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“My throat hurts.”
What a stinking liar. Nausea roils in my gut at thoughts of our earlier encounter. How could I be so stupid? There he was flirting with me, proposing indecent arrangements, while he was supposed to be having Christmas brunch with his girlfriend and her family. I’m such a fucking idiot.
My feet move before I can stop them, my heels slapping against the marble floor in time with my escalating heartbeat.
Caroline’s head whips toward me, fury twisting her heavily botoxed face. “Who the hell are you?” She spins toward Dante. “Who is this woman?”
“Relax, Caroline, this is just Rose.”
“Just Rose?” What the actual fuck? I chomp down on my tongue to keep from spilling a string of curses at the two-timing bastard.
“Caroline, darling…”
That pet name sounds so fake, so forced, I nearly spew the measly contents of my stomach.
He rubs her shoulder, sliding his hand down her arm. “Rose is Luca’s fiancée’s best friend. Surely, you remember her from the Met Gala?”
Her eyes taper as she regards me. Now I know why Stella hates her so much. She does look at everyone like they’re covered in dog shit. “And what is she doing here?”
“She needed a place to stay. I’m just doing Luca a favor.”
Every word is like a knife to my stupid heart. How could I have forgotten? I was only Dante’s to babysit. I was his duty, his responsibility. Sure, maybe he wanted to fuck me, but that was just a bonus.
“And on that note, I’m out of here.” I spin toward the door as heat pricks at the back of of my eyes. Rose 2.0 is a total disaster.
“No, Rose, stop!” Dante’s footfalls echo behind me as I make a mad dash.
I finally reach the hallway just outside his penthouse, but the damned elevator crawls up to the top floor. I jab my finger at the button as he races toward me. My chest is heaving, and I wish I could say it was from the run, but I’m notthatout of shape.
“You’re not going anywhere, sweetheart.” He reaches for me, but I squirm away from his grabby fingers.
“The hell I’m not.”
His gaze turns murderous, midnight orbs pulsing. “What did you just say to me?”
“I’m not staying here with you and Caroline and spending a lovely Christmas together. I’m not your friend, I’m not your responsibility, I’m not your anything.”
He towers over me, pressing me against the cold steel of the elevator doors. His hand closes around my neck, and his thumb grazes the column of my throat. “You. Are. Mine,” he growls, punctuating each word with more pressure against my bobbing throat. “And you will do as I say.”
“You’re delusional, Dante,” I spit. Actually spit in his face.
He wipes the saliva from his cheek, raw fury streaking through those midnight orbs. “I told you what would happen if you disobeyed me, didn’t I?”
“You’re going to fuck the naughtiness out of me, Dante?” I hiss. “With prim and proper Caroline watching?” A swirl of excitement pools low in my belly. Gawd, I am so screwed up. Even this has my stupid pussy wet with need.
And I’m not the only one.
Dante’s hard-as-hell cock rubs against my belly as he pins me to the elevator doors. He dips his mouth to my ear, warm breath spilling across the sensitive shell. “I don’t give a fuck about Caroline.” He pauses and nibbles at the lobe. “Andcazzo,yes, Iwillpunish you for this disobedience, and youwilltake it like a good girl.”
Caroline stomps into the hallway, and her gasp echoes across the marble walls. I can only imagine what we must look like.
Dante cocks his head over his shoulder. “Go home, Caroline. I have an important matter to deal with.”
“But Dante….”
“Go home,” he barks.
“You’re choosing her over me?” Her voices hitches, and it looks like she’s about to cry.
