"Let. Me. Go!" I try to make out the words, but my mouth is unable to cooperate.
"Easy, I won't do anything to you," he continues as he drags the lifeline—and me—with him toward the boat.
I think I pass the point of no return, because I don't even realize when he pulls me up and onto the deck, leaving me on the floor, a wet, shivering mess close to hypothermia.
He comes back, though, and places a blanket around my shoulders, holding it tight so I can borrow its heat.
"I won't be your whore," I feel the need to repeat.
"Do you really think I would ever fuck you?" He tilts his head to the side, giving me a skeptical look. "Have you looked in a mirror recently? Sorry, little tigress, but my tastes run to women..." he pauses, looking me up and down, "not children." I can't even muster a reply, because who am I kidding? I know what I look like. Still, somehow his jibe hurts.
With one last look at me, he turns his back to leave.
"Then why? Why did you ask me?" I finally find my voice again.
"Why?" He half-turns, a smile on his face. "It was a test. I wanted to see how you'd react."
I frown at his answer.
"And?"
"You passed." His last words are barely audible.
7
ENZO
Going back inside the room,I turn the heat to the maximum and quickly change my clothes. Then, taking a seat on a chair, I wait.
Allegra.
I smile to myself. She's small, but she sure packs a punch. I'd been convinced she was a boy until the moment I'd seen her nipples peeking through her shirt.
Damn!
She's a complication I don't need.
I've never been on great terms with the Marchesi. And considering their reputation within our circles—greedy bastards with loose morals—it's no wonder I'd thought she was the same.
From the moment I'd found out she was related to those lunatics, I'd made it my mission to push her, to find out just how far she can take it. I'd seen the way she'd first looked at me, even when I'd thought she was a boy. The invitation had been there, in the way her pupils had dilated or how her mouth had parted in wonder.
I might be branded a narcissist, even though I'm anythingbut. Yet every single woman of my acquaintance has reacted the same way, so I've learned to recognize the cues.
Little Allegra had wanted me, and when I realized it, I'd snapped. I'd been callous to her, and maybe a little too cruel, but in my mind, she was just a second away from doing what everyone's always done—throw herself at me.
So I'd set out to prove to myself that she was just like the others; that she only needed a little nudging before she was willing to spread her legs for me—not that I would have ever taken her up on the offer.
And so I'd pushed, backed her into a corner, and dangled in front of her what she wanted the most—transport back to the port. I'd been so sure she was going to drop her innocent act and fall to her knees before me, begging for my cock.
But she hadn't.
She'd been… unpredictable. From the very beginning, I'd thought myself in control, but she turned the game around and handed me a move I never saw coming.
She'd rather die than become my whore.
Idiotic, but admirable.
She'd proved me wrong. And that gave me pause.
