3. Urzo
3
Urzo
When I wake up, the bathroom door is still locked. Knowing she’s inside, I twist the handle hard enough to hear a pop . The lock breaks with ease, and I push open the door. Of course, she’s in the way.
She’s always in the way.
Curled up with my pillow, she murmurs in her sleep, her lack of survival showing. She barely budges even when I nudge her as I make my way inside.
She’s not going to stop me from getting ready for the day.
Starting up the shower, I strip away my clothes and get under the hot stream.
All night, sleep hardly came. Not because I thought she’d be foolish enough to slip out again, but because of the throbbing ache of my cock. Having fought myself all night not to just give in and shove my sweats down to stroke myself long enough to empty my balls, I stayed awake. Even when I dozed off, the dreams that fueled my arousal only made my state worse.
Now that she’s my problem, I can’t even escape her while I’m resting.
It’s not until I’m lathering up my body that I hear her feminine gasp before I realize she’s awake.
A tiny, almost inaudible voice in the back of my mind suggests I invite her inside. She could use a shower, and I could make sure she got cleaned thoroughly. I squash the thought immediately.
We don’t greet each other with good mornings like future newlyweds do. No, this woman skitters like a wild animal. I don’t even have the chance to wash the soap from my body before she’s slamming the door shut, leaving me alone.
Yesterday, I wasn’t myself. Took a step too far.
Santino said I couldn’t hurt her, even if she inflicted pain. Well, last night, I danced along the line.
I didn’t hurt her, I know it. Not hurt in the way he was insinuating.
Planting a hand against the cool shower wall, last night plays through my head for the hundredth time. Remembering the curve of her pussy against my fingertips leaves my cock in a similar state as the night before.
Women are a waste of time, a distraction. This one does not differ from the rest.
A pretty face, a sexy body, and a voice that could drive any man mad. That fucking mouth is going to get her, though. She needs to learn how to control it, or else, I won’t be able to control myself .
I’m better than this. My cock shouldn’t be hard, yet, it’s swollen against my thigh. I can’t even remember the last time I needed to stroke my cock to seek a little relief.
Sighing through my nose, I cave and wrap my fingers around my pulsating girth. One little squeeze is all it takes to steal a groan from my lips.
I’m in worse shape than I thought.
Trying to keep my mind blank while my hand moves, it’s easier said than done. Just wanting to get relief, my cock throbs and leaks precum with each stroke. Dirtying the water at my feet, my brows come together tighter.
That fucking mouth.
The darkness of my thoughts turns into her lips. I’ve got the pinkness of her tongue and the plumpness of her mouth down. So much to the point that I can easily imagine them wrapped around the girth of my erection as I silence whatever slurs she wants to call me.
Gritting my teeth, my balls tighten and my hand moves faster. Panting under my breath, it’s a miracle my teeth don’t crack before I splatter the dark tile in thick ropes of white.
Eyes snapping open, I stare at the evidence with a downward curl of my lips.
Scrubbing a hand down my face, I try to figure out these feelings I’m experiencing as I wait for the water to clear. Once the tile is clean, I get out.
Eliza is no longer in the room. She’s left my door open.
Whatever. She can’t run, not during the daytime. Too many people know she’ll try, and have the order from the top to keep her here. Santino thinks she wants to steal his woman from him, so he definitely won’t let her leave.
My job is to sign a certificate, not to babysit. What she does during these times is her own business.
Once I’m dressed and out of the room, I head off to the kitchen to see what is prepared for the morning. There will be multiple pots made ready with coffee, and I’m going to need more than a single cup to start my day.
As soon as I enter, one of the women preparing eggs flinches in my presence. I ignore her as I hunt down a cup.
I suppose Eliza has one good trait about her. She’s got a backbone. She doesn’t look at me and grimace or flinch in fear. Rather, she looks at me like she could win in a fight. Even though I’ve proved otherwise multiple times, the woman is still confident.
Pouring my cup full of regular brew, I drink it black. While I try to enjoy the first, I watch as other members of my growing family come in and out.
I swear, every day, there are fresh faces joining us. Santino is all about growth, and he’s got a soft spot for those found on the streets. He’ll take anyone who is happy to devote themselves to keep our family afloat.
While I think it’s silly and unsafe, we are one of the strongest families around.
With each mouthful burning the entire way down, I pour myself a second and grab a handful pieces of toast before leaving.
Normally, I head outside, follow up with whoever is on guard and ask about any activities that happened to take place. If the grounds are quiet, I’m sure there’s an update from our men planted throughout the surrounding cities.
Instead of making my way outside, I head to the eating area. Hearing the sound of Camellia, my feet carry me without any command of direction.
Just as I expect, Eliza is there. She’s missing that scowl of hers when she’s with her sister. In fact, she’s smiling . One hell of a contrast in what she’s given me.
Can’t say I want her to smile at me. No one ever does.
Heading over to the table, I fix my gaze on Eliza. She doesn’t notice my arrival as quickly as her sister does.
She’s wearing new clothes, her hair wet from a shower. Must’ve borrowed something from Camellia. Used Santino’s shower.
I’m rather amused to find her standing, unlike Camellia. I have a guess of why, but I know I didn’t spank her that hard. Then again, I did lose myself for a bit there.
I set my cup down harder than I mean to, and some of the dark liquid splashes onto the table. Ignoring it, I take a seat and notice both women are now looking at me.
“What?” Trying not to snap at Camellia, solely because my brother would strangle me if I hurt her feelings, I glare at her sister instead.
Eliza looks at my basic breakfast and turns up her nose. Opening her mouth, to insult me, I’m sure, she jerks when I toss her one piece of toast. She has eaten little since our marriage was declared. Knowing her, her pride is keeping her from asking for something to eat.
“Not as good as what you’re used to, I’m sure.” Snatching another piece, I bite into it and try to enjoy the buttery, savory flavor. Nudging the leg of the chair closest to her, I can’t help the smirk that curls onto my lips. “Take a seat while you’re at it. Might as well be comfortable.”
She looks at my offering like I’ve given her something poisoned. Her scowl is back, quicker than ever. Her jaw jerks as she looks away from it. “I’m perfectly fine standing,” she argues. I don’t miss the way her cheeks gain a little color to them.
Maybe I did go a bit overboard with the punishment. However, I won’t put up with her starving herself to get out of this.
“ Eat .” Saying the word once more, my voice lowers. Watching the way her eyes open wide at the order, I lower my gaze to her lips as I wait for her to tell me no.
A growing part of me hopes she does, so I have an excuse to touch her again. Solely for the purpose of keeping my word, of course. Even if it’s right in front of Camellia, I don’t care. I’m itching to get this woman draped over my lap again. Anything to get to touch her again, even if it’s fueling something inside of me I’m painting as a weakness.
If I can’t stop these sensations from clouding my thoughts, I might as well accept them. I already have enough on my plate as it is.
Despite her frown, she takes a bite and huffs under her breath. As much as she wants to act like she’s not hungry, she eats every bite, going as far as licking her fingertips to catch any leftover butter. Every flick of her tongue catches my attention, and it takes the entrance of my brother to tear my gaze away.
Santino strolls in with a smile that is easily covering up the frustration he’s feeling. While he’s in front of these two, he won’t act like the man I know he is. Hell, for all I know, maybe he’s changing, and this is who my brother is now. Less sharp edges and uncontrolled anger, more soft and leashed.
Fuck, that better not be the kind of man I become. I’d rather stay on top and have this woman at my feet.
Eliza is too stubborn ever to agree to such a thing. She’d rather crawl onto my lap and wrap her fingers around my throat.
Grunting from the thought, I wash the toast down with the rest of my coffee. It burns the entire way, but it doesn’t deter the way my cock is solid against my thigh. It’s like I didn’t just spend my morning relieving myself of this problem of mine.
After my brother settles down next to the blue-eyed woman, he steals a piece of fresh fruit from her plate and they share a matching heated look. It makes my stomach clench, and another foreign sensation seeps through my chest. Jealousy.
I shouldn’t be imagining what it would be like to have Eliza looking at me in any way other than the hatred burning behind those brown eyes. Yet, I am.
This entire thing has me all over the place. At what point does everything return to normal? Once she has a ring on her finger? If that’s the case, this thing needs to get moved along.
“Did you get your hands on the documents?” My impatience is evident as I clear my throat. “Need to move this along before that slimy bastard tries to make his move.”
Eliza twitches, her frown growing. Camellia does the same, but for the opposite reasoning. Both siblings have a rocky relationship with their brother. Rocco wouldn’t mind abandoning Camellia here, but Eliza… the jewel of their family…
My teeth grind at the thought of him trying to take her away.
I tell myself it’s because I don’t want a war to break out. However, the stirring happening inside my chest tells me it’s something else.
“He won’t get the chance,” Eliza interrupts. “I’ll be on the other side of the country if you just let me take my sister and–”
“No.” Santino all but barks the word. He’s made it clear. Camellia is his. He goes as far as pulling the woman onto his lap, making a scene as he buries his nose into the crook of her neck to make her grow pink. “She’s staying right here where I can make sure she’s safe. You, on the other hand, can go–”
“The papers,” I interrupt, my knee bouncing as I watch Camellia move her hands to her face, covering her bashful smile. “When are they coming?”
He tears his eyes away from Eliza and sends a frown in my direction. “I’ve sent Tommy to get what we need. Tonight, you two can take care of the signatures.” His brows narrow. “She needs to sign them. No forging signatures. Camellia’s request.”
Great. She has to be willing.
I can hear Eliza grinding her teeth. She’s so against this, I know I’m going to have to convince her to go into this a little more compliant. However, I don’t think spanking her will do the trick. I’ll have to persuade her some other way.
A way that doesn’t include violence. This will be new for both of us.