The tub is full. I turn off the water and am just about to slip out of my robe when I hear the lock on my bedroom door snick. The back of my neck tingles even as the hint of masculine vetiver cologne tells me Dante has come in. Without knocking, of course.
He’s just the kind of asshole to saunter in here and lecture me about the mistake I supposedly made. I feel him coming toward me, hear his footsteps pause just inside the bathroom. He’s watching me. Probably leaning against the door frame, pouting, arms crossed.
I keep my back to him, stirring the water, ignoring him on purpose as I inhale the scent of lavender. Resentment floods my body. I want him to leave. The guilt is enough of a punishment on its own. He doesn’t need to bust in here just to make me feel worse.
Finally, I can’t take it. I give a cursory glance behind me. Maybe if I let him get it out of his system now, he’ll leave so I can slide into the tub.
“What do you want?” The words snap from my lips.
One corner of his hard lips tugs up. It’s not quite a sneer, but close enough.
“I have a question for you, Francesca. There’s something I want to know.”
“O-kay.” I gesture impatiently for him to go ahead.
“How…” He takes a step closer. “Thehell…” Another step, making my heart skip. “Are you going to make up for this catastrophic loss to my winery?” And then one more.
He’s now standing right in front of me, glaring down as if he actually expects me to respond to that.
“You lost way more than money the day you hired Jessica,” I tell him. “Why don’t you scrutinize her assets and ask her howshe’sgoing to pay?”
“Seriously, Francesca.”
Getting to my feet, I cross my arms to hold my anger back. “Iambeing serious. I don’t know how, but she’s behind this. I used the correct barcodes. I triple-checked everything.”
He scoffs. “Just because you don’t like someone doesn’t mean you get to blame them when shit goes wrong.”
“Thank you for those words ofwisdom, oh great and noble master,” I say, my voice dripping sarcasm.
I wish he was standing closer to the window. I’d push him out so I can take my damn bath.
Before I can blink, Dante is on me. He presses my arms to my sides and drives me back against the wall. My heart pounds, fury heating my skin even as tingles of desire race over me.
His hand finds my throat, pressing there firmly as he jacks my chin up, forcing me to look at him. “Iamyour master.”
I’m too angry to be afraid. “You and your ego can fuck directly off. I’ve had more than enough of your machismo bullshit.”
I wiggle against him, knowing full well that he’s not about to let me go.
Dante smiles before he dips his head, his lips finding my ear. His warm breath ghosts over the delicate skin, sending shivers through my body. His husky voice is hard and unfeeling.
“And yet…you never tell me no, do you? You never put a stop to it. Youwant it. Every single time.”
Shame heats my cheeks. My lack of backtalk is response enough to egg him on.
“If I put my hand between your legs right now, I’ll find you soaking wet, won’t I? Even though you hate me.” He smiles, drawing a slow breath, and my nipples perk tight against the soft fabric of my robe. “That’s pretty fucked up, Francesca.”
“Don’t call me that!” I push him just enough to drive his chest back from mine, but it only makes him look at me like a hungry wildcat ready to pounce. I’m already imagining the feel of his warm, smooth, naked skin on mine. His fingers pulling at my nipples and palming my breasts as he roughly works his way down my body.
Without another word, he flings me over his shoulder and carries me out of the bathroom, then tosses me onto the bed. He’s on top of me in an instant, pulling at the belt of my robe and spreading the sides open. I push at him, twist and turn, but it’s no use. My desire gets stronger and more demanding even as I tell myself that I don’t want this. That I won’t allow him to use me this way.
My protests sound hollow, even as I think them, so I don’t dare give them voice. Because he’s right: I don’t mean it. Idowant him to use me this way. Over and over and over again.
Dante shrugs out of his shirt. I’m desperate to see his broad, bare chest and run my hands over his pecs, the hard ridges of his abs. Curling my fingers into my palms, I struggle to resist. Now he’s on the bed straddling me, clamping his thighs around my hips. My robe is wide open, my breasts and belly bare to his view. He rakes my body with a starving look and I swear I could orgasm just from the appreciation and want in his expression.
Why is he looking at me like I’m the best fucking thing he’s ever seen? He’s obviously playing me to get what he wants. Feeding my undeniable lust for him so he can turn me into his personal sex kitten. Pulling my body up until I’m in a sitting position, Dante pulls the robe from my arms, tossing it away. Then, with one hand, he unfastens his pants and kicks them off.
My heart flips to see he’s commando and the best part of him is full, thick, and jutting out proudly. I lick my lips as the ache between my legs kicks up another notch. My mind spins like I’m drunk, and my inhibitions are completely gone. He can do anything he wants to me and I’d welcome it with open arms…and legs.
