“Yes,” I semi-lie. I do have them because of Dom, but it wasn’t by his hand.
“You’re not going back to him,” he snarls, lifting me gently, his soft touch at odds with his angry words.
No, I’m not, I silently agree, but I’m not staying here either. “I have to. The deal was only until Sunday.”
“I don’t care. I’ll find a way to make it work.”
“You’ll start a war.”
He stares deep into my eyes. “You’re worth it.”
My heart soars, trying to beat a path out of my chest. The conviction in his eyes does weird things to me. I feel something shifting inside me, and in this moment, I know I could fall for him, if I let myself, but I can’t. “I’m not,” I whisper before I can stop myself. “I’m really not.”
“Don’t say that,” he snaps, reeling me against his naked body. “Youareworthy, and I’m not giving you back to that monster. I’m keeping you.” His eyes flare with dark obsession. “When did this happen and why?”
I turn stiff in his arms. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Nice try. Go again.” He narrows his eyes in warning.
“I’ve blanked it from my mind and bringing it up will only upset me.”
A muscle clenches in his jaw, and he steps back, dragging his hands through his hair. “Youwilltell me, Valentina,” he says, opening the shower door and reaching in to turn the water on. “You will tell me everything, but I won’t force you to tell me today.” He tests the water and steps aside. “Get in.”
“Ask me nicely.”
“No. Get in.”
“Make me.”
He flashes me that signature grin, and in a split second, I’m up and over his shoulder. Fiero slaps me across the ass as he steps into the shower stall. “Remember what I said about fighting me, kitten?” My body slides slowly down his as he sets me on my feet, and his fresh erection almost pokes a hole through my stomach. He grabs his dick and tugs on it. “You turn me on with that sassy mouth.” He rubs his thumb along my lower lip. “I think I’ll claim that next, but first, I’m going to wash you.”
He turns me around, pulling my back flush against his front as he eases us under the water. The warm water is a balm to my achy body, and I give up fighting, resting my head back on his shoulder as he washes me carefully with a soft cloth and citrusy shower gel. “Give me a list of the toiletries you like, and I’ll get them for you,” he says while meticulously washing up and down my arms.
Whichever is the cheapest.“I don’t have a list, and I brought my own things. Or I’m happy to use yours.” I shrug. I’m really not that fussy.
“I want to spoil you.” He lifts one breast and then the other, washing me carefully, and my heart is pounding like crazy.
“I don’t need to be spoiled,” I say in a breathy tone as he swirls the cloth over my belly.
“Which is all the more reason I want to do it.”
“Fiero.”
“No.” He spins me around, pinning me with a fierce look. Water cascades over us from above. “You’re not going back to him, end of. You’re staying here with me.”
“This is insanity,” I murmur, my eyes widening when he crouches before me and begins washing me from the feet up.
“It is, but it feels right.” His eyes lock on mine as he trails the cloth up one leg. “Don’t lie and say you don’t feel it. It’s written all over your face.”
“That doesn’t mean we should fucking do it,” I hiss because he’s confusing me and making me want things I can’t ever have.
“What did I tell you about cursing?” he says, sliding the cloth up my inner thigh.
I thrust my arm out to cling to the wall when he cups my pussy with the cloth and drags it back and forth.
“You’re showing your age, old man.”
Fiero scowls before leaning in and softly biting my inner thigh. “Careful, kitten. I’ll put you over my knee and spank it out of you.” He moves on to my other thigh and down my leg.
