Chapter 28
LIANA
It’s later than normal when I get back to Massimo’s place. I’ve buried myself in work, not ready to face him after last night, but it does surprise me he didn’t show up at the boutique, let alone text me all day.
I’m not upset about it—it’s just an observation—but it makes me think he’s up to something.
After taking the car elevator up to his place, I park in an open spot, then head inside. As I walk down the marble hallway toward our room, a delicious smell infiltrates my nostrils, and when I turn the corner to the kitchen, I see the island set up for two to eat.
Massimo’s standing there in charcoal slacks and a black button-up with the first few buttons undone. Butterflies erupt in my stomach at the sight of him while he pours two glasses of white wine.
He must feel my presence because with eyes still placed firmly on the glass he’s filling, he says, “Perfect timing.”
I slowly walk into the room. “Um, hi.”
He finally glances up, a charming smile taking over his face.
Stay strong, Liana.
“I made dinner. I hope you’re hungry after a long day of work.”
Unfortunately, I am, and unfortunately, whatever he made smells amazing.
“You cooked?” I ask, a quirk in my brow as I walk over to the island.
He walks around the counter and places a glass of wine at each plate setting, then turns to face me. “Surprised, mia moglie?”
I narrow my gaze on him, but he just smiles and walks behind me.
“Let me take your coat,” he says, sliding his hands up my arms until they’re at my shoulders and he’s helping me out of it.
It’s just dinner. I can let the man make me some dinner without falling for him, right?
“I made us shrimp scampi. I believe it’s a favorite of yours?”
“I’m not going to bother asking how you know that, because to be honest, I’m starving, and I have to admit, it smells amazing.”
We take our seats at the counter. “Please,” Massimo says, gesturing to my plate that’s filled with the most mouthwatering shrimp scampi I’ve ever smelled. “Dig in.”
I take a bite and let out a moan as the garlic and lemon flavors explode in my mouth. “Oh my gosh.”
“I take it you like it?” he says with a satisfied smile on his face.
There’s no sense in not stroking his already inflated ego. “This has to be the best shrimp scampi I’ve ever had.”
He chuckles softly, then starts eating. We’re silent, nothing but the sounds of our silverware hitting our plates while we enjoy the food, which I’m thankful for. I’m not sure I could endure a conversation about last night right now.
Just when I think I’m going to get through this dinner silently, Massimo says, “So …”
“So …?” I repeat, then shove the last perfectly cooked shrimp into my mouth.
“Are we really going to pretend like last night never happened?”
My face heats. “I mean, we could,” I say, hoping to brush it off.
He laughs and sets the napkin from his lap next to his empty plate. “You’re something else, Liana.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, you’ll fuck yourself in front of me, but the moment I bring it up, your face heats with embarrassment.”
“I’m not embarrassed,” I scoff out.
“Then why don’t you want to talk about it?”
I shrug. “Because there’s nothing to talk about. I fingered myself while you jacked off. What else is there?”
“Well, for starters, I’d like to know if this will be a regular thing.”
A smirk grazes my lips, then I put my fork down and cross my arms as I look over at Massimo. “Will getting myself off be a regular thing? Of course. Will I need you to participate again? Not really.”
He chuckles again. “That’s cute you think I’d suddenly need your permission to.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine, maybe next time it won’t be in the dark. That way you can really see everything you’re missing out on and exactly what you’ll never have.”
Massimo’s silent for a moment, eyes boring into mine as if he’s contemplating his next words. “You think I’ll never have you?” He says it like he doesn’t believe me, and to be honest, I’m starting to not believe myself either, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“I don’t think … I know.”
He narrows his gaze and lets out a humorous sigh. “You know what, change of plans tonight.” He slides out of his chair.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m taking you somewhere.”
“I’d really rather you not.”
He lets out an exasperated sigh. “Liana, do me a favor and stop fighting me for once.”
“But it’s so much more fun when I do,” I say sweetly.
He stands next to me, holding out his hand. It’s like a silent standoff between the two of us.
I raise a brow at him. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Fine, if you don’t come willingly, then I’ll throw you over my shoulder and bring you myself.”
“No, you won’t,” I laugh out, which has his brows rising to his hairline. He goes to grab me, but I jerk out of the way.
“Fine, my gosh,” I say, jumping off the stool. “I’ll go, jeez.”
“And here I was, looking forward to carrying your stubborn ass.” He points to the hallway. “Now, move.”
“Let me at least pick up the dirty dishes.”
“Our housekeeper will be here shortly to take care of it. Now let’s go.” He takes my hand and grabs my coat, then leads me down the hallway to the garage.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask as we get into his car.
“You’ll have to wait and see. Just buckle up. It’s not too far from here.”
I let out a sigh but do as he says.
Once he turns onto the street, I try again. “Are you really not going to tell me where you’re taking me?”
“It’s a surprise. Can’t I surprise my wife with something?” he says, keeping his gaze fixed on the road, but a smile lifts the corner of his mouth.
I shake my head then turn to look out the window.
After only a few more minutes, Massimo parallel parks into a spot, and when I look to see what store he’s parked in front of, my eyes widen. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I say under my breath, but Massimo hears it and chuckles.
“You said you’ll be taking care of yourself, so if that’s what you’re going to do until you finally cave and give in to me, then you’ll be doing it with the toys I buy you.”
I’m too shocked to move. I sit in my seat staring up at the brightly lit sign: Midnight Escapes, and before I know it, Massimo is opening my door and pulling me out of the car.
“I am not going in there.”
“Yes, you are,” he says, a hint of humor to his tone as he drags me toward the double doors.
I dig my heel into the ground, stopping him. “Massimo, I have my own toys. I don’t need to go in there.”
Turning around, he hauls me toward him, holding my elbows with his hands. “We’re going in there because, moving forward, until you’re ready to let me fuck you, I want you thinking of me when you’re getting yourself off.”
I scoff. “Just because you buy me a toy doesn’t mean I’m going to be thinking of you while I use it.”
He chuckles deeply. “I think it’ll be a little difficult not to when you see what they carry.”
I’ve heard about Midnight Escapes. It’s an upscale adult sex toy and lingerie boutique with a sex club located in the basement.
I’ve never been to a sex toy store, let alone a sex club, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little interested.
But there’s something about going in there with Massimo that has me feeling …
vulnerable. It’s intimate. Too intimate.
Nevertheless, I allow him to lead me into the boutique where we’re greeted by a beautiful woman with raven-black hair.
“Hello,” she says, greeting us with a wide smile. “Are you both here to shop or to play?”
I choke on my own spit when I realize she’s referring to the club downstairs.
Massimo’s lip tugs up into a smirk as he side-eyes me. “We’re here to shop,” he says. “For now.”
I clear my throat and rush out, “We’re here to shop only.” I cast a glare at him, which he laughs off.
“Absolutely,” the woman says, the smile never leaving her face. “Could I get the name of the membership holder, please?”
Membership holder? You need a membership to shop here? That, I did not know.
“Bonetti. Massimo Bonetti.”
The woman types on her iPad, then glances back up at us. “Perfect. I have you right here, Mr. Bonetti. Have you both shopped with us before?”
With all the women Massimo has brought into my store, I’m expecting him to say yes, so imagine my surprise when he says, “No.”
I snap my gaze to his, and he’s still staring at the woman in front of us.
Slowly, I turn my head back to her. She’s staring at me, waiting for my response, so I say, “No.”
“Perfect. You’re more than welcome to take a look around.
There’s the main room in the middle which is where you’ll enter after going down this small hallway behind me.
The main room leads to two smaller rooms on each side.
You’ll find your typical toys such as vibrators and dildos in the main room, lingerie in the room off to the right, and BDSM toys in the room to the left. Any questions?”
My eyes widen at how comfortable she is speaking about this stuff. I have toys—I love my vibrator—but she’s so comfortable talking about sex with people she doesn’t know.
The girls have talked about their sex lives plenty, but it’s nothing I’ve ever been able to participate in. What would I have to share? My vibrator got me off for the millionth time last night?
There’s a confidence behind this woman’s words, and it makes me feel kind of … envious?
She hands a small black object to Massimo. “Feel free to look around, and if you find something in one of the cases you’d like, press the clicker I just gave you and an associate will be there to assist you. Do either of you have any questions?”
“Do you have any questions, mia moglie,” Massimo says, and all I can do is shake my head. I’m not sure I’ve wrapped my mind around him bringing me to shop for sex toys yet.
“We’re okay,” he says to the woman.
“Amazing,” she says, her smile still beaming. “You two can head down that hallway behind me. Happy shopping.”