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That night, the two decided on watching a movie with the projector in the attic, ditching the mini cinema the villa had.

Maria had chosen to take a shower in hope that it would reduce the heat her body had been battling with the whole day. The moment she came upstairs, Leonardo could smell her strong, fragrant vanilla scent from her. Her feminine presence in itself made his eyes lift from the non-fiction book he was reading and were drawn to Maria.

Her short lace, black night dress was accompanied with a thin blanket that she pulled off her shoulders, already complaining about the heat as she captivated Leonardo's attention simply by walking. The dress showed off her figure. It wasn't the first time Maria had won a dress. Leonardo wasn't sure as to why his eyes were noticing things about her, he hadn't paid much attention to before. He had never been interested to a woman's body; Maria had somehow changed all of that.

He shifted his eyes back down at his book and slowly exhaled, feeling the heat rise in him, to calm his racing heart; he knew that he needed to remain level-headed before something unexpected happened like a few nights before. The words began to swirl across the page as he blinked multiple times, trying to remove the image of her in his head. He hated the fact that he was thinking of her in such a way.

Maria took in the vastness of the attic in awe, her eyes admired the grand, modern attic before her. She had never seen one like it; the mattress Leonardo was relaxed on, was sunk into the ground in the middle. There were beanbags, bookshelves, warm lamps and a large projector playing an old film on the wall before them. It was cozy, and she liked it.

She carefully made her way to the balcony, purposefully avoiding paying too much attention to it before the high at which they were both at would frighten her; she didn't want to think about her mother. The warm air entering the window gently below the curtains underneath, but it was useless. No cool air was circulating inwards from outside. It was too humid.

Maria closed the curtains, making only the low lights illuminate the room. She fanned with her hands her face, glancing at the electric fan and hoped it would cool the hot room better, angling it towards the mattress.

When she sat beside him with a sweet smile on her face saying, "this place is so nice. I've never seen an attic like this before," Leonardo took in the beauty of the woman. Her head turned to gaze at him, her deep eyes softly gazed at him, studying his face. They were full of life and bliss; they matched the warm smile she had on her appealing lips, coated with some kind of gloss. Her silky hair was long and hung over her bare shoulders. The heat had made her cheeks so rosy, she looked gorgeous. His lips parted as he gazed back at her, the grip her had on his book increasingly loosening as he found himself lost into her loveliness.

"Leo?"

He blinked and realised she was staring at him with wide eyes, her eyebrows raised. He hadn't replied in too long of a pause. Snapping back to reality, Leonardo awkwardly responded, "oh. Dante got it. It's actually his - the villa is his." She nodded, her eyes catching onto a good scene of the film.

Maria shuffled down and laid her head on Leonardo's chest, her arm wrapped around his waist as she watched the movie. "I'd like to see Dante again." She contemplated, thinking of the playful boy she had left behind all those years ago. "Hopefully he comes back soon."

Leonardo hummed in agreement but was struggling to reduce the stress impacting his heart. She was so close to him. He was glad the fan was at least providing some relief for both his physical and mental wellbeing. He managed to rest one hand on her slim shoulder, the other held the book up flimsily as he tried to find the sentence he had been re-reading multiple times.

The evening had decreased the heat the two had been battling with all day. But the attic still felt stifling hot. Maria closed her eyes for a few seconds, sighing. "So hot. ."

Leonardo adjusted his glasses and he managed to focus back onto the book for an hour, skim reading through pages.

Maria began to quietly hum a familiar song as she looked for another movie, hoping to find a good old series to rewatch. She settled on just playing some classical music, in hopes to relieve the tiredness the heat was bringing.

Sitting up, she struck a conversation with Leonardo. "How's the book?" She asked, attempting to read the dark cover of the book. Leonardo was reading about stars. He glanced up from the page before sighing and shutting the book, placing it onto the side. "It was good until it started talking about some research crap about love being written in the stars." He rolled his eyes while Maria narrowed her eyebrows at him as she sat up.

"Why'd you say it like that? Love is written in the stars."

Leonardo gave her a baffled look. "Don't tell me you believe in these stupid superstitions." Maria's look gave it all away. He shook his head at her, wondering how it was possible. "Oh, and fate exists?"

She blinked multiple times in shock. "Yes. Of course it does exist - look at us!"

He gave her a look of disbelief. "What an optimistic view on life."

Maria chuckled, it was typical of Leonardo. "What a pessimistic view on life," she shot back, about to move until he held onto her wrist, his innate strength, that he didn't know was so strong, pulling her down to him. Her eyes were wide as she fell, Maria's hand pressed against his shoulder to stop her from completely falling, surprising the both of them.

She chuckled again, finding his strength amusing. Maria leaned down towards his face, her soft hair slipping over her shoulder. She intently gazed at him as she countered, "I think our love is fate. From the way we met, to how we met each other once again. There is no way it's not."

Leonardo moved her hair over her ear gently, unfazed by her opinion. He maintained his stance, "you watch too many movies." His eyes dropped down to her lips and she caught him.

"You don't watch enough," she teasingly retorted before glancing down to his kissable lips. She slowly pulled off his glasses, tossing them to the side before cupping his cheek and tenderly connecting their lips. Leonardo's arm curled around her, bringing their bodies against each other as he melted against her soft lips, tasting her cherry sweet gloss.

Leonardo deeply kissed her, his large hand holding onto the back of her head gently. Butterflies spread across her stomach as her hand lowered to his chest, her warm palm rubbing delicately as she felt a sudden craving for him, the heat becoming stronger and stronger. She felt what was coming. It surprised her. Maria could sense it; an intense, immediate desire to have him.

They were slow, they were delicate, but they were passionate towards each other, their kisses strong and impactful, yet gentle and loving. She wanted more; her hands freely roamed across him, his chest, his abs, his arms. Her hands slipped under his shirt, feeling him. He was nervous; his heart was beating hard against her chest, against her. He wondered if she could feel his fear, his anxiety. Leonardo's hands felt restrained, he didn't know how to handle the overwhelming sensations her soft hands were making him experience. The tingles her fingers gave him whenever they slid against his skin made him shiver beneath her. He worried her hands would go lower and unveil feelings that threatened to break out.

Maria was still sat beside him on her knees and her back was beginning to hurt. She longed for his touch, his love but his hands stayed in all the wrong places, avoiding the places she needed the most. She questioned if he was feeling the same way as her.

His lips followed her as she pulled back, releasing the two of them. Their eyes locked and they breathlessly gazed at each other. The moment she saw his lust filled eyes, she realised his feelings. Her lips felt magnetised to his, she craved his. It was the most they had ever kissed. "Leonardo." He closed his eyes for a second and shuddered, feeling an unexpected twitch between his legs. It started. It was there, a simple call of his name from her low, beguiling voice, had unlocked the feelings he had been containing for too long.

He wiped his forehead, feeling the sweat begin to build. It was becoming increasingly warm in the room. Maria swallowed, glancing down at his lips again. She leaned in again, their lips gently touching as she pecked his. Her eyes were sharp, a spirited look beneath her long lashes were cast upon him. Maria could see through the windows of his soul. She recognised his fear. She held onto his shoulders and strictly questioned, "are you scared?"

His chest was burning from the stress. She was so close to him that his eyes dropped down to her revealing cleavage before meeting hers again. He practically gulped, his hands slipping off her. Maria alluringly licked her lips, the action automatically catching his eyes. He felt the intense pressure coming from below. She flicked her hair over her shoulder, her hand stealthily making its to his thigh and squeezed. He stiffened, unable to reduce his want for her. He felt weak before her.

Maria tilted her head to the side, her fingers slowly trailing up his thigh as she spoke. "I think. .you want me." He couldn't rip his eyes away from her captivating grey ones, intensely gazing down at him. His breaths grew quicker, his chest tightening as his face turned to crimson. A seductive smirk grew on her face. "You're aching for me, aren't you, Leonardo?" He shakily let out a breath, unable to move, the desire within him was becoming too much to keep in.

She drew circles around the inside of his thigh. "Why are you so shy, Leo?" Maria taunted, "mi amore {my love}." She pushed a button, his eyebrows narrowed just as her hand quickly slid upwards, close to reaching his most vulnerable area. He grabbed her hand, her wide eyes darted up to match his. She knew, Leonardo thought. She didn't even have to look to know his lust was there, waiting for her. He held onto her hand, restricting it from teasing him any further. She laughed, pulling him closer to her so their faces were directly in front of each other. "I understand that you're not used to this."

"I could make it all go away, Leo," she sexily suggested, her hand sliding up his chest and onto his shoulders, a tempting, mesmerising look in her grey eyes. He struggled to maintain his composure before her, his breaths getting caught inside. Leonardo had never been at the mercy of a woman before. "All of it. ." She innocently whispered, her lips looking ever so soft and appealing. Maria thought about it - taking advantage of his flustered state and giving him the evening of his life but she recognised her true desire that night.

"But I don't want to." His eyes blinked in confusion at her sudden change of tone. She squeezed his large shoulders. A part of her wanted to dominate the great Don that night but the better half wanted him to take over. "I want you to show me something."

"Your love."

Her hand made its way to his cheek, caressing it lightly, the tingles spreading to his face. "Can you?" Her fiery, expectant eyes left him speechless, Leonardo fought to keep alert and focused, trying not let his unfamiliar emotions stupefy him. Her hand escaped down to his thigh again, reached dangerously close to his crotch and clutched his thigh. An unintended, unconscious grunt released itself from Leonardo, his body burning up with heat from her, unable to not react.

"Sono pazzo di te {I'm crazy for you}." Leonardo had finally managed to utter a sentence. He was breathless, the swirling feeling in his abdomen reaching his lower body. His mind was all over the place, he couldn't think of anything but her. Her breath hitched, their faces close together. "Ti amo e ho bisogno di te {I love you and I need you}." The ardent concupiscence for her was all he could feel, his body was unable to stop craving her, the twinging was bothering him.

"Allora sono tuo {then I'm yours}," she enchantingly whispered, releasing her hand. Her angel like eyes mesmerised him, drawing him to her.

He had enough of her tantalising words, his passion taking over his hesitation, pushing him to snake his arms around her body and move her underneath him. She sharply inhaled in surprise, unable to let out a breath, it was shared between them as his lips dominated hers, his intense, surplus ecstasy for Maria taking over. Her sweaty hands clutched onto his shirt, the heat building between them as the sweat ran down his back, urging him to want to take it off.

She felt the hot blood rising to her cheeks at his touch. He lifted her hands off his shoulders and pressed her hands against the mattress either side of her. Their fingers slowly interlaced with each other, his hands gently squeezing hers as they shared a languid, heated kiss. She moaned into his mouth, her stomach tightening as the butterflies fluttered lower and lower, a burning need for his touch developing more and more between her legs.

Her head leaned backwards while strained breaths left her. His lips escaped from hers and planted continuous warm kisses down her chin, tightening his hold on her hands as she tried to break free. Maria let out gentle exhalation of delight as he sucked onto her neck, her sweet scent filling his nostrils. Leonardo was intoxicated in her, unable to stop himself from kissing, sucking, nibbling into her smooth skin. He bit into her soft skin lightly, a restrained groan coming from her then he pulled away, gazing into her entrancing eyes.

She had completely yielded to him - to his love.

Leonardo's warm hands slid down her hips to her bare thighs, the feeling of his electric touch making her legs shiver. Maria provided him access to be between her legs and bit her lip, unconsciously trying to keep in any upcoming noises. Leonardo grabbed her thighs, then yanked them to him, their lower halfs slammed against each other, a feeble sound of pleasure came from her at the prickling sensation he had provided her with from fully being on top. Her legs hugged his sides as his hands slid up her smooth skin, under her dress, over her hips, squeezing them. They explored her body as his lips delicately dropped his love across her.

Maria's fingers unbuttoned his shirt and when it was off, the fan immediately cooled the heat building on his back. Her hands brushed over his bare skin, over his shoulders, over his warm, large chest. She allowed herself to relax fully beneath him, slipping out sweet sounding sighs and gentle gasps of relish at his touch.

He worshiped her naked body, appreciating the beauty before him. Maria didn't have to tell him what to do; both needs were being met and fulfilled in all aspects. She was thankful he realised Amalia didn't need a sibling in that moment and picked up what Orion had left behind for them.

Leonardo could feel the throbbing, the constant reminder his body kept signalling. Her core yearned for him, completely soaked, just for Leonardo. When the anticipation and excitement had reached its limit, the two shared a sensual, intimate and romantic bond together that was perfect. They took it slow. It wasn't rough, it didn't hurt, it soothed them. They were vulnerable and humble before each other, their passion was tender and delicate but strong and powerful. It was the first time they had actually experienced that kind of love. Nothing was more special.

Their beautiful sounds of satisfaction, their moans, their sweet nothings filled with attic, the windows steamed and the immense heat somehow became bearable.

When time had flown by and the highs of their heightened desire had decreased, the two laid facing each other on the hot mattress, a white, thin sheet covering their nudity.

The hot shivers and tightenings of their bodies had ceased. The room was in peace and solace. Fully relaxed, they gazed into each other's eyes as Leonardo's hand caressed her soft cheek, the redness going away. The other hand held her close around her thin waist, rubbing her back gently.

"You look tired, beautiful," Leonardo quietly mentioned huskily, admiring the celestial being before him. Maria warmly smiled, her chest deeply rising and falling.

"Of course I am, mi amore," she weakly chuckled, her eyes closing for a few seconds before opening. "Goodnight, Leo," she murmured before snuggling against him.

His thumb continued to rub her cheek and her eyes closed shut as her face relaxed. Maria's mouth slightly opened and her breaths deepened, the tiredness took over. Leonardo sighed, kissing her forehead and tried to get some sleep too.

It was only two hours later when Leonardo's phone vibrated loud enough to wake him up. His hand swiftly reached out and picked up the phone not too far away and answered without looking at the caller ID, his eyes darting down to look at Maria, hoping she wouldn't wake up.
She was sound asleep before him.

"The new club is in flames. Luis' people are causing problems."

"What?" Leonardo lifted himself slightly with his arm, glancing down again at her as he tried to lower the fury in his voice. "The shipment?"

Vincenzo urgently continued, "gone. The police are sniffing around too. You need to get on a plane back."

He let out a breath of frustration. Leonardo rubbed his eyes as he swallowed down his anger. "I got it. Sort it. If I come there and Luis isn't captured, heads will be fucking rolling. I have no considerations for sympathy. Do your job, Vincenzo."

"Lo faccio sempre, fratello maggiore {I always do, big brother}."

When the call ended, Leonardo was fuming. He clenched his jaw, seething at the thought of the Spanish. He buried his head in his hand momentarily as he sighed.

Leonardo laid down once again in front of Maria, placing his hand on her bare shoulder. Her arm was around him, her face buried in his chest. Her bare body was against his, warm and comfortable. Maria perfectly fit against him. She looked so seraphic before him, irresistibly divine as she slept.

Maria would wake up without him, he thought. Disappointment and guilt began to already hurt him.

He didn't want to leave her. He almost couldn't leave her.

But there was something he could never forget - Leonardo was the Don of one of the world's most notorious mafias.

Love would have to wait.

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~ Author's Note ~

Well the two of them have definitely have taken a step closer to each other in the attic!

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I am a little worried about NEPENTHE and how it's being received. Is this story going well? Any feedback is much appreciated :)

Thanks for reading!

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