Daniel’s POV
After our passionate encounter, I watched my little one compose herself and settle back in her seat. What was this woman doing to me? I was utterly done for, hopelessly addicted to her. We were parked on the shoulder of a deserted road outside the city limits, far from the watchful eyes of both our families and the jurisdiction I patrolled. It took several moments before my brain started functioning properly again.
"I should make you ride me right here and now," I said, studying her face and trying to decipher what was happening in that mysterious mind of hers. "What’s come over you? Don’t misunderstand me—I’m not complaining in the slightest. Feel free to surprise me like this anytime, but that was incredibly bold, especially considering you only had one glass of champagne at Thorne’s gathering today." I chuckled, recalling the first time she’d gone down on me in my penthouse, requiring liquid courage in the form of whiskey from my private collection.
"You’re transforming me, making me bold," she replied with newfound confidence that reminded me of her Sullivan bloodline.
"No, little one. What I did was liberate a mischievous creature within you who craves physical pleasure," I traced my thumb across her lower lip. "And I’m more than delighted to handle her, no matter what your brother Beckett or my father might think about a Martinez getting this close to Sullivan royalty."
"Now I want my surprise, or I’ll lock away this naughty sex-obsessed monster again," she threatened playfully, feigning anger with that aristocratic pout that drove me wild.
"And I’ll enjoy setting her free again, though I adore shy and insecure Lila just as much. But I must confess, sexy vixen Lila is quite a sight to behold!" I kissed her lips, eliciting a smile. "I have to say, though it sounds crude, this gorgeous mouth of yours knows exactly how to please me in ways that drive me absolutely wild! You’ve given me the most incredible experience of my life, little one!"
"Oh, Daniel!" Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but I was simply stating facts.
"Now I’ll have to work even harder tonight to reciprocate this delicious gift you’ve given me." I gave her another quick kiss before starting the car and merging back onto the road, checking my mirrors out of habit for any surveillance from rival families.
Lila was an exquisite box of surprises wrapped in Sullivan elegance and hidden strength. I couldn’t bear to imagine what would become of me if this enchanting woman ever grew tired of me and left. Life without Lila seemed impossible now, especially with the dangerous games our families played. When we visited her apartment under Claire’s watchful territory, I wanted her to pack everything and move permanently to my fortress-like penthouse, but she only packed another small bag, leaving me frustrated and terrified she might tire of me too quickly or succumb to family pressure.
My frustration transformed into sadness and rage when we arrived home and she revealed how Claire had denied her birthday celebrations throughout her childhood. I wanted to throttle that woman whom I’d never met but already despised, despite her position in the Sullivan hierarchy.
I wondered how someone as radiant and charming as Lila could come from such a despicable person. It defied understanding. While my parents were demanding and controlling in typical Martinez fashion, they fiercely protected their own, providing us with a twisted sense of security within our world of shadows and power. Lila deserved far better than the mother fate had given her. At least her father had been kind to her before his death. And talented—the jewelry he’d designed for Lila was exquisite and valuable, pieces that could fund small operations; she really needed to store them in one of the family vaults.
Learning about her previous birthdays made me grateful I’d organized a birthday dinner for her using my connections in the legitimate restaurant business. She glowed with excitement throughout every moment, and for once I saw her forget about family obligations and territorial disputes. But I received the greatest gift—her smiles and kisses directed at me throughout the evening were absolutely breathtaking.
She continued to astonish me—from a joke I’d made days earlier during one of our late-night conversations about escaping our family legacies, she conceived an idea and executed it, driving me wild with pleasure in the car. This woman was extraordinary! After she’d made me see stars, all I wanted was to reach the country hotel Zoe had helped me book through her network of contacts and lose myself in my little one for the entire weekend, away from surveillance and family politics.
"Here we are!" I announced as I pulled up to the entrance of the exclusive retreat I’d selected for its discretion and distance from both Martinez and Sullivan territories, where a valet immediately appeared.
I exited the car and circled around to assist Lila. Another staff member approached with a luggage cart. He retrieved the two suitcases I’d packed under Zoe’s guidance from the trunk—she knew exactly what Lila would need for a romantic getaway—while I gathered my little one’s presents from the back seat.
"Suitcases?" She looked at me curiously.
"One’s mine and one’s yours. Zoe helped me select everything. Actually, she deserves credit for everything," I explained.
"Of course she helped!" Lila smiled as I squeezed her hand. "And I loved everything about tonight."


VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon)