Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“You’re quite the vision when you’re asleep, Raina,” he murmurs almost reverently, which has my heart catapulting in my chest. He said we’re only here because of the contract. Nothing more, but this, this definitely feels like more. Pushing up, I grip the sheet and cover my breasts, and he chuckles. “I’ve seen those, and so much more of you. Don’t hide from me, baby.”
“So… what is this?” I gesture between us because I’ve never learned how to keep my mouth shut, and this time, I’m sure it’s going to land me into trouble.
“What do you mean?” The tone of his question is almost vacant of emotion. As if he’s shut down and I know once he does, there’s no dragging him back.
“Watching me while I sleep, telling me I’m a vision. That’s all romantic shit. Things you don’t do?” My question hangs in the air between us as I regard him with a questioning gaze. He lifts chocolate pools to my ocean-colored ones. I’ve never been good with compartmentalizing my feelings and I realize this will be my downfall in agreeing to his contract.
To his terms. After what we did, the intimacy of what I gave him, what we shared, it’s somehow burrowed itself under my skin. Frustration at myself ebbs from me, flowing to him. His gaze darkens. Mine flits away and I swing my legs over the bed, needing to put distance between us.
“Raina—”
“Don’t. Just don’t.” I stalk to the window, the sheet billowing behind me as I rush toward the table where my panties lie in a heap. Quickly, I tug them up my legs and as I straighten, his arms, strong and warm, circle around me.
“Listen to me, bella,” he coaxes in that thick accent that heats my blood. My skin prickles as his warm breath fans over my bare shoulder. “Look at me, Raina.” The command is a deep growl and even though I don’t want to, I turn to face him.
“I just—”
His finger on my lips halts my words and he shakes his head. “Listen, I do want you. Last night was sensational. Feeling your body, touching your skin, tasting your cunt, that’s what I want and need. This can work. I’ll show you. This is something we both need. Our bodies, they fit together. You felt it. You saw it. Just give this agreement a chance. You’ll learn more about yourself and I’ll get to teach you.” His words hold a vow that I know he’ll make good on.
“So how will this work?” Lifting my chin, I regard him with an indignant stare. He reaches for my face, his knuckles brushing over my cheek lightly. The trail of his touch leaves goose bumps in its wake, but it’s his eyes, the gentleness he looks at me with that slams into my chest, squeezing my heart. “Am I to be your possession?”
He nods then. “You are mine. I no longer care if you’re known as the Lombardi principessa. This room, this home, it’s yours. That bed”—he gestures to the four-poster we’ve just vacated—“is where you will sleep every night from now on. I did like having your body against mine. But I need you to remember one thing, Raina.” He snaps his mocha orbs to mine. “We’re not a couple. We’re two consenting adults who fuck. Two people enjoying all the carnal pleasures we can. When you’re in the office, you’re my personal assistant. You’ll be professional. You’ll work for my brothers as well. When I bring you in here, you’re my slut. Your holes are mine to do with as I please. And when you’re not in this mansion, you’re Raina Lombardi.”
Nodding, I lift the sheet and step away from the intensity of our connection and grab my bra and the rest of my clothes. I don’t know what the time is, but I know I should be heading home. “I’d like to leave. I’ll be back for work in a few hours and I need to shower and get a change of clothes,” I tell him without meeting his gaze, which is currently burning a hole in my back.
Once I’m dressed, he steps up behind me, his hands on my shoulders. “I’ll have my driver take you home so you can pack and make sure your cousin knows you’re safe with me. When you arrive back later, report to my office to sign the contract and then we’ll be heading out to a meeting. It’s time you saw the real aspects of my business.”
With those final words, he releases me and guides me with his fingertips pressed lightly at the base of my spine. As we weave our way through the large house, I hear sounds from the other side of the mansion. Just before we reach the door, Matteo, one of the younger brothers, comes stalking toward us.