate me.”

His voice carried a plea, and Sofia felt her heart ache with guilt.

Why couldn’t Sofia open her heart to him? Why couldn’t she trust him wholeheartedly? He had always been so sweet to her, yet she couldn’t fully let him into her life.

“I… I… am sorry,” Sofia’s voice trembled as she struggled to find the right words. “I couldn’t help it. Growing up, I witnessed my father’s drunken rage and the way he treated my mother… with disrespect and cruelty, beating her every night. It scared me, and I fear history repeating itself.”

Tears welled up in Sofia’s eyes, cascading down her cheeks as the memories overwhelmed her. Leonardo closed the distance between them in two swift strides, his touch gentle as he wiped away her tears with the pad of his thumb.

“Shhh… Angel. I would never do that to you,” Leonardo’s voice was a comforting whisper, his arms enveloping Sofia in a protective embrace. His touch soothed her, easing her fear and anguish. “I can’t comprehend how a man could harm his own wife. It’s unfathomable.”

Sofia looked up, her tear-stained eyes meeting Leonardo’s gaze filled with genuine concern. In his beautiful gray eyes, she saw care and love, akin to the way her mother had looked at her with affection.

A moment of uncertainty washed over Sofia. Was she imagining things? Had she misjudged Leonardo’s intentions?

Sofia’s mind was filled with thoughts, doubts, and fears, but in that moment, she wanted nothing more than to escape from them all. Without hesitating, she leaned up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against Leonardo’s. As their mouths met, she inhaled his alcohol-tinged breath, feeling a mix of anticipation and vulnerability.

Leonardo’s initial surprise quickly gave way to desire. Without a moment’s hesitation, he lifted Sofia off her feet, pulling her closer to him, deepening the kiss with a hunger that matched her own. Their lips moved in perfect synchrony, igniting a fire within them that burned hotter with each passing second.

Gradually, Leonardo began to lower Sofia back down, but he never broke the passionate connection between their mouths. He leaned over her, pressing her gently against the soft mattress, his hands firmly but tenderly holding her. His kiss was unyielding, as if he feared that she might slip away from him if he let go.

Sofia’s mind spun in a whirlwind of sensations. The intensity of Leonardo’s kiss overwhelmed her senses, sending a rush of warmth through her veins.

“I had a very long day, love. I need a release. I need you,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her again.

His lips brushed against the corner of her mouth, planting a series of delicate kisses on her cheeks before trailing along her jawline. Sofia’s voice trembled as she attempted to speak, breathless with anticipation.

“Are we… going to?” she managed to utter, her words barely escaping her lips when she tried to ask him if they were going to have sex as the last time she wasn’t in her senses, but this time she wanted to remember everything when he made love to her.

Leonardo tilted his head slightly, his face moving closer to hers, and gently shook his head.

“Not today, baby girl,” he whispered, his voice filled with a mixture of desire and restraint. “But very soon. I’ve planned something extraordinary for our lovemaking. It will be our official wedding night.”

With that, Leonardo pulled her up, guiding her to sit on the edge of the bed and started undressing her. His hands skillfully found the zipper of her gown, slowly gliding it down. The fabric slipped from her shoulders, revealing her skin inch by inch until the dress cascaded down to her ankles.

Eager and impatient, his fingers deftly unclasped her bra, removing it swiftly. Every passing moment amplified the intensity of their longing, urging him to quicken his pace.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.