Page 68 of Mob Princess

I have a duffle bag, and that’s it. I carry it myself, and we get into the elevator in silence. I draw her into my arms at the same time she wraps hers around me. It feels perfectly natural. Like how a girlfriend or wife would feel. I mean, I guess since I’ve never been married, and I haven’t had a girlfriend in nearly ten years.

We remain silent until we get to the suite. I let us in before shutting and locking the door. Our gazes sweep over the room, landing on the soaking tub that’s in the middle of it. It has a view out to a park, and we’re up high enough no one down there could see in. It’s probably a marvelous view, but it feels out of place. I have every intention of getting her in it before morning.

I put my bag down outside the bedroom door as we walk past. When we get to the sofa, I sit first, something I would normally never do. But she understands the invitation. She sits sideways before curling into me. As it seems to be routine now, my hand slips under her dress to cup her arse. I slide my finger under her thong’s thin string.

“Do not wear these anymore. When I want your pussy, I will have it with nothing in the way. Not even this strand of floss. Do you understand?”

Her eyes droop closed as she smiles. “Yes, nounours.”

The word no longer means teddy or teddy bear. It’s her name for me. I love it.

“If you do, I will spank you, then edge you.”

“No, thank you.”

I chuckle, and I feel her arse tighten. She likes the sound. It has the effect I want.

“It wasn’t an offer.”

“Mmm. I think it was. Maybe I want to be spanked and edged sometimes. Not right now, so I said no thank you. But another day, I might say yes, please.”

I pinch her arse, and she jerks her hips upward. It gives me the space to slip my fingers between her arse cheeks.

“Are you always defiant?”

“More often than I probably should be.” She sits up for a moment. “I’m not talking about how I was with Doms in the past. Sean, as long as we’re together, that’s part of a past that exists, but not one I want to think about or talk about.”

“I wasn’t hinting at that. I get the feeling you can be plenty defiant in real life.”

“At times. I just want you to know I’m not comparing or pointing out my past.”

This is a natural segue, but I dread it.

“I know, Lina. But it opens the door to what we need to talk about. I’m uncertain where to begin. Since I said this is a natural transition, I’ll start here. While I was away, I found out about you and Colt.”

She goes rigid. Anger. But is it directed at me or him? When she narrows her eyes at me, I know she means at least some of it for me.

“And just what do you know about Colt and me?” Her tone is brittle.

“I know you were engaged. I know he maneuvered you, so he could get closer to your dad for a better position.”

She waits for me to say more, and it gives me a sinking feeling that’s there’s way, way more.

“Lina, I know nothing beyond that. I just know it was four or five years ago. I’m already well acquainted with Colt. I didn’t know about you until I met you. I didn’t even know Rowan had a second kid.”

“It’s not like I could have kept Colt a secret, but I would have liked to tell you in my own time.”

“And you can. You don’t have to share anything with me. I wanted to let you know I’m aware you were engaged. I found out because Ewan was in Baltimore while you were in New York. He was with Ellie.”

She pushes away from me, and she would have fallen if I weren’t holding her. She pushes my arm, and I let go. She gets off my lap and stares at me.

“In Baltimore? With Ellie? No.”

I stand, but she backs away. I put my hands up.

“I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to. But it’d be rude and awkward to talk to you while you stand, and I sit. I just want to be closer to eye level. I’ll stay right where I am.”

Her shoulders sag. “I’m not scared of you, Sean. I don’t want you to think I am. I need a moment of space. But I trust you.”

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