Page 39 of Satin Empire

“Like I said, it’s fine.” He throws back his whiskey.

“Where’s your first aid kit?”

“Alana—”

“You can either tell me where it is or I’m going to pour some of your fancy liquor on this wound to clean it. Up to you, baby.”

His jaw tenses, but he’s grinning now. “Up in the bathroom under the sink on my side.”

“Don’t move.” I run upstairs and find the white box. Once I’m back in the kitchen, I pick out some gauze, medical tape, and antiseptic. “This is going to sting.”

I’m not exactly sure what I’m doing, but I’ve managed to get it cleaned and dressed while he finishes his drink. “You know what I keep thinking about?” he asks, staring off into the living room, and I can tell he’s barely here with me.

“What’s that?” I get the gauze taped, being as careful as I can. It’s going to hurt like hell when we have to rip that off, but that’s a problem for future-Carlo.

“I asked Renzo to let me take over some new businesses, and he said no. I asked Saul about expanding my clubs, and he told me to focus on you for a while.” His bitterness oozes from his pores, and I can tell this is something that’s been bothering him for a long time. “If they need someone dead, they don’t hesitate to call. But when I need something, there’s always a reason or an excuse why we have to wait.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper and finish with the bandage. I had no clue he felt like this, but now it makes sense. “That sounds really hard.”

“It’s fine,” he says and flexes his arm. He nods like he’s approving of my work. I want to press him on what he said, because clearly it’s important to him, but he talks before I can keep us on track. “You waited up for me,” he says and I try not to stare as he takes off his bloody shirt. He drapes it over his injured arm. “I told you not to do that.”

“Yeah, well, I guess I’ve developed a new mental illness, because I was worried about you for some stupid reason.”

“I see.” His smile slips, and the wolf is back. He steps closer. “I was thinking about you too.”

“Yeah? I’m not sure how I feel about that. I assume you killed people tonight.”

He nods slowly. “I did. Does that bother you?”

Yes. It should. It really, really should. But I slowly shake my head. “Not really.”

“Why not? You weren’t raised in the families. This should scare the hell out of you.”

“I guess I don’t think you’ll hurt me, that’s all.”

“Why?” he asks again like he’s holding himself back from doing something awful.

And I don’t know the answer to that question. It’s the way he looks at me, a hungry wolf, but a wolf wearing a fraying leash. “You gave me a car when you didn’t have to,” I whisper, aware that my nipples are rock hard right now. This man’s a sight to behold, his muscles bulging and defined, his tattoos dark and snaking across his smooth skin. “You could’ve kept me on a short leash, but you didn’t.”

He groans softly and steps forward faster than I can dodge. His hand snakes out and grabs my hair, holding on tight as he yanks me close, a growl on his lips.

“I love the idea of you on a leash,” he whispers and my core clenches with a sudden flood of pure lust. I gasp as his grip tightens. “I want you on all fucking fours, a collar around your throat. I want to grab that collar and yank it hard as I thrust my cock into your beautiful little pussy from behind until we both explode with bliss.” He comes closer, lips pulled back, the monster staring out at me from the abyss threatening to come crawling out.

What do people always say about horror movies? The girls in those slasher flicks are dumb because they run right at the killer? I might be the stupidest person alive then. I should turn around, get in that car he bought, and speed the hell away, because I know what this man wants, and I know I need to give it to him. Once that happens, I don’t know where I’ll be.

“What’s stopping you?” I ask, which is basically like taunting a starving bear, and about the dumbest thing I’ve ever said, but I must be broken because the idea of him taking me from behind while choking me with a collar sounds so fucking hot I could just about die right now from wanting it.

“You are.” His teeth clench together in a snarl. “You’re so fucking young, baby. You’re too goddamn young for me, but I want you so badly it’s like a bullet got stuck in my guts.”

“Does my age really matter anymore? We’re married. Let it go.”

And I see the change come over him. I shouldn’t encourage this but I’m edging right now, my core pulsing, a whimper of need on my lips, and if he doesn’t give me what I need right now, I think I’m going to explode.

“My wife,” he whispers and his mouth finds my throat, peppering me with kisses, moving up to my chin. “My wife. All fucking mine.”

I moan as we kiss and all my triggers are pulled when he drags me like a caveman up into the bedroom. He’s not gentle when he undresses me, and once my breasts are bare for him, he latches his mouth onto one nipple and sucks hard. His hands slide between my legs, teasing my pussy before his fingers plunge deep inside. He’s not being gentle anymore; this is the wolf now, the starving beast come to feed, and I want him to feast on me.

I dig my fingers into his back as he takes his fill, kissing my throat and mouth, his tongue invading my lips before he goes back to my tits, sucking and biting, his rough hands driving me wild. I’m dancing on a tightrope, overwhelmed and beyond stimulated, his two thick fingers driving into me.

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