CHAPTER 2 #2
And I can’t say I blame her, even though I hate it. I never want her to lie to me. But this is a unique situation.
I won’t punish her. This time.
When I glance back at her, I arch an eyebrow, the challenge clear with a single look. Dove’s already milky skin pales. It would make me chuckle if I didn’t hate the thought of her being afraid of me so damn much.
For some fucked up reason, my brother assumes my silence is agreement. It’s not.
“This bitch is always trying to climb on my dick. She thinks it’ll make me look the other way when she doesn’t meet the expectations when it comes to clients.” The way he tries to sound like a businessman, while denigrating one of his employees has me seething.
If he doesn’t respect the women who work here, how can he expect the clients to. Unless he doesn’t care. Which is what I’ve been afraid of. I don’t even have to look back at Dove to see the bruises he’s left behind in my mind’s eye.
“Dove,” I rumble her name, “did you willingly come in here with my brother? Do you like it when he leaves bruises on your body?”
“Yes,” she murmurs her answer.
Lie.
“See? She loves it,” Romeo crows.
I don’t even think about it. I swing on my brother, my fist hitting the mark and causing blood to spray from his nose. He immediately grabs his face and lets out a sound that is a mix of horror and pain. Good. He deserves nothing less.
I’m tempted to punch him again, but I hold back while my brother glares at me. It’s clear to see how much he hates and resents me.
When I look over at Dove, I have a feeling my brother’s blood will be on my hands sooner rather than later. If she won’t admit to what he’s done, I can’t do much.
Yet.
But I won’t allow her to be in danger. Not anymore.
“You better go get looked at. We’ll talk soon about why I came by to see you,” my words are laced with warning. “Dodging my calls isn’t a good idea, Romeo.”
He grunts before storming out of his office. I turn toward Dove slowly and try to get my racing heart under control. As much as I want to step closer to her, I force myself to stand in place.
“You didn’t need to do that,” Dove admonishes me while her chin juts out.
The action is pure defiance and my cock throbs behind the zipper of my slacks.
She crosses her arms across her chest as she looks me over.
When she notices the bulge in my pants, her eyebrows shoot up toward her hairline.
“I see,” she murmurs softly, more to herself than to me.
After clearing her throat, her voice comes out much stronger, “What’s your poison, Mr. Amato? ”
As much as I want to tell her exactly what I know to be true—that she’s mine, I don’t. Not yet. She’s too in her head with whatever shit Romeo was just up to. With a smirk, I sit in one of the chairs in my brother’s office.
“Dance for me,” I command.
I can’t help myself. And I don’t want to.
Our eyes lock and the moment stretches between us, the tension building with every breath we take. Then it breaks so damn beautifully as Dove starts to move her hips in time with music only she can hear. I don’t need to hear it.
As she moves in front of me, I grip the armrests of the chair. It’s the only thing stopping me from putting my hands all over her. Fuck. I just know her skin will be silky and soft.
Her hips rock gently as she steps closer to me. When she’s close enough that I get hints of her spicy and sweet scent, I take a deep breath and am tempted to sit on my damn hands.
My cock is begging to be pulled out of my pants. But I know my hand won’t be enough. Not after seeing Dove’s perfectly pouty lips. I desperately want them wrapped around my cock.
The way she moves is pure fucking sin. And it’s tempting me beyond what I can control. When I stand up, she startles a little and steps back.
But I’m done waiting.
“Dove,” I growl, “we’re going to have so much fun.”
When I look into her eyes, all the fear she was hiding is gone. Only desire is left. She wants me.
I’m taking her.
When I pick her up and dangle her over my shoulder, she lets out a small yelp. But she doesn’t fight me. Holding her, even over my shoulder, is pushing the power of my control.
As I step out of the office, I’m not surprised to see Salvatore standing there. Romeo should be my right-hand man, but I’ve never trusted my brother. Salvatore isn’t blood, but he’s the brother I was meant to find and keep. He’s the man I trust the most and he always has my back.
“Grab Dove’s things and drop them at the house.”
Salvatore doesn’t question my demand. He doesn’t even look at Dove, though I’m sure she’s putting on quite a show since the lingerie she has on is a thong and barely covered her before I put her upside down.
“Of course, Boss,” Salvatore rumbles, a spark of amusement dancing in his eyes.
I don’t stop until I’m lowering Dove into the front seat of my car.
She melts back against the leather seats, her fingers running over the softness of it with appreciation.
When she doesn’t instantly demand answers about where we’re going and what is going to happen to her, I’m pleasantly surprised.
And impressed.
This is a woman who has learned how to go with the flow. I’m sure it was out of necessity, but it will serve her well at my side.
Whenever I glance in her direction while driving through the city, I can’t seem to look past her delicious thighs.
The need to bury my face between her thighs is almost unbearable.
If she suffocates me, what a way to go. Then I hear a soft sound coming from my woman and glance her way to find her tucked against the window of my car fast asleep.
Yes, I desperately want to bury myself deep inside of her. However, knowing she trusts me enough to fall asleep next to me, without even knowing where we’re going, has pride swelling in the center of my chest along with a warmth I didn’t think I would be lucky enough to experience.
This woman is mine and I’m not letting her go.