Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 16556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
And the memory makes my nipples pebble up and my pussy clench.
I left the door ajar and suddenly Alex is there, standing in front of me, taking in the whole scene.
My face grows hot, but Alex steps right into the bathroom with me. “Let me have a look.” He turns me around and bends me over the bathroom counter. “I left marks.” He sounds stricken. He rubs my ass in a slow, circular motion. “Does it hurt, bambi?”
“No.” I’m breathless.
“Are you sure? I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Well, this is my chance. He may be a player, but I need to get my V-card checked by someone, and he’s the guy I always dreamed of doing it. I turn around and place my hands on his chest. “Really? Because it sure felt like you did.”
He smirks and grabs my ass with both of his large palms. “Well, a little punishment was in order.”
“Because I was so bad?” I purr.
“Yes.” He squeezes my cheeks.
“Is that why you’re here? To punish me?” I know it’s not why, but I like that idea far more than what his presence really means. He’s here to drag me home.
And I sure as hell don’t want to go back. I’ve had enough of living my life for my parents. It’s time for me to start making choices for myself.
His eyes are so dark, they’re black. He cups my chin in that dominant, take-charge way he has. “I didn’t know you’d still be so sassy once you sobered up.”
I lift my chin. “You don’t know a lot of things about me.”
His expression darkens. “No, but I intend to find out.” He sounds threatening, and a shiver runs down my spine. I don’t know exactly what he does in the family business, just like I don’t know what my dad does. The women of the family make it their business to never know. It’s one part safety, one part sanity-keeping measures. Because if we knew, would we really stick around?
And that’s another reason why I like the idea of staying gone.
I ran away from that life, the misery my father wanted to twist me into. I don’t need Alex dragging me back, no matter how persuasive or beautiful he may be.
I pull back out of his grip and put my hands on my hips. It’s hard to muster bravado in nothing but a G-string but I do my best. “I’m not going back, Alex.”
He studies my face, nothing showing in his expression. Then he tilts his head to the side. “I’m not leaving without you.”
And just like that, my nipples bead up, as if he just declared we’d be having sex soon.
He doesn’t miss it, his gaze dropping to my breasts and growing hungry.
“I-I guess we’re at a standoff, then.”
He takes a step forward, dark and dangerous. “I guess we are.” He takes another step and his hand tangles in the back of my hair. “Good. That gives me time to punish you thoroughly.”
My knees go weak and his fist tightens at my scalp, tugging my head back.
“Wh-what for?” My heart’s beating so hard, I’m sure he can see it under my skin.
He brushes his lips over mine, then nips my lower lip, holding it a moment between his teeth. It’s a slow release, my plump flesh dragging under his bite until it releases with a pop. “For running away, tesoro mio. You worried your father to death.”
My father.
Just like that, my excitement fizzles.
Alex is here on a job. My father sent him. He may be showing more interest in me than usual, but that’s just his usual playboy persona. He held it back from me before, because I was off-limits.
So yeah. If I decide to let him check off my V-card, that’s one thing. But this man is not here for me. He’s a player and he’s on a job. So if I want to play, too, that’s fine. But I’d better guard the hell out of my heart.
Alex
Jenna’s smile crashes when I mention her father, and I quickly try to remedy the mistake. “I was worried about you.”
But it’s too late—the moment is gone. Jenna backs away from me, out of the bathroom, and she hurries to get dressed.
I somehow resurrect the gentleman in me and turn my back to give her privacy.
It’s probably just as well she retreated. I shouldn’t be getting involved with the mafia princess. Just because Don Giuseppe sent me here to get her doesn’t mean he gave me permission to claim her. In fact, for all I know, he might take my interest in his daughter as a supreme disrespect and put a bullet through my head.
I don’t think so—the old man loves me like a son—but you never know.
So I’ll just have a conversation with Jenna about last night being a mistake and we’ll keep it our secret. But my resolve vanishes when I turn and find her dressed in shorts that cover less than a pair of panties, and her bikini top.