He didn’t stop prancing until he was standing just in front of me, towering over my petite frame. I could already feel the intimidating aura of his, like a rabbit caught in a lion’s hands. I waited for him to strike me, slap me, or grab my hair and slam my head against the table. But the more I stared at him, the deadlier he looked.
His hand rose. I flinched instinctively. His eyes darkened, and I was suddenly aware of the way his eyes were touching me with his intense gaze, moving from my exposed breasts to the slit on my thigh. Feeling conscious, I quickly covered my chest with my hands. He smirked. “Foolish too.”
I didn’t have time to react, or even run, before his hand was moving to my arm and I was harshly pinned against the table. Second time in two days. Air knocked out of my lungs, and my arms were held above my head. “What-”
“Keep moving your mouth; it only gets me excited.”
His grip on my wrists tightened, pressing me harder against the table, and the edge dug into my stomach. My pulse thundered in my ears as his body hovered over mine. The heat of his suffocating breath ghosted over my face. Stormy eyes hardened.
I struggled, the fight instinctive, but the brute seemed unbothered. “Let go.”
He snickered. “You don’t give orders here, Dolcezza,” a gravelly voice scraped against my back.
I sucked in a breath as his free hand trailed down my side. The fabric of my dress bunched in his fist, sliding higher and higher until I felt the cool air hit the bare skin of my thighs. My body jolted in panic. A strangled gasp left my lips, and shame curled around my spine.
“Stop, please,” the words trembled on my lips.
I tried to twist away. Another futile attempt. His fingers brushed against the bare skin of my thigh, the heat of his touch leaving a burning trail. My muscles tensed.
“Look at you,” his lips so close they brushed the shell of my ear. Molten voice grated, and terror intensified. “Trembling like a leaf.”
I flinched as his fingers tapped against the curve of my ass.
“What-” I started, but the words cut off with a sharp gasp as his palm landed on me. A sharp crack echoed through the room.
He palmed the middle of my back and pinned me down. My cheek met the cold wood, and I tried not to hyperventilate. Ibriefly closed my eyes when I realised I was not going to get away. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction to see me plead. He could hurt me all he wanted; I’d rather die than beg a monster like him.
Pain bloomed hot.
I gasped, half-choked, and my lungs refused to cooperate.
On the second slap, my entire body reeled forward on the wooden surface. I gripped the edge of the table. His hand was merciless and hard, with the sole intention of hurting me. How could someone find pleasure in someone’s pain? I wondered if he had a heart. Of course, he didn’t. If he did, he wouldn’t be humiliating me this way.
I bit my lips hard, almost tasting blood on my tongue, but it was hard. Too hard to suppress the sound that escaped me. I wished it hadn’t. Because he palmed my behind. “That’s better,” his tone dripped with satisfaction. “Now you’re paying attention.”
I turned my head, glaring at him over my shoulder through my teary eyes. His lips curled in a smirk as his gaze roamed over me. “Keep looking at me like that. Those pretty eyes are just making me hard.”
“You’re sick…” I mumbled through the pain, and he just chuckled before he grabbed my hair and yanked me up. My back arched.
“Respect, obedience, and loyalty.” I pursed my lips together as he slapped my arse again. “Etch those fucking words in your head. Provoke me again, and your flesh will pay.”Slap. “You willknow your place.”Slap. “You will be the perfect little wife for me. Is that clear?”Slap.
The pain was too much. I choked out, “Please… stop…” I sobbed. My legs were trembling, and so was my whole body.
“Words, Dolcezza.” I shut my eyes.
“Yes…”
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, I will… obey.”
He paused; instead, his hand cupped my red arse. I thought he’d let me go, but then I felt his cupping my womanhood. My head snapped back to stare at him at the same time, and a wicked smirk tinted his lips. It made him look like a reaper ready to take a soul with him.
I tried to wrench my head to the side, desperate to reclaim even a shred of dignity, but his grip on my hair was instant. “You’re being difficult again.”
The pad of his fingers teased my neck, but I bit down on my lips so hard I tasted copper. His eyes darkened, simultaneously pushing aside my panties, and I felt his fingers against my bare core. “This time, you’ll use your words. Next time, your cunt will pay the price.”
CHAPTER NINE
