Page 483 of Hate Mates

No matterwhat this attraction to Sophia is, it’s red blooded, possessive, and drives the desire to annihilate anyone who puts hands on her other than me, and to protect her from what I know her future to bring after what I’ve learned about the other rival families.

No,whether Sophia likes it or not, she will submit to me. I won’t give her any choice, because it’s the only way to save her, merge a rival family, and keep her for myself.

My eyes takein the golden amber orbs staring up at me, not fully understanding the attraction myself. She’s certainly not like the other women who hang on my arm at social functions and bat their eyelashes and do what they’re told knowing their daddies want them to sit beside me as queen someday. Maybe that’s what I like about Sophia. You know exactly what you’re getting, and she knows exactly who I am, but couldn’t help the attraction any more than I.

My little kittenbelieves she has the upper hand, but she has no clue how convincing I can be. “Three weeks, Sophia. And then you say I do.”

Her eyes dance with hope,seeing this as a way out of the debt for her and her family, and I feel half bad that in the near future it will be destroyed. She’ll succumb to the pleasures of my bed, and I will gain a dutiful wife who will solidify yet anotherterritory under the Roselli name. Then my father will know it’s time for me to take the reins.

I leanin and pull her closer. “A kiss to seal the deal?”

She doesn’t resist,and my fingers splay around the sensitive skin of her nape, drawing her in, holding her captive as our lips meet for the very first time. If I thought spanking her or rubbing her slit was arousing, feeling her breath against me and tasting her sweetness as her heart races out of control causes my dick to throb painfully against the zipper of my dress pants. “Sophia, you’re going to be mine soon, and want to be owned by me.”

Her eyes flashas she instinctively draws back. “Not likely,” she says hoarsely.

I grin and stand,very much aware of the raging bulge in my pants and the interest in her eyes. “Perhaps you’ll change your mind and be happy to say I do.”

“And what do you get from this?”

I contemplatethe question before I say a word. “A marriage filled with attraction, mutual respect, and passion. In our life that is all we can hope for, no?”

“Perhaps.”

“Time will tell,kitten. I’ll have some clothes sent up for you later with instructions. You’ll join me for dinner in the formal dining room at seven. I have the taste for something muchsweeter than dessert. Don’t wear panties. They will only get in the way.”

Chapter Eight

SOPHIA CASSONE

The lengthy slit of the long cobalt blue dress parts displaying an indecent amount of thigh. I spin in the mirror, admiring the silky material that falls from my shoulders and envelops my body as though tailor made for me. There’s nothing forcing me to wear these strappy silver fuck-me heels or not to wear panties.

Except his demand…

Maybe it’s a dangerous game,but after that humiliating spanking and the way he thinks he will bend me to his will, maybe a little payback is due. Maybe it’s not so bad if he knows what’s under my dress, bare and all, but sees that I won’t cave and his name on my lips will not occur.

I givemy hair an extra fluff, spreading my fingers through the trailing curls to separate and create even more volume before letting it splay across my shoulders. I’m still unable to get the challenge presented to me from my mind. The one I plan towin because there is no way I’m losing this bet, no matter how attracted I find myself to the beast.

But yet,now there’s more to contemplate than myself.

The dark-eyed devilhimself opens the door right before seven in a black tux, his eyes slowly devouring every inch of me, right down to my painted toes. He locks that sexy gaze on mine. “Worth the wait, kitten.”

He cocksan eyebrow and places his arm out, challenging me not to take it. I won’t give him the satisfaction. I’ll follow every single one of his instructions. I’ll do exactly as he’s asked but I’m still not going to cave.

He’ll see…

I holdon to his arm as we make our way down the two flights of stairs, pausing at the landing to absorb the enormity of the great room below. We pass the leather sofas and fireplace that takes up the expanse of interior wall although not lit on a summer night like tonight as he guides me into the dining room.

He pullsa chair out for me and then takes a seat to my left at the head of the long rectangular table, taking a bottle of wine from the ice bucket next to him and pouring a glass for us each. “Tell me,” he says, passing me the aromatic red. “When you finish school, what do you plan to do with your degree?”

I swirl my glass,inhaling deeply, admiring the choice as much as I do my father’s selections. “I haven’t decided but something far, far away from the life I currently lead.”

His dark eyes penetrate mine.“You don’t see yourself helping in the family business?”

“Business?Definitely not. Soon, there will be no business really. My sister will be married to Barcelo, and the families will merge, Papa will retire quietly while handing over the reins and ceding control to the Gallini family.” I shrug. “And then it will be done. I’ll be free.”

A silver-haired gentlemanwalks into the room carrying a dome covered platter and places it on the table. Massimo lifts the lid himself. “Thank you, that will be all for the evening.”

I swallowas the only person I’ve seen in the house since coming out of that room walks through the door with no intention of coming back. Alone in this big house, with the devil. One who admittedly wants to get under my dress and make me scream his name.

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