His Dirty Demands

by Fiona Murphy

  “I’ll admit it was a surprise when Diego told me. The last I knew, for my uncle and cousin it was strictly gambling and some loan sharking. Apparently a few women came to him asking for protection. Since they were women in the neighborhood, after making sure he wasn’t stepping on anyone he did it.”

  Tension eases out of me. I can’t imagine a life where the only way to support yourself is to sell your body. I could imagine how terrifying it would be to not have anyone watching out for you. Shrugging, I press a kiss to his cheek. “I’m not in any position to judge anyone for the things they do. I need to call Bethany.”

  Shaking his head, his arms tighten around me. “Not yet. Let me reach out to my uncle. Kelsey was planning to wait until your sister thinks it’s all behind her. There is no immediate threat. This might all be resolved without Bethany needing to know what’s going on.”

  Pressing up from him, I meet his eyes. “I might not need to call Bethany now to let her know, but she will know the complete shitstorm what she did caused and how other people covered her ass. She needs to know so hopefully she never does something so stupid again the rest of her life.”

  A chuckle rumbles out of his chest. “Damn, you’re scary when you’re pissed. How did she think you got the money in the first place?”

  “Before I made the payment, because I knew she wouldn’t take the money any other way I told her not to worry about it. Once the money was paid, I told her the truth. It was a crazy, stupid thing to do that could have ruined everything. It was a chance I was willing to take because I thought it was worth it. However, if she screws up again or doesn’t make the most of this chance, then it was all for nothing.”

  “You knew I was going to let you get away with it.” A thumb strokes the bottom lip I’m biting.

  “I hoped, but it wasn’t right and it wasn’t fair. I’m not sure I could say one hundred percent I wouldn’t have done it if I had to do it all over again, but I do know I regret the hell out of it. I hate the way I took advantage of what was happening between us. It also makes me feel like shit that I’m just another woman who took money from you, and I’m using my body to pay you back for it.”

  His hand is in my hair, pulling my head back. When I still hide from his eyes, scared of what I’ll see there, he tugs hard. Ouch, I give in. It’s there in his eyes. I couldn’t look away if I wanted to. “I don’t regret it. I don’t want you to either. You offered yourself to me long before money was an issue. My need for control wouldn’t allow me to accept what you offered. I hated the idea of you knowing I was willing to give in to my need for you over my previous promises to myself and Dante. Seeing how it upsets you, I’m sorry I put my pride before you. You deserve better than that. You didn’t take money from me. You borrowed it and you put it back. There was no harm done.

  “I would like to think even if I hadn’t spent the last six weeks hard for you, I would have understood enough to let the matter drop and done no more than move you to a position where you didn’t have access to funds. I don’t know either. What I do know is I’m glad you did it. I’m glad you gave me a second chance to accept what you offered weeks ago. That’s all I did, that’s all you did. I don’t care how we got here—all I care about is that we are.”

  Blinking fast, I don’t trust myself not to say the wrong thing, so I do the only thing I can and pull him to me to kiss him. I might have started it, but in only seconds Cesare is in full control. He demands everything. I don’t dare deny him, don’t want to deny him. With a moan I try to get his shirt off. His hand goes over mine. “Not yet, greedy girl. We have somewhere to be.”

  Thinking is hard. “What?”

  Cesare is up, carrying me to our bedroom. “We have plans for the day.” In my closet he slides me slowly down his body. God, I want to climb him like a damn tree. “Get dressed. Something nice.” Then he’s walking away. What?

  Ugh, I thought men were supposed to be oversexed. Hugging the memory tight of what Cesare said and meant, I sigh as I try to find something nice. As soon as I see it, I smile.

  ***

  Cesare

  Leaving Alicia to get dressed isn’t easy. I want nothing more than to take her back to bed and stay there for the rest of the day. Only after the bullshit thoughts she shared about guilt and paying me back with her body, I know it’s even more imperative I show her I want more from her than sex. Rolling my neck, I fight the tension running through me. What do I want from her? Everything. Fuck. My stomach knots, this isn’t—is it? Damn it. My fingers fumble with tying my tie. No, I can’t think about this now, not yet. Fuck it. I toss the stupid tie away, I look fine without one.

  As I walk out of the closet, I find Alicia leaning against the bed in the black dress she wore the night she offered herself to me. She’s even wearing the silk stockings. The brat. “Tonight will be a long one, know that now.”

  I love the way her eyes light up at the promise. I’m a lucky son of a bitch for all the ways Alicia revels in her hunger for my body. There is no hesitation in asking for what she wants from me. Yes, tonight I think we’ll be taking her education deeper.

  It’s not until we’re in the limo Alicia asks where we are going. “To the Art Institute to see the exhibit you mentioned to Decker Holt. This is the last weekend. I hope it isn’t too crowded.” I don’t like crowds.

  Her smile is the reward I had no idea I wanted. “You remembered?”

  “Of course, you appeared to genuinely want to go.”

  “I did, I kind of forgot it was going on. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. After we get done here we have reservations for dinner.”

  Her small hand wraps around mine. “No work, an exhibit, and dinner. Tonight is going to be very long indeed.”

  “Yes it will.”

  ***

  Alicia

  I swear I’m floating all night long. My feet never touch the hard concrete or the creaking wooden floor of the Art Institute, or the plush carpet of the decadently expensive restaurant where I taste caviar for the first time. I’m not a fan, although the champagne is right because tonight is a night for celebration. Cesare doesn’t resent I took the money and put it back. All he cared about was that it brought us together. Everything he does for the rest of the night proves his words all over again.

  We spend hours roaming the Art Institute as he peppers me with questions about not just the art I like, but everything from my childhood to what my favorite color is, the kind of things I thought were too little for him to care about. I demand a tit for tat, and I love when he admits the raven tattoo on his bicep was because of reading the poem by Poe and having a nightmare when he was twelve, so it was a way of facing his fear. Cesare admitting his fears, even those from the past, is a way of letting me in I never thought he would.

  In the car on the way home, I can’t take my eyes off Cesare. Pressing his lips against the back of my hand, he says, “Talk to me.”

  “This day, I don’t want it to end,” I admit. “It’s silly, I know. Thank you for today.”

  His smile causes a shiver to run through me. Hungry, predatory, wet heat rushes through me in anticipation of the promise in his smile. “Alicia, this day isn’t over yet.”

  18

  Alicia

  The world is hazy around me. All I see is Cesare; it feels like there is no one else, nothing else but the two of us.

  I’m not even aware Cesare picked me up until he slowly slides me down his body. My legs threaten to buckle; I cling to him to stay standing. He understands, and his hands are gentle on my waist. When I can stand he brushes his lips across mine. “Stay right here. I’ll be back in two minutes.”

  Blinking, I nod. I look around to find I’m beside the bed. The lights are low, coming from the bedside lamps only. Without the heat of Cesare I’m cold as I realize I’ve lost my coat somewhere along the way. Then heat runs over me, and I turn to find Cesare walking toward me from the bathroom.

  He’s naked, beautiful, god he’s beautiful. His hand g
oes around the back of my neck, drawing me up to his mouth. Sweet, soft, gentle, his kiss stirs something inside me, deep, so deep I never knew it existed. I have no idea why tears sting my eyes. I’m trembling in his arms when he raises his head. His eyes miss nothing. Gently he wipes a tear from the edge of my eye as it threatens to overflow. “I know, cara. I know.”

  If he knows, could he explain it to me? I don’t have time to wonder though as his hand roams down from my neck to the zipper. Slowly he slides down the zipper to the base of my spine. Both hands go to my shoulders, pulling the dress lower and lower. His eyes darken as he takes in the crimson red bra in delicate tulle. He goes down to his knees, moving gracefully until the dress is at my feet.

  Tonight, I had worn nude tights because of the frigid temperatures. At the time I worried they weren’t as sexy as stockings. From the expression on Cesare’s face, he’s found them more than sexy enough. He presses his mouth to the matching red panties, where I feel his tongue taste the flood of desire he caused. My hands go into his hair, needing to touch him, to feel something solid.

  His hands run up my legs to my ass, oh, he toys with me. Squeezing, molding my cheeks leisurely. Immediately I remember his words of praise for my ass as well as his promise to take me there. My whole body trembles as I find myself longing for Cesare to fulfill his promise. I’m hungry for the pleasure I know he will give me. I believe him. I trust him, with my body, with my very soul.

  Cesare hooks his fingers into the edge of my panties and tights, then carefully pulls them down. In an agile movement he straightens, picking me up in his arms. My arms go around his neck. In seconds we’re in the bathroom. He steps into the bath, then slowly lowers the both of us into the water.

  Oh, hot and slightly slick. I smell jasmine wafting up from the water. A flick of his wrist and my bra is gone. I love the way his eyes heat up at the sight of my breasts. I feel my nipples tighten beneath his gaze; he groans as he cups a breast, then brings it up to his mouth. “So beautiful, so fucking beautiful.” He breathes the words into my skin.

  I smile as I remember my own thoughts not ten minutes ago. How did I get so lucky? His mouth roams up my neck, nipping at that spot where my neck and shoulder meet. Then sucking harder and harder, oh god. What is it about that spot? Another nip now, harder, and I don’t care, I don’t want him to stop. His hands are roaming over me, my body is slightly slick from the oil he must have added.

  Struggling to stay on his lap while feeling his cock throbbing below me, I cling to him, my arms around his neck. He cups my pussy then a finger slides inside me, teasing my clit before moving lower. I groan, and Cesare chuckles. His other hand slides down my spine then over my ass. I shiver as the hand runs down my ass, then a finger glides between my cheeks. A thick middle finger pushes slowly, inexorably inside me. My breath catches, my arms tighten around Cesare as I fight not to tense up. I want him. I want this.

  Pressing my lips into the skin of his neck, I taste him with my tongue. I tremble as I realize his finger is as deep inside me as it can go. The finger inside my pussy toys with my clitoris again, teasing lightly over the swollen nub. Then the other finger begins fucking me out then in, out again slowly, so slowly, too slowly. When he stops I moan, my arms tighten around his neck. “Cesare.”

  His chuckle is mean. “One moment, cara.”

  He moves. I straighten, wondering what he’s doing. There’s a little box at the edge of the bath, against the wall. My eyes widen, oh, it contains three small, realistic...oh. Another chuckle as I blush until I feel like I might pass out. “We won’t start with the smallest one, as my finger is both longer and wider than it.”

  I wrap my arms around his neck again, then push my ass out in welcome. The sound of water splashing, then I feel the warm, soft, jelly toy push inside me. Oh, okay, it is bigger than his finger. “Open your legs a little more. Good girl.” His other hand slides back inside me, homing in on my clit with more pressure this time. Oh yes. I want to be his good girl. I want to please him. I want him to know no other woman can please him like I can, like I want to. Deeper now the toy moves into me, hmm...yes, amazing, so fucking amazing. Sliding home until it can move no further, the sensation has me gasping for air. Oh, a small tug on the end of it pulls a moan from me, then it’s pushed back inside me. Another tug has me whimpering for more.

  “I’ll give you more, cara, anything you ask for I’ll give you. All you have to do is ask.”

  If only. I fight to keep the words inside. Cesare gives me what I’m asking for, moving the toy deeper than tugging it out over and over. Close, I’m so close, only it’s not enough. I’m digging my fingers into his shoulders, more, please. With a growl, Cesare’s hands come down on my hips, lifting me onto him. God, yes please. He’s deep, so deep, and combined with the toy still inside me, the sensations are like electricity running through my veins. Too much, it’s too much. Then Cesare’s mouth closes around a nipple, sucking hard before his teeth nip roughly. It pushes me over the edge, crashing into my orgasm almost painfully. Clinging to Cesare, I can’t hold back the scream at the feel of him thickening, then filling me with the essence of him. The world goes black around me as Cesare’s arms hold me tight.

  I’m cold, shivering as I blink in time to see Cesare turn off the lights. When he gets into bed he pulls me into his arms. I moan his name as I snuggle into his arms. The covers are around us now, but it’s Cesare that warms me up. “You’re doing amazing things for my ego, carina, every time you black out after you come in my arms.”

  “Mmm...you’re doing amazing things that make me black out. I didn’t even know that was possible. I’m sorry tonight didn’t last as long as I wanted it to. I really wanted to taste you again.”

  His arm tightens around me as he presses a kiss to the top of my head. He sighs. “This night was perfect, don’t apologize.”

  “This whole entire day was perfect, but the night was spectacular. Thank you.”

  “My pleasure. Sleep, cara, you’ve earned it.” So I do.

  ***

  Alicia

  Turning over, I search for Cesare to find I’m alone in bed. I grumble as I slide out of bed. The clock on the bedside table tells me it’s almost nine thirty. Quickly I dress in black pajama bottoms and a pink stretchy shirt, wash my face and brush my teeth, then go on the hunt for Cesare.

  I find him at the dining room table reading the paper. He’s the most casual I’ve ever seen him in sweats and a plain black T-shirt. I’m shaking my head as I walk toward him. “Good morning.”

  “Morning. I was starving, I’m sorry. I made you a cup of coffee though and it’s in the warmer.”

  “Thank you, for the coffee all is forgiven. What time were you up this morning?” He pulls me onto his lap. Then I see it—holy crap. My eyes are wide as I reach out to touch it, and I blush at what I’ve done. Carefully, I pull his shirt away because vaguely I remember another bite. Damn.

  “Yes, you were a tigress last night. I’ll admit though at the time I didn’t even feel it.”

  I squirm on his lap, embarrassed. “I’m sorry,” I whisper as I bite my lip.

  Shaking his head, he pulls me down to him. His kiss is rough, deep, and I melt into him. Sucking on my bottom lip, his teeth score my tender flesh. I’m not even aware he’s pulled my shirt up until I feel him tweak a tight nipple. “I’m not. I love it. I’ll wear them proudly.”

  Shaking my head, I laugh. “You’re crazy.”

  “Damn, woman, you’re making me hard for you all over again. Go make your breakfast, before I take you back to bed.”

  I’m considering my options when my stomach growls. Fine. With a kiss to his cheek I get up.

  I make an omelet. As I eat I sip my coffee and we talk about the things he found interesting in the paper. After I clean up he draws me to couch, where we cuddle close. A half-hearted suggestion of a movie is made, but neither of us really wants to move. I’m not sure when I fall asleep, but when I wake up I’m wrapped in Cesare’s arms and he’s asl
eep. I have no idea how long I watch him, unable to take my eyes off him.

  I’m content to study him, treasuring this moment, refusing to think about tomorrow or the day after. When he wakes up he begins a steamy make-out session, his kisses light and teasing at first, then rough and demanding until I’m ready to tear off his clothes. The bastard laughs as he catches my hands, then declares he’s starving; one appetite then another. he teases. I’m so mad I refuse to help him make lunch. It’s annoying that it tastes so good and I didn’t realize how hungry I was. We’re cleaning up when Dante and Enzo come through the door.

  “I told you, Enzo—Cesare can’t go all day long, he’s an old man already.” Dante laughs and I blush as I realize what he’s talking about. “I’m having a movie night at my place. We’re watching the Bourne movies. Can you believe Enzo hasn’t watched the last one yet?”

  Cesare shrugs. “I only saw the first one.”

  “Me too, just the first one,” I admit.

  Dante’s expression is one of pain. “You guys are killing me. Come on, you have to watch these. I got the popcorn, candy, and nachos.”

  Cesare looks down at me. I nod, it sounds like fun. I also might be paying him back by making him wait for making me wait.

  Walking into Dante’s condo, I’m shocked by how different it is from Cesare’s condo. The whole setup is different: instead of the kitchen on the right after the foyer, it’s his home office. Dante is proud of his home as he takes me on a tour. Down the hall is a sitting room with a massive grand piano. One wall is covered in books, another is filled with pictures. I’m drawn to all the pictures of Enzo, Dante, and Cesare at various ages. My heart is squeezed tight a picture of all three of them smiling at the camera, Cesare is probably thirteen or fourteen. In the lowest corner of the wall of shelves, almost tucked away, is a family picture. Everyone is smiling, and they look like any happy family. Air rushes out of me when I see Cesare’s father, Vincent. Oh my god, except for Cesare’s beard and Cesare being slightly wider and taller, they could be twins. My stomach flips a dozen times and I blink back the tears as I begin to understand Cesare’s fears. And his mother, Theresa...wow, she is beautiful, tiny, thin, almost elfin with big black eyes and long black hair. I completely understand someone becoming obsessed with her.