When we have to part for air, I press my advantage again. “Do you agree to my terms?”
He gives me a wry smile. “Fuck it, I do."
That was too easy. I have to be clever about this. "You must swear it… on your Trio tattoo. You must make me an oath that we won't marry."
"An oath? You do know how seriously we take that, right? I can't break my word once I do."
I grin, saying, "I know."
He frowns, clearly displeased, but I can tell trying to deny himself is a losing battle. "Very well. If this is truly your wish..."
"It is."
With a nod, he presses his fingers to the three-headed wolf and vows, "On my honor, I swear I will not marry you in two weeks if I can have you in my bed tonight, Francesca.”
Victory goes to my head as he stands abruptly, pulling me up with him. “What are you doing?!” I shriek.
“Taking you upstairs.” Despite how worked up I am, I still gulp with a fresh bout of nerves. “Do you want a drink first?” he asks, noticing.
“Yes, I think I do.”
“Good. I’ll look forward to punishing you for that later.”
17
Francesca
Dark amber liquid flows into the crystal glass. I gulp it down like I’m dying of thirst while freaking out over the enormous bed with its pristine, white silk sheets. “I’d like some more.” He tilts his head to the side, giving me a speculative look, so I bat my eyelashes, hold out my glass and say, “Pretty please?”
He takes my glass to refill. “This is the last. Sip, don’t slurp.”
“Aye-aye, sir.”
He smirks, holding the glass out of my reach. “Take your dress off first.” I’m a deer caught in headlights. “Of course, if you’d rather not, I’ll call the driver and send you back to your hotel tonight and in two weeks-”
“No!” My sexy dress puddles on the floor at my feet, and goosebumps erupt across my skin. In panties and bra only, I lift my chin and hold out my hand expectantly for the glass.
“Good girl,” he murmurs, eliciting the most delightful twinge and tug between my legs as he passes the drink. His eyes settle on my panties as he sips his own. “I can’t wait to taste you.” I splutter into the glass and then down it, hoping he won’t notice my shaking hands. “I told you to sip.”
“What are you going to do about-Ouch!”He gave my bottom three hearty slaps. It stings, but a flood of arousal just ruined my panties. Sweet Mary, I should slap him, but I’m horrified to admit I’m turned on by his dominance.
“You were warned. You can be a good girl in my bed tonight or a bad girl. I’ll enjoy either version of you, though your ass will be significantly sorer if you choose the latter.”
He strides toward the bed, setting his glass down to start unbuttoning his shirt. My face feels hotter than my sore butt cheeks, but I don’t look away. His shirt drops to the floor, and it’s no wonder he’s been the most sought-after bachelor in New York for years. Handsome, rich and powerful? Yes, yes, yes. Bad boy vibe? Yes and no. He’s a badman,and there’s a lot of difference.
His olive skin is tanned, and his toned muscles speak of much discipline and training while his skin is littered with scars. Along with his Trio tattoo, there’s one over his heart, a skull with a bony finger covering its mouth and one word of script below -Silenzio- signifying the omertà. He must hate my rat father so much.
Summoning my courage, I walk over to join him by the bed in my heels and underwear. “I didn’t expect you to be…” My words falter as my fingertips glide over the various marks on his back. “I thought you might’ve been protected as the Don’s son.”
He gives me a rueful smile. “Was your cousin protected?” Slowly, I shake my head, knowing Alessio certainly wasn’t. “Boys who grow up in the mafia learn to tolerate pain or they don’t grow to be very old. My father doesn’t like to get his hands dirty, but my training started earlier than most. Faro, the man who taught me and my brothers to fight, was ordered to ensure I could withstand questioning from our enemies.”
“He tortured you?”
He nods. “And I’ve seen my share of violence since then.” He cups my cheek, searching my eyes. “As have you. Francesca, if I could raise Silvio and Rocco from the dead to kill them again-”
I jerk away, not prepared to discuss what he’s alluding to. I’ve been doing a damn fine job of blocking it out, and tonight isn’t about getting closer. It’s about ending this madness.
“Are we going to fuck or what?” I push.
