Page 48 of Her Overprotective Fiance

But it doesn't, and Giancarlo being a supernaturally gifted alien in a human's body, seems to sense the moment my headache subsides.

"Better now?"

My heart knows the moment I say 'yes', it will be all over for me. But even though I know I deserve whatever punishment he has in mind—-

"I'm s-sorry."

I'm too scared to be brave, and the words of apology come tumbling out in a shaken whisper.

"P-Please don't be mad—-"

"I'm not."

I don't think he's lying to me, but the mildness of his tone tells me something's still wrong.

"But you can't say you didn't know what you were doing last night."

"I'll never do it again—-"

"That's exactly what I'm hoping for...and why last night cannot go unpunished."

I don't even have time to draw my next breath.

As soon as he's done speaking, he's on the move, and the world I know shatters as soon as I realize he has me stretched over his lap.

"No!"

Old fears and wounds that I thought had already healed are reopened, and I forget everything that matters.

"Let go of me!"

I forget that this is the only man in the world I trust—-

Giancarlo who would rather kill himself than break his promise—-

I forget how everything I know that's good is because of him.

"Fucking let go!"

Because the past once again has me in its vicious little clutches, andno, no, no!

I don't want to be helpless, don't want to be powerless, don't want to be hurt again!

"You cannot say you were not warned,signorina."

SLAP!

My body arches at the first blow to my backside, and I scream like a fucking pig that's about to be gutted alive.

"Or that I did not take the time to properly explain to you—-"

"Fuck you!"

SLAP!

Another scream rips out of my throat. The motherfucker isn't even holding back.

"—-how much I abhor anyone who insists on drinking even if it's proven to swiftly impair their senses."

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