When they finally got back from their Shopping, Elodie retreated to her room to rest her aching legs while Hana saw to it that the bags were brought up into her room and stored away in the closet.

Elodie watched all these from her position on the bed, musing about how she became someone whom people waited on all of a sudden.

Angelo was still not back from his meeting—something told her he went to meet with Vasily.

She was pissed that she hadn't been able to ganer much information about the meeting because of just how out of it she'd been yesterday.

Her phone began to trill from the confines of her purse, which was on the bed beside her. Elodie reached for it, and smiled softly when she saw that it was Jean.

"Hey," Elodie said, infusing warmth and relief into her voice. "You must have gotten my message."

Jean's chuckles were soft. "Of course. I know worried you'd be if I didn't call back."

"You know me so well." She also let a small laugh loose. "So, how's he doing?"

"Good," Jean said. "He's been responding to treatment very well."

"Oh."

"Your landlord dropped by this morning, too." There was a soft rustling sound, then the sound of crinkling paper. "He left an envelope for you."

Elodie rolled onto her stomach, frowning. "What did he want?"

"I haven't opened it yet. But he was smiling so I think you're all good."

"Hmm," she hummed. "Jean, thank you for doing this."

Jean scoffed. "Girl, don't make me angry. It's no bother for me I've told you times without number. I don't mind. Besides, Mace's so sweet. He listens to me when I read to him and only goes to sleep when we've finished a chapter."

The news perked Elodie right up, and tears filled her eyes."Really?"

"Yeah." She sniffed as though she too was crying. "We're reading this really good sapphic romance novel. Although it's more of a prose, actually."

"I'm glad," Elodie said, wiping a hand under her eyes. "He always said he wants to write books and become a literary genius if he grew up."

There was a pause as each woman fought to get their emotions back in check. After a while, Jean broke the silence.

"Enough of these emotions," Jean said with a laugh. "So, how's it going? Are you having fun? Is the job all you hoped for? What experience have you gained?"

Oh, right, E2 grinned evily. The job.

Elodie rolled her eyes at the unwanted thought.

It was true she'd told Jean her boss wanted them to go for a paid two week training course in London and made sure to lay it on thickly for her.

Elodie felt a bit bad for lying to her. "Fine. It-it's fine. And I've gained...a lot."

"And the men? I've always thought English men were hot. Have you met any?"

There was no way she'd be able to give Jean the gifts she bought if she said she hadn't met any men. Elodie was hardly in a position to go around purchasing expensive gifts when she was on a training course.

So she said, "Believe it or not, Jean, but I've met a rich sugar daddy."

Jean's gasp of disbelief was loud. "Really? You're not pulling my legs are you?"

Elodie giggled, kicking her legs up behind her. "I'm not. I went shopping today with my assistant. Her name's Hana."

The other woman gasped again. "You bitch! I'm so jealous. I think I'll be moving to London soon."

"It isn't raining billionaires here you know," Elodie said. "But, guess what?"

"What?" Her tone dripped with anticipation.

"I got you lots of gift. I even got a perfume customized for us."

Jean's happy squeal was infectious and Elodie rolled onto her back laughing, too. "I love you so much, El. So, so much. Hurry and return, okay?"

Elodie started to answer as her gaze trailed over to the door. The words died on her tongue when she saw that she was no longer alone.

"Don't stop on my account," Angelo said, making himself comfortable against the door frame; crossing his arms across his chest and one leg over the other at the ankles.

Was he wearing...

Elodie squinted at him and, sure enough, it became clear that he was wearing some type of leggings thing that molded to his thick thighs and cupped his package so right that her throat went dry.

Later, she would note that he was also wearing a army-green loose round neck shirt and was barefoot.

But for now, her eyes lingered on just how right his wet hair fell across his brow, the delicious curl to his lips and the general pheromone wafting off him and pushing down her throat.

"El? El? Elodie?!" Jean was yelling into her ears.

Elodie held the phone away from her ear, wincing. "Sorry Jean, I've got to go now."

"Oh," she managed to sound disappointed. "Okay. But call soon, okay?"

"Okay. Thank you so much."

"Bleh."

Elodie barely registered the dial tone as she dropped the phone beside her on the bed and pushed onto her knees. "Hey," she said softly.

"Hey, yourself." Angelo remained at the door, but his eyes consumed her whole. "How's your body? Still sore?"

"A bit," she admitted, recalling his warning about honesty. "Hana and I just returned from shopping. She said you gave her no limit. It's much, though. And I don't feel comfortable taking that much from you."

He cocked his head slightly, that small smile still on his face. "Returning a gift after it's been given to you would be an insult to me, I hope you know that."

Elodie nodded. "Which is the only reason I didn't decline when she offered to buy me bags worth five thousand pounds." She swipped her tongue over her lower lip and was gratified when his eyes followed the move. "Where did you go?"

"I had a meeting to attend."

There was no way to ask about it without coming off suspicious right?

Elodie was distracted when Angelo left his place at the door to stalk over to where she was kneeling in the middle of the bed.

She gasped when he suddenly lunged, grabbing her around the waist and taking her down with him to the bed.

They both bounced a few times before settling. Elodie pressed a hand to his chest, wide eyes staring into golden ones.

"I couldn't stop replaying how right you felt under me last night and how sweet your moans were," he whispered, leaning down to press his lips to the tip of her nose.

Elodie's eyes fluttered shut, lips puckered on anticipation of the kiss, and was startled into opening them when she felt his lips brush her nose.

Angelo's chuckle was low and filled with heat. "You want me to kiss you, don't you?"

A flush climbed up into her cheeks. "Y-yes." Her tongue darted out to lick her lower lips again.

Golden eyes darkened into that familiar look she was beginning to associate with his arousal now. "Stick out your tongue."

Elodie parted her lips slowly, then poked out her tongue, heart thumping loudly.

She barely had enough time to wonder about what he wanted to do when he leaned down to suck her tongue into his mouth.

A moan left her already opened lips and her eyes fluttered shut when he sucked deeper, making lewd sucking sounds that shouldn't make fire race down her spine.

Angelo's groan meddled with hers, and he closed the gap between them, taking her lips in a deep kiss that made her toes curl.

She grabbed a fistful of his shirt, angling her head to give just as good as she got.

Angelo's hand disappeared under her dress. He teased the edge of her panties with his fingers, inducing a full body shiver from Elodie.

Just as he pulled the elastic back enough for two fingers to dip into the soaking wet mound, someone cleared their throat loudly.

Elodie's ardor cooled immediately, and she pushed against Angelo's chest to get him off.

This was the second time someone was catching them in a compromising position. How would they ever respect her if they found her with her panties down each time?

Angelo's brows were furrowed, and he refused to budge, keeping his fingers inside her panties, even as he turned to look over his shoulders.

"Sorry to interrupt you, Mr. Casieri," Hana said, not sounding in the least sorry. "The room you asked for is ready."

"Give us five minutes, Hana." He didn't wait to see if she'd done as he asked before turning his wrinkled brows at her. "What was that about?"

"It's embarrassing being caught like this with you," she told him.

Elodie was surprised when he got off of her instantly, taking his warm fingers and lips with him.

She could tell that she'd offended him with her words because all traces of playfulness was gone from his expression, and in its stead was a frown.

"You told me to take you to a meeting with you." It wasn't a question.

Elodie shivered from how cold his words were as she sat up, pushing down the hem of her dress.

Seeing just how quick he could turn off his emotions displeased her greatly. She wished she could do the same, too. So he wouldn't see just how much he affected her.

"Yes," she replied nonetheless.

"Hana would assist you with your clothes change and bring you to me when you're done."

Her body was still thrumming from the excitement of their kiss when Hana appeared a few minutes after his departure.

"Where are we going?" Elodie questioned after changing into the clothes Hana had given her: dark loose joggers and stretchy blue t-shirt, and thick, thermal socks instead of shoes.

"I was told not to disclose that," Hana murmured.

Elodie kept quiet as they walked down the stairs and onto the first floor. Then, she was led down the hall behind the stairs, past several doors, and finally to a polished dark wood door without any handle.

The door was already opened.

Bright fluorescent lights lit up the room. The room was empty save for a large wall of mirrors at the northern end of the room, and blue and red matted floors. The walls that weren't covered with mirrors was painted an off-white color, and decorated with words like 'integrity' and 'work hard'. There were also several motivational posters plastered to the wall.

A water dispenser was also present along with several disposable cups.

In the middle of the room stood Angelo. His palms were cupped around his hips and his eyes were already on her.

Elodie's heart sped up as she came to a stop in front of him. Her libido began to stir when she remembered what they'd been doing before now.

Angelo's knowing gaze highlighted on her face, but he pretended as though he didn't hear the way her breath hitch when he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"If you are to accompany me to any of my meetings, then I want you prepared for anything," he began, "I would be too busy to worry about you and I don't want your death on my conscience."

Her mind stopped conjuring dirty images when she registered his words.

E2 snorted.

Oh, it was good to know that he was only doing this for himself and not her. But what did she expect, a love declaration just because they fucked?

"So, I'll just teach you the basics of self-defence, nothing too complex."

It was now she knew why he'd asked if she was sore earlier.

"Just follow my instructions, okay?"

"Okay," she agreed.

Angelo released her and took a few steps backwards from her. "You'll be targeting my knee, groin and head, since those are more difficult to block."

Elodie nodded.

"Okay, first, form a fist with both hands," he instructed.

Elodie raised both hands in front of her andd curled her hands into a fist, but pushed her thumb in between her folded fingers.

Angelo frowned when he saw this. "That would injure you more than your attacker."

She raised a brow as she examined her fist.

"Watch me," he said.

Elodie watched with rapt attention as he brought both fist forward so that she could see clearly. Angelo tightly curled his four fingers before wrapping his thumb around them from outside.

She mirrored his move and showed him. "Like this?"

"Good," he praised and smirked when she grinned openly. "Now, for your stance, push your right foot forward and raise your fist." He got into that position himself.

Elodie copied him, and it took some maneuvering before she found her footing. "What now?"

Angelo closed the distance between them, circled her once to inspect her stance, and when he was satisfied, he stopped in front of her, hands folded behind him. "Punch me."

Her eyes blew wide. "W-what?"

"Hit me hard in the mouth."

Elodie drew her fist back and let it fly.

Angelo didn't blink once even as she landed the blow. Instead, his lips curled up into mocking smile. "You punch like a girl."

Her mouth twisted into an angry frown. "That's insulting."

"Oh yeah?" He taunted. "Then, punch me like you mean—"

Elodie had the satisfaction of watching his head snap backwards at the unexpected blow.

His eyes were blazing when they met hers again. There was a bleeding cut on the spot she'd hit him now, and he licked it with a savage grin.

"Not bad," he said. "But you can do better. Now, hit me like you mean it."

Elodie drew back her left hand and
went to do just that he blocked it by raising both of his own hands in front of his face and her fist glanced off his elbow. She rocked back as pain bloomed on her knuckles.

Angelo dropped his hands with a feral grin. "You didn't think I'd let you hit me again, did you?"

"Can you blame me?" She shrugged, shaking out her hand. "Your face looks so punchable."

She wanted to offend him, but he only shook his head and said, "That's our third lesson. Blocking a attack by bending your hands at the elbow and holding it tightly to your body to protect your ribs and face."

Elodie didn't want to burst his bubble by letting him know that Boss had given all her Angels enough lessons to defend themselves should the need arise. He looked so pleased with himself.

"Now, let's—oouf!" Angelo rocked back on his heels, hand flying to his left rib.

Her smile was pure evil. "You mean like that?"

Angelo narrowed his eyes. "So, you want to fight dirty uh?"

Elodie blinked innocently. "I thought we were learning?"

She was ready when he came at her, and she managed to deflect a blow to her face by dropping onto her knees.

Elodie threw out her leg in a wide arc and winced when she connected with the flesh of his leg, but she managed to sweep him off his feet.

"Fuck," he cursed when his back hit the floor.

She did not waste time and straddled him before he could recover. "I punch like a girl, huh? I guess this girl just bested you."

"You think?" His smile was cocky.

"I'm not the one laying on the floor."

"Well, then..." In a move so quick that it knocked out her breath, Elodie found herself on the floor, gazing up at Angelo who was now straddling her. "The rides have turned."

"Don't get cocky now," she warned.

Elodie drew up her knees, aiming for his groin, but he shifted in time and the hit glance off his inner thighs instead.

"I knew you'd do that," he said, laughing so openly that Elodie forgot that she was trying to escape.

While his laugh wouldn't win him any sexy or perfect contest, it was warm and enveloping. It made the lines in his face fade, and lit up his eyes; turning them into a molten golden color.

Angelo's laughter faded when he saw just how kneely she'd been looking at him. "Stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?" She asked, eyes going soft despite her best wishes.

In this moment, he didn't remind her of a killer she was trying to bring under justice or of his callous nature. He looked so human: open expression, soft body language and so playful.

Elodie liked him in this moment.

She'd go back to hating him when they walked out of here, but for now, she let him see her.

"Like you want me to fuck your juicy mouth until you're filled with my cum and the taste of me."

His filthy words struck a chord in her, and Elodie arched her back, hands remaining on the floor beside her. "What if I tell you that I want you to do it, sir?"

A growl rumbled in his expansive chest, and Angelo closed his eyes, his nostrils flaring as he tilted his head back. "Fuck," he muttered. "Say that again."

"Sir."

He opened his eyes, looking at her underneath his lashes. "You really want me to fuck you?"

She fluttered her lashes, drunk on her own lust as her panties flooded with her want. "Yes, please."

"So, so polite," he said, slipping his index finger past her lips and into the cavern of her hot mouth.

Elodie closed her mouth around the digit and sucked deeply, pleased when he unleashed another growl.

His hard cock pressed into the soft flesh of her stomach, and he shifted a bit off her, taking a deep breath. "You look so good like this. Sucking on my thumb like a fucking popsicle."

Elodie moaned and sucked harder.

The weight around her middle shifted and the thumb in her mouth retreated.

Confused and dazed, Elodie opened her eyes and saw that Angelo had crossed to the other side of the room, back turned to her.

Her chest heaved as cool air washed over her heated skin. "W-why...?"

"Our lesson isn't over," he said over his shoulder, still keeping his back turned to her. "Hana's waiting for you in your room. She knows what to do."

"Bastard," she said under her breath, but the way his shoulders tensed told her he'd heard.

Elodie got up and walked out without another glance at him.

*

A/N:

Elodie cursing Angelo and him not reacting surprised me too, but knowing him, he'd probably find another way to punish her, wouldn't he? ;-)

So, what do we think?

How many of you expected him to teach her self-defence?

Do you think Elodie's walls are already crumbling with just how she's allowing him treat her?

What do you think of her lust for him and his rebuttal?

Why do you think he's training her?

Did he really meet with Vasily?

Please share your thoughts in the comment section, and don't forget to vote and share🖤🖤🖤🖤