Page 36 of Merciless King

Elio's eyes lock with mine, his gaze intense and sincere. "I bought it because of you. Because I knew it was your favorite. I never forgot about you, not for a single day."

My ego needs his attention, and it’s getting harder to push my yearning for him away. To remember that he hadn’t wanted me or Elysse. To remember I’m married to someone else.

I shake my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips as I meet Elio's gaze. "I can't believe you still haven't improved your skating skills after all these years. It's like high school all over again."

Elio laughs, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "I didn’t have my roller skating partner. Besides, I had to grow up. Join the business."

"Fair enough," I concede, my heart fluttering at the sound of his laughter. "But I have to admit, it was kind of nice seeing you look a little vulnerable out there. The great Elio D'Amato, stumbling around like a newborn colt."

He grins, a hint of mischief in his expression. "Well, I'm glad my lack of skating prowess could provide you with some entertainment.” He looks down for a moment. “Being with you is like skating.”

I narrow my eyes. “Off balance?”

He reaches out, his hand gently cupping my cheek. "Exhilarating, challenging, and capable of sweeping me off my feet in an instant. After all this time, the feeling is as strong as ever."

I lean into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment. When I open them again, Elio's face is mere inches from mine, his breath warm against my skin.

"Elio, we shouldn’t?—”

“Just tell me you feel it too, Piper.”

I should deny it. “I do, but?—"

His thumb brushes across my cheekbone. "I've missed this. Talking with you, spending time together. It feels like no time has passed at all."

I swallow hard, my heart racing at his touch. "I've missed it too," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "But things are different now. We're different people."

Elio nods, his expression thoughtful. "Maybe so, but some things never change. The way I feel about you, Piper… that's never changed."

A lump forms in my throat, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. I want to believe him, to let myself fall into his arms and forget about the past. But I know I can't, not without risking everything I've built for Elysse and myself.

"Elio, I—" I begin, but he cuts me off, his finger pressing gently against my lips.

"I know things are complicated. But for tonight, can we just enjoy each other's company? No expectations, no promises. Just two old friends catching up."

I hesitate for a moment, then nod.

He leans in. His lips press against mine, soft yet insistent. My mind screams that this is a mistake, that I shouldn't be kissing him back, but my body betrays me. I melt into his embrace, my fingers tangling in his hair as I pull him closer. The kiss deepens, and I can taste the wine on his tongue, the flavor mingling with the intoxicating essence that is purely Elio.

His hands roam my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I should stop this. I'm playing with fire, but I can't seem to find the strength to pull away.

Elio's lips trail down my neck, his teeth grazing my sensitive skin. I arch into his touch, a breathy moan escaping my lips. It's been so long since I've felt this way, so alive and desired. With Gabriel, intimacy is a chore, a duty to be fulfilled. But with Elio, it's electric, a connection that transcends the physical.

His hands slip beneath my shirt, covering my breast. The friction against my nipple sends waves of need through my body. I moan, and it’s like it opens the floodgates. All of a sudden, our hands are a flurry of activity as we try to get to each other’s skin.

“Fuck.” Elio tugs at his sleeve, unable to pull it off his arm because of the cuff link.

I glance at it and then him. “I bought you those.” They were nowhere nice enough for a rich businessman like him, but at the time, I’d spent all my allowance and side job earnings to buy them for him.

His smile is sweet. “I know.” He laughs. “How many times do I have to tell you that you’ve always been with me?”

If that is true, then why didn’t he stop his parents from sending my family away? I can’t ask the question, though, because his lips wrap around my nipple and all other thoughts fly away.

I gasp, holding him to me, needing to get closer… closer. Except we’re half naked on the couch in the living room where Elysse could find us if she got up for some reason. God, if she saw us and then told Gabriel… I don’t even want to think about what would happen.

I pull away, straightening my shirt as I prepare to tell him he needs to go.

“Piper.” Elio’s voice sounds desperate. “I want you, more than I've ever wanted anything in my life."