“Please…” I gasp, unsure if I’m asking for me or for her.
His eyes soften, and his grip eases. “You let your tongue get the better of you, Pup. Talking about things as if there are no consequences for you.”
“Am I not living the consequences now?” I murmur, hyper-aware of where his other hand is; that it’s holding my waist now, pulling me into him despite his apparent rage.
He lets out a low sigh, dropping his gaze to stare down at me, at where the diamonds are no doubt poking through this pathetic excuse for a dress.
“Please.” I whisper again.
“What do you want, whore?” He asks, his voice all ice now, all steel.
“I can’t go back there, I can’t…” I gulp, swallowing the wave of shame and fear that seems to take over everything.
He tuts. “You want to stay with me, then you have to earn your place.”
“I will.” I gasp as my hands clutch at his shirt in such a pitiful display of desperation, and that strange necklace he wears slips out. “I will do what you want, whatever you want. Just, keep me with you.”
It feels like those are magic words, that something in him changes as I speak them. He glances back at his brother, who even now is ready to drag me back to the pits of hell by my very hair.
“Leave us.” Antonio growls.
I don’t dare take my eyes off his face as I hear the sound of retreating footsteps. Whatever this is, whatever bargain I’m about to strike, I can only hope that future me can somehow reconcile herself with the sordid details.
His hand moves, it glides up my spine and my skin erupts into goosebumps at the contact.
“You want to be my concubine? My favourite, is that it?” He murmurs.
I nod quickly. It’s not like I have much choice, but if this is what I have to sell, then it’s not so big a bargain. After all he’s already used every part of me,canuse every part, I might as well get something in return.
“Do you want that because you want me, or is it your fear of my other pets driving you to this?”
I open my mouth then shut it quickly. Antonio is smart. Too fucking smart. If I lie now, I know he’ll know. But if I speak the absolute truth, then what willthat mean? Will he cast me off? Have me beaten because I don’t crave him the way he so obviously does me?
“Both.” I say, choosing the only option left. “I fear them, I hate them, but that’s not the only reason I want to be here with you.” My cheeks heat, my body trembles and a part of me is so ashamed as I speak the words, because some of it is true. Antonio may be an absolute monster, and yet he did show kindness to me, he did… I shake my head, wondering how much of his behaviour even now is simply manipulation? Well, if he can play such cards, then why can’t I? I’d need to be smart, bide my time. It could take months, years even, but I could do it. I know I could.
“Pup?” Antonio says in such an expectant tone, like he can read my mind, like he knows every conflicted thought.
“You bought me.” I whisper, “And you were kind to me when no one else was. At least let me show you my thanks for that.”
“It’s not your gratitude that I want.” He says.
“Then what is it? What more can I give you when you’ve taken everything from me already?”
His lips quirk as if I’ve made a joke. “Oh, Dumpling, there is so much more of you still to take.” He murmurs, and then his mouth crashes down on mine.
It’s not a kiss of affection or tenderness. It’s a conquest, it’s a punishment. His lips are hard and demanding, forcing mine apart. His tongue invades my mouth, and it’s a ruthless, claiming stroke that tastes of expensive coffee and pure, undiluted Antonio.
I gasp against him, my hands coming up to push against his chest, but the solid wall of muscle doesn’t budge. He swallows my protest, my anger, my fear, devouring it all.
I hate him.I hate his words, his control, His effortless ability to reduce me to this trembling, wanting thing.
But I want this. I want the anger, I want the fight. Somehow this makes it better in my head, somehow it makes me feel less like a whore.
I kiss him back because I have to. My tongue tangles with his in a fierce, battling dance. I bite his lower lip, not hard enough to draw blood, but hard enough to make a point.
He groans, a sound of pure animal approval and his hand fists tighter in my hair, tilting my head to deepen the kiss even further. We are a clash of teeth, lips, and fury; a storm contained within the four walls of his civilized study.
He breaks the kiss as suddenly as he started it, both of us breathing heavily. His eyes are no longer ice. They are black fire, burning with a possessive hunger that steals the air from my lungs.
