23. Natalia
TWENTY-THREE
The salsa rhythms still ran through my body, perfectly syncing with my racing heart as Dante practically dragged me into his swanky penthouse. There was something wild and feral in his eyes, a hunger he could barely control. It set every nerve ending in my body on fire with a heady mix of “fuck yes” and “oh shit.”
We crashed through the front door, and Dante was on me in a flash, his mouth devouring mine like a man possessed. His hands groped me with a crazed urgency that was equal parts hot as hell and mildly terrifying. I could feel his rock-hard cock pressing into my hip as we stumbled toward Dante’s kinky playroom, and a delicious shiver of anticipation raced through me.
Still, I couldn’t shake the sadness that clung to me like an octopus wrapping its tentacles around my heart. This was our last time. After tonight, nothing would be the same. And, damn it, I had fallen hard for Dante Reyes. It wasn’t supposed to happen. He was the target, a means to an end. But somewhere along the way, he had become so much more.
I forced the melancholy from my mind, steeling my resolve. This was for Matt. I owed it to him and to his poor mother, who had spoken so highly of me at the funeral, to see this through to the end. Ricardo Reyes had to pay for the lives he had destroyed, and this was the only way.
But that didn’t mean I couldn’t give Dante one last night he would never forget. I would burn every moment into my memory, savoring the heat and passion that had consumed me during this undercover op.
“Mi reina, what’s wrong?” Dante asked, his eyes searching my face as we entered the dimly lit playroom. “You’re trembling.”
I forced a smile, my heart hammering in my chest. “Nothing’s wrong, Dante,” I said, reaching up to gently cup his cheek. “I’m just feeling a little overwhelmed, that’s all.”
Before he could respond, I stepped back, my hands moving to the zipper of my dress. With a swift motion, I tugged it down, the fabric sliding off my shoulders to pool at my feet. I followed with my panties, leaving me naked before him.
“Tonight, I’m entirely yours, Dante,” I purred, my voice husky with desire. “Do with me as you please.”
A wild light sparked in Dante’s eyes as his gaze raked over my naked body. “That’s what I like to hear, my queen,” he growled, his voice thick. “And I intend to take full advantage of that offer.”
He took my hand, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me, and led me to the padded wall with the heavy-duty restraints. Without a word, he turned me to face the wall and secured my wrists and ankles in a spread-eagle position, the soft leather cuffs biting into my skin just enough to heighten my senses. I felt deliciously vulnerable, completely at his mercy, and the adrenaline rush made my skin prickle with awareness.
Dante paused momentarily, his eyes never leaving mine as if seeking my silent consent. I gave a subtle nod, and my heart surged with anticipation. A slow, predatory grin spread across his face, and he moved to the toy box, reaching inside to retrieve a flogger.
Dante’s eyes never left mine as he approached me, his intentions clear. I swallowed hard, excitement and apprehension warring within me. This was new territory for me, but I trusted Dante. He would know my limits and respect them.
The first strike landed on my upper back, the sensation a sharp sting that sent a thrill of pleasure through me. My body tensed as I waited for the next blow.
Dante took his time, landing each strike with precision, his eyes never leaving mine. The flogger danced across my skin, each contact a caress that raised goosebumps in its wake. I arched my back, my breath coming in sharp gasps as the sensations intensified.
“You like that, don’t you, Eva?” Dante growled, his eyes dark with desire. He leaned in close, his lips brushing my ear as his hand trailed a teasing path down my body. “You like being at my mercy, knowing I’m in control.”
I whimpered, my body aching for more. “Yes, Dante,” I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. “Please, don’t stop.”
At my words, he chuckled, the vibrations reverberating through me. “As you wish.” He brought the flogger down in a swift, firm motion, striking the sensitive skin of my inner thighs. “Count for me, Eva. I want to hear the numbers fall from your beautiful lips.”
“One,” I gasped, my eyes clenching shut as the burn radiated through me.
He brought the flogger down again, this time on the curve of my ass, the sensation sending a jolt of pleasure straight to my core. “Two,” I moaned, my body arching towards him.
Dante continued his assault, each strike a perfect blend of pleasure and pain, pushing me closer and closer to the edge. “That’s it, Eva,” he purred, his lips brushing my ear as his fingers trailed down my body. “You’re so wet for this, mi reina. Your body is begging for more.”
“Yes, Dante, please,” I begged, my inhibitions melting away under the onslaught of sensations. “Don’t stop.”
He chuckled darkly, his breath hot against my skin. “Anything for you, mi reina.” He brought the flogger down in rapid succession, the strikes landing on my ass and thighs, sending waves of pleasure coursing through me. “Keep counting, angel,” he said, his voice a low, seductive purr. “I want to hear you lose yourself in the numbers.”
“Ten, eleven, twelve,” I moaned, my body bucking against the restraints as my mind clouded with pleasure. “Dante, please, more.”
At my words, Dante paused, admiring his handiwork, the pink stripes crisscrossing my skin. I felt his fingers gently tracing the marks, soothing the soreness with feathery light touches. “So beautiful,” he said, his eyes dark with longing. “You take pain so well.”
I whimpered, my skin tingling with the aftermath of the flogging. “Please, Dante,” I pleaded, my body aching for release. “I need more.”
A slow, predatory grin spread across Dante’s face as he moved behind me, his fingers gently probing at my slick folds. “Oh yes, you do,” he growled, his lips brushing my ear as he teased my entrance with the tip of his finger. “You want to be filled, don’t you, mi reina? Stretched and fucked until you scream my name.”
“Yes,” I moaned, my body quivering with need. “Please, Dante, fuck me.”
I felt him position himself at my entrance, the head of his cock teasing me with a gentle pressure. “Oh, I’m gonna fuck you, baby,” he growled.
With one swift, forceful thrust, he plunged into me, filling me. I cried out, my back arching as the delicious stretch sent a wave of pleasure radiating through me. Dante set a punishing pace, his hips slamming into mine, our bodies colliding in a frantic rhythm.
The restraints dug into my skin, the leather biting into my wrists and ankles as Dante pounded into me relentlessly, each thrust driving me closer to the edge. I could feel the orgasm building inside me, coiling tighter and tighter until I thought I might explode.
“Come for me, Eva,” Dante commanded, his voice harsh with need. “Let go, mi reina. Give yourself to me.”
At his words, I shattered, my entire body convulsing with the force of my release. My cry echoed off the walls of the playroom as wave after wave of pleasure washed over me, my vision tunneling down to a pinpoint of light.
Dante groaned, his hips stuttering as he followed me over the edge, his body shuddering with the force of his release. We hung suspended in the aftermath for a long moment, our bodies slack and sated.
Dante gently released me from the restraints, his hands soft and gentle as they undid the leather cuffs. He gathered me in his arms, my naked body molding to his as he carried me through the doorway of the playroom and into the bedroom beyond.
He laid me down on the bed, his touch gentle as he pulled the covers over us. As we lay there, tangled in each other’s arms, I knew this would be our end. But for now, I allowed myself to fall into the fantasy, to pretend that this could be real.
Dante pulled me closer, his lips trailing kisses along my shoulder. “That was incredible,” he said, his voice husky. “You are one hell of a woman.”
I snuggled closer, my eyes drifting closed as I relished the feel of his arms around me and his body’s warmth against mine. “And you are one hell of a man, Dante Reyes,” I whispered, my voice soft and sleepy.
He chuckled, his breath tickling my skin. “Get some rest, mi reina. You’re going to need your strength for what’s to come.”
I felt the rumble of his words more than I heard them, his breath already evening out as he succumbed to sleep. But my mind continued to race, my thoughts swirling with the implications of what was to come.
The comfortable warmth of the bed and the steady rise and fall of Dante’s chest lulled me into a restless sleep, my dreams haunted by dark, shadowy figures and faceless enemies.