Page 22 of Sin & Secrets

“And I’m prepared to give it,” his voice rumbles, “but I will not indulge in this little fantasy of yours just because you think you owe me something.”

I should be relieved, but I’m not. I should thank him and walk away now. He’s agreed to what I wanted. But this isn’t some little fantasy; this is pure, unfiltered desperation. I don’t just want him to touch me. Ineedhim to.

And despite his own words, he doesn’t move.

He just stares as if he is transfixed by my lips. A war seems to rage within him. His breathing is jagged as if he’s physically trying to hold himself back.

In a small, logical part of my mind, I realize why. He sees me as vulnerable—someone who needs his help. Giving in would be to take advantage of me.

But this has nothing to do with what he can do for me and everything to do with my near-feral need for release.

With a sudden surge of confidence, I drag my tongue across my bottom lip.

“Would you like me to beg?” I whisper as flames seem to erupt in his eyes.

He growls out his restraint, and I realize something with terrifying clarity.

He might be the don of the Italian Mafia. He might hold my life in the balance. But at this exact moment…

I’m the one with the power.

Without looking away from him, I turn my head, taking his finger into my mouth.

Rocco goes deathly still. His eyes watch my every movement as my lips slide up and down, letting his finger glide over mytongue. I savor the taste and show him exactly how much I’m enjoying myself with a groan.

I watch as the sound causes Rocco to unravel before me. Pain, lust, helplessness, wanting, hunger, darkness. His head leans closer, and for a moment, I think he might kiss me.

But he presses it into the wall by my shoulder, closing his eyes. “Cas.”

Emboldened, I pry his arm from my neck and take his unoccupied hand in both of mine.

I want to see how far he’s willing to go, how far I can push this. There’s no other thought in my mind other than thinking about all the ways I can make him lose control.

I need him to see me as I am, not as some scared little girl begging for help, but as a woman completely drowning in my desire.

“Touch me,” I whisper as I guide his hand across my body. His finger snags on my nipple as it passes over my breast.

The sensation is so tantalizing I let out a short gasp.

His eyes snap open. “No.”

I don’t stop. I take his hand further down my body. If he could just feel the wetness pooling between my thighs…

Suddenly, he pulls his finger from my mouth, and both his hands capture mine, pinning them above my head. “Not like this,” he growls in my face.

His lips are so close to mine that I can feel his every breath.

“When I have you, you won’t be trying to bargain for your life.”

I can barely hear him over the pounding in my ears. He’s not negotiating with me; he’s telling me.

But whatever future moment he’s imagining feels too far away. “I want you anyway.”

I feel his wince because we are so close. “I’ll take you somewhere far away from this hellhole and worship you properly.”

It’s as if he’s trying to convince himself along with me. Nothing has ever felt more terrifying than the prospect of him walking away right now. I feel like I would do anything, say anything, to make him stay.

“Then take me,” I beg. “Worship me now. I’m right here.” He shakes his head, and my words become desperate. “I want you so fucking badly.”

---