CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
R occo’s brand of dominance turned me on, and I was keen to have sex with him, but I didn’t understand why he was upset. It couldn’t have all been because of Janus. After watching Marjorie with him during the panel interview, he didn’t have a right to freak out about a flirt.
Yet, Rocco hit the side of the interior with his fist. “Fucking press set me up.”
My brows rose. “Rocco?”
“Give me a minute.” He took out his phone and made a call. “Yeah, it’s me, Morgan. You told me Marjorie wouldn’t be at the premiere…You can’t control who shows? She had a chair… Not acceptable. She’s not headlining this movie…Whatever. Bottom line, if you want my support again, don’t count on it,” he snapped and disconnected.
I touched his arm. “What’s going on, Rocco?”
He grunted. “Majorie. She’s become a problem. I broke it off, and she has me GPSed everywhere. I’m sick of it. I don’t want her linked with my work or anything else again.”
My mouth dropped opened. “You’re not friends—”
“We were, but not now,” he said abruptly.
I folded my arms. He was angry, but he had no right to take it out on me. “How else would I have known? If you want me to know the truth, you should share it with me. You left me the second we entered the theater.”
“I sat with the production; that’s what we do at these events,” he said in a brisk tone.
“You didn’t have to sit by Marjorie, laugh with her, let her put her head on your shoulder, kiss your cheek,” I listed off, then flattened my lips.
He snorted. “There were cameras on us the whole time. I’d be a public scumbag if I was anything but nice to her, even though I didn’t want to be. She used us for publicity and fucked over our movie to get it. I left the second the panel interview ended.” So why did it take so long for him to get to the party? I wasn’t sure what to believe.
We fell silent for a few minutes before he said, “Shit, I’m sorry. I’m upset Morgan was too weak to stand on his work that he tried to conjure up salacious drama for the press. We agreed ahead of time that she wasn’t allowed on the panel.” His phone vibrated in his hand, but he didn’t answer it.
“But she’s in the film,” I pointed out.
“A miniscule role that I got for her. It was Lulu’s Oscar to get, and they’re not talking about her. Marjorie has her film, Patchwork, which she has a more prominent role in, showing here soon. But she had to interrupt Morgan’s film, and now the press will forget his hard work. It’s selfish and self-serving, but…maybe I gave her no choice.” He blew out his breath.
I turned back to him. “What do you mean by that?”
“We hadn’t seen each other in months, so it’s not like we were still together. The breakup and marriage announcement was fast, I get that. But our relationship wasn’t going anywhere. I’m being upfront, Adelina. I stopped having feelings for Marjorie quite a while ago.” His voice lost steam.
“Okay. Thank you for telling me that,” I said, hoping he could hear the genuine thanks in my tone. He’d been wronged tonight, too, and I wouldn’t ignore that for him.
His phone chimed. He checked it, then pressed ignore.
“Now, tell me, where was Isla?” he asked, his voice strained.
“With me most of the time. It’s a party. Janus told her he wanted to discuss a business opportunity. She left for a call. But Rose Steele came over to chat with me, too.” I bit my lip.
“What did Rose want?” he asked in a clipped tone.
I lifted my shoulders. “To offer advice.”
Rocco tutted. “Rose has no advice to give. She opened the door for an open marriage with Morgan, and it will never close again. Now tell me what else Janus did to you. Did he hurt you?”
I shrugged. “No. He was friendly for the most part. We danced…Oh, Morgan asked to dance with me—”
“He did? Fuck me,” Rocco hissed, his jaw clenched.
I crossed my arms. “Should I say anything more or are you going to freak out?”
“Morgan crossed a line; I needed to know that. I’m calming down. Tell me the rest.” His voice wasn’t exactly calm.
I took a deep breath. “Janus talked about a business opportunity, then touched my face. You came.” And thumped your chest.
“He dared to touch what is mine?” he said incredulously. “Calling you my fiancée ? As if he had a chance in hell to take you away from me. I’d break that asshole in half.”
Rocco was worked up for a fight, and it finally hit me why. It wasn’t just his annoyance at Marjorie at the premiere. “You’re jealous.”
He rolled his neck. “I’m protective.”
I squinted. “Is that why you groped me in front of your friends? Marking your territory?”
He snorted. “Call it whatever you want to. I have maybe three in that room I’d call real friends. Now two. The others want to fuck up any good thing they see. You don’t know how it is, and I refuse to let them do that to us. So yeah, I kissed my fiancée and skipped their party. They don’t control me…Let’s get back to Isla. She wasn’t to leave your side.”
I grimaced. “Why? I am an adult—”
“You don’t leave bait in a den of snakes—”
“Bait? Fuck you, Rocco.” My lips pursed.
He blew out his breath. “Forgive me. I adore you, Bella , but you’re green. Innocent.”
I scoffed. “I can fight, Rocco. I’m not as fragile as you think. I’d have handled Janus if you hadn’t shown up —”
“You shouldn’t have to handle anyone. Isla’s whole job is to take care of you when I’m not there. I went against my instincts keeping her on after she became close to Marjorie, and now I can’t trust her. I’ll have to let her go.”
I frowned. “Please don’t. She’s been very helpful. I really like her.”
Isla was really great with me, prepared and easy to talk to. I felt comfortable with her. She gave me space at the party, and it had surprised me. But I was fine overall until Janus flirted.
“Bless your sweet heart. I’d burn it all down if anyone hurt you.” He reached for me, but dropped his hand.
I stared down at my trembling fingers in my lap. “You don’t want to touch me?”
“I’m too upset to touch you right now, Adelina. But trust me, I most definitely want to.”
“You do, Rocco?” I mumbled, my voice uncertain. He had been jealous, but I was insecure after seeing him with his ex who obviously wanted him back.
“Where is this coming from? Yes, I do. It’s all I want to do the second I let you go.”
My heart skipped a beat, and I smiled.
He took a deep breath and kissed the back of my hand. “I’m sorry. Honestly, I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I need to calm down, or I won’t go easy on you when we get in.” Rocco’s tone was teasing. He unbuttoned the front of his jacket and adjusted the bulge between his thighs.
“I don’t want easy, Rocco. I can handle it.” I shifted my legs on the seat, exposing the slit up to the garter at the top of my thigh.
Our gazes met and fused. I put all my longing and emotion for him in mine. What mattered most was that I’d grown to trust him. He needed to know I’d accept all parts of him.
“Be my good girl and take it off.” His command was just above a whisper, but it amplified in my veins, coursing down to my clit that pulsed. His brand of control worked on me, but I also wanted him to see me as strong.
“Stop calling me a good girl.”
“But you love it, Adelina. You’re a young woman and you want my praise.” He reached his hand over to clasp my thigh, pushing on my leg to open it wider. “You need to please. I get that.”
My skin tingled and heated. Did pleasing him arouse me?
“Stay still for me, Bella,” he commanded in an authoritative tone.
There was a strong, visceral desire to connect, but there was also a willingness within me to submit. I gripped the seat as his hands moved higher up my leg to the top, tracing his fingers against the lace on the thong. My breath hitched, and my pulse quickened. I let out a staggered breath and tensed as his fingers underneath the fabric. Ohh, Rocco . I strained as his fingers teased my clit and rubbed my hot opening. “Mmm. Let me show you how much you love it.”
He pushed a finger inside me. “You’re my sweet, sexy girl,” he purred. My inner walls clenched, and I shuddered as he pumped his finger in and out of me. I let out a moan, opening my legs more. And he gave it to me, sliding in another finger. “Your cunt is eager to be good and fucked.” He fucked me with them, slipping his fingers in and out of me as I moaned.
My hands grasped the seat tighter. “Don’t stop, Rocco,” I pleaded. He already had me desperate. Every time he touched me, I wanted him on me, inside me.
But he pulled out his wet fingers and sucked on them, groaning, “I’d let you have a taste, but I’m too greedy. Now, do as you were told.” His tone switched from teasing to authoritative, and I gushed between my thighs.
My hands were clumsy as I unhooked the garter, and impatient as I pulled off my stockings. I was achy, needy, and frustrated, but this was his control. He wanted me to know everything I did was because I wanted him, needed him.
“Take the stay pins out, too. I want to see your big tits spill out of that tiny dress.”
He was still upset about the dress and used it in his power play. I tugged the covers off my breasts, and he was right—they were both fully exposed in the dress’ low V-neckline. I went to cover them, but he pulled down my hand and gapped the top wider. “No, they’re mine to enjoy.”
Rocco rubbed between his legs as he watched me sit for him. My bare breasts were fully exposed and swollen. I could feel my nipples tighten to the point of pain as he watched. My skin heated to burning. Yet, at the same time, I was dripping wet, throbbing.
A twinge of humiliation raised inside me. I felt dirty. Sexy.
The car finally turned up the drive to the hotel and stopped. He pressed the call button and sent Zane and Rick away, then leaned over and sucked on one of my exposed breasts. He drew on it hard enough to sting. My thighs clenched and my chest heaved.
“Please, Rocco,” I whispered. My clit was pulsating; I was aching so bad it hurt.
He sucked and licked more, then let go of my nipple with a loud smack. “I love you to hear you begging. Now, go in and take the dress and heels off,” he commanded, his voice deep.
He climbed out and held out his hand.
I took it and was dizzy on my feet. He paused, covering my breast, his knuckles grazing over my taut nipples. I shuddered.
I shifted on my feet and moaned under my breath.
“Good. Now go inside and do what I told you.”
He gestured for me to walk ahead of him into one of the exclusive hotel townhomes, and closed the door. It was quiet, with soft lighting left on. The dress came off easily, sliding down to the floor. I let it pool at my feet and kicked off the heels.
Rocco wrapped his arm around my shoulders and waist. He was still fully clothed, but I could feel his hard cock pressing against my lower back. “This is how I should keep you. Naked and wet for me. You’re mine, Bella. Only I touch you.” His possessiveness and annoyance were evident. I could feel my arousal run down my thigh as he gripped my hips and ground his cock against my bare ass. “You see how hard you make me? Show me how much you want my cock.”
Rocco pushed on my shoulders, and I went to my knees. His hands were quick to undo the front of his slacks and free his big erection. My hands were nervous as I clasped him and put him in my mouth. He grabbed my hair and fisted it, his hips rolling. I opened my mouth wider, sucking and swallowing, saliva running out my mouth as he pumped his cock, fucking me with it. I didn’t stop. I wanted to please him, make him come. My hands reached up and gripped his ass. He surged forward, and I swallowed hard as his cock went down my throat. I inhaled through my nose as I gagged and struggled for air.
“Fuck,” Rocco roared, his hands grabbing my head. I pulled back to swallow as he came, flooding my throat. He eased his grip and slid his cock out. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. My breathing came out staggered and heavy, and my mouth was sore. But we stared at each other again. There was surprise or wonder in his gaze that wasn’t there before. He bent and gripped my shoulders, pulling me to my feet, then kissed me with a ferociousness that left me weak.
Rocco’s orgasm had only made him hornier. His kisses moved down to my breasts with the same barbarity, and he sucked on my skin. I was sure he left marks. He moaned as he nipped and sucked to brand me.
“Yes, Rocco.” I wanted every one of them.
“You’re mine.” He moved on his knees, his hands moving over my thighs and buttocks, staring at my pussy until I squirmed, clenching empty.
“Only I can make you come, Bella.”
He buried his head between my legs and sucked on my clit. I gasped, my hands gripping the top of his head, my body unsteady as pulses of pleasure went through my veins. My hands held him, and I ground my hips as he licked and sucked. My body stiffened and shook. Rocco drew me tighter to him, his tongue lapping over and over, stroking, flicking, and sucking my clit.
“Oh, my God, Rocco,” I cried out, lost in the pleasure. He thrust his tongue inside, and I could feel my climax coming; he sucked and hummed, and everything tightened. I cried out and shook as I came. Waves of pleasure filled me, and I couldn’t keep upright. But Rocco took my weight and held me. He pressed on my leg to come down on the floor and had me stretch out on my back. He opened me wide and went back to lapping my clit.
“Rocco, Rocco,” I moaned his name between pants. I was too sensitive from coming, but he wanted to still pleasure me. Knowing that made me heat up more, and I writhed as he rubbed my clit, adding his fingers. I moaned and lifted my hips as he swirled his tongue inside me. To my surprise, my body peaked again.
“That’s it, give in,” Rocco said between heavy breaths. My surrender was what he wanted. His hands went under my ass, and squeezed, then returned to pleasuring me. He was relentless, stroking and sucking on my pussy until I could only shake and spasm in his hands. He stood, and I could see he was hard again. He removed the rest of his clothes before helping me stand. I stumbled over to the couch, where he bent me over it.
He tugged my hips up and pressed his thick dick to my entrance. “I need to fuck you hard.” Then he pushed in with a brutal thrust to the hilt.
I gasped at the strength of his drive, but I was so wet from coming, that his pumps in and out of me were like ecstasy, and I wanted more. He groaned and stirred his cock, setting off more sensations that had me losing myself. I pushed back, and he hit my ass. “I’m fucking you, Bella.”
His dominance had me tightening around him as he ground his dick inside me. Sweat heated our bodies. The friction of his deep thrusts sent me close to orgasm again. I moaned loudly and moved my hips.
Rocco hit my ass again. “You have me so fucking turned on.”
He thrust in harder, at a faster pace, and it took me right back up to the edge of oblivion.
“I’m going to come,” I called out.
Rocco kept his rhythm, pushing his cock deeper and deeper. I could feel his dick grow thicker. I fisted the cushions and stiffened, my body gyrating as I came on his cock.
“Fuck, that feels so fucking good,” he said gruffly.
His breathing was heavy, his voice hoarse. He shuddered and jerked as he came, filling me up. I let go. My energy depleted as I sank on the couch, sated.
We both moaned as he pulled out, and I was boneless. But he smiled as he placed my arms on his broad shoulders and lifted me in his arms, and I wrapped my legs around him. Our guards were dropped, and it felt right. He wanted me to be more open with him, so I needed to try. For him. For us.
“Can I ask one more question about Marjorie?” I said.
He frowned. “Okay.”
I touched his face. “Do you have feelings for her?”
He groaned.
I clasped his face and met his eyes. “No, Rocco. I need to know, and it won’t change anything. I understand why you broke up and that you’re committed to this arranged marriage. But I also know you were arranged to be with me, you chose her to share your life. I need to know if you love her.” I thought about his grandmother, Aurora again, having this conversation with Luca Marini. He’d told her, but it hadn’t put an end to their arranged marriage. She came in without blindness and faced the challenges ahead. It was the only way I could see we could make it, with full honesty.
He sighed. “No, I don’t have feelings for Marjorie. We had fun dating. But we both had careers that pulled us to different continents. I spent more time without her than with her. I thought we’d stay friends, but I now know that’s not possible. I liked her, but we weren’t in love…You and me. We’re together and that means no one else. I refuse to be second.”
I gulped. I don’t want anyone else.
He lifted my hands and brought them to his lips and kissed the back of them tenderly and my heart swelled. “You, Adelina, give me what I need.”
A satisfaction filled me at his praise. I would be one of the people he considered his friend in any room we entered from now on. I’m going to be in your corner, Rocco. I also believed I gave him what he wanted, but one day he’d take it all. Nothing less.