Of course, it was. I was going to be forced to marry a man I didn’t love. One who did utterly despicable things to me. Things that hurt.

Things that felt really, really good.

I’d abased myself for him.

Gulping, I closed my eyes, doing my best to ignore the way he felt against me, to ignore how his hand on my breast made my lower body hum. Ignore the part of me that wanted to push my hips back against him. My bottom was still sore, inside and out, yet my greedy pussy wanted more.

I can take care of myself. As soon as I get back home.

Which was going to require clothes and an escape plan. I had a feeling we were in the DiNardo manor, which I was fairly familiar with. I even knew where Gio’s room was, which I’m sure he didn’t realize. But I had no idea who was on guard at this time of day or where.

There was also the matter of getting out of the leather wrapped around my wrists and ankles without waking the man behind me. Blast him. Clearly, he’d foreseen the difficulty of keeping me in place. I couldn’t help but feel a little flattered that he took me so seriously. Most men didn’t. Most would probably think he’d gone overboard in his attempt to keep me pinned in place.

They’d be wrong.

He’d certainly made this difficult for me.

Hands free first.

My arms and shoulders ached a little from having been kept in place all night. I rolled my shoulders as best I could, ignoring the way the backs brushed against Gio’s chest hair. He shifted in his sleep, and I held my breath. To my relief, he rolled away from me onto his back.

His side was still right next to me, but I had a little more room to work. Looking up at my wrists, I started working on getting the right one loose. A little wiggle. A little pull that tightened the leather around my left wrist. Another little wiggle. It was coming free!

I tugged gently at first and then a little harder.

Blast.

Not quite there yet.

“What’s your plan for when you work yourself free?” Gio asked, his voice full of amusement.

I froze again.

Damn him. I wondered if he’d been awake when he rolled or if something about my movements had wakened him.

“I figured I’d improvise,” I said in a conversational tone. Then I squeaked as he rolled me onto my back. With my hands above my head, the leather still wrapped securely around them, I was utterly helpless as he loomed over me like some dark, heathen god.

His eyes glittered with amusement as he placed my bound ankles on his shoulder, allowing him to bend me in half as he leaned forward over me, trapping me between him and the bed. I squirmed as he pressed his cock against my pussy, which was already slick. Something else I’d been trying to ignore, though it was impossible to now that he was rubbing the tip of his dick through the wet folds. My body hummed to life, eager for more pleasure, despite the way my bottom clenched against being invaded again.

“And now, what’s your plan?” he asked. The length of his cock pushed between my thighs, the underside of his shaft rubbing against my swollen, needy pussy, bumping against my clit. Pleasure fizzed through me, and it was all I could do not to whimper as his hands slid up my sides to cup my breasts, thumbs rubbing over my hardening nipples.

“I…”

I didn’t know. I didn’t have a plan.

Not panic.

That was a plan, right?

He rocked, rubbing his cock through my thighs, along my pussy lips, teasing me with what could be. Lord help me, I wanted him inside me. I wanted him. At least, my body did. Maybe more than just my body, though I wasn’t ready to admit it yet.

“Don’t worry, babydoll, Daddy’s going to make you feel real good,” he murmured, his fingers closing around my nipples as he started dragging his cock back and forth. It felt good, but it wasn’t what I really wanted. I squirmed in place, panting. He chuckled at my frustration, which made me want to smack him. He opened his mouth to say something, but a sudden pounding on the door made him stop.

“Gio! Gio, let me in! I know she’s in there!” Hailey’s voice was only slightly muffled by the thick door.

Gio groaned and closed his eyes, his jaw clenching, as though he was gathering his willpower. When he opened his eyes, he glared down at me like it was my fault he’d been interrupted. I glared back.

“Hailey! Help!”