Page 126 of Phantom Mine

Matteo

“They’re pretty words, Matteo, but they’re hard to believe after you disappeared without a word. Again.” Her voice shakes under the weight of her anger.

She thinks I didn’t call or text her because I didn’t miss her. If only she knew it was the opposite—that I didn’t reach out because she was all I could think about. That I convinced myself messaging her would only distract me further when all my brain power was already dedicated to her.

“I won’t disappear again, I promise.”

I’d already canceled the meeting with Marina, claiming as my excuse that my father’s kidnapping needed my full attention. Emiliano was enraged, but he could hardly argue with my priorities.

However, when Enzo texted mere hours later that he’d had to rip Valentina off the VIP stage, I hadn’t been able to contain my reaction. I stormed out of thecapotactical meeting withouta word or look for the men in the room with me, the very same ones I desperately needed to get over to my side.

Time will tell what the exact fallout from that decision is going to be, but based on the way Emiliano has been blowing up my phone since, I’ll have some extensive ass kissing to do.

It’ll be well worth it because the black, inky rage that coated my gaze when I read that text still looms along the edges of my vision now, looking for an opening to blind me once more. My blood pounds in my ears, drowning out all other problems and tunneling my sights down to her.

“Anyway, you should get used to not having me in your bed,” Valentina hisses, struggling in my arms. “Seems like you were this close to reaching for Marina instead.”

The possessiveness in her gaze is completely new and it sends all the blood straight to my cock.

“Is that why you danced?” I demand, voice low and abrasive. “Because you thought I would be bringing her home tonight?”

Valentina’s eyes flash dangerously. That’s the only warning I have before she drives her knee upwards towards my balls. I swerve out of the way just in time, the blow glancing against my thigh instead. My pained groan cuts off abruptly when I see her fist coming my way next. Grabbing it before she can make contact, I laugh, using her wrist to twist her around, then locking both arms behind her. I press my chest against her back, my warm breath hitting her face.

“Are you trying to fight again?” I say with a darkly teasing edge. “Didn’t you learn your lesson the last time I beat you?”

Valentina’s screech of frustration makes me laugh again, which only makes her madder. She sends a heel backwards, trying to catch me unawares, but I block it with my shin.

With one hand, I sweep the items off the top of her vanity, sending half a dozen things crashing to the floor.

With the other, I slam her down onto the now clear surface, covering her back with my body until she’s pinned beneath me.

“What else did you tell Enzo again,” I purr, lips glued to her ear. I feel a shiver rack her body. “Oh, yes,” I hum dangerously. “That I should get used to seeing you with men who aren’t me.”

I fist the collar of her robe and yank it down her shoulders. It’s tied tightly at her waist, the knot trapped beneath her, so I have to drag it down forcefully.

“What are you doing?” she screeches, her chest coming off the vanity and inadvertently giving me more access to wrench the robe down.

“First, you’re going to show me what you chose to wear for those fuckers you danced for in VIP,” My voice is throttled by nearly explosive violence as bare skin appears. “After that, I’m going to punish the ever loving fuck out of your ass for thinking that I’deverallow another man to touch you.”

Finally, I manage to pull the robe to her waist. With a hiss, I yank it down around her ankles, revealing Valentina in a red lace bra and matching panties that bare far too much of her delectable ass.

A loud, terrifying growl starts low in my belly. It erupts into a roar when I wrench her upright against me, revealing her front half in the mirror facing us. Her breasts lurch and jiggle against the fabric of her balconette bra, as exposed as they’ve ever been, an appetizing handful that no doubt drew the attention of every man in the room.

Suffocating tension pulls tautly between us as her gaze meets mine in the mirror. Her chest rises and falls, clear excitement colliding with trepidation as she sees the savage turn of my features.

I palm her breasts, roughly kneading them and abusing her tight nipples. Her mouth parts, her head dropping back against my shoulder, but her eyes never waver.

“These are mine.” My voice comes out sandpapery, the words shoved with difficulty past the primitive rage blocking my throat. “They should have been for my eyes only.”

“You should have been here,” she taunts, heavy-lidded eyes challenging me.

If she wanted to make sure I never spent another night away from her, she won.

She won, she won, she fuckingwon.

My hand moves up her chest to wrap slowly around her throat as I hum. “Do you remember your safe word?”

Her eyes flare and she nods.

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