“If you don’t get dressed, I’m going to fuck you on the floor.”
Her eyes widened. She bent one of her legs slightly, and turned it against her other leg, as though she were trying to hide her pussy.
As if that would work.
He didn’t move, just watched her eyes cloud over as he spoke. “Are you wet for me so soon? Tingling for me? Throbbing for me?”
She sighed, one of her hands moving across her belly and down, down, down.
“Don’t touch yourself.”
She paused, then smiled. “Are you going to touch me?”
“Not until tonight.”
She scrunched her nose, clearly disliking that idea.
“And you’re not to touch yourself until I tell you to.”
Her eyes narrowed, then relaxed. “All right. If I can’t touch myself, neither can you.”
“Deal.”
Her mouth dropped open slightly, and he thought back to her last night, taking his wet-covered cock in her mouth.
Shit.
“Shall we make it a bet? If you touch yourself before tonight, I get to tie you up after the ball.”
Her body clenched. Shit, had he read her wrong? “Only if you want to, bella. I would never force you to do anything you didn’t—”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
She nodded and licked her lips, her eyes drifting down to his semi-erect flesh, then back up. “Yes. If you win, you tie me up.”
Her smile turned devious. “But if I win, then I tie you up.”
Now there was no ‘semi’ involved in how hard his dick was.
Shit. Fuck. Shit.
He took a deep breath. Then another. Then another.
Sarah looked positively pleased with herself.
He could fix that. “Deal, bella.” He yanked her close and swallowed her squeal of surprise. Taking her mouth rough, long, and deep, he also ground his cock against her flesh. When she was squirming and clawing at his back, he stepped away.
“No fair!” Her lips and cheeks were red, her body flushed.
He swallowed a groan and walked around her. When he plastered himself against her back, he spoke in a low voice. “Bet starts in five seconds.”
“Why five seconds?”
“So I can do this.” He slapped each cheek of her ass once. Her body pitched forward slightly, and he caught her, keeping her steady.
Damn. He wanted to take her into the bathroom and fuck her from behind, forcing her to watch them in the long, wide mirror hanging over the sink.
Annnndddd now his dick was rock-hard again.
Shit.
He put some distance between them, walking into the bathroom with the intention of taking a cold shower.
She was rubbing her ass cheeks, one with each hand. “No fair.”
He shot her a broad smile. Before he shut the bathroom door, he memorized her pouty expression, her pink-tinged ass, and that fabulous body rumpled from sleep. He swore to himself that he’d do everything in his power to protect her on this trip.
* * *
Sarah squirmed a little in her chair on the deck. She wasn’t squirming because her ass still hurt from his slaps. No, she was squirming from the memory of those slaps.
And from seeing his erect cock.
And remembering how he’d towered over her while she’d let his cock fuck her mouth.
How was she going to make it until tonight?
“Uncomfortable, bella?”
“No.” She sounded grumpy. She hated sounding grumpy. Princesses weren’t supposed to be grumpy.
He quirked a knowing smile her way, then looked out at the sea. “It’s beautiful.”
She just needed to refocus her thoughts away from her libido and onto more sedate topics. The sea. Right. “Yes, it is.”
His body leaned back in his chair. “You really love it here.”
“What’s not to love? I have such great memories here, and now Nonna’s here.”
He kept silent for long moments, his eyes even on hers. “Peace.”
She met his eyes. “What?”
“You find peace here.” His arm drew out over the water, towards the rest of the island. “Peace, comfort, family. It’s where you can relax, be yourself.”
She blinked. She’d never really thought of it like that, but she supposed that was true. “Yes. Yes, I think you’re right. Do you have a place like that?”
His gaze swept the water then came back to her. “Not a place, no.”
Her brows wrinkled in confusion. Before she could even ask, he spoke, leaning towards her as he did.
“I don’t find peace in any one place, not the kind you find here. I’ve only ever found peace when I was with a particular person.”
Her breath hitched.
“I’ve only ever found peace with you, bella.”
Oh, God.
Between last night and this morning, they’d shared so much. But this…this was one of the most beautiful things she’d heard.
Bell’angelo. Beautiful angel. That was something else beautiful he’d told her or, rather, called her.
Men had complimented her before, but those words were mostly empty. Platitudes meant to seduce her, so men could say they’d fucked a princess. When her body had needs, she indulged them, but Rio’s words…
His words weren’t empty. They were everything.
He shifted his chair closer to hers. His fingers caught a strand of her windswept hair and tucked it behind her ear. His touch slid along the curve of her ear, massaged her lobe, and caressed her stud earrings.
God, his touch on her lobes sent a pang of white-hot heat straight through her.
“That’s a lovely thing to say, Rio, but I’m not sure I deserve it.”
He shifted closer. “Don’t you?”
“I’ve annoyed you and hurt you. How can that bring you peace?”
“You apologized to me. I didn’t realize it until my shower this morning, but that brought me peace, too. We both have the power to hurt each other and, in our own ways, we’ve both done that.”
That was true. He’d hurt her with words that morning after their first night together. He’d apologized and she’d forgiven him, and he’d now done the same for her words last night.
“We agreed last night that we share something beyond our bodies. Do you still feel that way this morning?”
Her words were barely a breath above the breeze. “Yes.”
He pulled her onto his lap, her legs hanging over the side of his, and the flaps of his suit jacket brushed against her hands as they moved in the wind.
She slid her hands against the soft, white shirt that hid a body she loved. He was warm. Even through his shirt, she felt the heat of him. She settled her hands on the hard planes of his chest.
She whispered still. “It wasn’t a mistake, was it? Us getting together?”
“No, bella.”
“It’s not wrong.”
He wrapped his arms around her, one fisting in her hair, the other at the small of her back. “It’s the only right thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
He plastered her against him, close, close, close. “Are you ready to pronounce us a real couple? One that has real passion for each other? One that has real fights?” He lifted his hips lightly and bumped his crotch with hers. “One that has fucking fantastic make-up sex?”
“God, yes.”
He gentled now, his hands rubbing softly down her back. “One that makes love and takes care of each other? Will you take care of me, Sarah?”
Her arms went around him like a vice. “Fuck, yes, I will.”
He smiled broadly and blinked away the moisture in his eyes. “My dirty bella and her dirty mouth. What will I do with you?”
“I’ve got an idea.”
“So do I.”
She gasped as his mouth crashed to hers. His hand angled her head, turning it this way, then that, as he took what he wanted from her.
She felt energy draining from her, making her weak in
the knees, while at the same time a new kind of energy filled her. She rubbed against him and loved to hear his resulting moan.
He tore his mouth away. “Fuck, bella.”
Her words were staggered as her breath tried to level. “I—is that an order?”
He chuckled once through his own leveling breath. “I’ll make it one, but not here, not now.”
“Can’t wait.”
“What we have? It’s worth exploring. Maybe it was just one night to you, but it was the only night worth anything to me.”
She gripped his lapels tighter, pulled him closer. In that moment, she wanted him in a way she’d never wanted anybody, and she didn’t mean physically. “Rio. God.”
“I know you’re not sure of me. I don’t blame you.”
She shook her head, ready to defend him, but he kept speaking.
His hands cupped her face and his voice was earnest. “Give me time to prove myself, Sarah. I promise, with everything that I am, with everything that I have, I’ll do everything I can to make you happy.”
What the hell could she say to that?
Only one thing; her heart wouldn’t let her say anything else. “Okay. Let’s see where this goes.”
“Bella.”
“No more fake relationship?”
He brushed his thumb over her lips. God, she loved it when he did that. “No, bella.”
Her Nonna, as usual, had impeccable timing.
Nonna walked out, a huge smile on her face, not disconcerted in the least to see her in Rio’s lap, and took a seat. “And isn’t this a lovely sight?”
Her voice was still thick with emotion. “Morning, Nonna.”
He cleared his throat and pulled back from her. “Morning, Victoria. You look lovely this morning.”
Nonna winked at him. “Charmer. I suppose you don’t need a boat after all, do you?”
“Actually, I do. We do, rather. I have family business to attend to and Sarah will accompany me.”
Nonna gestured to the servants for some fresh coffee, her face frowning. “I see. How long will you be gone?”
“Only for the day.”
“Are you sure that one day will suffice for your business?”
“Yes.”
“Would you not like an extended visit with your family?”
He adjusted Sarah on his lap. “No.”
Simple. Direct. No emotion, no hesitation.
Sarah and her grandmother exchanged glances; Sarah just shook her head.
“I see.”
He reached a hand across and gave Nonna’s a squeeze. “My family is not like yours, Victoria. If you ever had the displeasure to meet them—and I sincerely hope you don’t—you would see what I mean.”
Nonna nodded, a pitying look on her face. “Well, our yacht is back in the harbor. You’re more than welcome to use it.”
“Thank you. We’ll take you up on that.”
“I’ll let the captain and crew know. When will you be departing?”
“Around nine, if we can.”
Nonna nodded and began messaging someone on her phone, presumably the captain of the yacht.
Sarah decided to distract him from his looming family visit. “Nonna, we’ll let you know once we arrive, so you won’t worry.”
“Find a quiet place and call. No doubt we’ll need to talk about something or other.”
Sarah nearly snorted. Her Nonna wanted a firsthand account of his family, and she wanted it before Sarah might give it to the rest of the family.
“Sure, Nonna. I’m sure we can find a quiet bedroom to give you a call.”
Rio shook his head. “Not a good idea. My family likes to bug the bedrooms. And the living rooms. Come to that, most every room. You won’t be safe talking on the phone except, perhaps, outdoors.”
Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “You’re serious.”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Wow.”
He nodded. “Indeed.”
As they continued breakfast in silence, an agent, who’d entered the deck with Nonna, stepped forward to speak to whisper in her ear.
“Oh, yes. Please do. Vittorio, I believe I can help you.”
“Oh?”
“Go ahead, Mary.”
The agent nodded. “If there are indeed listening devices, we can help you neutralize them.”
Sarah lit up. “Of course! I’ve got mine on me.” She held up her wrist to showcase the watch she’d put on after getting dressed. “Could he borrow this?”
“I’m afraid not, as you need to wear that.” The agent met his eyes. “Your Highness—”
“Rio, please.”
The agents typically didn’t use first names, especially where a royal—even of another country—was concerned. The agent glanced at Nonna then at her for direction.
Sarah glanced at him, then Nonna, then back to the agent. Titles were such a tricky thing. “Maybe just ‘sir’ will suffice?”
The agent nodded. “Sir, if you’re amenable, perhaps you would consider wearing one of our jammers?”
His brows wrinkled. “Jammer?”
Sarah nodded and shifted so her watch was better in his line of view. “Jams electronic signals nearby. Very handy when you’re a royal that people would love to record.”
He touched her wrist, turning the watch this way and that, and heat shot through her. What did this man do to her?
“Looks like a normal watch.”
“That’s the genius of it.” She scooted closer and began tapping at the watch face. Away went the standard roman numerals cast in elegant script, and on came a menu and series of applications.
“It’s my brother Marcello’s idea. It looks like a normal watch, but it can be activated by my fingerprints or thumbprints. Actually, by anybody’s in the royal family. It has all kinds of fun things in it, besides the jammer. If I’m ever in trouble—really serious trouble—there’s a way to contact my family and security team.”
“Don’t they also make counter-jammers?”
She smiled broadly. “Not strong enough against this. At least, not yet. Anyway, a few taps and any listening or recording devices are disabled. But I can still record if I need to, also from the watch.”
“And you’d trust me with such a gift?”
“Sir, we have other types of jammers besides the watch.” The agent reached into her pocket and withdrew a pen, then tapped a specific part of it. “This is a jammer only—no recording capabilities—but it does still function as a pen. I’ve activated it so it’s ready to go.”
He reached over and took it, then slipped it into his breast pocket behind the handkerchief. “Does it need to stay visible?”
“No, sir. You can keep it anywhere near your person—even in a standard briefcase—and it will work.”
“Thank you. I promise to return it to an agent in one piece.” He pushed back from the table and stood. “Victoria, thank you for your assistance with the transport.”
Nonna waved the thanks away. “Not at all, dear boy. Go in health and return in the same.”
“I’m afraid we won’t be returning. We have an event in Rome tonight we’ll both be attending.”
“Well, that’s all right. Just come back soon.”
He set Sarah on her feet, then stood and leaned down to kiss Nonna on each cheek. Sarah wondered how he knew to do that; the traditional Vallerian greeting wasn’t a secret but she hadn’t expected him to know it.
Sarah gave her Nonna two kisses and a long hug. “Bye, Nonna. Thanks for everything.”
Nonna pressed a hand to her cheek. “Anytime, darling girl. Anytime.”
They made their way around the house to the front, where a car was waiting. She wasn’t sure if she should but, because she wanted to, she linked her hand with his. He didn’t pull away.
They’d told the servants to get their bags, which were being loaded when they reached the car.
He opened the door but then blocked it. He brushed some of her hair behind her ear; it w
as such a tender gesture, so sweet. How could he be raised by such awful people, yet still be so sweet?
“This is your last chance to avoid my family.”
She squeezed his hand tightly in response.
“The press and paparazzi are still chasing us. While I was getting dressed, I checked the news feeds. Photos from yesterday are pretty tame—at least, so far—but I don’t want to underestimate them. Not only that, any photos will just fuel my family’s ire. I need to keep you safe, bella.”
God, every time he said that last part, she felt like she could fly.
She loved that he wanted to take care of her, but she wanted to take care of him, too. “I need to keep you safe, too, Rio.”
She was a little too pleased at the shocked expression on his face.
“I’m coming with you.”
She began to step into the car, but his hand, still linked with hers, pulled her towards him.
“Thank you, bella.”
“You’re welcome, Rio.”
His eyes raked over her body, head-to-toe, and she felt like his gaze was melting every shred of clothing she wore.
Her pulse drummed, her skin got hot, and her breathing got shallow.
Damn the man!
He quirked a sexy grin—damn him again!—and let her go. “I can’t wait to thank you properly tonight.”
He turned her body back to the car and gestured for her to get inside. Once they were both seated, she grumbled low. “No fair.”
He just chuckled and clasped his hand in hers.
She humphed but left their hands joined.
As the car drove towards the harbor, her mood shifted. She couldn’t help but be pleased he hadn’t stopped her from going with him. Things had changed so much between them over the last two days. Whether or not the situation was as dangerous as he feared, they’d face it together.
She clasped his hand tighter. No, they weren’t fake anymore, and they were about to face something very real and potentially dangerous.
Chapter Nine
When he’d been a child, maybe about four, Rio had realized the truth about his family. It was a distinct memory. One of those he never forgot, and one he could never drink away, no matter how hard he’d tried.
And he’d tried.
God, how he’d tried.
He’d been sheltered until then. His nanny—who was simply called Nanny by everyone, as if her own name had never existed—had been the one to show him what parental love was, what caring was. He’d thought all families had a Nanny.
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