UNHOLY DESIRE

DEIRDRE

“You know, that guy over there is the real deal.” Leslie groaned, leaning into me.

I turned to look at who she was referring to, and my eyes locked on Matteo.

He was sitting with Vittorio; both had a plate of porridge in front of them.

It wasn’t the porridge that was making Leslie and other women around ogling him; it was the manner at which he was eating and swallowing each bite.

After scooping the porridge, he brought it to his lips, closed his mouth around the spoon, and shut his eyes as though the porridge was the best thing he ever had.

As if that wasn’t enough, he had licked the spoon. He had fucking licked the spoon!

It should disgust me and, oh, very much inappropriate as I had seen some teenagers around; even though I wondered what they might be doing here, it turned me on.

My pussy dampened as Matteo winked at me, and his lips curved up in a crooked smile.

Fuck!

He was doing it on purpose. He definitely was.

“You are looking at him way too much, Deirdre,” Leslie said.

“Is there a rule against it?” I asked her.

“No, but then, he seemed off-limits. How long have you known him?”

I hadn’t told Leslie I was with Matteo, and I definitely didn’t intend to go about telling people that, even though Matteo had introduced me to Larry as his wife.

“Best friend, do not keep secrets from each other.” She nudged me.

Inwardly, I scoffed at her mention of us being best friend.

“Not long ago,” I said, hoping she would stop asking me further questions about him.

“And?” Leslie raised a pierced brow.

“And nothing,” I said, earning a groan from her.

“You’re no fun, Deirdre.” She muttered.

I shrugged, glancing back at the table Matteo had sat with Vittorio; both weren’t there anymore.

“Where did he go?” I mused, turning back to Leslie.

“That’s not important. I want to show you some of my collections.” She said, gripping my hand and pulling me before I could protest.

Leslie led me away from the condo to a dome-like structure. Flowers of every imaginable color adorned the entrance.

She gestured for me to enter, and as I stepped inside, the air became filled with a delicate fragrance.

Vines cascaded from the ceiling, forming natural curtains that swayed gently in the artificial breeze. In the center, a mesmerizing fountain sprayed water into the air.

Awed, I gawped.

“Welcome to the Leslie Haven, best friend.” Leslie grinned.

“How do you do this, and for how long?” I inquired. My nostrils flared with the various scents of flowers assaulting them.

“It’s been three years,” she replied.

“Three years?” My eyes widened. Knowing Leslie and the others weren’t fresh arrivals on the island and considering the established buildings, I hadn’t delved into personal questions earlier.

“Yes, three years here,” she affirmed.

Suddenly, I didn’t want to hear more. Learning more might mean no escape, and I doubted anyone would willingly stay in a place like this with better options out there.

“We had chances to escape but didn’t. Also, this place is off the radar, so no rescue team is coming unless you plan it yourself,” Leslie explained.

“Why didn’t you leave?” I asked.

“I like it here,” she shrugged, inhaling the scent of a rose.

I believed she was being evasive. She didn’t want to tell me the reason she didn’t want to return to her world, and I wouldn’t press her to do so as well.

We stayed a bit longer, hearing about their shipwreck and arrival on the island. Despite the differences, our stories were surprisingly alike.

In the evening, Leslie and I left the Leslie Haven, and outside, I encountered Matteo with a frown on his face.

“What’s the matter?” I asked, stepping closer.

“Who did you come here to meet?” Matteo questioned.

“This is one reason I left you. Stop suffocating me. Don’t stalk me or ask about where or with whom I’ve been. I’m an adult and mature enough to know right from wrong,” I scowled up at him.

“Not when dangerous men are running around, Deirdre,” he said, undisturbed.

Ignoring him, I headed back towards the direction of the condo.

Though Matteo claimed to be protecting me, his overly suspicious nature about my interactions with other men felt stifling. Despite his own history with several women, I had never suspected him, never questioned him about them.

“Hey,” I halted at the entrance, turning back to Leslie.

“Come to the bonfire tomorrow. It’s always amazing-good drinks, music, and more. You get to go to the beachside,” she insisted.

“Okay,” I nodded, realizing I didn’t have much of a choice. She’d likely drag me out anyway.

“Cool, best friend!” Leslie squealed, pulling me into a tight hug. I resisted the urge to push her away as I noticed Matteo watching.

Once free, I entered the room, slamming the door shut. Sighing, I plopped on the bed, glancing at the ceiling’s moon, stars, and sun design, reminiscent of Kendell’s room.

The door opened, but I didn’t bother looking as I knew who it was.

“I shouldn’t have asked you what I did earlier,” Matteo said. His voice was low as he began to strip.

I knew I shouldn’t look, should avert my gaze, but it felt like I had lost control of my senses as I couldn’t help but ogle him-strong thighs, toned muscles, and a well-sculpted ass.

I was captivated, my cheeks burning as I clamped my thighs, feeling a response from just seeing Matteo’s body. I licked my lower lip.

“You know, you shouldn’t stare at someone in such a perverted manner, Deirdre,” he murmured.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

I quickly averted my gaze. “I wasn’t even staring at you.”

“I don’t need to see your eyes on me to know you were,” he smirked.

“I didn’t.”

For a moment, he stood there naked, showcasing his smooth stomach, muscled arms, and a substantial erection that demanded attention.

I couldn’t tear my gaze away.

Matteo walked towards the edge of the bed, crawling underneath the covers. “You can lie on top if you want,” he offered.

I hesitated and then shook my head. There were only two places I’d rather- one was on top of him, and the other was right beside him, feeling his kisses on my neck and his nibbles on my skin.

But no, I would rather not. I didn’t want to go down that part with him yet.

“It’s cold, get under the duvet,” he said.

After a few moments, I heard Matteo shuffle next to me. I waited until he was comfortably settled and moved close.

There was a small gap between us, and when he reached forward, placing his fingers on the top of mine, I froze for a second. He was too close for comfort. He didn’t pull away; instead, his fingertips trailed lightly across the skin of my wrist.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to do anything you wouldn’t want me to do,” he whispered, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine.

“But you shouldn’t be touching me,” I managed to say.

“I shouldn’t.” Matteo huffed softly, shifting away from me. When he spoke again, he was facing the wall, creating a sudden distance that left me with a sense of disappointment.

I guess it was better that way. I dragged in a breath, closing my eyes and forcing myself to sleep, which eventually worked after a while.