The Man is a Cacciatore

Episode 10

Leo

The smooth skin of pale knuckles under my grazing thumb kept me grounded as I listened to the laughter and banter around the dinner table at my family’s home. My sister Alessia and Ciro were the life of the conversation, as per usual. I didn’t mind, though—my full attention was on my little Topo next to me.

The heat of her body, the smell of her rose and vanilla perfume—it drove me mad. It had been three long, agonizing months of celibacy. With both of us recovering from our injuries, and now that we had finally gotten the all clear just before this dinner, we were inseparable.

Cassandra Bennet had made me feel like a goddamn teenager these past few months—with the makeout sessions, groping, and dry humping—carefully, of course. My gaze met her emerald green eyes, the crystal chandelier above the table reflecting in them like gemstones. She was stunning, and completely mine in every sense. Her onyx black hair was perfectly styled, falling over her right shoulder. The way she winged her eyeliner emphasized her round eyes, and those fucking lips—plump, red, and just screaming for me to bite them.

Her grip tightened on my hand, probably noticing the way I was eye-fucking her face. Even I could feel my own eyes darkening with lust. It was obvious I was craving her; my dick was hard as hell under this table. Hopefully, my mother didn’t ask me to stand any time soon. Cassandra wet her lips before they parted slightly, her pupils dilating a fraction—she wanted me too.

The clink of forks on porcelain, the soft laughter of my family—it all blurred behind the pounding rush of blood in my ears.

My name being called pulled me from our connection.

“Leo, tell me what the doctor said about your and Cassandra’s injuries. Has he given you the all clear?” My mother’s Italian accent was thick with concern and hope as my gaze met hers. She was giving me a warm, sweet smile—so familiar and soothing, but it didn’t do shit for the storm building inside me.

“Yes, we have both been cleared,” I said. My voice came out lower and raspier than I intended. Ciro caught it and decided to leap on the opportunity to poke fun.

“I’m surprised you two decided to grace us with your presence,” he said, arching a brow as he leaned back, draping an arm over Alessia’s chair and swirling his wine glass. A smug smirk played on his face.

My mother looked between Cassandra and me like she was trying to catch something the doctor couldn’t. “What do you mean, Ciro? They seem perfectly healthy.” Her hands gestured animatedly at us.

Alessia and Ciro both laughed, my father joining them.

“Oh, Mama, you are so pure,” Ciro said through breaths.

“Leave your mother alone,” my father said after a moment, noticing her cheeks growing red and her brows furrowing—the telltale sign she was about to lose it.

The smell of roasted garlic and red wine floated up from the table, but all I could focus on was Cassandra’s hand drifting to my lap. Her fingers slowly grazed the fabric of the blue jeans I wore. The muscles beneath tensed, and I had to use every ounce of my training as the Don of Chicago to remain stoic. It took every bit of control not to drag her away and make good on every fantasy that had been haunting me since the day I met her.

“Leo, you never did give me a tour of your parents’ home the last time I was here,” Cassandra said, sipping her wine casually, a dark look in her eye. She knew exactly what she was doing—knew the game and played it like she wrote the rules.

My mother quickly interjected, “Oh, please, let me do the honor.”

My father, catching the shift in atmosphere, patted her hand gently.

Amore, let our son do it,” he said with a warm smile as she frowned. He leaned over, pressing a kiss to her temple before whispering in her ear. She smiled brightly, making her look younger. The scene made my heart swell, grounding me for a second—until Cassandra’s pinky brushed closer to my cock, and I forgot how to breathe.

“I’m happy to assist,” Ciro added playfully, winking at me.

My eyes snapped to his and I growled, “I’m sure we can manage,” I said tightly, shifting in my seat to adjust myself before rising. I extended a hand to Cassandra, offering to help her up. When her warm, delicate fingers touched mine, a shudder ran through me. I inhaled deeply, attempting to control myself, but her fingers curled ever so slightly around mine, like a promise.

I followed my little Topo, my eyes glued to her ass in those denim shorts. My chest muscles flexed under my fitted white tee as I rolled my shoulders. The soft click of her sandals on the hardwood echoed down the hall. We both knew what was going to happen on this tour, and I was more than excited to fulfill her demands.

Cassandra

I couldn’t wait any longer—these three months had been agony. Even with our heavy petting and makeout sessions, I needed more, and I knew Leo did too. The heated looks he gave me during dinner had me losing my appetite for food and craving something more indulgent.

As soon as we were out of earshot, Leo surprised me by scooping me up and flinging me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He smacked my ass so hard I had to cover my mouth quickly as I yelped.

I giggled like a schoolgirl. “Leo, this seems very caveman—even for you.” My hands pressed against his back as I lifted my head to stop the blood from rushing down. His hand tightened on my thighs.

“At this point, principessa, I am lowered to my basic instincts with you,” his voice was low and filled with velvety promises. My core pulsed between my legs—God, please save me.

His steps were confident as he strode through the house and up the stairs to a spare bedroom at the far end, probably chosen because it was the furthest from the dining room.

He gripped the handle, opened it with force, and kicked the door shut behind us. Everything happened so fast—he tossed me onto the bed, then his massive frame hovered over me. His masculine scent of cigarettes and cognac filled my nose, and I inhaled deeply, sparks shooting through every nerve ending. I groaned, my hands grabbing the sides of his face, pulling him into a rough, messy kiss.

Leo’s hips ground against mine, his hands tracing my curves with a possessive hunger. He pulled away, lips brushing my ear before nipping it. Then he murmured something sexy in Italian—something like, Let me remind you who you belong to, principessa.

Then the man licked the column of my neck before sinking his teeth into the flesh between my neck and shoulder. My eyes rolled back, my back arching. “God save me,” I prayed.

“You don’t need God to save you, my little Topo. I’m going to have you praying for this to never end,” he purred, trailing open-mouthed kisses over my collarbone and chest, just above the line of my tank top.

Sitting back on his heels, he peeled my thin straps down my arms. Thank God I didn’t wear a bra—specifically for this moment. The look in his eyes, the deep, hungry rumble from his chest when he looked down at my breasts—that was the hottest fucking thing I’d ever seen or heard.

I watched as he slowly pulled his shirt over his head, exposing his perfectly sculpted chest and abs. A few faded scars decorated his olive skin—evidence of whatever danger had followed him through life.

I wet my lips just before he crashed his mouth against mine again.

“Cassandra, you have no idea how often I thought of this moment with you. How many nights I touched my cock thinking about this body and your fiery attitude,” he growled, biting my lip and tugging it between his teeth.

Holy shit. The image of Leo stroking his thick cock to thoughts of me had me soaked. The Don of Chicago—on his knees in his mind for me. The power that gave me was intoxicating.

“Oh really? Tell me, Leonardo Romano,” I purred, sucking on his tongue before releasing it. “What sort of things were you doing to me in those sexy thoughts?”

Our eyes locked, wild and dark, breath ragged with barely controlled restraint. His voice was hoarse when he finally replied.

“Let me show you.”

And then he pounced like a predator in heat. His kisses seared my skin, his hands pushing my breasts together, then his tongue swirled over each nipple before sucking them into his mouth—one at a time, desperate, needy. He teased with flicks and nips, lavishing them with worship and raw hunger.

“Fuck, Leo,” I gasped, my hips grinding against him as his clothed erection rolled between my spread legs. The barrier of fabric was unbearable.

As if he heard the frustration in my breath, he trailed kisses down my torso, licking and nipping along my flushed skin. He glanced up at me, fingers hooking into the waistband of my shorts.

“You fucking wet for me, principessa?” he growled, popping the button open and peeling them down my legs before tossing them aside.

“Yes—so fucking ready for you, Leo,” I whimpered, propping myself on my elbows to watch him, one hand slipping into his tousled dark hair.

His nose brushed against the soaked fabric of my panties, inhaling deeply before nipping my swollen clit through the lace. My hips jerked. He chuckled darkly, then hooked his thumbs under the strings and ripped them apart like they were nothing.

I hissed as the cool air hit my overheated skin. Leo gripped my thighs, spreading them wide before placing the flat of his tongue at my entrance and dragging it up to my clit.

He groaned. “So fucking delicious,” his voice muffled against me.

My head tipped back as he swirled his tongue slow and torturous. I moaned, gripping his hair, holding him there.

“Leo, God—don’t stop,” I breathed.

He was right. I’d be praying for him to never stop. The hunger in the way he devoured me was more than lust—it was obsession. His finger teased my entrance as his mouth latched onto my clit. Then he thrust into me, and I cried out, already trembling.

I rolled my hips against the rhythm of his mouth and fingers.

“That’s it, my little Topo. Use me. Show me how much you fucking need me.”

My walls fluttered at his words. I was so close—right on the edge. He pumped faster, the headboard knocking against the wall with the force of it.

With an earth-shattering cry, I came. “Leo—Christ—I’m cumming!”

He sucked my clit, drawing out every last tremble of my orgasm. When he finally pulled back, his lips were glistening.

“Such a good fucking girl,” he purred.

I collapsed against the pillows, chest heaving, stars bursting behind my eyelids. Leo stood and stripped off his pants in one motion.

“I’m going to fuck you hard, raw, and fast, principessa.”

He grabbed the backs of my calves, dragging me to the edge of the bed. With one smooth motion, he flipped me over, gripping my hips and arching my back. He leaned down and murmured into my ear.

“You’re on the pill, correct?”

It wasn’t a question—it was confirmation. I wouldn’t be surprised if he knew my full medical history, including my birth control.

“Yeah, I am,” I whispered.

Leo nipped my ear. “Good. Because I’m going to pump every last drop of cum into this pussy. I want to see you thoroughly claimed—and leaking.”

Then he spanked me sharply before plunging hilt-deep into my dripping heat.

My cry of pleasure rang out loud and desperate as he did exactly what he promised—fucked me raw, hard, and fast. It was primal, animalistic, and hot as hell.

Leo

The Chicago weather had finally released us from its suffocating grip as the cooler, more tolerable air of autumn rolled in on a beautiful breeze. It fluttered a few strands of Cassandra’s luxurious long black hair, and I watched as she tucked them behind her delicate, pierced ear. The motion—so simple, so hers—made my chest ache.

The skyline from the Michelin-star restaurant stretched across the glass like a living painting. I’d chosen this place intentionally, buying out the entire space for one reason. One moment. The flickering candlelight twinkled in her bright eyes as she looked at me from across the small, private table.

“You’re breathtaking tonight, principessa,” I whispered, reaching for her slender, warm hand and pressing a feather-light kiss to her knuckles. She always looked beautiful—but tonight? She looked like fate itself had dressed her for me.

I’d had Alessia take my goddess on a full-day pampering spree—massages, nails, shopping at the best stores downtown. I wanted her to feel radiant, worshiped. And in that deep green velvet dress, she looked like a siren carved from dreams. Tantalizing, untouchable—until I touched her.

Cassandra smirked knowingly. “You’re in a good mood tonight.”

Shrugging, I replied, “That’s because tonight is special.”

Her eyes sharpened, searching mine, trying to read between the lines. I chuckled softly, then pushed my chair back and rose to my feet. Her breath caught just as I lowered to one knee beside her.

The gasp—and that wide-eyed, stunned expression—was everything. Slowly, I reached into the inside pocket of my suit jacket and pulled out a small black velvet box, popping it open between us.

Amore… Principessa… Cassandra,” I began, my voice low and steady, though my heart was pounding like a war drum. “You—and only you—hold the power to undo me. To destroy everything I’ve built. And yet, without you in it, my life would mean nothing. An emperor without his empress is no kingdom at all.”

Her lips parted, tears shining in her eyes. I smiled softly and continued, emotion threading through every word.

“I want to face everything life throws our way with you. Every joy. Every storm. Every breath. I love you more than I could ever truly express.”

Gently, I lifted the ring from the box and reached for her outstretched hand. My fingers trembled slightly as I slid it onto her ring finger, the fit perfect—like it was made for her.

“Please… bless me with the honor of being your husband. Be my wife, mia regina—and the mother of our future children.”

A tear slipped down her cheek as she nodded, her voice rough but soft, filled with awe. “Yes, Leonardo Romano. I’ll marry you.”

I placed a hand on her cheek, brushing the tear away with my thumb, and leaned in, kissing her deeply—gently at first, reverently. But that never lasted long with us.

The kiss turned heated almost instantly.

“My insatiable fiancée,” I murmured against her lips, grinning.

“Do you blame me?” she replied, her chuckle low and breathy, eyes burning with desire.

Shaking my head with a smirk, I turned and told the waiter to clear the staff for the next hour. When I returned to her, I scooped her up and set her atop the nearest empty table. Her fingers clawed her dress up to her waist, as desperate for me as I was for her.

Stepping between her legs, I gripped the back of her hair with one hand, my other locking onto her hip. I tilted her face to mine, heart thundering like it was trying to escape my chest.

“I want you to scream my name so loud,” I growled, voice dark and hungry, “that all of Chicago knows who the fuck you belong to.”

Then I crashed my mouth to hers in a kiss that claimed every inch of her soul. Her moan bled into my mouth, her body melting against mine. And I knew—this woman, this fire, this future—was mine.

Cassandra POV

I had no idea what Leo had planned tonight, but when he dropped to one knee beside me, everything inside me stilled. The world fell quiet. The flicker of candlelight reflected off the skyline behind him, painting his sharp features in gold, and in that moment, I knew—I would say yes a thousand times over.

Tears blurred my vision the second he said my name.

Amore… Principessa… Cassandra.

The words that followed unraveled me. Leo never did anything halfway—not in business, not in bed, and definitely not when it came to love. His love came like a thunderstorm: loud, wild, inescapable. But this? This was something else. His voice was so full of truth and devotion it physically ached to hear it.

When he slid the ring onto my finger, I didn’t just see a future—I felt it. A whole life. Marriage. Babies. Laughter. War. Us.

“Yes, Leonardo Romano. I’ll marry you,” I said, and it came out a little broken, a little breathless. But I meant every word.

The way he cupped my cheek so tenderly before kissing me—it reminded me of every reason I fell for this dangerous, obsessive, maddening man. My heart was still trying to catch up when the kiss shifted, turning heated, greedy. He always tasted like heat and ownership, and I didn’t want it to stop.

“My insatiable fiancée,” he whispered against my lips.

“Do you blame me?” I shot back, grinning even as my breath hitched.

Next thing I knew, the restaurant was ours. Staff dismissed. Lights dimmed. He lifted me effortlessly and set me on a nearby table, the cool surface shocking against the back of my thighs as I gathered my dress to my waist.

He stepped between my legs like he belonged there—and he did.

The possessive grip on my hip, the way his fingers twisted into my hair, the low growl that vibrated against my throat—every piece of Leo was claiming me, marking this night into my bones.

“I want you to scream my name so loud,” he said, voice like silk over fire, “that all of Chicago knows who the fuck you belong to.”

His mouth slammed into mine before I could breathe, before I could respond—but I didn’t need to.

Because I did belong to him. Entirely.

The End

I hope you all enjoyed this journey with me. I’m so grateful to everyone who followed along—and to those discovering this story after its completion. Leo and Cassandra were incredibly special to me, and writing their story was a healing experience during a time I was facing my own struggles.

Follow me to see what story comes next, and don’t forget to sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter at jrmossauthor.com to stay updated on new releases and all the latest book news.

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The Man is a Cacciatore