Page 40 of Twisted Vows

“No, you don’t. You’re perfect just like this, vulnerable and soft. I like the easy access.”

She shoves at me, but I squeeze her nape and cup her breast through her shirt.

“Besides, a bra will only get in the way. Now choose,mia caramellina. Over my shoulder or on your own two feet?”

“Fine. I guess if you’re okay showing my breasts off toeveryone, then there’s nothing I can do to stop you, is there?”

I stiffen as pure rage streams through my veins. The thought of other men leering at her chokes me with jealousy, but common sense returns as I run through the day’s itinerary.

She almost won, but not quite.

I slip my hand up from her nape and grab the base of her ponytail before pulling her head back.

“I don’t share,” I snarl.

She opens her mouth to retort, but I capture her lips with mine and kiss her so deeply we both heave by the time I lift my head.

“Is that your final answer,mia caramellina?”

She blinks glazed eyes up at me before her brain catches up.

“My feet,” she demands.

She digs her fingertips into the wells of my shoulders, not enough to hit the pressure points but enough to reawaken the throbbing in my face from her bite marks. I smirk, amused at her form of retaliation, and release her.

My arms feel empty without her in them.

I push my pathetic musings aside and swing her bag over my shoulder before grabbing my phone from the bedside table and stuffing it and my wallet into my jeans pocket.

With her taunting fresh in my mind, I drape my jacket over her shoulders before wrapping my arm behind her back and tugging her against my side. She doesn’t balk but also doesn’t hide her wary calculation as I usher her out into the hall. After ensuring the door locks behind us, I lead her to the elevator and position her in the far back corner so my body protects her from any newcomers.

We exit the building with no issues and saunter down the street as though it’s just another normal day in the city. When she studies every street sign as we pass, I tug her tighter against my side, demanding her attention.

Her eyes widen when I nod in approval. She furrows her brow and looks at me like I’ve gone crazy.

“Did you see the apartment number?” I ask just loud enough for her to hear me over the chaos of the streets.

She gives a reluctant nod.

“Good. It’s a safe house. Only three people know of its existence. I’ve already installed the app on your phone. You can unlock the door and control the thermostat through it. If anything happens, go there to hide out.Capisci?”

She shrugs. Her thoughts turn inward. When she doesn’t read the next sign at the crosswalk, I nudge her and tilt my chin toward it. She swallows and resumes her vigilance.

A bell jingles overhead as I push open the boutique door. Even though the store is tiny, the furnishings are lavish and the clothes hanging on the racks are top-of-the-line brands. It may not be the larger store Giorgio prefers to take Aurora to, but it’s perfect for my needs today, and I’m no stranger to the workers. The owner greets me and leads us into the back without question.

Mia stands with her feet shoulder width apart and her arms crossed over her chest. Her obstinance makes desire pool at the base of my spine.

After wheeling in two racks of semi-formal clothes—one male and the other female—the owner offers a slight bow before closing the curtain on her way out.

Without preamble, I push my jacket off her shoulders and whip my shirt off over her head. She yelps and grabs her hair.

Guilt sours my stomach as I belatedly remember the knot on the back of her head. I cup the base of her skull with both hands and wait with my heart in my throat until she stops wincing and cursing.

“That fucking hurt,” she snarls.

“I’m sorry,mia caramellina,” I say.

Her mutinous expression as she lifts her gaze to mine says she does not forgive me, but I let her cling to her anger, sensing her need to stifle her emotions.

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