I spoke again. “That’s exactly my point. This will end one day. And I’m scared of what happens when it does. I want my life to keep going after you.”
His face flushed, and he picked up the pace, each punch landing harder, louder than the last. I could feel the tension radiating off him, but I wasn’t done.
“I want to finish my education. Even if it’s online. After that I could work for you. Maybe I’ll never date anyone outside this world, but, I don’t know, maybe I could meet someone respectable. Like a lawyer, or an accountant who works for your operation, and—”
Suddenly, he let out a roar, deep, wild, animalistic. It scared the shit out of me. Before I could react, he lifted his leg and slammed a brutal kick into the punching bag, sending it swinging like it was about to snap off the chain. Then he turned, and for a moment, it felt like he’d doubled in size.
I stepped back, instinctively raising my hands to shield my face from a possible blow.
His breath came heavy and fast, but his voice was terrifyingly calm. “Look at me.”
I obeyed, letting my eyes meet his. His gloved hands cupped my face. “I will never raise a hand to you. Ever. If I need to punish you, there are a thousand other ways to do it. But I’ll never humiliate you like that. So don’t be afraid of me, okay?”
A single tear slipped down my cheek, but I nodded.
His muscles tensed. “But I’m warning you. As long as this so-calledthingbetween us isn’t over, don’t youevertalk about another man in front of me. I’ll let it slide this time. But next time you’ll regret it. Got it?”
I just nodded again.
He let go of my face, taking a step back. “Did you pack your things?”
“I did,” I said softly.
“Good. Giorgio will move them to my room. And about what you said earlier, don’t worry about the future.I want to enjoy my time with you. I’ve got no interest in breaking you.As long as you know your place, you’ll enjoy it too. I know women think too much about the future. You’re never really in the moment.And when that anxiety builds up, you turn into a cat locked in a room, clawing at yourself, tearing into everyone around you.So, to keep your fear from ruining our time, here’s my promise: When I’m done with you, I’ll set you up with a good life.You’ll have security and money. Enough to live comfortably for the rest of your life.”
Relief slipped out of me in a soft sigh. He smirked, peeled off his glove and tossed it carelessly to the floor.In the next second, his arm wrapped around my waist and yanked me into him. I stumbled against the thick bulge in his pants, my face instantly flushing red.
He leaned in, lips brushing the air between us, and whispered, “You really don’t have much faith in yourself, do you?You think I’ll get bored of you soon, huh?But let me tell you something, little lamb. I don’t think I’ll tire of this tempting body anytimesoon.And I’m rarely wrong in my judgment.So don’t get your hopes up.”
My eyes dropped to the black ink etched across his chest, my breath catching in my throat. “Men like you don’t stay with one woman for long. That’s what my woman’s intuition tells me. And it’s usually right.”
He pulled me closer, the beat of my heart thudding against his body. “But you’re not a woman yet,” he murmured, voice low and teasing. “You’re still an inexperienced, innocent virgin. Don’t worry, though. I’ll fix that problem for you. And once I’ve turned you into a real woman, we’ll see whose instincts are right.”
I stepped back fast, my pulse on the verge of exploding. He didn’t stop me and let me go. I forced a smile, even though the heat in my face gave me away. Trying to lighten the mood, I held up my fist. “Promise?”
With a flicker of amusement in his eyes, he gently bumped his fist against mine. “Promise.”
We locked eyes, neither of us willing to look away. It felt like we were two opposing magnets, irresistibly drawn to each other. But then, the loud shouts of Maxim and Lorenzo behind me shattered the moment. Without a word, I turned and walked out.
Giorgio was waiting by the door, his gaze scanning my face as I approached. “You okay? You’re red as a fresh tomato.”
I touched my cheek, my pulse still thundering violently. “I’m fine. Let’s go.”
***
Carlo’s room was massive, easily the size of my entire apartment back in Chicago. His closet had more than enough space for my things, and the bed was so big, four people could’ve slept in it without touching.
Despite the fact that he’d been married three times, there wasn’t a trace of femininity anywhere. The space was all sports and clean, neutral tones, simple, bold, masculine. Behind the bed hung a striking painting of wild horses galloping along a beach, black and white figures bathed in sunlight.
I lay down on the bed, and my thoughts immediately drifted back to Carlo. Ever since that conversation in the hospital, I hadn’t been able to get him out of my head. From the moment he made me lose control, I’d been consumed by a craving I couldn’t shake.
My body ached for his touch. I wanted him, wanted to give myself over completely and see where he’d take me. I longed to feel the weight of him; the weight of those perfectly sculpted muscles pressed against mine. To breathe in the scent of his skin. I was lost in the thought of him, heat swirling low in my belly, pulling me deeper, until sleep finally took over.
***
Someone was gently caressing my cheek, their fingers trailing down the curve of my neck with a touch that was both soft and possessive. A familiar scent filled the air. Soap, aftershave, and unmistakably, Carlo.
My eyes fluttered open, and there he was, leaning over me with a predatory gleam in his eyes. Fresh from the shower, his skin still glistened with dampness. He wore only a pair of briefs, revealing the kind of body that felt almost criminal to hide under clothes.
