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There was far too much emotion in his voice, as if he knew this charade he’d dragged me into couldn’t last. I stiffened the moment he touched me although it was like fighting the inevitable, my skin tingling from the light brush of his fingers. He could be such a gentle man that I’d found myself confused by him more than once. Everything about him was unnerving.
“I don’t like being forced to do this,” he said, his tone huskier than before but it was almost as if he was talking to himself, trying to look for some sense of absolution. He caressed my aching bottom, raking his fingers down to my thigh. As soon as he did, I tensed, clenching my buttocks until the ache increased tenfold.
“You’re wet. You do thrive on discipline.”
Was he serious? I closed my eyes, refusing to provide him with satisfaction. I could tell he knew I’d shut down all my emotions, resuming the brutal caning as if using this method of domination grew his testicles.
I bit back a laugh at the ridiculous thought, but it was better than worrying about what was going to happen to me.
He delivered at least six more and I realized I’d floated away, barely feeling the pain any longer. It wasn’t bliss but was still a surreal plateau. I’d reached a similar point at the end of the hell I’d been through with Rico.
Only the two men were nothing alike. Sabatino was right that Rico was little more than a roach put on this earth to scour the filth for whatever crumbs he believed he deserved. The brooding Spaniard was far too sophisticated, knowing exactly when to say the right thing. I hated him for it as I did just about everything else.
He placed the cane on the desk beside me, which allowed me to know the round of discipline was over. Yet I remained where I was, uncertain I could stand let alone walk.
“I do care about you, Georgia. I also care about Dillon.”
Had I not realized I’d asked him that question? I doubted it. “Okay.” My voice was so meek, barely recognizable.
“Let me help you to your feet. I’m very proud of you.”
Proud. The word shouldn’t be in the man’s vocabulary. It meant nothing to me. Not a single thing.
When he pulled me off his desk, he was very tender in his actions, holding me aloft until I got my sea legs. The seafarer’s term was perfect for the moment.
He gently eased me around to face him and it was that moment I realized my vision was hazy, hair plastered on my damp face. As tender as before, he slipped the strands away, rubbing his thumb across my jaw. “So fucking beautiful.”
I lifted my head, blinking profusely. Maybe he took that as a sign he’d broken me. He lowered his head, capturing my mouth like a lover would, not a man who’d abducted me from my home. I didn’t resist as he opened my lips with his tongue, sweeping it inside as dominatingly as every other time he’d kissed me. Only I didn’t respond as I’d done before, shutting down my system for fear of giving him the wrong impression.
I was no one’s doormat.
While the taste of him was amazing as always, I no longer cared.
After thirty seconds of attempting to arouse me, he pulled away, huffing after doing so. While his actions remained gentle, he backed away, even turning slightly.
“So you’re aware, we’re going to dinner at my brother’s house tonight. I’ll expect both you and Dillon dressed appropriately and downstairs by six-thirty. One other thing about me, Georgia. I don’t tolerate tardiness. Do you understand?”
He lifted his head in my direction and I offered him a rousing smirk. “Why, yes, sir. Loud and clear.”
“Get dressed. Go back to your boy. I have work to do.”
With that, I was dismissed.
If he only knew how much I hated him.
CHAPTER 19
Sabatino
“Mr. Santos was correct.”
I stood outside on the deck, staring out at the lawn as the sun began to fade. She’d been aroused. I could feel it. Hell, the electricity we shared was enough to light up the entire goddamn city for weeks on end. However, she’d managed to shove aside her physical attraction. Meanwhile, I had a difficult time keeping my hands off her.
While the brutal bastard inside of me should consider her property and nothing more, she wasn’t like any of the other women I’d been with. She was strong and attentive, loving and nurturing. The light reflecting in her eyes whether she was sad, furious, or joyful was a powerful aphrodisiac, drawing me into her world. I wished I could relive the moments we’d shared when I wasn’t the Don of the Baltimore crime syndicate.
“Boss. Are you hearing me at all?”
Exhaling, I dragged my mind back to business. “Yeah, I heard you.”
