Is she angry about my father? Maybe she thinks me a monster for killing my own father.
My mind races with ideas, and then something my Nonno said springs to mind.
“She carries the burden of guilt.”
I can’t erase her pain or the knowledge she’s learned about everything that’s happened over the years, but I can help relieve her burden. I can give her what she needs and remind her who I amto her.
I take the long white towel off the wall and stretch my hand out to Althea. “Come here, baby.” She stares at my hand, then back at me, frozen in place. Knowing what she needs, and that it is the one thing I can give her, I put a little more force into my voice and command, “Now, Althea.”
That does it.
She takes my hand, uncertainty still present in her eyes, but I don’t let it detour me. I help her step out onto the rug and wrapthe towel around her, then reach down to empty the water out of the tub. She doesn’t move, watching me closely.
With my hand, I caress her cheek and lean in to gently kiss her lips. “You’re overwhelmed. Your mind is swimming in circles, isn’t it?” She nods, closing her eyes, shielding herself from me. “No. Don’t hide from me. I can only help you if you let me. Understand?”
She blinks up at me through her lashes, looking so small and frail. I don’t like this version of her. My little devil should never feel so alone and out of control. That’s why she has me. I’ll take control and give her peace of mind. I won’t let her feel alone anymore.
“Good girl. Look at me.” She does. “I can see that you’ve been processing things.” I look down at the wine bottle. “How drunk are you?”
“Not nearly enough.” She shrugs. “I couldn’t even get myself a buzz with everything weighing on my mind.”
“What is it you were hoping the wine would do for you? Tell me what you need, little devil, and let me give it to you.” I know what she needs. She needs to let go and let her mind and body soar to that place between pain and bliss.
“I don’t want to feel, Enzo. The guilt. The frustration. The heartache. I don’t want it. Any of it. Make it stop.”
I nod. “As you wish.”
I walk her back, pushing her up against the wall, and drop the towel to the floor, exposing every inch of her beautiful olive skin. Her breathing picks up with anticipation. The small tear that trails her cheek is my final undoing, and I’m on her, pushing against her with my hips. She lets out a small gasp, and I swallow it down. Althea gives as good as she gets. Her fire flickering inside her again. Her hands grip the back of my neck; her nails dig in, scraping across the exposed skin.
That’s it, baby. Give it to me.
Her wet chest rubs against mine, soaking my shirt as her two stiff peaks beg for my touch, my mouth.
“Enzo, please,” Althea whimpers. A needy little sound that makes the spot inside my chest burn, and the head of my cock pulse with need. I’m throbbing behind my zipper, aching to be inside her.
But this isn’t about me.
“She needs her man to meet her needs in a way no one else can. Show her you can do that, and she will give you her heart without reservation.”
Nonno is right. I want Althea to be mine.All of her.Especially her heart.
My right hand wanders down the front of her body, caressing the side of her breast down to her hip. Althea pushes her hips forward, rubbing herself against my crotch, trying to create friction for herself. This won’t do. She’s still in her head trying to control the world around her.
I pull back, pausing a moment to take in her swollen lips and hooded eyes. Her breasts bouncing with each heaving breath. Her hair, a soft, tangled mess, I can’t wait to wrap around my fist.
I lean in, gripping her hair and angling her head back. I tilt it to my liking. She fights just a little, her defiance flaring in her eyes.
She’s looking for punishment.
That gives me an idea.
With her hair still in my hand, I step back and demand, “On your knees, little devil. I want to take that mouth of yours.”
She hesitates momentarily. A second too long for me, and I spin her around, pressing her belly to the wall and smack her ass three times in hard succession. She moans, pushing her hands against the wall, bracing herself for more. Before she can get too comfortable, I spin her back to face me.
“Knees. Now.”
Like the obedient little whore she is,my whore,she drops slowly to the towel beneath her and settles into position.
