Page 6 of The Brat's Bargain

Damien's hands stilled for a moment before resuming their ministrations. "You intrigue me," he admitted. "All that fire, that defiance... I want to see if I can tame it. Make it mine."

A shudder ran through Antonio that had nothing to do with the water temperature. "I'm not some pet project for you to play with," he protested, but the words lacked conviction.

Damien's low chuckle rumbled against Antonio's back. "Oh, but you are, pet. And I think you'll find you enjoy it far more than you expect."

As if to prove his point, one of Damien's hands slid lower, ghosting over Antonio's hip. "Already so responsive," he murmured, nipping at Antonio's earlobe. "So eager to please, aren't you?"

Antonio bit his lip, fighting back a whimper. He wouldn't give Damien the satisfaction of seeing how affected he was. But God, it had been so long since anyone had touched him like this. With purpose, with intent.

"That's enough," he managed to gasp out, stepping away from Damien's teasing hands. "I can finish up myself."

Damien allowed him to retreat, but the hungry look in his eyes made it clear this was far from over. "As you wish, pet. But don't take too long. We still have details to discuss."

He stepped out of the shower, leaving Antonio alone with his racing thoughts and uncomfortably aroused body. What the hell had he gotten himself into?

Fifteen minutes later, Antonio emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a sinfully soft robe. Damien was waiting for him in the bedroom, having changed into a fresh suit that clung to his muscular frame in all the right places.

"Come here," Damien said, patting the spot next to him on the massive bed. "Let's talk terms."

Antonio approached warily, perching on the edge of the mattress as far from Damien as he could manage. "What kind of terms?" he asked, hating how small his voice sounded.

"The terms of your submission, of course." Damien's smile was predatory. "You'll live here, in my penthouse. You'll be at my beck and call, day or night. When we're in public, you'll play the part of my devoted companion. And in private..."

He trailed off, letting the implication hang heavy in the air between them. Antonio's cheeks burned, but he forced himself to meet Damien's gaze. "And what do I get out of this arrangement, besides having my debts cleared?"

Damien's eyes glittered with amusement. "Besides the privilege of my company? Protection. Safety. The chance to reinvent yourself away from your family's suffocating influence."

He reached out, fingers trailing along Antonio's jaw. "And pleasure beyond your wildest dreams, if you're a good boy."

Antonio's breath hitched, arousal warring with indignation. "And if I'm not a good boy?" he challenged, unable to help himself.

Damien's grip tightened, just shy of painful. "Then you'll be punished, pet. Thoroughly and creatively."

The promise in those words sent a jolt of heat straight to Antonio's core. He knew he should be terrified, should be looking for any way out of this insane bargain. But some traitorous part of him was thrilled by the prospect.

"How long?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Until I'm satisfied," Damien replied. "Could be a week, could be a year. But I promise you this, pet—by the time I'm done with you, you won't want to leave."

Antonio swallowed hard, weighing his options. He was trapped, that much was clear. But maybe, just maybe, he could turn this to his advantage. Find a way to outsmart Damien at his own game.

"Alright," he said finally, squaring his shoulders. "I accept your terms."

Damien's smile was triumphant. "Excellent choice, pet. Now, let's seal the deal properly, shall we?"

Before Antonio could react, Damien's mouth was on his, hot and demanding. The kiss was brutal, all clashing teeth and dueling tongues. Antonio found himself responding instinctively, a needy whine escaping his throat as Damien's hands tangled in his hair.

When they finally broke apart, both panting for breath, Antonio's head was spinning. Damien's eyes were dark with desire, his usual icy control nowhere to be seen.

"Mine," he growled, the word seeming to reverberate through Antonio's very bones. "You're all mine now, pet. And I'm going to enjoy every inch of you."

Damien abruptly pulled away, his eyes dark and stormy. "Get some rest," he growled, voice rough with barely contained desire. "You'll need it for what I have planned."

Without another word, he stalked out of the room, leaving Antonio breathless and confused on the massive bed. The door slammed shut with a finality that made Antonio flinch.

Alone in the opulent bedroom, Antonio's mind raced. What the hell had just happened? One moment Damien had been all over him, and the next... gone. Leaving Antonio frustratingly, achingly aroused.

He tossed and turned, unable to find a comfortable position. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Damien's hungry gaze, felt the phantom touch of those large, calloused hands on his skin. His body thrummed with a need he didn't want to acknowledge.

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