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His expression softens as he accepts my explanation, and I can't help but exhale in relief.
I pull the burner phone out of the plastic, glancing around to make sure no one's watching. "Hey, can I throw this away?" I ask Ethan, holding up the empty packaging.
"Sure," he replies, pointing at a nearby trash can. I quickly toss the wrapping and tuck the phone into my bra when no one is looking. We're about to leave when I spot a pair of shoes I hadn't seen before. They're stunning – black stiletto heels with intricate gold embroidery that snakes up the sides, making them look like works of art. The straps wrap elegantly around the ankles, creating an alluring silhouette.
"Wow," I breathe, unable to tear my eyes away from them. "I have to try these on."
"Of course," Ethan agrees, his eyes lighting up. I sit down in one of the plush chairs, and he comes over to help me with my current shoe. But this time, his touch is different – slow, sensual. His fingers caress my foot as he removes the shoe, then continue to trace gentle circles around my ankle and up my calf. I find myself getting lost in the sensation, my eyes fluttering closed. As much as I hate to admit it, I can't help but imagine Giovanni's hands on me instead, remembering how tenderly he tended to my twisted ankle.
Ethan's fingers work higher, his breath hot against my skin as he leans in and whispers, "You should open your legs." It's clear he's not as skilled as Giovanni, but his attention is intoxicating, and I crave being touched by a man. Slowly, hesitantly, I part my legs just a fraction – but before Ethan's hand can travel any further, Giovanni's voice cuts through the air like a knife.
"What the fuck am I looking at right now?"
Ethan jumps back, his cheeks flushed, and my eyes fly open. Giovanni is standing at the entrance of the store, fury radiating from him. I try to play it cool, forcing a smile as I introduce Ethan, but Giovanni's having none of it.
"Lucia," he growls, striding over to me. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Shopping," I retort, feigning nonchalance. "You did tell me to."
"Right," he snaps, his voice laced with sarcasm. "And if the mountain of shoes in front of you didn't tip me off, then maybe the call from my credit card company warning me about possible fraudulent activity would have."
I just smile and shrug, trying to hide my nerves. He grabs my wrist, his grip tight.
"We're leaving."
I protest, but he silences me with a single, chilling look.
"When you act like a child, you'll be treated like one," he hisses. "Now be quiet before you get yourself in even more trouble."
As mad as I am, I bite my tongue. Giovanni walks over to the boxes of shoes, lifting one of the lids. I brace myself for his order to return everything, but instead, he just sighs and closes the lid. "At least you used the money to buy something useful," he mutters, his tone unreadable. There's a hint of something in his eyes, a flicker of appreciation that suggests an unspoken interest. But I can't be certain.
He leads me out of the store, and I glance back at Ethan, who waves goodbye. "I hope I get to see you again," he calls after me.
"Unlikely," Giovanni snarls, shooting Ethan a glare so dark it sends shivers down my spine.
Giovanni guides me to his car, and without another word, drives us straight back to the mansion.
ChapterNineteen
The moment we step inside my room, Giovanni releases his grip on my arm like he can't stand touching me any longer. The evening sun creates long shadows across the floor, but the silence between us is even more suffocating. I watch as he begins to walk towards the door, and suddenly, I can't take it anymore.
"Are you seriously just going to keep ignoring me?" I yell at him, anger bubbling within me. It seems my words hit a nerve because he stops in his tracks, turns around, and stalks back towards me. For the first time since I've met him, fear grips my chest and I stumble backward until I'm pressed against the edge of the bed.
His tone is dark, yet controlled as he asks, "Did you enjoy behaving like an absolute slut in public? Was it appropriate to be opening your legs for some random guy in the middle of a store? What did you think was going to happen? Were you planning to fuck him right then and there? I'm disgusted that you let him touch you."
I clench my fists, furious at his questions. "You don't get to ask me those things! I may be here against my will, but that doesn't mean I can't do what I want with who I want!"
"Think about that very carefully," he warns, his voice dripping with menace. "Any guy who touches you again without my consent won't be able to lay a hand on you or anyone else ever again."
My anger surges, and I rise to face him, trying to go chest to chest despite our height difference. I jab a finger into his chest, feeling his firm muscles beneath my touch. His eyes are a mix of anger and amusement. "You need to be nicer to people, Giovanni. You can't just threaten them like that!"
In one swift motion, he grabs my wrist and flips me over onto the bed, my chest pressed against the covers. "I'll do as I please," he says firmly. "I warned you that too many negative points would result in punishment."
I struggle against him, but his grip is unyielding. Despite the situation, I can't help but feel aroused by his dominance. He flips up my skirt and pulls down my panties, leaving me exposed. For a moment, I fear what he might do, but instead, his hand comes down hard on my behind, making me cry out in pain. To my surprise, the sensation sends a spark of arousal through me. It's been so long since anyone has held me accountable for my actions.
"Is this what you want?" he asks, his voice low and dangerous, as he continues to spank me. The humiliation is intense, but the desire it ignites within me is even stronger.
The spanking doesn't last long, just a few smacks that feel lighter than I expected. Giovanni flips my dress back down, but leaves my panties hanging around my ankles as he turns me over to face him. My breath catches in my throat as I stare up at him, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
