Page 27 of His to Hold

It’s unlike Antonio to let his feelings show. Usually, his guard is firmly up and it would take a mind-reader to work out what’s going on behind those inscrutable blue eyes of his. Right now, his trepidation is plain to see. Whatever that phone call was about, it rattled him and that scares me.

As we ate lunch, he engaged in some discussion about the food but brushed me off when I asked if anything was wrong. Now, as we’re being driven back to the house, I don’t dare try to break through the barrier he’s erected. With two of his men in the front seats of the car, Antonio would be pissed if I prodded him for answers.

I wish I could think of a safe topic to break the silence, though. A little conversation would provide a distraction from my growing arousal.

That damned thing Antonio stuffed in my ass is making me hyperaware of my body. Every time we go over a bump in the road, the plug shifts, tormenting my insides. Pressure is building at my core. My clit throbs and my pussy clenches. Squeezing my thighs together gives me no relief. I need my husband’s skillful touch but, with the way he’s acting, I’m not sure I’ll get it.

By the time we pull up at the front door of the mansion, my panties are soaked. The blond-haired driver, David, switches off the engine. Before either of the men has a chance to come and open his door, Antonio jumps out of the car and holds a hand out to me. He could come around to my side of the car, but he’s making me shuffle across the seat. The bastard knows the movement will make the plug press deeper inside me. The wicked gleam in his eye confirms his intent.

I take the hand he offers, and a tingle runs down my spine. Just being close to Antonio is enough to spark a primal awareness that grips every part of my body. As I step out of the car, the plug rubs against a sensitive spot inside me and I can’t suppress a needy whine. Antonio’s expression heats as he flashes me a smirk, knowing exactly what the plug is doing to me.

“Something wrong, Bella?” His voice is low, deep, and incredibly seductive. “You seem all hot and bothered.”

The naked desire in Antonio’s gaze makes me bolder than I would normally be. I run my hand down his front and between his legs. His cock jumps beneath my touch. “It’s nothing my husband can’t fix.”

“Careful,” he warns me, tilting his head toward the front of the car, reminding me we are not alone.

As much as I’d love to play with Antonio, to see how far I can push him, my sense of self-preservation kicks in. I remove my hand. Antonio wraps a possessive arm around my waist and hugs me to his side. He leads me into the house. When we get inside, he releases me and closes the door behind us. It shuts with an ominous click.

“Go to the bedroom. Be ready for me when I get there.” Antonio’s commanding tone is enough to make my panties combust.

Unbelievably turned on, I sprint upstairs. As I come onto the landing at the top of the grand wooden staircase, I run into Janetta. She’s wearing her chosen uniform of black shirt dress and cardigan with white sneakers.

“Ah, Mrs. Volante, I’ve just put some fresh towels in your bathroom and clean sheets on the bed.”

My cheeks heat as I consider the stains she probably found on the bedding. “Thank you, Janetta.” I fling my arms around the older woman’s neck and pull her close. “It’s good to see you and, remember, it’s Isabella.”

“Of course.” She pats my back and steps out of the embrace I ambushed her with. “Is Antonio with you?”

“Yes, he’s downstairs somewhere.”

Janetta smiles, genuine happiness warming her pale blue eyes. She has a soft spot for my husband and his brothers, even though they ran rings around her when they were boys.

“It’s good to have you back, Isabella,” she says as she walks off.

“Thank you.”

As I hurry along the corridor to the bedroom, I wonder if I really am back. Things are still unsettled between Antonio and me. I worry our reunion might only be a temporary one. I’m also unsure if the rest of the family will welcome my return. They’re loyal to one another and may not forgive me for hurting Antonio, even if I never intended to.

When I get to our bedroom, I strip off my dress, bra, and panties. I throw them into the closet and shut the door. Then I kneel by the bed. It’s not something Antonio has ever asked me to do but it feels right. His growly tone when he sent me up here was imbued with an urge to dominate. With desire firing through my veins, I’m in the mood to submit to whatever he desires.

Maintaining a simple pose with my heels tucked behind my butt, my thighs spread apart and my head bowed is no real challenge to me since I keep up a regular fitness regimen. It’s my mind that’s struggling with this position. It makes me feel vulnerable. If Antonio rejects my submission, I don’t know what I’ll do.

Thankfully, before I can drive myself nuts worrying about it, Antonio comes into the room. Though his expression is unreadable as his eyes rake over me, I don’t sense any anger coming from him. I think he approves of me presenting myself to him like this.

Giving me no respite from his intense stare, he removes his jacket. He places it over the back of the chair at the dressing table and then strips off his tie. After rolling his shirtsleeves up to his elbows, he comes to me and curves a hand around my cheek.

“Are you offering yourself to me, Bella?”

Biting my bottom lip, I peer up at him. “Yes.”

“To do what?”

Throwing caution to the wind, I respond without hesitation. “Anything you want.”

His eyes darken with undiluted lust. If he chose to, he could take whatever he wants from me. I’d be powerless to stop him. But me handing him the keys to the kingdom is a whole other matter. He’s pleased that I’ve offered my submission.

Putting a hand beneath my elbow, he pulls me to my feet. He steers me into the bathroom and stops in front of the sink.

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