Page 47 of Beautiful Enemy

I inhale sharply. I may be innocent but I know what Dante means when he says ‘skin to skin contact.’ He’s still not touching me but one day, he might.

One day I might lethim.

None of this makes sense and yet my body seems to understand that it feels right because it’s so wrong and taboo. Dante has me pinned in place.He’s making me do this. It’s the only way I can allow myself to enjoy this without guilt.

He retakes my hand and places it back on my pubic mound but this time, there’s no fabric in the way. “No hair, I see. An innocent girl like you getting waxed. I never would have guessed.”

“It was for my wedding night.”

“For your husband,” he growls. “Well, he isn’t here. I am. Your body is for me now.”

“No.”

“You can try to deny it all you want, Nadia, but you can only fight it for so long. Now touch yourself.”

With a small moan, I press down on my nub and a flash of pleasure hits me like a tidal wave. Dante is right – skin to skin contact is the best. But my own touch is my own touch. It can only do so much. It makes me wonder what it would be like if Dante touched me instead.

The thought lights me on fire even more.

My hips roll around as I rub my fingers around my sensitive nub. I press harder, and harder, and harder. I only feel the smallest amount of shame and embarrassment as my hips buck into my hand. I feel wild. Iamwild.

And then finally, I feel free.

Intense pleasure rolls through me and all I can do is tremble and gasp. It’s nothing I’ve ever experienced. For just a moment, my mind feels calm. Nothing can bother me. Not my father. Not shame itself. Not even Dante, who’s smiling down at me with a smug expression in his eyes.

Instantly, shame hits me all over again and I remove my hand from my legs like I just touched something hot.

Dante remains leaning over me as he speaks. “You had an orgasm. It was a beautiful thing to behold. Fuck, Nadia. You are sexy.”

“No one’s ever called me sexy before.”

“Then that’s a shame because you are fucking sexy.” His lips brush against mine. “What I would do to your body if you let me. I wouldravageyou.”

On instinct, my body arches into him. I might combust. This heat inside of me needs another release. I need to be freed from it.

Dante grips my chin right before he kisses me. It’s deep. It’s a little rough. I let myself sink into it.

And right as I do, Dante lets me go. The moment he stands up, I feel cold. All the heat in my body disappears and I remember where I am and who Dante is. What Danteis: a monster.

“You have something inside of yourself waiting to claw out,” he says, running the backs of his fingers down my cheek.

“No.”

“You can deny it all you want, Nadia, but I’ve seen it. I saw the way you touched yourself. I saw the way you came with your own hand between your legs. Your eyes were begging for freedom. If you give in to me, I can give you that.”

My heart constricts. “Freedom? From this place?”

“No. Not from this place. From your mind. I can free your mind, Nadia, if you just give yourself to me.”

It sounds tempting but then I think of Anya and how ashamed she’d be of me in this moment. She would never give in to Dante and I can’t either.

“No,” I say with confidence. “I hate you. I will never give in to you and betray my sister.”

Dante’s expression doesn’t change and that hurts most of all. The way he doesn’t even seem to be affected by anything. “Suit yourself.” Without another word or look in my direction, he leaves, locking me back inside.

And I know in this moment that I have to try everything in my power to escape.

Chapter Nine

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