Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55616 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55616 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“Then what is it?”
One errant tear leaves my eye and I struggle against him to turn away. I don’t even know, myself, why I choked up.
He leans down and flicks it with his tongue. “Is it so awful?” His voice is barely above a whisper.
I find his gaze, surprised. Is it awful? Being Stefano’s shadow? His captive prisoner? No. Not at all. He was right; it’s wonderful in the I’m not responsible for any of this so I can let go and enjoy kind of way.
“I-I think I’m just relieved,” I admit.
Stefano’s shoulders relax, and he pulls my head against his chest, still holding my wrists captive. “You did still believe I was going to kill you.”
The words sound shocking out loud. I’m surprised he can say them so easily, but yes. He’s right. Even though he feels like nothing but safety now, some part of me was still scared for my life.
I nod against his chest, hot tears flooding my eyes now.
“That was never my plan,” he rumbles above me, his lips in my hair. “I told you that from the beginning.”
And I didn’t believe you.
He strokes the back of my neck, toying with the baby curls there. “I’m sorry you were afraid, mi amore.” He kisses my head. “I don’t want you afraid of me.”
Only at his mercy.
I push away. This still doesn’t add up. “And if you can’t be sure of me? What then?”
“I’ll keep you until I can.” He winks. He’s trying to tease me, but I’m not having it.
I shake my head. “What if I’m a problem? What then?” I’m pushing for the answer I don’t want to hear, but I feel like we need to be clear. He may have treated me to the most incredible sex of my life, but nothing changes what this is. I’m his captive. If I don’t cooperate, I’m dead.
He purses his lips. “Bambina, what are you trying to get me to say? I don’t want to do this.”
I put my hands on my hips, challenge clear.
I see the shadow of danger appear on his face. “Are you going to be a problem?”
I ignore the twist of fear in my gut. “What if I am?” I whisper, my mouth dry as the Sahara, and I don’t mean the casino.
He shoves his hands in his shorts pockets, regards me coolly.
“Then you kill me?” I don’t know why this is an argument I’m trying to win. Do I need to prove I have a right to be afraid? That I know what I’m messing with, here?
“No.” He shakes his head immediately and takes a step forward, but I step back. He stops. “I told you no already.”
“Then what?”
He scrubs a hand across his mouth. “Then I’d use your pressure points,” he finally admits.
It’s bizarre how much of a relief it is to hear him admit it. To know the score.
“I see. So that’s what this is. You tie me to your bed until you’re either sure of me, or know enough about me to keep me scared for the rest of my life.”
He frowns and lunges for me so quickly I can’t dart away. He grabs my arm and pulls me into him, my body tumbling against the hard planes of his large frame. “That’s not what this is. Don’t fucking define it like that.” He’s mad and I’m not sure why. Oddly, his wrath turns me on.
Does it mean he cares?
Stop it.
Don’t think like that. Stefano Tacone doesn’t care about women. He’s a player. He loves women; he takes pleasure in watching women, enjoys their bodies, slakes his lust frequently and with gusto. That doesn’t mean he develops feelings for them.
For me.
His lips crash down on mine. I respond before I even start to wonder if I should hold back. It’s like my body was made to come alive any time he touches it. It doesn’t matter if he was just threatening me, whether he’s holding me captive or tormenting me. I’m his.
My pride tells me to push away, but I’m swept up in the moment. I want him to go on, to show me what comes next.
He walks me backward, lips locked until my ass hits a wall, then he keeps pushing, pressing his hard length against my belly as his tongue strokes against mine. He comes up for air and insinuates one solid thigh between my legs. “First of all, I wanted to fuck you the first moment I saw you standing behind that roulette wheel.”
Pardon me? I give him a what the fuck are you talking about look and he puffs with impatience.
“Were you implying I’m fucking you to keep you quiet? Like I’m some manwhore who solves problems with sex?” He frowns and curses something in Italian.
“If the shoe fits?”
“Well maybe I am, but only with you.” His dark gaze bores into me. “Amore, you’re tangled up in something ugly. Something I never wanted you involved in. It’s my fault, and I’m doing my best to fix it.”