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"I don't understand, what's the panic?" I asked Patrick as he slammed the car door shut before we whizzed away.

"I don't trust Eagle's men," he said simply, making my mouth drop.

Even after everything that had happened, the men following Patrick's request and Eagle treating us with nothing but respect, he couldn't trust them.

"Are you that paranoid?" I asked, horrified.

"Yes, when you're involved everything is a threat," he snapped.

I felt my cheeks burn, as I realized what he was saying. He might have been pissed at me but he just admitted that he cared about me. And that caused my heart to flutter and me to bite my lip. Patrick just shook his head at me, trying to contain his snickers so that he remained angry.

"You were impressive today," Patrick stated, not looking at me, "I was even convinced."

I smiled, feeling like I had just won a small battle. But still, I needed his approval.

"Do you think it's stupid? Me, being involved in my father's businesses?" I asked.

"No, I think it's smart and brave. Of course, you will need to learn –."

"I already knew that," I butted in before he could finish, "But Eagle can teach me all I need to know about the casino life."

He nodded, "He can, but I prefer it if your relationship with Eagle Yeung remained about business."

"Why?" I asked.

He shrugged, "I don't like the idea of him getting close to you. He's a dangerous man –."

"Unlike Egor Volkov, your father, my own father and you," I pointed out, making him chuckle.

"Okay, okay," he snickered, "I just don't want you to see too much darkness."

I frowned at the change in his voice. He wasn't exactly afraid, more worried about what this world would do to me.

"You mean, the darkness inside of you?" I asked, my voice a breath of air.

He nodded, his eyes dropping. Very subtly, he slid his hand over the seat and to my thigh, rubbing my skirt.

Still not looking at me, he explained, "There's a light inside of you that I'm almost, envy of. I told you once that I had made sacrifices. One was my soul."

"I don't believe that," I told him, taking his hand.

He frowned, shifting close and used his second hand to caress my cheek. His eyes looked over all my features, trying to read me. My heart raced under his gaze, waiting for him to do something.

"How can you do that?" he asked, his voice a soft whisper, "How can you look inside of me, see the darkness, feel it for yourself? But you still believe that I have a soul."

"You have a heart, don't you?" I questioned.

"Not one that works," he stated.

I smiled at him, leaning forward and placing my hand to the left side of his chest. My own heart jumped when I felt his for the first time. Fast but consistent.

"It's working fine to me," I giggled, biting my lip to contain my smile.

One minute, I was looking at my hand on Patrick's chest, the next, everything was black. Oh God, it was finally happening. Patrick's lips continued to gently tug on mine, one hand on my neck and the other tightly on my hip. In that moment, I was his willing prisoner. Soft moans escaped my lips as I felt Patrick's hand squeeze my hip, coaching me along. Sparks erupted inside of me, my body telling me to do a whole lot more than kiss him.

"Patrick," I breathed as we silently broke to catch our breath.

"In time," he whispered, "I don't plan on consummating my marriage in a back of a SUV."

I couldn't help but giggle, finally pulling back enough to see his face.

"For once, we agree."

He snickered, leaning forward to kiss me again.

"Ow!"

We jumped apart at Garrick's voice and his continual knocking on the window. Patrick grunted, hitting his thigh, frustrated that he didn't get what he wanted.

"Are you going to get out of the car, or what?" Garrick asked, his silhouette visible through the tinted windows.

Just as Patrick went to open the door, I grabbed his hand. He frowned, looking at me.

"This isn't over," I told him, surprising him a little, "You were right too. It's time to come back to real life."

As soon as we got in, Piero came pacing from the dining room.

"Piero? What's wrong?" Patrick asked, meeting him half way.

"Save me?" he begged, making Patrick immediately reach for his gun, "She's asking questions and she just won't stop."

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Zoey's here."

Patrick's gaze turned to me, narrowing as if it was my fault that she was here. Well, I guess it was.

"I'll handle her," I giggled, reassuring him before walking into the dining room.

I found her sitting on the kitchen bench, eating what looked like cookie dough that Mrs Philips was making in the kitchen.

"And who gave you permission to terrorise my bodyguards?" I asked, crossing my arms.

Her head whipped around as her eyes lit up at the sight of me, "Lizzy!"

I giggled at her, watching her jump off the bench and bolt towards me. I welcomed her with opened arms, hugging her tighter than ever.

"Oh my God, how are you doing?" she asked, not missing a beat, pulling back to look at me.

I opened my mouth to tell her, but the slow cracking of my slow healing heart was too much to handle.

"Right, sorry, stupid question," she groaned, squeezing her eyes shut, "lets focus on something else, like how hot you look in your new suit."

I managed a smile, for her benefit, "Thank you, for that."

She shrugged, soaking up my thanks. But the memory of her stealing all my pyjamas wasn't far from my mind. Just before she got a big head, I slapped her on the arm.

"Ow!"

"That's for stealing all my pyjamas!" I yelled at her, taking away her anger and replacing it with laughter.

"I thought you needed some help," she laughed, her words barely audible.

"You're a bitch," I giggled at her.

"But you love me," she said wrapping her arms around me.

"Yes, I do," I groaned, hugging her tight.

We were silent, hugging each other, trying to think about what next to say.

"Thank you," I told her, more seriously this time, "For being there for me."

"Of course, Honey," she mumbled in my ear, "I love you."

"I love you too."

"I felt strong today," I stated, as I sat on the corner of Patrick's bed, watching him as he untied his tie, "Do you feel that?"

"I use to, when I first started," he stated, "Now it's about maintaining that strength."

I nodded, understanding that.

"Don't be fooled by Eagle's smile," Patrick warned, "He may look like a fool but he will do anything to make sure he isn't being ripped off."

"Even kill me?" I asked.

Patrick gave me a look that told me all that I needed to know. Yes, yes he would kill me.

I watched as Patrick took off his shoes and placed them neatly beside the lounge before taking off his socks and throwing them into a basket. I wanted to take every note on how he did things so that I could start working my way into his life. Before I was afraid to know who Patrick really was, his dark side and his light. But now I realize that I needed the dark side to survive. I could no longer hide behind my father's name. I needed to stand by Patrick, with his.

Standing, I slowly made my way over to him, his eyes watching my every step. I placed my hand under his opened shirt getting use to the feel of his skin under mine before reaching up and taking his lips. He sucked in a breath, preparing himself before latching on hard and cupping my nape.

"Oh Eliza," Patrick groaned, "You're like a drug. One taste and I'm already addicted."

I giggled at his confession, my heart racing at the same time.

"Why the change of heart?" he asked, "You seemed very sure that you wouldn't sleep with me."

"You're not the only one that's got an addiction," I declared making a small smile appear on his face, "And I know you a little better now."

"That doesn't mean you know everything about me. The worse parts," he paused, "I'm afraid that I'll be the one to take that light away from your eyes."

"You won't," I told him, cupping his cheeks, "Maybe I can bring that light back into your eyes."

He shook his head, his eyes sad, "Don't wish for that, it's not going to happen."

Licking my lips, I nodded, accepting his decision. It was impossible for me not to have hope. Not for my sake, but for his.

"For tonight, let's just be us," I begged him, leaning against his body, "Let's just have one magical night where there's no casinos, brothels, fathers, mafia –."

Patrick's lips cut me off, hugging me to his body. I could feel his abs through his shirt and his hardness already beginning to form.

Breaking from my lips, he declared, "More than one, you have my word on that."

I giggled against his lips, feeling Patrick's hands cup my shoulders, running down my arms and taking my jacket with them. Like a pro, my hands went for his shirt pulling it out from his dress pants before going to his buttons. His hands did the same, pulling my blouse from my skirt and unbuttoning from the bottom to the top. He allowed my hands to explore his scarred body through his opened shirt as he pealed the blouse from my shoulders. My skin was electrified under his touch, his fingertips running slowly up my arms to my shoulders and down to the plump of my breasts.

"I always thought you were beautiful but..." he sighed, shaking his head, his eyelids heavy over his eyes.

"Come on, you haven't even seen me naked," I teased, though he didn't bite.

"No jokes, full seriousness," Patrick told me, "I want our first night to be different from the others. Not in a cloud of lust or even in love. Just in..." he sighed again, "I just want something that's pure, for once. At least in my eyes."

I nodded, accepting that.

"Then have it," I growled against his lips, linking my arm around his neck.

That was all he needed to hear. He took me by the hips and lifted me to his own. I took a hold of his lips, clinging to his body as he lied me down on the soft mattress that moulded to my shape. His fingertips danced down my body to my thighs that were still locked around his hips. He took my right leg holding it up and running his hand down my thigh. His very touch caused me to clinch and my breath to quicken. I groaned when I felt his thumb under my panty hose slowly pealing it off my leg. He rose my leg higher till it straightened and stretched under my thigh. Giving it a quick peck on the knee he laid it down and repeated his same moves to my other leg.

Sitting up, I undid my bra clip and through it from my body. My eyes were glued to his that continued to stare at my breasts, my nipples hardening under his gaze.

"So incredibly beautiful," he breathed, his finger nudging the little hard nub.

All I could do was groan, lying down on the bed with my arms above my head. His body loomed over me, accept for his pelvis that was pressed between my legs, soaking my thong at the thought. I was at his mercy, ready to beckon at his every call.

I gasped when his lips clamped down on my nipple, groaning at the pain that was spreading.

"Patrick," I groaned, moving my hands to his belt.

I was surprised that I could undo it, not being able to see it from this angle. I managed to push his pants half off his ass. He chuckled, my nipple burning in his mouth before he unlatched it. Sitting up, he pulled them down himself, his erection visible through his grey briefs. Before he returned to my breasts, he went for my skirt pulling down the zipper.

"I knew I picked them out for a reason," Patrick grumbled, staring at the white lace thong that covered my sex.

I groaned again, loving the sensation of Patrick's hand rubbing the lace against my skin. Looming over me, he supported himself with one arm as he used his other hand to dip his fingers into my wet core.

"Oh," I moaned, pulling at my hair.

Not even biting my lip could contain my groans, clinching around his fingers. Patrick's groans filled my ears, causing my eyes to open to his face. God, he was watching me. Not just that, he was turned on by it. My eyes flicked down to his shaft that was pulling against the fabric of his briefs. Reaching down, I took the waste band of his briefs and released his shaft from its cage. My cheeks burned at his length. He was definitely the biggest I've been with – or seen, come to think of it.

"You're blushing, amore," he growled, licking my neck, "Are you impressed?"

All I could do was groan as he returned to his looming state above me. Returning to my mission, I cupped him at the base, feeling him twitch at my touch. I squeezed him, moaning at his radiating heat. The more aroused he became the deeper his finger dipped inside of me.

"Patrick," I moaned, not sure if I could hold on any longer.

He heard my plea, sitting up on his knees and hooking his fingers in my thong. He pulled it down my legs and through it over his shoulder before removing his briefs. Next, he crawled over to his bedside table and pulled out a condom. He slipped it on like a pro before taking his position between my legs.

Just as he did, I panicked.

"Patrick!" I cried out, sitting up on my elbows just as Patrick froze above me, "I-I --"

"What is it?" He whispered, looming over me once again, his hot lips pecking my cheek.

The wetness in his cheeks both spired me on and sent shiver trembling through my body.

"Um, I h-haven't been with anyone in...awhile," I stuttered, not wanting to see his eyes incase they were filled with amusement.

"Do you want me to stop?" He asked, the disappointment in his voice not going amiss as he sat up a little.

"No," I told him, my hand going straight to chest, in case he tried to make a run for it.

Staring deep into his dark eyes, a sudden state of calmness came over me. No, I didn't want him to stop. I wanted him to continue till we both couldn't breathe, till all I could remember was the feel of him inside of me, till I fell asleep in his arms.

"I'll be gentle," he whispered, shifting a little closer to me, "just relax."

I nodded, flopping on the bed and becoming numb as his fingers dipped inside of me. Again and again. I silenced to the squishing of his fingers, lapping my arousal. First slow, grazing the front of my inside, causing me to grunt and jolt. His fingers moved front and back, hitting the spot, faster and faster. My breathing began to quicken as my groans grew louder.

The rustling of the sheets got my attention, causing my eyes to open and find Patrick, moulting me again. Removing his fingers, he used both his hands to lift my thighs onto his hips.

"Watch me, Eliza," he ordered.

I nodded, siting up on my elbows. He took my hips and yanked me closer to him and so my ass was no longer touching the mattress. He didn't even use his hands. Instead, he brought my entrance to him. I cried out in pleasure when I felt him for the first time.

"Good girl," Patrick hissed, grazing his hand from my tummy to my heavy breasts giving each a good squeeze.

I grunted and groaned, my eyes fluttering as he continued to fill me slowly and slowly.

"Let it – all – out," he thrusted, causing me to cry out with each one and moan once he was done, "Good girl, good girl."

He was losing himself. I could hear it in his voice, see it in the coat of sweat that covered both our bodies.

"Oh, P-Patrick," I stuttered as he slowly started to move inside of me.

I could feel him twitch against my walls soaking up my arousal. My breasts started to jiggle as his thrusts grew harder and harder.

"Patrick!" I cried, clinching around his shaft, wanting more than what he could give.

He bucked into me, giving me what I carved. More of him.

"Is that what you wanted?" he asked, bucking into me again.

"God, yes! Oh, yes!" I cried, my body shaking as my orgasm took control.

"Oh God!" he roared, lying on top of me to deliver quick hard thrusts.

My hips jolted and met his lasting thrust giving me the push I needed to come undone completely. Dots clouded my vision as Patrick collapsed on top of me, his own orgasm taking its toll.

We couldn't move for minutes or speak or barely register what had happened. I just lied there, with my legs spread, still feeling him inside of me as he lied on top of me, panting between my breasts. But for the first time in weeks, I wore a smile on my face that I didn't need to force