"That bastard!" Glass shatters as Valeria hurls her drink against the wall in anger, whisky staining the cream paint. You watch as she storms around the room, so angry it almost looks like steam is coming out her ears. It doesn't take long until she's out on the balcony, cigarette between her lips, soft Italian profanities being mumbled under her breath as she tries to light the cigarette with a failing lighter.

Before her frustration can boil over any further, you light her cigarette with your own lighter and with the first breath of the nicotine infused smoke she seems to instantly relax. Exhaling, Valeria pulls her hair out of the neat perfect ponytail it was in, letting the wind whip her dark waves about, her strong features bathed in the last rays of sunlight as the sun dips below the horizon. A soft smile covers her lips as Valeria finally looks away from the city and at you. Her voice is soft but still carries the strength and the teasing Italian lilt "What would I do without you?"

The embers of her cigarette burn brighter as she takes another drag, the smoke mixing with her perfume and assaulting your senses as you stand close to her. "Just so frustrating with the old man not recognising my talents. Dante is off galavanting with the enemy. I'm happy for him, finding someone he truly loves... but father is still demanding Dante will be the heir. He still refuses to acknowledge my efforts. I've doubled the revenue. Expanded our honest revenue twofold! And yet! Fuck!"

Valeria's voice cracks slightly as she gets frustrated again, recalling how her father, Valentino Castelli, ignores her hard work in preference of her half-brother, Dante, who has no interest in the business. With another long drag of her cigarette, Valeria leans against the balcony railing, her golden eyes feeling like they are seeking your every secret when she looks at you. Valeria watches you for a moment before holding the cigarette out to you, her lipstick marking the cigarette from where it had been between her lips.

Valeria eyes you carefully as she watches the cigarette smoke curl around you. Her expression softens slightly, her lips twitching into a small smile before it's gone almost instantly. A sigh leaves her lungs and she shakes her head, brushing her hair away from her face again with one delicate hand. She gives your shoulder a gentle shove as she steps closer to you. Her voice is husky when she speaks "You make that sound so easy but it's not. Dante has no interest in this life, and father refuses to believe he won't change his mind."

"And I hate being put on the spot like some trophy bride. It feels..." Her expression falters for a moment before she continues, the words heavy and rough-edged. "It feels wrong, you know? Being looked at like I should be grateful just because someone's father said so."

A small huff escapes her lips as she glances away, taking another long draw of her cigarette. When she looks back at you, there's a spark of something in her eyes that had been missing before. Desire? Need? Or maybe it's something else entirely. "But..." She hesitates, licking her lips as if debating whether or not to continue. "...I need something to help me get through this. To forget the frustration for a little while."

Her eyes rake over your body, taking in every detail. You've always been attractive to her, with your lean muscles and strong features, but there's something different about you tonight. It's almost as if you're radiating a heat that she can feel from across the room. She bites her bottom lip, considering for a moment. "You know..." Her voice is husky, almost breathless. "Sometimes I just need... to let loose. To forget everything else for a while." She takes another step closer, the space between you almost nonexistent now. "I want someone who can make me feel wanted, needed. Someone who'll take control and show me how good it could be to give in."

A shiver runs down her spine at the thought. "Will you do that for me tonight?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. "Will you help me forget everything else?"

The instant your lips touch hers, she's putty in your hands. Her tongue darts out to duel with yours, her body arching into you as she moans softly. One of her hands finds its way around the back of your neck, pulling you closer, while the other runs up and down your spine, seeking purchase on your skin. She hasn't been this needy or demanding in a long time, and it feels so damn good to let go like this, to forget about everything else except for the feel of you beneath her fingertips and against her lips.

As your kisses grow more urgent, she opens her mouth wider, granting you deeper access to her tongue as your hands roam freely over her body. The soft fabric of her blouse is no match for your roughened fingers, sending tingles through her skin as they slip beneath the material and skim across her bare flesh. Her nipples harden immediately under your touch, aching for more contact. With a whimper, she pushes at your jacket, needing to feel your skin against hers, needing that connection.

Her hips rock forward as you pull back, the denial only making her want you more desperately. Her eyes search yours, looking for any sign of hesitation or regret as you lower her down onto the couch. But all she sees is desire, lust, and possession in your gaze, and it only fuels the fire burning deep within her. Her legs spread apart eagerly as you move between them, her hands fumbling with the buttons on your shirt, dying to feel your skin against hers once more.

Her hands slide up your bare chest and around your neck as you take her lips once more, their kiss becoming more demanding with every passing second. She arches into the touch, moaning loudly into your mouth when she feels your growing erection against her thigh. Her breath is coming in ragged gasps as she fights for air, hungry for more of you.

Her hips grind upward, seeking friction against your arousal. She wants to feel you inside her, needs it with an urgency that leaves no room for hesitation or doubt. Her fingers curl into your hair, pulling roughly as she explores your mouth with abandon, letting all of her pent-up desires and frustrations pour out in a hot mess of need.

With a small whimper, she presses her lower body further against you, rubbing herself against your thigh, seeking the release that only you can give her. She's never felt this wild, this free before, and it terrifies and excites her all at once. Her entire world has narrowed down to this moment, to the feel of your lips on hers and the heat of your body against hers. She whimpers as a tiny shudder runs through her, signaling that her release is so close she can taste it. "Yes," she pants breathlessly, arching further into you, "like that."

With each thrust deeper into you, every groan and grunt that vibrates against her lips, it's as if you're stealing her breath, leaving her reeling and desperate for more. Her fingers dig into your shoulders as her body arches further back against the couch, meeting your force with an unrestrained wildness she didn't know she possessed. Her pussy clenches tightly around your cock, muscles rippling incessantly as you fuck her senseless.

Her head rolls to the side, giving you better access to her neck and shoulders, which you mark with deep love bites that sting but feel incredible all at once. She digs her nails into your skin, leaving bruises as evidence of their passion, as her voice becomes lost in a wordless cry of pleasure. Her hips move with your every thrust, riding your cock like she's drowning and you're the only thing keeping her afloat.

Her entire body tenses as an orgasm washes over her, leaving her shuddering and gasping for air, her eyes squeezed shut as she tries to process the incredible sensations coursing through every fiber of her being. As the aftershocks finally begin to fade, you continue your relentless pace, grunting low in your throat as her tight channel grips your cock like a fist. You're close now, so impossibly close, and with one final thrust, you explode inside her, her name torn from your lips in a hoarse growl of pleasure and release.

For several long moments, neither of you moves, both gasping for air as their hearts race in unison. Valeria's head finally lifts to look at you, eyes still glazed with passion but

Her skin feels feverish where your forehead is pressed against hers, but she doesn't want to move, wanting to hold onto this moment for as long as possible. Her gaze drifts across your face, lingering on the lines of perspiration that have formed there, and the look in your eyes makes her heart skip a beat. It feels like you've seen something inside her that no one else ever has; like she's exposed herself to you completely and it terrifies and thrills her all at once.

She swallows hard, unsure of what to say now that the passion has died down. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice rough from exertion. "That was... incredible." Her thumb brushes lightly across your cheekbone before settling on your jaw, tracing the line there as she watches you in wonder. The world has shifted around them somehow, and neither of them are quite sure how to move forward from here. But for now, this quiet intimacy feels like home.

"You have no idea," she murmurs, pressing her forehead against yours. There's something in her voice that's almost wistful; as if she's thanking you for more than just the physical release. "I needed this... tonight." She smiles softly up at you, eyes shining with an emotion she can't quite name. It feels like there's so much more to say between them, and yet they both seem content to sit in this moment, savoring the connection for as long as it lasts.

Her thumb continues its gentle path across your jaw, drawing circles as her other hand comes up to cup your cheek. The touch is almost tender, a stark contrast to the roughness of their earlier lovemaking. "I'm really glad you were here tonight," she confides quietly, searching your eyes for some sign of how this makes you feel.

With a contented sigh, she nestles into the crook of your neck as you carry her to the bed. Her legs wrap around your waist easily, almost possessively; like she never wants this moment to end. "Thank you," she whispers against your skin, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her now that the passion has cooled. It's been such a strange night, filled with emotions she didn't know she was capable of feeling. But in your arms, safe and sound, she feels at peace for the first time in what seems like forever.

As you lay down beside her, she snuggles close, their bodies pressed together from chest to thigh. Her hand trails up your chest, tracing circles on your pecs before coming to rest on your neck. She kisses your cheek softly, not quite ready for sleep but content enough to let go of the need for anything else. "You know," she says quietly, her voice barely above a whisper now. "I think tonight... I don't want this just to be about taking my mind off things." She pauses, considering her words carefully before continuing, "I want... more of this." Her thumb grazes over your Adam's apple, the touch almost reverent. "I want you to be part of my life like this..."

Her heart skips a beat at your words; they're like music to her ears, filling her with hope and relief. She's not sure how she could love you more than she already does, but the idea of having you in her life this way... it feels right. It feels perfect. As if somehow, impossibly, their connection has transcended anything she ever could have imagined.

A small smile plays on her lips as she lifts her head to look at you, eyes shining with affection and gratitude. "I love you too," she whispers, placing a kiss on your cheek before snuggling back into the crook of your arm, content to rest like this for as long as she can. For tonight, at least, all is right in her world; the future seems less daunting and uncertain with Dan M Sigsworth by her side.

She sighs contently against your skin, feeling her eyelids grow heavy with sleep as your arms hold her securely. This is how she imagined it would feel; to have someone who loves her unconditionally and would never leave her side no matter what happened. It's a comfort she's never known before, one that fills every inch of her being with warmth and hope. As their breathing slowly synchronizes, she drifts off into slumber, safe in the knowledge that she'll face whatever tomorrow brings - as long as Dan M Sigsworth is by her side.

As the sun streams through the window, casting warm golden rays across the bed, it wakes Valeria up. She blinks sleepily and yawns, stretching luxuriously as she snuggles deeper into the pillow. Then she feels a pang of regret; Dan M Sigsworth isn't beside her anymore. The realization is like a cold splash of water, jolting her awake and sending shivers down her spine.

Her heart races as she hurries out of bed, throwing on a bathrobe before rushing over to the spot where he was sleeping earlier. His pillow's cool against her cheek, the sheets still warm from his body, but there's no sign of him anywhere. Panic wells up in her chest as she begins frantically searching the apartment for any clue as to where he could have gone.

"Dan M Sigsworth?" she calls out, her voice hoarse with worry. "D-Dan? Where are you?" She pauses, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes as she wonders if maybe she's dreaming this all up; that he never really felt the same way about her as she did about him...

As Valeria reads the note, relief washes over her like a cool summer breeze on a scorching day. A small smile tugs at her lips as she wipes away the tears that had begun to form in the corners of her eyes. "Thank god," she whispers, sinking down onto the bed with a sigh of relief. She curls up into a ball, wrapping her arms around herself for comfort and takes a few deep breaths to calm her racing heart.

She glances over at the jewelry box where Dan M Sigsworth had taken a ring from earlier; curiosity getting the better of her. Her brow furrows as she wonders what sort of ring he could have wanted or found for her... Was it just another one of his attempts to cheer her up, or did he really mean something more by it?

With a heavy heart, Valeria decides to wait patiently for Dan M Sigsworth's return. She'll worry about the ring and whatever he could have meant later; for now, all she wants is for him to come back safe and sound.