The Don's Captive Bride

Chapter Three

Kissing the devil

“So, a medical doctor,” Alexander began, his tone light but his smirk teasing. “You really wanted to save the world, huh?” he asked looking at Zoey Olson seated cross-legged on the tattered sofa, her jet-black hair fell down her shoulders, while he leaned against the small counter, his piercing blue eyes studying her with an intensity that made her stomach flutter. She refused to meet his gaze too long, afraid of what it might do to her.

Zoey rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “Not the world, just the people in it. I grew up seeing too much pain—too many wounds that couldn’t be healed. I thought I could make a difference.”

Alexander’s expression softened. “That’s noble.”

“Noble? Coming from you, that’s ironic,” she shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm. Her brown eyes flicked to his, challenging him.

He chuckled, running a hand through his tousled blonde hair. “Touché. But seriously, I mean it. It’s admirable.”

Zoey’s cheeks warmed at his sincerity. She shifted uncomfortably, her gaze inadvertently landing on his lips. They were perfectly shaped, soft yet commanding. Her thoughts betrayed her, imagining what it might feel like to close the distance between them.

Alexander noticed her hesitation, his smirk widening as he stepped closer. “What’s on your mind, Zoey?” His voice was low, almost a purr.

“Nothing,” she lied, her voice barely above a whisper.

He crouched in front of her, his large hand brushing against hers as he took it in his. The warmth of his touch sent shivers down her spine. “You’re terrible at lying.”

Zoey swallowed hard, her breath hitching as he licked his lips, his gaze locked on hers. The space between them grew smaller until it was nonexistent. Her heart pounded as his lashes fanned his piercing eyes, and she tilted her head slightly, meeting him halfway.

Their lips collided softly at first, hesitant and searching, before the kiss deepened. Alexander’s hand slid from her temple to her back, pulling her closer despite the bandages that covered his wounds. His grip was firm, possessive, as though he was staking a claim. Zoey moaned softly against his lips, the sound igniting something in him. He groaned, his other hand tangling in her hair as he tilted her head back for better access.

Their lips met again, soft at first, a tentative exploration that quickly deepened. Zoey felt her heart pounding in her chest as Alexander’s hand slid to the nape of her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair. His other hand found her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them.

Zoey’s hands found their way to his shoulders, clutching at him as if afraid he might disappear.

Alexander’s lips moved against hers with a fervor that left her breathless. He took her lower lip between his, his teeth grazing it gently before pulling away just enough to meet her gaze. He smiled, his thumb stroking her temple before he leaned in again, this time slower, more deliberate. His kisses trailed from her lips to the corner of her mouth, then down to her jawline, leaving her trembling.

Zoey tilted her head back, her eyes fluttering shut as his lips found the sensitive skin of her neck. She felt his hand stroke her temple, his touch gentle yet grounding.

“Zoey,” he murmured against her lips, his voice hoarse with need.

She pulled back just enough to catch her breath, her cheeks flushed. “This is crazy,” she whispered, her voice trembling with both excitement and fear.

Alexander’s jaw tightened, his gaze dark and unreadable. “If we don’t stop now, I won’t be able to restrain myself.”

Zoey blinked, her heart sinking at his words. She didn’t want to stop, but his restraint was admirable. “Right. Of course,” she muttered, her tone betraying her disappointment.

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair as he stood. “You’ll regret it if we don’t do this right.”

Zoey bit her lip, the rejection mingling with the realization of how dangerously close she’d come to losing control. She stood abruptly, brushing past him to rummage through her vacation bag. The sound of crinkling wrappers filled the silence as she retrieved a chocolate bar and a bag of Lay’s chips.

“Hungry?” she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

Alexander leaned against the wall, watching her with an amused expression. “You’re something else, Zoey.”

She snorted, unwrapping the chocolate. “Yeah, well, I like to enjoy the moment.”

“enjoy the moment by eating chocolate and lays chips,” he teased.

She smiled for a moment and then she mask it with a shrug. “Something like that, Better than being shot at right?”

He studied her quietly, feeling guilty. He wanted to tell her the truth about who he was, but the words refused to come. Instead, he smirked. “I’m glad your friends aren't with you. Gives me more time to get to know the stunning woman in front of me.”

Zoey rolled her eyes, though her cheeks flared. “You’re impossible.”

“You like it,” he shot back, his voice teasing.

Their banter continued late into the evening, the small inn becoming a place of safety for Zoey—where she could forget about her controlling family and the criminal world she despised.

As Zoey bent to arrange the thin mattress on the floor, her phone slipped from her grasp and landed near the corner of the bed. She reached down to retrieve it, her hand brushing against something cold and metallic. Frowning, she pulled out a gun. Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the weapon, her mind racing.

“What the hell is this?” she demanded, standing abruptly and holding the gun out like it was a venomous snake.

Alexander’s expression darkened, his posture stiffening. “Zoey, put that down.”

“No! What is this doing here?” Her voice was shrill, full of panic “Is this yours?”

He sighed, running a hand down his face. “Zoey, calm down. I can explain.”

“Explain?!” Her eyes widened in disbelief. “You’ve been hiding a gun here, and you want me to calm down?”

“Zoey,” he began, his voice firm. “Yes, it’s mine.”

Her heart sank. “Why do you have a gun, Alexander? Who are you?”

He hesitated, his secret threatening to crush him. “I’m... I’m a mafia boss.”

The words felt like a slap on her face . Zoey’s face drained of color as she stumbled back, her free hand clutching the edge of the bed for support. “You’re joking,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“I wish I were,” he said softly, his blue eyes pleading with her to understand.

“You lied to me.” Her voice cracked, tears stinged her eyes. “All this time, you’ve been lying.”

“I didn’t know how to tell you,” he admitted, stepping toward her. “I didn’t want to scare you away.”

“Well, congratulations,” she spat, her voice dripping with venom. “You succeeded in doing exactly that.”

Before he could stop her, she shoved the gun into his hands and bolted for the door. “Zoey, wait!” he called after her, but she didn’t stop.