Chapter 12 #2
I slip deeper into my basal self than ever before as she dips her fingertip into my mess and sticks it in her mouth.
Her moan has me fully hard again. I snarl and pull her up to meet my kiss.
She responds to my hunger with her own, and when I fear I’ll lose control again, I pull back, take two calming breaths, and duck back in to pour my worship, praise, and adoration into her.
Once I teeter on the edge again, I snarl and turn away. She makes a small sound of complaint as I lay her back down on the bed, but I shush her with a glance and roll off the mattress.
A look down at myself confirms the mess is too much for a few damp washcloths, so I scoop Sienna up and carry her to the shower. After cleaning us both with more restraint than I thought I possessed, I towel her dry and carry her back to the bed.
I remove her bandages with utmost care and study her wounds.
None look infected, but her shoulder oozes.
She doesn’t balk when I carry her back into the shower and lay her on the bench.
Using the lowest pressure possible on the showerhead, I wash around the bite marks by lathering my hands with antibacterial bar soap and rinsing with lukewarm water.
“Are you allergic to any medication?”
“Not that I’m aware of, but… no doctors,” she answers with a shrug.
I grumble under my breath, dry her shoulder with paper towels, and carry her back to the bed.
“You’re taking a full round of antibiotics starting right now, just in case,” I inform her.
She lifts a brow. Gravity seems to lessen as I prepare for her inevitable snark.
“I heard there’s no cure for rabies. I’m probably a goner anyway,” she sasses.
A guffaw bursts from my chest. It’s the least attractive sound I’ve ever made, but the smile Sienna tries to hide behind her hand is worth it.
I push a growl from deep in my throat and grab her hips.
“I’m a rabid dog now, is that it?”
She giggles and shakes her head.
“Better live up to my reputation then, yeah?”
Her eyes widen. I drop down and place a stinging bite to the upper swell of her breast. She hisses and pushes my face away.
I grab her upper forearms—because the skin on her wrists is still too raw—and lift her arms out of the way.
She squeaks. I pepper her breasts with bites ranging from small, barely there nips to as much soft, malleable flesh as I can fit in my mouth and using enough force to leave marks.
“I’m sorry! I was joking. Stop, please, I—”
She gasps as I suck on her nipple.
I lift my head with an audible pop and offer her a devilish smirk.
“What was that? Couldn’t hear you. Rabies.”
I continue the sensual torture until she almost slides off the edge of the mattress from wriggling. When I lift her by her hips, a tiny smudge of pink on the sheets sobers me. I clear my throat and cup her chin.
“You’re still bleeding. Are you hurting anywhere?”
She shakes her head.
“I can’t help with internal bleeding, bambolina. Tell me the truth; does it really not hurt?”
“It doesn’t, I swear,” she vows.
I study her expression before sighing.
“Is there anything I can do?” I ask.
She shrugs.
“Maybe don’t go so deep next time? I don’t know. Everything else might have been fine, but that hurt so much—”
“Might have been fine?” I growl.
“Why are you getting mad at me? It’s not like I had any control,” she argues.
“I didn’t either.”
She stares at me with blank eyes for the briefest of moments before dozens of emotions play over her features.
“Are you trying to say this is my fault?” she accuses.
“Mio Dio, no. I’m saying…”
I growl again and shove my hand through my hair. For the first time in my adult life, I struggle for the right words. Anger narrows her gaze. Panic grips me and words tumble unbidden from my mouth.
“You make me weak, bambolina. I’ve never wanted anyone or anything as much as I want you. You’re mine, but it’s not enough.”
She blinks, squints, then leans back. I drop my palm to the mattress beside her ass.
“Do you mean I am not enough?” she asks.
I curse and frame her face with both hands.
“Don’t ever fucking doubt yourself again, Sienna. You’re—”
She pushes my hands, ducks, and lunges out of reach.
“Stop. You’re never going to convince me I’m worth whatever you’re about to say.
” I watch, still kneeling on the floor and twisted halfway around, as she crosses her arms over her chest and glares at me.
“I’ve spent the last ten years hearing nothing but the worst things about me.
Anything you say is going to sound stupid. ”
I rise and stalk toward her with purposeful steps as I speak. She takes a step back for every one of my strides.
“You will listen. Maybe if I say it enough you’ll start to believe it.” Her back hits the wall. Her features tighten in a mutinous expression. “You’re gorgeous, resilient, and strong, but most of all, you’re mine. All mine. Only mine. Capisci?”
“Whatever you say, Romeo,” she parrots even though she clearly does not believe me.
“Fine, bambolina. Looks like I’ll be repeating myself often,” I murmur into her hair.
Envisioning her rolling her eyes in response, I kiss her forehead and wrap my fingers around her upper forearm again.
“C’mon, let’s bandage and medicate you. We have too much to do today to stay in bed all day,” I announce.
My curious little doll looks at me expectantly, but I don’t offer her any more information. I enjoy the frustration growing in her eyes.
It serves her right for being so stubborn. All she has to do is ask, and I’ll tell her everything. All she has to do is believe me, and then I won’t bombard her with compliments.
All she has to do is say yes when I propose to her. I’ll buy her an engagement ring tomorrow—she’ll choose it without even knowing. I’ll take her to so many stores she’ll forget we even went to a jeweler—and keep it in my pocket for as long as it takes to win her over.
All she has to do is be mine. All mine. Only mine.
Forever.