Breaking Restraint

Luca carried Bella effortlessly through the dimly lit hallway, each step precise, measured, yet the subtle tension in his jaw and the slight tightening of his hands at her waist betrayed him.

“I hope you don’t drive me crazy when bullets are flying,” he muttered, low and rough, voice tight with restraint. “I’d never survive losing focus like this.”

Bella pressed a soft, teasing kiss just below his ear, fingertips tracing the line of his neck. “You don’t have to be perfect,” she whispered. “Just… let yourself feel it. Just for me.”

His chest tightened at her words, breath hitching slightly, but he didn’t answer. Not yet. Every shadowed corner of the hallway seemed to press closer as they moved, the polished floor reflecting their passing. Guards patrolled with casual precision, glancing at them but pretending nothing was out of the ordinary. Their presence tethered Bella, just a little, reminding her restraint was prudent.

“Luca,” she whispered, slightly breathless, “I… I can’t.”

“I know,” he replied, voice low, rough, almost trembling but controlled. “Hold on a little longer.”

The hallway was heavy with quiet, their steps and her shallow breaths filling the space. Bella felt his body tense, barely holding back the impulse to crush her to him, to surrender fully. It excited her.

When Luca turned a corner and saw the guards remaining in place, eyes deliberately not on them, he pressed her slightly closer, hands resting lightly at her waist. “Almost there,” he murmured. “Then you’ll be mine. Only then can we give in completely.”

Bella closed her eyes briefly, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. Her hands slid over his body, disregarding boundaries. Luca drew a slow breath, pressing her to him, each step calculated to maintain control.

Finally, they reached his suite. He paused at the door, dangerous gleam in his eyes. “We’re safe here,” he said, low. “But if you keep teasing me like that… I won’t be able to control myself, not even for a second.”

Bella looked into his eyes, heart racing, yet stood her ground. Luca inhaled slowly, tension almost tangible. Every impulse was his now—but he would wait, just a little longer.

The coded lock clicked open, and Luca pushed the main door. Warm light spilled across polished floors and dark wood. The door closed with quiet finality, muting the outside world.

For a moment, he didn’t move. Bella was still in his arms, suspended, breath warm against his throat. Luca rested his forehead briefly against hers and exhaled slow and controlled, forcing the fire back into order.

“Luca,” she murmured, sensing how tight his restraint had become. “You’re barely holding on.”

His jaw flexed. “Exactly why I’m not moving yet.”

He set her down carefully, hands lingering at her waist. Just enough to remind them both that control still belonged to him. Bella didn’t step back.

They stopped in front of the bedroom. Luca paused, hand still wrapped around hers. His thumb brushed her knuckles, grounding himself as much as her. Lips near her ear, voice low and dangerous:

“Once I open this door,” he whispered, “I stop pretending I’m in control.”

Bella leaned in, brushing her lips against his jaw. “Then stop pretending.”

“You have no idea what you’re doing to me,” he murmured, hands lingering on her waist. Restraint thinning.

Bella kissed his neck softly. “Don’t hold back,” she whispered. “I want you.”

“You’re dangerous,” he said, pressing a light kiss to her jaw. “I don’t know how I’d survive losing control if we were in a real shootout…”

Her laugh was soft, teasing, brushing his ear. “You have no idea what you’re doing to me.”

Bella tilted her head, lips along his neck. “Then stop holding back.”

He guided her gently, turning her until her back was to him. Hands returned to her hips, thumbs brushing bare skin. His lips found the curve of her neck, just behind her ear. Not rushed. Not gentle either.

Bella closed her eyes, forcing herself to stay still, focus on breathing. His lips traced a maddening line along her neck. One hand slid down her arm, fingers lacing briefly with hers, anchoring her.

“You’re shaking,” he murmured.

“I’m fine,” she lied.

“Liar,” he breathed.

He drew back just enough to steer her to the bed. Forehead briefly against hers, eyes dark, storming.

Bella pressed lips near his neck. “Luca… don’t hold back,” she whispered, trembling. “I want all of you… right now.”

The words hit him like fire. His jaw tightened, fingers curling involuntarily at her hips. Every inch of restraint shattered.

Her hands threaded into his hair, tugging him closer, lips brushing his neck. The subtle weight of her body against his, the heat, the audacity of her whisper—he couldn’t resist.

She shivered against him, lips pressing in a final, teasing challenge—and that was it. The last thread holding him back snapped. His hands gripped her fully now, framing, pulling her impossibly close, letting every ounce of desire and surrender flow.

Her voice trembled, soft and breathless. “Luca…”

The sound hit him like fire. Her name spilled from her lips like surrender, and he answered immediately, a low, ragged whisper of her name, shivering against her. Foreheads pressed together, hearts pounding in unison—the last of their control gone.

Bella pressed against him again, trembling, lips seeking his, each kiss deeper, hungrier. Luca’s hands moved over her back, sliding along her spine, tracing, grounding, claiming. His lips followed hers, slow, insistent, tasting, marking, letting each moment stretch between them.

She let out a quiet breathy sigh, almost a moan, pressing into him. His fingers tightened in her hair, holding her head, tilting it slightly as he captured her lips again. Her hands explored his chest, tracing the taut planes of muscle, feeling the tension and heat coiled beneath his skin.

“I’m… yours,” she whispered against his lips, shivering as her body pressed fully against his.

“And you’re mine,” he replied, voice rough, low, nearly broken, lips moving along hers in a slow, demanding rhythm.

Her fingers threaded through his hair, tugging him closer. Each kiss, each soft exhale, made him shiver, losing another fragment of restraint. His hands roamed lower, brushing along her back, lingering on her hips, memorizing her weight and warmth.

A small gasp escaped her throat as she pressed against him, the edge of control slipping. Instantly, his hand came to cover her mouth, steadying her, silencing the sound—but not stopping the storm. His other hand pressed along her back, pulling her impossibly close.

“Shh…” he murmured, low, rough, desperate. “Not yet.”

Her fingers dug into his shoulders, anchoring herself as he trembled slightly against her. One slow, deliberate brush of lips along her neck, and Luca’s careful composure shattered entirely.

“Bella…” he whispered, voice raw, unrestrained, the name slipping out like a confession.

She pressed instinctively against him, soft exhale brushing his hand. “Luca…”

They held each other, lips barely brushing, breaths mingling, the world beyond the suite ceasing. Each kiss, lingering touch, soft sigh, spoke more than words ever could.

Bella’s chest rose and fell with his, heartbeat matching his, heat and pulse intertwining. Luca framed her face with his hands, guiding her surrender, letting himself finally give in.

Her lips pressed against his again, longer this time, soft then insistent, a rhythm building between them. Fingers threaded through hair, along jaw, neck, shoulders. Each touch a silent declaration, each press of lips a wordless claim.

Their hearts pounded in tandem, breaths mingling, bodies close enough to feel every inch of warmth and shiver. Every exhale, every whispered breath, every quiet, soft moan tethered them tighter.

Finally, they broke just enough to gasp, foreheads pressed together, hearts pounding in unison. Luca’s dark eyes softened, a mixture of pride, relief, and quiet satisfaction shining through—the storm had passed, leaving only the warmth and certainty of each other.

“You’re mine,” he murmured, low, hoarse.

“I’m yours,” she whispered back, chest heaving, pressing into him. “And you’re mine.”

A slow, satisfied smile tugged at Luca’s lips, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Forever,” he murmured.

They sank into the sheets, bodies entwined, hearts racing and slowing in tandem. Soft sighs, gentle touches, lingering kisses—each one threaded with quiet satisfaction. Luca inhaled her scent, memorizing every inch, then opened his eyes to find her watching, smiling softly, mischief and warmth in her gaze.

He returned the smile, slow, tender, victorious in a quiet way. They lay together, breaths mingling, the storm of desire passed, leaving only heat, intimacy, and certainty. Words weren’t needed—just heartbeats, soft touches, whispers, and lingering kisses.

In that suspended aftermath, they simply existed—together, fully, irrevocably, wholly theirs.