She gives me a funny smile as her brow knits in confusion. “No, you’re not. You’re Luke Monroe.”
“I wasn’t allowed to tell you before. I work undercover for Rockland. That’s why I have the job at Gotcha’s, this apartment.”
“Are you kidding? Is this your way of teasing me for giving Jet the time of day?” She takes a much larger sip of wine.
“No. What I’m telling you is the truth. I’ve been a member of the family a little over a year. My brother, Matteo Monroe, now Matteo Bachman, is a member. He recruited me.”
Her brow furrows. “But why did you lie to me? Why not tell me? You can trust me.”
“I was under strict orders. It was only when I told Rockland how serious I am about you that he gave me permission to tell you. Aren’t you happy? Even a little? It’s what you always dreamed of—being with a Bachman man.” I reach out to grab her hand.
She pulls it away. “You still... lied.”
I knew it would take some time for her to come around, but I had no idea she’d be this hurt by the news. “I had to. Don’t you understand? Even the Beauties don’t know.”
Her gaze narrows accusingly. “What else have you lied about?”
Racking my brain, I try to think of anything else I may have covered up, wanting to earn back her trust. There’s only one thing I can think of—Jet. She’s not going to like what I have to say, but I press forward. “There’s only one other thing. The man you went out with that night, Jet—he’s not a Bachman, he’s a federal agent. He was trying to use you to get a message to me.”
“Oh.” A blush of embarrassment rises in her cheeks. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I reach for her hand again, and she lets me take it. The small gesture makes hope rise in my heart. I wrap both my hands around her small one, enveloping it with warmth.
Gazing into her eyes, I tell her the truth. “I didn’t want to hurt you. And I didn’t think it mattered since you weren’t going to see him again.”
She slides her hand from mine. “It hurts my pride more, knowing you knew and hid it from me.”
I say, “I’m sorry—it’s just, the less you know, the safer you are in this world. Which brings me to my next point—”
She snaps, cutting me off. “What world? You didn’t even tell me you were a Bachman.” She rises from her chair.
“Sit yourself down, now.”
“No. I don’t want to sit down. And I don’t want to hear your next point.”
“Temper, temper, temper. Calm your ass down and take a seat.” I hold my hand out toward her empty chair, staring her down, daring her to defy me. “Now.”
My words only serve to fuel her fire. “I won’t. I’m mad that you lied to me and I have a right to be—”
Now it’s me cutting her off. I stand from my seat, circling the table to her. Grabbing her shoulders, I say, “Listen to me. When you met with Jet, you opened yourself up to becoming a target for Theo. I have no idea how he might entangle you, but I’m not willing to risk your safety. You’re moving in with me until I can take care of Theo. And that’s final.”
“There is no way in hell I’m moving in with you! I decide who I live with, not you.” She pushes me away.
I reach for her. “You’re not safe.”
She steps back. “Theo is a federal agent, what could he possibly do to me?”
“You’d be surprised. But that doesn’t matter—you’re in danger. I want you here where I can keep an eye on you.”
“No. I get to choose, and I say no.”
“You don’t have a choice.” I grab her, pulling her into me.
She struggles, beating at my chest with her fists. “Get off me, you ass!”
“Not till you accept that you’re not safe.” Sliding one hand down her back, I give her ass a sharp slap. “But if you need some convincing, I’ll be happy to help.”
“So help me God, if you don’t let go of me right now—”
I bring her closer until her face is only inches from mine. “You’ll what, little girl?”
She’s seething, her livid eyes narrowing at me as she stares. “I’ll kick your ass, that’s what!”
“There’s a line. And you’ve just crossed it.”
A flash of fear breaks out from behind the mask of anger. “Don’t you touch me!”
Throwing myself down onto the chair, I tug her over my lap. Her legs kick, her arms flail to protect her ass. I pin her legs to mine. Grab her wrists and pin her hands to her lower back. “You’re going to learn to listen.”
“That’s the problem. You think you control me but you don’t—”
Cutting off her words with a hard slap to her ass, I say, “You’re mistaken, little girl. You told me you were with me and therefore, that gives me authority over you,” I spank her again, “to protect you,” a hard slap to her ass, “and take care of you.”
She shouts at me, trying to send me death rays over her shoulder, but her hair falls over her face. “You call this taking care of me?”
“I do when you’re being unreasonable.” I spank her right cheek, her left cheek, then leave my palm resting on her ass—the weight of my hand a warning. The silk of her dress is thin, and I can feel the heat of her skin. “You’re going to lie over my lap until your temper is gone and you’re ready to listen.”
“Fine! I’m listening.” She tries to wriggle but I have such a tight hold on her, she barely moves an inch.
“There’s a good girl.” I stroke her ass, my skin slipping over her silk-covered curves. “Now tell me you understand why I couldn’t tell you I’m a Bachman.”
“I understand... that you’re a liar!”
I bring my hand down again. And again. Until she’s crying out, squirming over my lap. “You know I had no choice but to keep it a secret until Rockland gave me permission.”
“Okay. Okay—I understand.”
“Do you? Or are you just saying that to keep me from spanking your ass?” I give her another series of swats.
“No! I’m sorry. I do know. I was upset but you’re right.”
“And you’re going to move in with me until the Theo situation is taken care of?”
Silence. I can feel her anger brewing back up. There’s only one way to get a resistant woman to see your side of the story—raise her dress and lower her panties.
“Daddy wants to hear you say the words.” My fingers dance over her skin, inching the material of her dress up her legs. I gather it around her waist, exposing her ass. She’s wearing nothing but a little white G-string under that gorgeous dress. I tug it down, rolling it over her hips and sliding it down her legs. “These pretty curves, your ass is already pink but I think it’s going to be red before Daddy lets you up off his lap.”
She gives a little moan as I stroke her bare skin. “I... don’t know.”
I bring my hand down on her bare skin. A print rises, pink and beautiful, marking her as mine. Unlocking my leg from hers, I say, “I want you here with me. Where you’re safe. Where Daddy can watch you and protect you.”
“Hmph,” she sniffs.
I slide my fingers between her legs, slowly moving them upward. “Spread those pretty legs and let Daddy see you. All of you.”
She gives a shameful moan, but her legs spread. The lips of her shaved pussy shine with arousal. Her little rosebud stares up at me, begging for my attention. “Baby girl’s so wet for Daddy, even when she’s mad. You know how hard it makes me, to see you like this? Lying over my lap with my handprint on your ass, your wet pussy begging for me.”
“Touch me, Daddy,” she breathes.
I slide my finger between her legs, lightly tracing her slick folds with my fingertip. Finding her clit, I circle it, then dip inside her. She gives a soft sigh as I pump my finger into her. “I’ll touch you, but I won’t let you come.”
“Why not?” she whimpers.
“Because you’re being naughty.” I take my finger from her, giving her pussy a little slap that makes her give a deep m
oan. “Tell Daddy that you’re going to be safe. That you’re moving in with me.”
“Okay, okay. You’re right. I’ll move in, but only till you take care of Theo.” She wiggles her hips in the most adorable way. “Now, please let me come, Daddy.”
Her words make my cock harder. “There’s my good girl.” I push my finger inside of her, stretching her and filling her.
“Ah.” She moves her hips backwards, meeting my fingers.
I give a dark chuckle. “Greedy girl. Trying to take more than Daddy’s offering.” Adding a second finger, I plunge them both inside her. Alternating, I pump, then slide out and circle and caress her clit.
Her hips start to buck and she’s whimpering, the orgasm closing in on her. This time when I slide my fingers in her, her pussy clamps down on me. I twist my fingers around, facing my hand up and I press her clit with the pad of my thumb.
She screams out as she orgasms, her body tightening and contracting.
“Come for Daddy, baby girl.”
“I can’t take any more!” she cries.
“Daddy knows how much you can take.”
I keep massaging and plunging till she’s splayed out over my lap, crying, “Oh my God, oh my God!”
“That’s a good girl. Come for your daddy, again.”
“Now I want you to crawl on my lap and ride me, pretty girl.” I help her up, standing her before me. Her dress falls back down in place.
Unbuckling my belt, I free my cock and it stands proud and hard and ready for her. I ruck her dress back up around her waist, and her G-string falls from her ankles, down to the floor.
She climbs over my lap, straddling me. Grabbing her hips, I line up my cock with her entrance and bring her down on me, hard and fast. “Now, ride your daddy good.”
Her hands go to my shoulders, her fingernails digging into my flesh. She’s making sweet little sighing noises that make my cock even harder.
Kissing her lips, I ask, “Are you going to stay with me till I get this situation under control?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
I kiss her cheek. “And you’re going to be a good girl and do as I say and stay safe?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“And let Daddy have your pretty body whenever he wants you?”
“Oh, yes, Daddy!”
My balls tighten. Electricity dances up and down my cock. I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her close. Our mouths find one another as the climax tightens in my core, our tongues tangling together. We come as one, riding the wave of pleasure through our passionate kisses.
A feeling runs through me so strong, it takes me a moment to name it; I’m willing to protect this woman, even if it means laying down my own life.
Chapter Ten
Luke
The next day, we take the driver to her place to pick up the bare necessities so she can be comfortable while she’s staying with me. I’m shocked by the tiny size of her apartment, how few belongings she has. After seeing her place, I’m even more happy she’ll be staying at mine.
It’s a little awkward, moving her into my apartment. I’ve never lived with a girlfriend before—always being so focused on my work in the past, no relationship reached that level. Tori is cute, almost tiptoeing around as she tries to find places to store her things.
Sitting on the bed, I watch her. “Make yourself at home. Feel free to put your stuff wherever you want.”
She places a few books on the nightstand on the side of the bed she’s claimed. “This is just so weird. I told you I wanted to be with you and just a few hours later you’re telling me I have to move in.”
“I’ll take care of it as quick as I can. Then you can go back to your place.” Funny, the thought of taking her back to that tiny apartment tugs at my chest.
When we sleep that night, my body curls around hers like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I wake in the morning knowing she’ll be here again tonight. And the thought causes a welling in my heart.
Rockland and I’ve decided it’s best for me to keep Tori away from Gotcha’s till this mess is cleaned up. I make her breakfast. We take a walk in the park, my gun hidden at my side. We get coffee, sit outside at a sidewalk café, and talk and laugh for almost two hours.
We go back to my place, order in Thai food for dinner. Watch a movie and end up making out like teenagers on my leather couch.
She falls asleep in my arms.
The second day, she’s getting a little antsy. I distract her as best as I can. Take her to the chocolate shop, to the museum. To her favorite café for lunch. But she keeps asking when she can go home.
We’re walking back to my place, passing by the club. She stops, tugging her hand from mine. Her hands go to her hips, and she strikes that sassy pose that makes my hand twitch. “Just tell me. Give me a date that I’ll be back in my apartment.”
Exasperated, I run a hand through my hair. “I told you, I’ll let you know as soon as I do.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I’m not moving an inch until you give me a date.”
Now I’m pissed. I’m worried about her safety and she’s not giving it a second thought. “What part of ‘You’re not leaving until it’s safe’ do you not understand?”
“The part where you don’t give me an end date.”
We’re drawing attention to ourselves, right in front of the club—exactly what I don’t want. Leaning in, I whisper into her ear, “Get your ass upstairs now, or I’m going to be lighting it on fire.”
Holding her stance, she gives me a cold stare. “No.”
“Don’t tell your daddy ‘no,’ little girl, unless you want to find yourself over my lap.”
A flash of doubt covers her face, but her jaw tightens, and she doesn’t move.
“Fine. Have it your way.” I bend down, scooping her up and throwing her over my shoulder. “Daddy will carry you home.”
She’s kicking and wiggling but she’s so tiny, I’m easily able to carry her down the sidewalk and open the door to the stairwell. I carry her up the stairs, slapping her ass every time I feel her little fist punch my back. “Don’t get yourself into more trouble than you already are, little lady.”
“Oomph! You put me down, right now!”
We reach my door and I set her down. She’s busy fixing her hair and smoothing her clothes. I watch, enjoying the flush that’s risen in her cheeks.
“Are you going to be a good girl now, and tell me why you want to go home so bad?”
She looks at me as if she wants to slap me. I’d love to see her try.
She crosses her arms over her chest again and pouts an adorable little pout. “It’s just that... it’s just that...”
Her voice is softer, gentler. She’s looking down at her shoes and biting her bottom lip in a way that makes my heart tug.
She needs sweetness right now, not sternness. I smooth a hand over her hair. “Tell me, sweetheart, what’s bothering you?” Stroking her cheek, I wait for her answer.
She won’t meet my eye.
“I guess Daddy will have to kiss the answer from you.” I take her into my arms and she melts against me. I kiss her, long and deep and sweet.
When I pull away, there are tears in her eyes. “What is it, baby girl?”
“It’s so silly—I know I have to stay here for my safety but I just always promised myself I wouldn’t live with a man who wasn’t committed to me.” She peeks up at me from beneath her lashes.
“But I am committed to you—I’ve turned my whole live upside down to protect you.”
“It’s not the same. I mean... I don’t want to live with a man that’s not my... boyfriend.”
Being a Secret Service member, then becoming a Bachman—my career has been my life. I’ve dated girls, slept with girls, had friends that were girls, but it’s been a long time since a relationship made it to girlfriend status.
Taking her in, her pouty lips, her sweet face, her bright blue eyes that are on the brink of tears, I suddenly want noth
ing more than to make her happy. At any cost. “Tori, will you make me the happiest man in the world and not only be my baby girl, but my girlfriend as well?”
She sniffs. “You mean it?”
“Yes.”
She gives me a smile that makes me feel like I’ve given her the world. We kiss, and as we kiss, I feel a new sense of responsibility for this sweet girl, and I make a promise to myself: I’ll keep her safe and make her as happy as I can.
* * *
A few days later, I get a message from Rockland—it’s time for me to make good on my promise and take care of Theo.
Charlotte, a Bachman Beauty and an old friend of Tori’s, offers to take her shopping for the day. They’ll be trailed by a couple of Brothers for my peace of mind, but hopefully she’ll be able to have a worry-free day between having her friend and my Amex Black Card.
Jet meets me the club. It’s early, still closed. Jet doesn’t know much, except he’s been told to be here.
I greet him with a handshake. “Good to see you, man.”
He’s got a grip on him. I respect that. He says, “Good to see you too. Sorry about the hotel. I didn’t mean to creep up on your girl, I didn’t know how else to get the message to you.”
I say, “It’s in the past. You’ve obviously proven yourself to Rockland, otherwise he wouldn’t have sent you on this mission.”
Jet holds back a grin. “I’m pretty stoked he’s considering the initiation.”
I give him a nod. “He’s looking in that direction. But there’s one thing you have to do first. The reason we’re here.”
“I guessed as much.” His brow narrows. “Theo?”
“Yes. Today, you end him, and begin your walk to becoming a Brother.”
His jaw tenses, but his gaze is clear. “I can do that.”
“Great. Let’s go in the club. I’ll fill you in on the plan.” I open the door for him.
He enters. I close the door behind him. Locking it from the outside with my key. Leaning my back against the door, I wait.
If he’s meant to be a Brother, he’ll have come carrying. When he hears the door lock, he’ll know he’s on his own. And when he sees what’s inside, he’ll know what to do.
Say Daddy: A Mafia Billionaire Romance Page 9