He’s serious.
As I look at Dante Romano, I see a man who intrigues and repulses me at the same time. He’s so hot he burns, and just the thought of being with such a man almost gives me an orgasm as I imagine it. He is seriously hot from his jet-black hair, worn slightly too long, dark sexy eyes and rough stubble that covers his face. His shirt is unbuttoned low enough for me to see a hard-toned body with rippling muscles that would feel good under my touch and yet the thought of that body anywhere near me fills me with panic. I’m not experienced, I’m a virgin for Christ’s sake, how on earth would I survive him?
Swallowing hard, I shake my head slowly and try to get my breathing under control.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Romano, but no.”
“No.”
He stiffens and his eyes flash and the idiot in me faces him down with an equally hard expression.
“This has been a strange day, Mr. Romano, or can I call you Dante? I woke up this morning thinking I was finally free. I decided to leave my hated prison in a blaze of glory and then you happened. I found myself kidnapped and imprisoned and forced into a job I never applied for. You had no regard for my feelings in any of this and then when I tried to take matters into my own hands, you chained me up like a dog and forced me to watch you torture another man who pissed you off. Then you assaulted me in the cruelest of ways and after all that, you brought me to your bedroom and offered me the job as your whore. Well, excuse me, Mr. Romano, but I want more.”
“More?”
He raises an inquisitive eye and I almost think he’s enjoying this, which shows how fucked up the man really is.
“Yes, I want more. You see, call me old-fashioned but I kind of wanted to love the first man I gave my body to. I thought it would be my choice who that was and I thought when I left school I would be in control of my own destiny. I’ll not deny I find you attractive, I think we both know that, but I won’t give myself up so easily and made to feel like a cheap whore. So, no, Mr. Romano, I will not be your sex slave but I will be your son’s nanny. I will be the best nanny he ever has and it will be for one year. Then I will claim my inheritance, which is millions by the way, so you see I cannot be bought. So, if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a very emotional day and I’m keen to try out that bed for size that you kindly arranged for me next door—alone.”
I stand and toss back my hair and glare at a man who is showing no emotion after my little speech. I wonder what’s going on inside his head and as I turn, he says darkly,
“Sit down.”
My legs shake at the tone of his voice and it would be a fool who disobeyed him, so I do as he says and sit straight backed and with my hands clasped in my lap and stare back at him with the same blank expression that he wears to great effect.
“Interesting speech, Miss. Grey and one that has surprised me. I am a fair man as you will soon find out and not one to force myself on anyone. So, this is what will happen. You will become my son’s nanny, that much is certain. You will be ours for one year as you desire. During that time, you will do everything in your power to make his life happy and I will be watching you. We will eat together, work together, and travel together. We will become one strong unit and there will be no boyfriends distracting you from your work. I expect one hundred percent dedication and in return, at the end of the year, I will consider your freedom.”
“Consider, if I do everything you ask, I will demand it.”
I feel my eyes flashing as I sense I don’t really get a say in this, and that’s what scares me the most. I’m a fool if I think I’ll ever be free because my heart sinks as I realize I’ve just antagonized a man with no soul.
The thing I hate the most is how he affects me. How much the thought of being his fuck toy appeals to me and how much I would love nothing more than to make him my first out of curiosity. I’m guessing he would be a hard fuck, demanding and brutal, and I shiver as I imagine myself re-living that thought later on in bed—alone.
His eyes flash and he smiles, but it’s an empty one. This man has no emotion, which is what attracts me the most. An enigma, a hard nut to crack and I’m guessing he is one hot lover, but I’m determined not to give him the satisfaction of knowing that.
Then he says abruptly, “You’re right about one thing, it’s been a long day. We need to sleep, so you get your wish, head back to your room and enjoy your rest because when my son wakes up you won’t stop.”
I nod and make to leave and as soon as my hand touches the door handle, he says roughly, “Miss. Grey.”
I turn and feel the fear slide down my body like a thousand knives as he stares at me hard with a killer’s eyes. “Yes?”
My voice shakes as he smiles darkly, “Sleep well.”
I lick my lips nervously and nod before leaving as quickly as I can. Sleep well, how can I knowing he’s in the next room? For all my brave words, I only really wanted one thing—him.
It’s only the next morning that I realize just how much he’s given me. An alarm sounds beside my bed at 6 am and I groan as I flick the switch to silence the irritating ring.
Before I know what’s happening, the door to my room opens and I stare in a haze of lust as Dante stands there looking so hot, I think I’m still dreaming. He’s wearing silk pajama bottoms that sit low on his hips, showing a tantalizing V leading down to more pleasure than my body could surely stand. His broad chest ripples as he moves, and the tattoos that decorate it take my breath away. Wow, this man is covered in ink and my mouth waters. His hair’s messy and the stubble on his face almost makes me pounce on him and when he speaks, his voice is slightly husky from sleep as he drawls, “You have thirty minutes to shower and change. I have laid out your outfit in the closet and I expect you to wear it with no arguments. You see, you have decided to take a different option from the easier one on offer and now as my employee for one year…”
His eyes flash, showing how much he’s enjoying this, “Means that I get to control every part of you. So, do as I say and your year will be a happy one; go against my wishes and your ass will be so red you will feel the burn every hour of the day. Try to escape and it will be you hanging in that warehouse and talk back to me again and the contract is void. One year, Miss. Grey, you will be mine for one year and if my toys displease me, I break them.”
He looks at me with a hard expression and I’m suddenly aware of how I must look. My hair is a mess and all over the place and I went to bed in my bra and panties. The silk sheets felt so luxurious against my skin, I purred like a cat as I slipped between them and allowed them to caress my body in silken paradise.
The sight of him has my breathing all over the place and I feel ashamed as he smirks before turning and leaving almost as quickly as he came.
Punching the bed, I kick out in anger and resist the urge to scream in frustration. One more year, one whole fucking year of him controlling my every move. Would it be different if I had agreed to his demands? Would I be woken up with a different set of rules? I’m guessing it would be an easier ride that’s for sure and a much more interesting one, but I sealed my fate the moment I said no to him and now I’m in trouble.
Chapter 14
Dante
She said no. I almost thought I’d misheard because nobody ever says no to me. It’s not a word I’m used to hearing—speaking, of course. I say no to most people but her; she dared say it to me.
When she left, I felt so angry I wanted to drive my fist through my own skull. She’s so infuriating, so rebellious and so goddamned hot my cock can’t understand what’s taking me so long. She said no, and I can’t deal with what that means.
If anything, it’s made me even more determined to have her. I will break her, make her regret ever allowing that word to pass her lips. No - what the fuck?
I couldn’t sleep, so I resorted to working long into the night before falling into a fitful sleep just a couple of hours ago. Strangely, she was my first thought when I woke and I couldn’t resist heading off to find her.
The sight of her in that bed almost made me into more of a monster than I am already. The silk sheets fell from her shoulders revealing a delicious body dressed only in a lace bra, holding in place two breasts that would be the ruin of any man. Her face was devoid of make-up, revealing the true beauty under it and her cheeks were flushed and her smoky eyes dilated as she looked at me with a mixture of horror and desire. I almost couldn’t think straight but she said no and I must honor that, but I won’t make it easy on her. By the time I’ve finished, she will be begging me to change things and Isabella Grey will be warming my bed and she will fucking love every minute of it.
As soon as I’m ready, I head into Luca’s room. I feel angry with myself because normally he’s the first thing I think of when my eyes open but today was different; it was Isabella and I feel like the worst father alive for that. So, I head inside his room at odds with myself, but the sight of his sleepy face staring at me from his bed settles my heart. He’s the only one who matters, not me, not Isabella, him.
Smiling, I say gently, “Morning son, did you sleep well?”
He half smiles and my heart physically aches for him. I always ask this question and he always nods, but the light in his eyes is missing. I’m not sure how to show my feelings, I speak to him as I would one of my brothers and can’t be the carefree parent he badly needs. He deserves two parents who shower him with love, affection and happiness. I know this place is cold and unfeeling, which is why I decided to employ somebody who could let a little light in—for Luca.
My grandmother wanted an older lady. Somebody with experience and able to coax him out of his shell. But I wanted someone young, full of life and fun, which is why I headed for Eden Manners. We got Isabella and for all her sass, she’s perfect for us.
Lifting Luca into my arms, I hold on tight, loving this moment every day when it’s just the two of us. His little arms lock around my neck and as I breathe in his scent, it does strange things to me inside. I want to protect him from the horrors of our life, but I know I can’t. I want to fill his life with riches and take all the worries away—but I can’t. He’s a Romano and we have to accept our fate. His life will be hard and filled with nightmares. What father wants that for his son? A bastard, that’s who I am and I was raised by the biggest one of all until some kind person shot him dead while he urinated one day. At least I had my brothers, though. We comforted each other and had one another’s backs. Who has Luca got—me? Lorenzo and Sophia may have children in the future, but they don’t live here. Lucian, god forbid, is itching to make Riley a mom, but that’s not happening anytime soon.
Again, my thoughts turn to Isabella and I picture her swollen with my child and I hold Luca a little tighter. Why is she inside my head so quickly? Because she said no. It sets her apart and makes me want her more. That and the fact she’s the hottest woman I think I’ve ever met and she doesn’t even realize it.
“Oh, excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt.”
Turning, my heart thumps as I see the woman herself hesitating in the doorway. Her pink hair is scraped back in a ponytail and the clothes I set out for her make my cock physically hurt. She’s gorgeous.
The soft gray silk dress I chose with her in mind caresses her curves and reveals the lines of a woman made for sin. Imagining the sexy underwear I also laid out, touching a body I would kill to explore, makes me shift awkwardly on the spot and the slim ankles that support a pair of shapely legs towering tall in the soft gray leather heels, makes me almost groan out loud in frustration.
Luca looks at her shyly and I see a rare smile tugging at the corner of his mouth and I know I made the right choice—for him.
“I’ll leave if you want more time.”
Shaking my head, I set Luca down and say softly, “You remember Isabella, don’t you?”
He nods shyly and she fixes him with a beaming smile that tears at my heart and drops her to knees and I swear I see white lights flash before me as I picture her in that same position, naked and bound before me.
I need a shower and fast.
Coughing to hide my discomfort, I say slightly huskily, “I’ll let you get acquainted. Breakfast is in ten minutes, don’t be late, nonna will be angry if you are.”
I can’t get out of there fast enough and don’t even look at her as I pass. I know it was the wrong thing to do. I should have stayed, made sure Luca was ok with this, but the feeling in my pants was excruciating. One look and she would have seen what she does to me and I can’t have that. No, she will not have power over me and I need to deal with this obsession before it destroys everything I’ve worked so hard to build. I must get my head back into business and that doesn’t involve fucking the life out of the women who dared say no to me.
Chapter 15
Isabella
I think I’m in love—with Luca Romano.
I was glad when Dante left, I can’t think straight when he’s around and I was immediately regretting my decision when I saw the man himself this morning. He makes my heart stop beating because he is that hot. He was wearing black trousers and a white shirt, unbuttoned at the neck, giving me a tantalizing glimpse of that resolve shattering body that I physically ache for. His dark eyes flashed as he looked at me and it made my head spin. Wondering what we could have been doing if my answer had been different made me almost blurt out that I’d changed my mind. He is the first man I have wanted to have sex with so badly my principles don’t get a say in the matter but how can I? He’s a monster, the devil in black and so dangerous I may not have long to live.
So, I decide to focus everything on the small boy watching me shyly and stay on my knees smiling at him, allowing him time to come to me without being made to.
“So, Luca, today is our first day together. Are you ok with that?”
He nods shyly and I smile. “Good because I’m looking forward to having some fun times just me and you. What do you say we get you dressed and head down for breakfast? I don’t know about you, but my dreams last night have made me so hungry I could eat everything. You’ll have to be quick if you want anything for yourself, just warning you.”
I wink and he smiles a little more and my heart beats faster. The poor little thing. His eyes reflect a tortuous beginning and I can’t imagine what sort of monster would subject such a sweet little boy to anything but love.
Holding out my hand, I say brightly, “Do you think you’re strong enough to pull me up? I sure could use a hand right now.”
He nods and as his small hand finds mine, I want to cling onto it and keep him safe. Instead, I make a big show of struggling to get up and make him think his efforts are the reason I get there.
“Wow, Luca, you’re strong. I’m guessing you are the strongest boy in the world. Does your daddy know that? Shall we tell him, or shall we let him find out himself one day?”
I almost get a grin out of him as he shakes his head and I laugh. “So, what does a strong man wear for breakfast? Choose your favorite and we’ll show your family what a strong man dresses like.”
He walks over to his closet and I see rows upon rows of little outfits, all hanging neatly in blocks of color. Shorts, t-shirts, little trousers and jackets, stand proudly side by side in a room fit for a prince. They are too high for him to select from, so I say cheerily, “Why don’t you sit on my shoulders and then you can choose for yourself. Do you think I’m strong enough to hold you? I’m not so sure.”
He nods and I see his eyes light up as I lift him up onto my shoulders, my heart wrenching as I feel how light he is. I make a big show of stumbling around the room, pretending he is too heavy for me and every time he reaches out to grab an item of clothing, I groan and shake so he wobbles like mad on top of me. It becomes a game as he tries to snatch the clothing, and then I hear the sound I’ve been waiting for. He laughs.
The tears form in my eyes as his laughter strikes me hard in the heart. This is what I wanted. We carry on because I would do this all day just to hear the gentle sound and it’s only when I’
m aware we’re not alone, I stop and look guiltily at the door.
Standing in the doorway of the closet is his father looking so emotional I think I stop breathing. Luca stops laughing and there’s an awkward silence, which I quickly fill by groaning. “Thank God, did you know Luca is the strongest boy in the world? You’ll have to try and get him off me, I’m not strong enough.”
I wobble to drive my point home and Luca giggles again and holds on tightly. I’m not sure what Dante will do, if he even approves of me messing around like this, but I’m surprised when he laughs and winks at his son. “What do you say, shall we make her suffer a bit longer?”
Luca must nod because Dante folds his arms and smirks before leaning against the doorframe. “Sorry, Luca isn’t finished with you yet, you’ll have to wait until he is.”
Pretending to groan, I start to wobble and the sound of Luca’s laughter gives me more pleasure than I ever thought possible, so I make a big show of staggering around the room while he rides me like a cowboy before collapsing in a heap on the velvet covered bench and pulling him into my arms myself. His laughter makes me laugh and I start to tickle him as he wriggles in my arms.
Soon we are out of breath and I’m happy to see his eyes shining for once before Dante says in a firm voice, “Well, I think you won that round, Luca, maybe you can ride on my shoulders down to breakfast as a reward.”
Luca looks up at his father and nods, and it pains me to notice he doesn’t reward him with a smile. His little arms reach out and Dante hauls him onto his shoulders, still in his pajamas and says loudly, “Come on then, let’s go and tell nonna how strong you are, you can get dressed later.”
I follow them out, feeling a little breathless. There’s a strange feeling inside me as I watch them from behind. Father and son, so alike and guaranteed to ruin lives in one way or another. Both of them could ruin mine in a heartbeat because seeing them together here in this amazing home, is like a powerful drug I could become addicted to. I can’t allow that to happen though. I meant what I said, Dante Romano is not the man for me, not really. He just wants someone to fuck, not love. Someone to care for his son and him in the bedroom. I want more. I want this, the family, the laughter, the love, but I won’t find that here. I’m not a fool. I need to stay focused and remember what this is. It’s a job and nothing more and one year from today, I’m leaving and starting my life where I hope the path leads to my happily ever after with a man and a child much like them. But it needs to be because I fell in love with the right man, not the oh so wrong one striding in front of me making me almost run to keep up.
The Throne of Hate: A mafia romance (The Romano's Book 2) Page 7