“But you’re more than that too, Sarah. Every day this becomes less about your brother and more about us.”
“Is that so bad?” she whispered.
“You’re too innocent and I’m only going to ruin you. The things I do to you? I do them because they turn me on, Sarah. Not just because you’re supposed to be paying some price for your brother.”
“So? I like them too.” She thought of tonight. “Usually.”
“You don’t get it. This is how I am. This is what I want. I want you to crawl on your hands and knees over to me and suck me off. To fuck you in the ass and whip you until you cry. That has nothing to do with you paying a debt. That’s just what I like. Once your debt is paid, if we were still together, I would still want those things. You’re too innocent for someone like me. If I had any decency at all I would let you go right now.”
“I want those things too.” The only thing she didn’t want was for him to be cold to her. Anything else she could handle.
“How can you even know what you want? You’re twenty-three years old and had sex a grand total of one time before me. Maybe you love vanilla sex. How would you know?”
She shrugged. “We’ve had vanilla.”
“I’ve filled your ass with a butt plug more times than we’ve had vanilla sex.”
“And I’ve come every single time.”
She felt his lips begin to move against her waist again. Her hips. Her belly. Soft kisses, almost reverent.
“Even knowing what I’m going to do to you, and what I want to do to you, I can’t make myself do the right thing here. I can’t let you walk away.”
“I’m not asking you to,” she said, clearing her throat. “I knew what I was getting into when I made the agreement. It wasn’t all just for Robbie.”
Roman laughed, a dark sound, his breath hot against her stomach. “If you had any idea how I want to fuck you and control you, you’d run, Sarah. As fast as you could, as far as you could, to get away from me.”
She cleared her throat again. “I’m a big girl, Roman, so why don’t you let me make that decision for myself?”
His tongue licked across her navel. “Remember that when I have you tied spread-eagle on my bed, a plug in your ass, a vibrator in your pussy and my cock in your mouth. Remember that when I make you give me a blow job under my desk while I’m meeting with colleagues in the same room. Remember that when I decide to spank you so thoroughly you are literally not able to sit down the next day.”
With every word he said she found herself growing wetter. “I’m stronger than you think.”
“And what will you feel about those things when you don’t have the martyr cover to hide behind, Sarah? When I start to call you my personal dirty slut just because it’s true, not because I’m being mean. What will you say when I ask if you’re my fuck toy when your brother’s life is not on the line?”
“I’ll say, ‘Yes, Sir. I’m your perfect fuck toy. Please fuck me.’”
He whispered a muttered curse as if was a prayer then grabbed her legs, pulling them wide apart. He thrust two fingers into her drenched core, turning so he could hit the spot that hurled her towards the edge. He didn’t tease her; she’d been teased enough. Withdrawing his hand, he settled his hips between hers.
Neither of them could control the deep groans that escaped as he thrust to the hilt. Giving her a moment to adjust to him, he smoothed her hair off her face and lowered to kiss her softly, belying all the harsh words he’d been saying. He withdrew before plunging back in with a hard drive. His fingers bit into her hips as her legs wrapped around his waist.
“Come for me, baby, like I should have let you come before.” His finger brushed her clit as he thrust one more time and Sarah felt herself shatter, clenching all around him. She screamed but it came out as a hoarse cry. Roman called out her name as he came with a shout.
Afterwards he got up to dispose of the condom then came back to the bed, pulling her into his arms. Exhaustion dragged at her. But for once she didn’t have to get up and leave. And the way Roman kept her close, she wasn’t sure he was going to either.
Chapter Eleven
Sarah smoothed the skirt of her red dress again as she sat beside Roman in the limousine. He had arrived outside her townhouse ten minutes before to pick her up, and the dress had arrived earlier in the day via courier. It was her first day of summer vacation, and the first time Roman had taken her out in public.
The past three weeks had been blur of every sort of kinky fantasy she could’ve imagined. She learned what it was to be hog tied and fucked, to wear nipple clamps, and to hold a hand mirror so Roman could watch her face as he spanked her with his hand, his belt, and a wooden paddle.
Another day he’d made her stand in his office, completely naked except for heels, facing the corner while he’d had a business meeting. He’d never once mentioned her, nor had any of the other four men who’d attended, but she knew she’d been the big naked elephant in the room. Her face had burned and her pussy had wept.
They’d had sex in every way and position she’d ever heard of, and many she hadn’t even known were possible.
And they’d also had dinners together each of those days. Long talks about her plans to get her Master’s Degree and her life growing up. She’d asked more about life in Sicily and his business here in New Orleans. He’d talked about his brothers, his parents, and his cousins. Family was so important to him.
Through it all the barriers seemed to be in place, with lines clearly delineated. She went to his house when he called for her, and then she went home every night when he told her it was time.
She had not slept with him, at least not actual slumber, and they’d never done anything besides meet at his house, aside from the one night he had come to her apartment. And even though she’d fallen asleep with him holding her that night, he’d been gone the next morning. She had no idea how long he’d stayed.
He had sent a team to reinforce the security of her apartment the day after. Evidently he hadn’t liked how easy it had been for him to break in.
It had been a touching gesture, but she tried not to read too much into it. He was clear about their boundaries, and she was doing her best to stay within them.
Until tonight, when things had changed. The dress had arrived with a simple note telling her to be ready at eight o’clock, and she had done so. Now she fidgeted, wrinkling the skirt of her fancy gown between her hands as she bunched the fabric until his hand abruptly settled on one of hers, pressing it gently into her leg.
“Relax, Sarah.”
“I’d find it easier to relax if I knew what was going on, or where we’re going.”
“We’re going to Elizabeth Hall. The Rinaldi Foundation is hosting a charity gala, and while Lukas normally heads up these things, his girlfriend isn’t feeling well this evening, so he called me last-minute to step in for him.”
She arched brow. “And there wasn’t some other woman who could step in with you?”
He frowned at her. “I thought you might enjoy this sort of thing. You mentioned the foundation at our first meeting.”
She licked her lips, wincing at the sticky red lipstick adorning them. It was definitely not her style, but when you wore a sexy red dress that fluttered and swirled around, along with four-inch heels, you went all out with makeup and hair too. “It’s not that I’m not interested or don’t think I’ll enjoy the experience. I’m just surprised you invited me.”
His hand, still on hers, tightened slightly. “What do you mean by that?”
She shrugged a shoulder. “Nothing really. I just don’t understand why you would want to take me out somewhere where people are going to notice who you’re with. Unless you plan to introduce me as your indebted fuck toy.”
“Enough.” Building anger was clear in his tone. “This was an important organization to my mother before she died. I respect the people here a great deal and hope you will enjoy yourself.”
“You obviously don’t respect th
em enough to not bring a fuck toy.” God, what was she saying? She wanted to rub her forehead at the ache that was starting there, but didn’t want to take a chance on smudging anything.
Roman narrowed his eyes at her. “I would hate to mess up your dress and make-up by pulling you over my lap right here in the car and spanking your bare ass until you’re sobbing. But don’t think I won’t. Now what’s the matter with you?”
She looked out the window. “I’m nervous.”
He turned her face back towards him with a finger on her chin. “You’re beautiful. Nothing to be nervous about.”
At the valet parking, an attendant opened the door and offered her a hand. She took it with a smile and slid out. Roman immediately took her hand from the attendant’s the moment he was within reach, folding it tightly in his own. She was used to such displays of territorialism from him, so she wasn’t certain why it made her feel so giddy for a moment, until she identified the look in his eyes. Jealousy. That gave her a little thrill, to know he was jealous of someone else touching her, even in an innocuous way.
That she felt that way was concerning though. It was like playing with fire in a grass field. She was going to get burned, and the more accelerant she added, the hotter the fire would be when it scorched her. Having any sort of emotional reaction besides sexual toward Roman Rinaldi would be the antithesis for self-preservation.
She could not get emotionally vested in him, in a mobster. One still hunting her brother.
But she knew it was too late. Far too late.
Sarah forced her thoughts aside and looked around. Most of the people had already arrived.
“Shouldn’t the host be here first?”
“If the host had sufficient notice, he would’ve been.” Roman’s lips twitched. “Besides, it’s good to make an entrance, especially when your companion looks particularly fabulous. I could just eat you up, and I know every other man in the room feels the same way.” He smiled down at her and her heart tumbled a little deeper.
She sipped the champagne Roman snagged from a waiter and let her gaze wander around the events hall, which had been set up lavishly for the evening with crystal chandeliers, the best champagne, tables laden with an exotic assortment of finger foods, and an area for dancing. Everyone was chatting, dancing, having a wonderful time. It was like something Sarah had only seen on television or read about in books.
When he suggested it, she went with Roman to the buffet tables, and then they chose seats away from the dancing. She was surprised when he began to feed her, his manner light and flirtatious. She couldn’t help responding in kind.
When he held out a hand and invited her to dance, she just blinked at it.
“Dance with me, Angel.”
They spent the next hour snuggled up together, dancing to all the songs that played. Even during the fast ones, they could barely tear themselves away from each other. She couldn’t believe how entranced she was with this side of him, the seductive and tender lover. She’d seen that more than once, but never in this kind of setting, and never when her body had to maintain a slow simmer, because release was impractical at the moment.
Eventually, they drifted from the dance floor, and she tried not to be jealous when a woman a few years older than him put her hand on his arm and drew him away, discussing one of her charitable endeavors in New Guinea. It sounded like foundation business, and she had no knowledge of that, so she reached for her third champagne of the evening as a tray floated by and tried to tuck herself out of the way.
“If you were with me, I wouldn’t leave you alone even for a moment.”
She turned and regarded the roughhewn, dark-haired man who had spoken to her. She didn’t really want to talk to him, but didn’t know what else to do. “Thank you.”
“It’s the truth. A woman like you should be kept close at hand. If your guy isn’t careful, he won’t know what he’s lost until it’s already gone.”
Not likely. Roman would just continue to use her until he was done. Then he’d be gone. But she didn’t want to talk about this with a total stranger.
She let out a gasp as he pulled her towards the dance floor. “Excuse me, but I’m finished dancing now.”
“Why? There’s no one here vying for your attention. Dance with me.” He snatched her champagne glass from her other hand and set it on a tray as they passed a waiter, before grabbing that hand in his as well.
By that point, he had her on the dance floor. Sarah wanted to get away but didn’t want to make a scene. Would it anger Roman, embarrass him, if she yelled or slapped this guy? Probably. Somehow being less than what Roman needed in his date for this situation seemed unbearable. So she danced.
The man pulled her closer, moving them towards one of the darker corners of the dance floor. Sarah tried to move away but his arms remained hard around her.
“Look, I don’t know if you know Roman Rinaldi, but I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t be happy to find me plastered to someone else.” Hopefully the family name would be enough to scare this guy off.
He flashed her an easy grin, one that looked completely unconcerned. “Oddly enough, I couldn’t give a fuck about what Rinaldi prefers. I simply wanted to get a look at you.”
She frowned at him. “What? Why?”
He shrugged. “Rumor has gotten around. Seems like at one time you were just a”—he leaned close to whisper in her ear—“a certain type of toy it wouldn’t be polite to mention in this setting.”
She felt her face begin to burn. Who was this man? One of Roman’s business associates who had seen her naked?
“But it’s clear that you’re something special to Roman. More than any other woman ever has been.”
She was still processing his words, and the thrill at the possibility of being special to Roman, when she realized his hands had trailed low onto her hips. Now they were caressing her buttocks.
The man glanced over her should and then smiled at her. “I’m sure we’ll have another opportunity to talk.” He kissed her briefly on the lips then turned and walked away.
Sarah was still trying to figure out exactly what had happened when she felt a hard hand settle on her shoulder and spin her around roughly.
“I leave you for alone for ten minutes and you have someone kissing you and his hands all over your ass?”
Chapter Twelve
“Roman, slow down.”
He heard Sarah’s hiss as he dragged her out of the ballroom and down the hallway. He slowed his steps, because although he was about to whip her ass with his belt, he still didn’t want her to break an ankle.
They passed the bustling activity from the kitchen a few yards away, and she grunted with surprise when he opened a door to shove her inside, following immediately behind her.
He felt her shiver as he clicked the lock and turned on the light in the storage closet. Commercial-sized cans lined the shelves, and another wall was devoted to cleaning products and utilitarian clothing.
Her big blue eyes were wide. “Roman—”
“I was gone for ten minutes, and you let some creep put his hands all over you?”
“It wasn’t like that—”
He took a step towards her. She took one back. “I saw his hands on your ass and you weren’t doing a damn thing to get them off. As a matter of fact you looked downright entranced by whatever he was saying to you.”
And fuck if that didn’t make Roman want to tear the guy’s goddamned head off. He should’ve had his men find out who the asshole was but he’d been in too much of a hurry to get Sarah alone so he could stick his cock in her immediately.
She was his, goddamnit. Not some stranger’s who had swept her up onto the dance floor.
“It wasn’t like that…” she said again.
“He fucking kissed you.” Roman didn’t yell. He didn’t have to. Sarah had to know she was walking a fine line. Fury clawed through his gut. “He had his hands on you and you were enthralled by what he was saying.”
Had she found someo
ne else she wanted to be with? Maybe someone who said pretty words and want to didn’t do dark, twisted things to that sexy body of hers.
Too fucking bad. There was no way he was letting her go.
“No, he—”
Roman cut her off. “Did he say you were beautiful?” Because damn it, she was. “Did he want to ask you out? Ask for your number? Did he ask if you were available? Did you say yes, Sarah, because technically you’re not dating anyone? Are you meeting him later?”
With every word his anger grew. Huge men, men that had grown up around violence and weapons, had cowered at Roman’s fury. But tiny little Sarah stood staring up at him with her big blue eyes and small hands on her hips.
“Are you going to punch me, Roman?”
Was he going to—“What?”
“You look like you’re ‘bout two seconds from going all Hulk, smash. So I was just wondering if you’re going to punch me? If I should be seriously concerned for my health. Didn’t we one time establish that a punch from you might kill me?”
What the hell was she talking about? “Of course I’m not going to punch you. I would never punch you, Sarah.” He was so angry with her right now, he couldn’t even take his belt off and whip her with it because he was afraid he might hurt her.
She stepped forward and put her hands on his biceps. “Then listen to me.”
“Fine. You have one minute.”
“He told me he’d heard I was important to you. That’s what had me so enthralled that I didn’t even realize the jackass was copping a feel. I think the whole thing was a set up, honestly. Guy was trying to make you angry.”
Roman felt the rest of the bitter fury ease. She’d been talking to the jerk about him. Not making plans to leave him.
He knew he should worry that word was getting out that Sarah was important to him, but right at this moment he really just didn’t care.
“You kissed him.”
She shook her head. “He kissed me.”
He had to give her that one. “Either way, his lips were on yours.”
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