The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

Leonardo couldn’t help but be amused by the sight of Sofia’s jealousy. Teasing her had always been a playful pastime, but now, as he witnessed the fiery anger reddening her cheeks, he found himself praying for his safety.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Wow! You’ve become quite quick to change, haven’t you?” Sofia remarked with a hint of sarcasm. “That day, you had no qualms about dancing with me. But now that I want to dance with you, you remind me that I cannot.”

Before Sofia could walk away in a huff, Leonardo firmly grasped her hand, leading her toward the dance floor. With a confident yet gentle touch, he wrapped his arm around her delicate waist, drawing her closer to his frame. The music enveloped them, its rhythm swaying their bodies in synchrony.

His fingers traced a tantalizing path over Sofia’s bare shoulders, their descent grazing the soft skin of her arm until they reached her wrist. Guiding her hand to rest on his shoulder, he caressed her cheek with the back of his knuckles, his touch both tender and electrifying. Looking into her eyes, he posed the question that weighed upon her annoyance.

“Why are you so vexed, Sofia? I was merely teasing you. All I desire is to dance with you. You are the only partner I want now and forever. Do you still doubt that?” Leonardo asked, his gaze unwavering as he gently swayed her to the music’s melody.

“What were you doing with your ex-girlfriend?” Sofia questioned, her lips slightly pursed in inquiry. Leonardo shook his head, dismissing any lingering doubts.

“You needn’t be jealous of my ex-girlfriends. They hold no place in comparison to you,” he reassured her, his words carrying a conviction born of absolute truth.

“They? Wait, how many ex-girlfriends do you have? I’ve already met two,” Sofia exclaimed in surprise, her innocent blue eyes widening and her eyebrows arching with curiosity.

Internally berating himself for his slip of the tongue, Leonardo sought to alleviate any concerns. “Like I said, you have no reason to worry about any of them. I don’t even remember their names or faces because…” Leonardo pulled Sofia even closer, their faces a mere inch apart.

“… my mind and heart are captivated by only one name and one face,” he whispered, the words resonating with unwavering devotion.

“Really? And who might that be?” Sofia inquired innocently, a radiant smile playing upon her lips. Deep down, they both knew she had already held the answer. Leonardo returned her smile, their foreheads gently touching in an intimate connection.

“Do I truly need to tell you? Because you already know that my thoughts revolve around you twenty-four-seven,” he replied, locking his gaze with hers, losing himself within the depths of her mesmerizing blue eyes.

Sofia leaned in closer to Leonardo, her lips brushing against his as she whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the cacophony of voices surrounding them. “And why is that?” Her bold move caught Leonardo off guard, his surprise mingling with a surge of arousal that pulsed through him. In the midst of the bustling hall filled with countless onlookers, his sweet and innocent wife had transformed into a seductive and fiery temptress, igniting an intense desire within him. The contrast only heightened her allure, rendering her even more irresistible and alluring.

Pulling away, Sofia flashed him a mischievous smirk, teasing him with her newfound confidence. Leonardo, unable to resist the magnetic pull between them, leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered in a low, husky tone, his words laced with a mix of warning and desire. “Sofia, you’re being a bad girl, and you know what a bad girl deserves, hmm?” He longed to hear her sinful response escape her delectable lips.

“A bad girl needs to be punished,” she replied, biting her plump lower lip, her voice laced with anticipation. The mere sight of her sensual display and the intentional trail of her fingers along his bulge had pushed him to the brink of losing control. Sofia’s presence was an intoxicating temptation that continually tested his restraint.

“Get ready for your punishment, baby girl,” Leonardo warned, a breathless edge to his tone. Sofia’s eyes widened at his words, a sharp inhale escaping her lips. Her mind spun with anticipation, the air thick with electric tension as she awaited the unveiling of his chosen retribution.

“How are you going to punish me tonight?” she inquired, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and desire, her teeth sinking into her plump lower lip, a gesture that only served to heighten the intensity between them.

“We will see, baby. You’ve been a very bad girl, and I have something in store for you, something I know you’ll enjoy,” Leonardo replied with a smirk, his mind consumed by vivid fantasies of the impending punishment he had planned. Taking hold of Sofia, he spun her around, their bodies pressed close together, swaying to the slow rhythm of the music. His hand found its place on her slim waist, his chin resting atop her shoulder as they moved in perfect synchrony.

Sofia’s hands found their place around Leonardo’s neck, her movements becoming increasingly sensual as she ground against him, her hips swaying to the seductive beat. Just as they began to revel in their private dance of desire, their bodies entwined in an intimate rhythm, a voice shattered the moment of blissful isolation.

“Can I dance with you?” the unexpected interruption intruded, breaking the spell they had woven.

Sofia’s attention was abruptly drawn to Kat, who stood nearby, wearing a smirk that sent a pang of discomfort through her. In response, Sofia instinctively tightened her grip around Leonardo, seeking solace and reassurance in his presence. He, too, enveloped her in his arms, placing a tender kiss atop her head. The warmth of his embrace began to ease Sofia’s unease, her body gradually relaxing against his.

Leonardo attempted to ignore Kat’s invitation, intending to shield Sofia from any further interaction. Yet, before he could turn away, Kat seized his forearm, her voice laced with persistence.

“Come on, Leonardo. It’s just one dance,” she urged, a gleam of mischief in her eyes.

Sofia’s soft expression contorted into a frown as she swiftly removed Kat’s hands from her husband’s arm.

“Can’t you see he is already dancing with me?” she retorted on Leonardo’s behalf, her protective instincts taking over.

“Oh, for God’s sake, Sofia, stop being such an obsessed wife. It’s just a dance, and he is my brother-in-law. There’s no need for you to be so insecure,” Kat dismissed with a nonchalant shrug, her words dripping with condescension.

Sofia looked up at Leonardo, her eyes conveying a depth of emotion that compelled him to focus solely on her. He deliberately avoided meeting Kat’s gaze, choosing instead to direct his attention solely to his wife. “I don’t dance with anyone except my wife,” he asserted, his voice carrying an air of conviction.

A small smile began to replace the frown on Sofia’s angelic face. Meanwhile, Kat, frustrated and unable to penetrate the bond between the couple, huffed in exasperation before turning on her heel and departing, leaving them alone.

“Are you hungry?” Leonardo inquired, seeking to shift the atmosphere and offer a distraction from the tension. Sofia responded with a soft hum, signaling her agreement.

“Alright, let’s eat then. After dinner, we’ll head back home,” he suggested, his hand gently caressing her face.

Sofia nodded in agreement, her thoughts aligning with his plan. They joined Leonardo’s parents at the central dining table, engaging in light conversation over their meal. As the evening drew to a close, Leonardo felt an undeniable urge to depart. They bid farewell to the guests and Leonardo’s parents, leaving Domenico to oversee the remaining festivities on Leonardo’s behalf.

Upon arriving home, Leonardo guided Sofia straight to their bedroom. He locked the door behind them, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he turned to face her. “So, baby girl, you’ve been a very naughty girl tonight, hmm? Are you ready for your punishment?” he whispered into her ear, observing the rosy blush that crept up her cheeks.