"Answer me honestly Serena. Did he kiss you?" Arsenio asked Serena. He had backed her against the wall, making her lose her one chance at escaping him. His body was tense and every nerve in him was on end as he awaited her response. "What is it to you Arsenio?! He might be a bad person but at least he knows what he wants and he sure as hell goes for it. You kiss me one moment and the next you tell me it's a mistake. You tell me how badly you want me and try to chase anyone who shows the least interest in me and yet you keep me at arm's freaking length. Enough Arsenio. I will do what I want to do...how I want to do it and with whom I choose. Hell, I'll even spread my legs wide open for Gerald if it would mean..." Arsenio had heard enough and he quickly turned her to face the wall. He held her both hands with one of his above her head before he pressed his body so close to hers. "You have been naughty, Bellisomo. Teased me to no end and made me go crazy countlessly. Now let's find out if your body agrees with your words " Arsenio said and his fingers went missing under the short blue gown she had worn to test Gerald Mason. ******************** Arsenio Vladmiro - son to Massimo Vladmiro and Amelia Vladmiro finds out about his forbidden feelings for the one person he should not think of in that manner - Serena Toralba. She is the daughter to their family's Consigliere and their parents raised the both of them in the same mansion together. He struggles between going for the girl he has always seen as a younger sister till seven years ago or letting her go. He had his pretty share of women in the world but the one woman he shouldn't want is the one his heart thrums for.

Chapter 1 A NOT TOO INNOCENT DREAM

SERENA'S POV

Life is a paradox of contradicting similarities!!!

I was under the shower with the one person I should not be seen with for such a scene.

My brother Arsenio Vladmiro.

The most beautiful man I have seen and the only son to my godparents - Massimo Vladmiro and Amelia Vladmiro.

He is five years older than me and we grew up in the same mansion that can be likened to a castle because our mothers are best friends and my dad is the Consigliere to the mafia family his dad lords over.

My name is Serena Toralba and once upon a time, I was known as the Perfect Prude.

Well, once upon a time...

The entirety of my wet hair was secured in a large hand and he pulled me back, giving the creak of my neck the precise angle he wanted.

A small kiss, a swipe of his tongue and the graze of his teeth on a spot had my body warming up under the cold water that was cascading down my skin.

His other hand that was resting on my waist slid in between my legs brandishing more heat to my skin.

"So wet for me Bellisomo" Arsenio said, his rich bristly voice filling my ears and causing more butterflies to be birthed within the confines of my belly - that could now be likened to a conservatory.

Two long fingers of his plunged knuckle deep into me in a sleek fashion and when a more needy moan escaped my lips, he covered my mouth with his.

I jerked up into a sitting position forcefully and I placed a hand to my chest - a small act to calm my aggressively beating heart before it leaps right out of me.

'What in a dream was that?

No, that is beyond a dream...that is a freaking night terror!' I thought.

I looked at the Teddy Bear crafted clock that was sitting idly on my lamp stand and all at once I was reminded of the things I have to achieve today.

"Thirty four minutes left!" I said out loud to remind myself before I removed the covers that were around me and I swung my feet down.

Plushy mouse footwear welcomed my feet and I got to work.

I selected my outfit for the day, got my choice pair of shoes ready but... I felt nervous about stepping into the shower.

I felt like if I was to open my bathroom door, I would see the scene from my dream play out before me and I dreaded that more than I dreaded Arsenio's return back to the country...whenever that will be!

I looked at my clock again and I had twenty eight minutes left. With all the courage I could gather, I jumped into the shower and tried to think of dangerous situations that do not involve veiny arms and hot breaths.

In exactly twenty eight minutes, I slammed the door to my room close and began to run down the stairs and I almost pushed Uncle Alejandro out of my way.

"Bambino attento (Careful Child)" Uncle Alejandro chided.

I knew his scolding was out of love for me and so I smiled. He was just worried that I would not trip and hurt my knee like I did barely a month ago. I could still feel a dull ache on my left knee.

"Buongiorno zio (Good morning Uncle)" I responded, not breaking my pace regardless.

He isn't directly my uncle but we refer to him as 'uncle'. He is one of the few good men left in this wicked world and he is like family.

I was about to rush past the dining room where my parents and godparents were seated when Mom Amelia caught me from the corner of her eye.

"Serena. You are not leaving here without having anything in your belly.

Now come along" She said as she drew out a chair from under the table for me.

"But Mom, I'm already late and..." I started, but my mum's eyes that were dimmed at me dragged my feet to the dining table.

"How was your night my angel?" My dad asked as he trained his familiar eyes of inspection and genuine scrutiny on me and I almost miscalculated my steps.

'My night was filled with the thoughts and presence of a certain person!' I thought but I cleared my throat before I responded with, "fine. I feel very agile this morning. Definitely better than last night".

"If you feel the slightest trace of tiredness, you come back home. I really don't see the need of working in a veterinary clinic when you could own one and sleep all day. You know you need rest" Dad Massimo said before he took a sip of his chamomile tea.

I knew he could get me one if I wanted but I loved the idea of knowing how to serve before owning.

If it was left to him, I would never stand up from my bed and my life would revolve from my room.

"You spoil her too much.

I wish you could show Arsenio more love like this and maybe he will never want to leave here when he returns" My Mama said.

'Why is everyone bent on making me remember Arsenio this morning?

Five years without seeing him has provided a generous taste of peace and even though I know everyone on the table might not say it but we genuinely miss him.

But that doesn't afford them the right to call his name frequently after the kind of night I just had. If they could have the super power to see and read my mind, they will be horrified and... disappointed.

Our parents might be different but we are siblings. We were practically raised in the same house.

I need to leave now before more guilt consumes me!'

I picked an apple and munched on it.

"I'm sorry but I have to leave now. I promise to eat a whole plate of chicken fajitas to compensate for breakfast " I said and I did not give anyone the chance to say anything else before I began to press my lips to their cheeks.

First my mother, then my dad, then Mum Amelia and Dad Massimo.

"Bye all!" I said grateful that they were all immune to my sweetness but I had barely taken five jogs away from the table when Mum Amelia said from behind me, "I forgot to tell you my angel but your brother sent a message two days ago"

I turned towards her direction.

"Arsenio said he will be returning some time this week" She said with a smile before she went back to her food.

My shoulders slouched as my brain went into an overdrive for some minutes.

'Arsenio is coming back? Sometime this week! What???!'