“The fuck did you just call her?” I watch him reach into his suit jacket for what I assume is his gun. “Women aren’t property, you son of a–”
“It’s okay,” I say softly. Some of the tension drains from his muscles, and another surge of power flows through my veins. Can I really calm this beast with a few whispered words? “Let’s just sign the contract. I won’t go anywhere, I promise.”
Renzo grunts, though he doesn’t make a move to put me down or follow the man trying to lead us to a private room.
“If you make a scene, it’ll just drag this out longer,” I try again. “Don’t you want to be alone with me?” I’m trying to sound seductive, but I’m pretty sure it comes across as desperate.
Renzo lets out an exasperated sigh, which has me suppressing a giggle. It shouldn’t be endearing, but hearing the ruthless king of the underworld sounding like an impatient toddler does something to me.
“As you wish,” he says as he finally sets me down on my feet. I stare up at him, surprised at his response. One look in his deep brown eyes tells me he’s as shocked as I am. I don’t imagine he bows to anyone’s wishes. Are his cheeks slightly pink? Oh my God, is Renzo Salvatoreblushing?
Before I can respond, we’re being pulled in different directions. Madam Hazel, the woman I met earlier today, escorts me down another hallway while Renzo is led into what looks like a private office.
“How are you feeling, honey?” Hazel asks. Despite her rather unique career, she has kind eyes and a reassuring smile. “You really caused a commotion out there! Ten million on the first girl? You set the bar high.”
I know it’s supposed to be a compliment, but my stomach churns at the reminder of what I’ve done. Yes, I’m glad that it’sRenzo who bid on me, but am I really ready to go through with my end of the deal? I guess I don’t have much of a choice now.
Madam Hazel unlocks a door at the end of the hallway, revealing a room with royal blue velvet chairs, couches, and a matching royal blue bedspread and silk-covered pillows. There’s a mirror on the ceiling, above the four-poster, king-sized bed, and another full-length mirror leaning against the back wall. Golden lamps and embellishments line the walls, giving off a warm, dim glow.
“Everyone is a little nervous at first,” Hazel continues, reading my facial cues. “But that’s okay. That’s part of what gets these guys off, you know? Just relax. Besides, you’re lucky. That is one fine specimen of a man. Our clientele tends to be… less conventionally attractive.”
I crack a smile at that, which she returns. “Yeah, he’s not bad to look at.” I try playing it cool, but I’m not fooling anyone.
Madam Hazel laughs, then looks down at her phone. “Alright. I just got confirmation on the signature as well as the money wire. As per the contract you signed earlier today, you’ll get five percent now, and the rest in the next two days or so. This is to ensure both parties are satisfied.”
I nod and inhale sharply. This is really happening. I’m really going to have sex right here, tonight, in the next few minutes. I’ve dreamt of Renzo, sure, but he’s not the fantasy I’ve built him up to be. In truth, he’s the head of a criminal empire.
“Like I said, hon. Relax. You might even enjoy it!” Madam Hazel winks at me and then glides out the door, closing it with a click of finality.
I let out a huge breath and deflate against the nearest wall. My head is spinning, and I’m somehow both sweaty and freezing cold at the same time.
Get it together! Just keep it all locked up for another hour. It won’t last longer than that. I hope.
I remind myself what’s at stake and why I signed up for this auction in the first place. I hoped to make at least fifty thousand, which would be enough for me to start over somewhere else. I could rent a little apartment and finally open my flower shop. Now that I’ll have seven million dollars… I can really invest in the kind of business I want and scale up even faster than my original five-year plan.
Taking a deep, cleansing breath, I stand to my full height and lift my head up. One night is worth my new beginning.
I glance over at the bed, trying to decide what pose I should be in when Renzo gets here. I try leaning against one of the bedposts, but it feels too casual. Next, I sit on the edge of the bed and cross one leg over the other. My hand slips from where I was propping myself up, and I tumble backward before sliding off the bed completely.
Super sexy,I tell myself sarcastically.
Scrambling up from my position, I comb my fingers through my hair and adjust the skimpy lace scraps of fabric I’m wearing. I’m about to climb on the bed and try a few more poses, but the sound of the doorknob turning echoes throughout the eerily silent room.
I freeze, adrenaline coursing through me as my heart thuds painfully in my chest. Renzo Salvatore steps inside, looking every bit the part of a ruthless mafioso. His charcoal three-piece suit is tailored to his incredible physique, the fabric contouring to his muscles. Renzo’s shoulder-length, dark blonde hair is pulled back, giving me a clear view of his chiseled jaw, angular nose, and intense, hungry eyes.
He prowls toward me like a graceful and lethal panther. I instinctively take a step backward, but he continues to stalk forward. I retreat further, every one of my steps met with another one of his until he has me pressed against the wall.
Renzo’s hard, hot body grazes against my curves, sending tingles from my head to my toes. His gaze softens slightly, a mix of worry and confusion hidden underneath the lust and fury emanating from the rest of him.
His eyes rake over my body, then he reaches out and cups my chin, just like he did on stage. Renzo’s touch is surprisingly gentle for such an imposing and intimidating man. He tips my head up and tucks a few strands of hair behind my ear, letting his fingertips trail down my neck. He leans forward, his warm breath tickling my cheek. Then, Renzo ghosts his lips across my skin, following the same path as his fingers. When he gets to my pulse point, Renzo nips and licks the sensitive spot before pressing a soft kiss there.
I roll my body against his on instinct, some primal, desperate part of me needing more of his touch. Renzo sucks in a breath, letting it out in a low, measured growl.Oh fuck, how can I feel that sound between my thighs?
Renzo rolls his forehead against mine, closing his eyes while letting his hands wander down my body. It’s as if looking at me and touching me at the same time is too much. I’ve never felt this wanted, this desired, this cherished in my whole life. Or, this horny, for that matter.
A soft moan escapes my lips when Renzo’s fingers dig into my hips. He grips my flesh and tugs me even closer so he can rub his obscenely long and hard cock against my core. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt, and my inner muscles squeeze and pulse each time we grind against each other.
Renzo curses under his breath, then steps away from me, leaving me panting and slumped against the wall.
