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“Anyway, I would peek through the crack in the door and stare. I had such a crush on you.”
“But I hardly ever saw you. Why didn’t you show yourself?”
“I was too scared. Anyway, you were always on my mind, then we ran into each other at the hospital. I was so nervous around you I could barely talk. All through college I thought about you, then, uh, I finally came to New York. I wanted to call you, but…”
“Are you saying I’m the reason you came to New York?”
“Yes, Marco, I’m here because of you.”
Chapter 24
At a loss for words, Marco pulled Steph into his arms. Her startling news had caught him off guard, but he was filled with relief. Though deeply attracted to the sexy, submissive, blue-eyed beauty, he’d thought any future would have been out of the question and he’d held his feelings in check. Not only was a relationship with her attainable, Antonio Grassi would be elated. After Marco’s father had died, Antonio had been there whenever Marco needed counsel. He loved and respected the aging Don.
“You’re not angry I waited so long to tell you?” she mumbled, her voice muffled as she melted against him.
“A bit,” he said softly. “I do have a question though,” he continued, pulling back and cupping her chin. “You said you wanted to be with the real me. How did you know who the real me was?”
“The club. You wouldn’t own a place like that if you weren’t… uh… into that stuff.”
“And you were, or should I say, you are?”
“Obviously,” she quipped with an impudent grin.
“Hey, you’re standing on thin ice. I’d be careful if I were you. I take it you’ve had a dominant in your life before.”
“Not really,” she admitted, lowering her eyes. “Not like you, not like what happens at the club, but I’ve fantasized a lot.”
“Did it live up to your expectations?”
“Marco,” she murmured, lifting her gaze and staring at him earnestly. “It was beyond my expectations. It was amazing, but, uh, I have to ask, what happens now?”
“You’re going to get undressed and climb into bed, and I’m going to fetch us something to eat.”
“I meant—”
“I know what you meant,” he said, cutting her off. “In the short term nothing will change. You’re not going anywhere.”
“And then?”
He grinned. “If you’re out of my sight, it won’t be for very long.”
Breaking into a relieved smile, she moved her arms around his neck and hugged him.
“Steph, this has been quite an evening,” he murmured, holding her tightly. “Please get undressed and wait for me in bed. I won’t be long.”
“You have to kiss me first.”
Pulling back, he raised an eyebrow, then sliding his fingers into her long, thick, dark hair, he gripped tightly, leaned in, but left his mouth a teasing inch from hers.
She tried to move.
He tightened his grasp.
“Let me make one thing clear,” he said sternly. “You may be Antonio’s little girl, but I’m still in charge. Running home and complaining to Daddy if you’re angry or don’t get your way won’t hold any water with me.”
“Marco, I—”
His lips suddenly cut her off. Endlessly devouring her mouth, he exposed his heartfelt emotion—and his ownership.
