rived with

ugh high, sheer-draped windows that framed the Adriatic like a pai

adn't

iano Moretti, this man who owned her in name, in law, and soon, per

oken. Hadn't cried. Her body ached from stillness, from fear

on. Creased, uncomfortable,

she heard the ba

back, and drops of water glistened on his chest, sliding slowly down hard ridges of muscle. A

ing her presence. He walked straight to the wardrobe, selected a bl

eep," he said

e hated the way her body reacted to his

when you're in

unreadable. "This isn't hell,

ld like cattle and

be dramatic. No one dra

g, "they just threatened my

owly. Like a predator who di

dn't s

said, stopping just inches away.

chin tilted defiantly.

She froze. The sound of it sliding down her

tly. "Everything from th

eart hammering. "W

r. "You didn't sleep in it by accident. You slept in it

shoulders slowly, exposing th

, "because hating me is easier than

eath c

floor with a whisper of s

e underwear, bare, vulnerable, exp

lked

like

h her. Didn

in one hour. You'll sit beside me. Speak only when sp

es blazing. "A

ped at

he said simply. "And y

he

, leather, designer gowns, lingerie that

louse, and a soft grey cashmere c

underneath, she w

A way to keep herself aware of what was hap

wanted to see

he cliffs. The table stretched forever, surrounded by men in suits

e head. She was p

ut his hand rested on the arm of her chair, j

sive. Claimin

r thighs clenc

ng at her. She understood most of it, even if she preten

ught p

s too

ul. That alone

an asset or

gh the noise with

I tell her to speak," he

urned to h

mute,"

ed at h

le tabl

ut you are mine. And I deci

tion. And something hotter, twisted exci

" she said sweetly. "Because

e darkened, b

dangerou

enjoy tea

nded, Luciano di

and gestured fo

didn't speak, but his hand brushed her lower back every

rivate study. Black walls. Bo

air in the cent

" he

slowly. De

ind her, silent f

he

t to this room. You will sit i

hy

se I s

ood en

Then here's a better reason: every minute you disobey me, I'l

shiv

ut your comfort, your dignity, your pleasur

er fists. "You

're wet,

eath c

neeling in front of her

our body doesn't. Your thighs are pressed tight. Yo

ed for h

er hee

the o

hand slid

l

ibe

ng

a didn'

ldn

ice like silk over glass. "Because I want you desperate. I

roat w

ned in

said. "When I do take yo

he

to hi

her there

idn't

t black room for hours with nothing but

d, she

e realized

ti may have b

wante

ted he

ubmis

surr

ant she sti

e hadn't g