AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Now!”
As his command pushed her over the edge, shimmering spasms shuddered through her body evoking a series of wild wails, until her arms gave way and she fell forward. Burying her head in the pillow, she sank into the delicious tingles continuing to ripple through her limbs.
She heard him groaning, and a moment later his cock slipped from inside her. Lost in the post-orgasmic haze and her eyes closed, she felt him leave the bed, but he quickly returned, and a warm, damp cloth moved over her tender backside.
“That’s the only way to start off a morning,” he murmured, kissing her neck. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving, but I don’t think I can move. May I call you Marco now?”
“Yep, and you should doze for a few more minutes. I’m going to take a shower and check on breakfast, but you need to stay here until I come and get you.”
“Once I’m up, what then? I mean, will I be locked in a room all day?”
“I’m not sure. I have to think about that.”
“I won’t go anywhere.”
“You’ve tried once,” he reminded her. “How do I know you won’t do the same thing again?”
“I had my car keys then,” she said pointedly. “Where would I go? And let’s not forget about my lack of footwear.”
“This is true,” he muttered, then crossing his arms, and with a frown creasing his brow, he added, “Steph, there’s something else we need to discuss.”
Her pulse ticked up. “Why are you so serious all of a sudden? I swear you change moods like the weather up here.”
“You must tell me what you’re holding back, and please don’t insult me by claiming there’s nothing.”
Uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze, she lowered her eyes. “Okay, I won’t insult you,” she whispered, “and I’m really sorry, but I can’t.”
Though she couldn’t see it, she felt his dark frown.
“I’m going to take a shower,” he said solemnly, “and for both our sakes, you need to find a way.”
Chapter 9
Marco had left the bedroom, but his words still rang in her head.
I mean it, Steph. For both our sakes, you must find a way. You need to trust me.
She didn’t believe he’d hurt her. Not seriously hurt her. But she was still afraid of revealing her secret, yet worried about the consequences if she didn’t.
Conflicted and confused, she moved back into the bedroom, opened her bag, and slipped on a pair of jeans and a loose-fitting, off-the-shoulder tee-shirt. Still with no shoes, she pulled on the socks Marco had given her the night before.
As she opened the drapes, she was once again struck by the majesty of the forest. Clouds crossing the sun sent constantly changing shadows across the ground, and shards of bright light burst through the branches of the tall trees. Stepping out on the terrace, she understood why he spent time there. It was idyllic.
Soaking in the natural beauty soothed her soul. Finally feeling calmer, she moved back inside, straightened the bed, then settled on the couch and studied the room. The colors and ambience were in tune with the great outdoors and decidedly masculine.
Dark brown bookshelves and a tall chest of drawers were set against olive green walls. The coffee table in front of the fireplace was round beveled glass on top of a varnished tree trunk, and exposed beams highlighted the peaked wooden ceiling. The finishing touch was the scattering of leather shag tan rugs strategically placed on the distressed hardwood floors. She could easily imagine Marco choosing the colors and furniture personally.
The room looked like him.
Especially the bed.
Set in its own alcove with recessed lights, it was king-sized and bold, with a huge textured panel behind the brown suede padded headboard.
But of all the features the room offered, the most eye-catching was his father’s portrait. Staring up at the handsome, gray-haired man, she thought he could have been a judge or a senator, not a tough Don who ruled over a criminal empire.
“Like Marco does now,” she murmured.
