Page 24 of Contracted

Now he was just another mafia man, a cruel, closed man who shared nothing but his physical needs with me.

You should be glad. It will make it that much easier to walk away in the morning.

Except I was so far away from glad I was close to crying.

A frown creased his brow. “Hey, what’s wrong? If I hurt you—“

“No,” I interjected hoarsely. “I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t fine. He knew it. I knew it. I just hoped he wouldn’t push the issue because I just might break after all.

I couldn’t have been more grateful when he snaked an arm around me and drew me close, his warmth seeping into my pores and calming me, my tense muscles slowly unknotting and my breathing steadying.

“Good,” he purred next to my ear, “because my body can’t get enough of yours.”

His body, not him.

I knew the meaning behind his words. He’d use me again tonight, sate his physical needs, then he’d discard me come morning. That he’d scared off another client no longer really made any sense. He clearly had no real feelings for me.

It was odd how much that hurt. I didn’t develop feelings for any of the men I slept with, it was unprofessional and...dumb. I was usually more than willing to leave a client behind without looking back.

But I knew, deep in my heart, that Serafino would leave mental scars that mightn’t ever fully heal.

He reached between my legs and cupped my sex, using his thumb to part the petals of my sex to find the plump jewel within. I couldn’t help but groan as he pressed on it then massaged with circular little strokes that left me mewling like an alley cat.

When he tossed me onto my stomach and pushed into me from behind, I didn’t protest, not even with the burning jolt of his oversized entry. I deserved to be punished for my growing feelings toward him. I deserved to be reminded exactly what I was here for.

Then I lost all capacity for thought as he lifted my hips and slammed deeper inside me, his savagery...breathtaking.

*

I woke with the first rays of dawn light filtering through the curtains in a weak orange glow, the relentless noise of New York traffic the faintest hum thanks to what I imagined must be quality soundproofing. Serafino’s steady, even breathing tickled my nape

Not that I was dwelling on my visual or auditory senses.

With his arms wrapped tightly around me, imprisoning me, his touch was as comforting as much as it was suffocating. His sandalwood and citrus scent, which I usually craved, made my stomach twist in rejection.

I knew better now than to want him, even if I had to trick myself into believing it. Even so, I knew deep down I wanted to stay like this with him, that I really didn’t want to leave at all.

I savored being close to him for a few more minutes, then carefully slipped out of his hold before I pulled the bedcover over his bared, broad chest. Though I was tempted to push his mussed hair behind his ear, I resisted.

It was better that he didn’t wake. Better that I didn’t have to say goodbye. Better that I didn’t have to pretend he hadn’t affected me deeper than anyone had ever before.

Ignoring a wave of sadness, I slinked over to the walk-in-robe. Scanning the clothes he’d bought me, I selected a long peasant skirt in gray and peacock blue and an off the shoulder, short white blouse with blue trim on its hem that encircled my waist.

Once I was dressed, I picked up the high-heels he’d bought me so that I could slip out quietly.

I’d enjoy putting my overworked feet into the sheepskin slippers I had at home. I might even go back to bed and sleep the rest of the day and night away. I grimaced. It was the only positive I could muster knowing I was leaving my client for good. I hid a heavy sigh. I didn’t dare linger any longer, as it was I had little enough strength to leave.

I didn’t look back as I left the bedroom then grabbed my clutch bag from the kitchen. The moment I stepped into the elevator, I dug out my cellphone and rang Sinead for the agency car and driver.

“Are you okay?” Sinead asked, her voice a little scratchy and sharp.

“I’ll live,” I said shakily.

Silence throbbed between the airwaves, then she said, “Get some rest, yeah? I’ll see you as soon as you wake up.”

I frowned as she disconnected. I hadn’t had a chance to tell her anything, not least that I needed to talk to her. The elevator doors opened and I stepped outside and waited on a bench seat outside. I guess I’d tell her I was leaving the agency tomorrow when I saw her.

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