Page 28 of The Thief

But today. . . Today, seeing it doesn’t make my insides ache. Today, the pendant that my dad stole for my mother whispers to me of love, not loss, and my heart feels ready to wear it again.

I put it on. Then I fish Antonio’s faded card out of my purse and text him.

You think this is a game? Very well, game on. I’m going to steal your painting, Antonio. And no matter what you might think, it’s not a sign that I’m interested in you.

He responds almost immediately.

You kept my card. I’m flattered.

Heat creeps up my cheeks. I didn’t think this through. I certainly didn’t want him to know that I haven’t been able to throw his card away for ten years, and now he does. So mortifying.

I’m serious about the painting.

I know you are. Good luck, Lucia. May the best thief win.

Gah. The man isinfuriating.I fling the phone on my counter. I have no idea why I spent the last ten years fantasizing about him.

* * *

To nobody’s surprise,I dream of Antonio that night.

He catches me stealing his painting. I’m leaving the museum with the Titian in my hands when he pulls up alongside me in theInvictus.“Lucia Petrucci,” he says, his voice like molten silver. “I warned you, but you wouldn’t listen. And now you’ll pay the price.”

The next thing I know, I’m in his house again, standing in the center of his living room, my heart hammering in my chest. A shiver runs through my body. I tell myself it’s terror I’m feeling, but I’m lying to myself. The truth is: I’m very,veryturned on by the man in front of me.

That doesn’t mean I’m going to admit it.

“You knew what would happen if you stole the painting,” he says. “And now, here we are.”

“If you want to fuck me, you’re going to have to take me by force,” I throw back.

He settles himself on the couch, legs stretched out, and surveys me through hooded eyes. “But we both know I don’t need to force you, Lucia.” He says my name like a caress, and my insides flutter at his tone. “I bet that if I pushed a finger into your cunt, I’d find you wet.” It’s not a question; it’s a statement of fact. “You want this as much as I do.”

I hate that he’s right. “What are you going to do to me?” I ask, anticipation flooding my body and making my knees weak.

He tilts his head to the side and studies me, a smile dancing around his lips. “What would you like me to do, cara mia?”

Everything.

I clamp my mouth shut and refuse to answer. Antonio laughs under his breath and crooks two fingers at me. Before I can even think about refusing, I find myself moving toward him, and when I’m within reach, he grabs my wrist and tugs me closer.

He pulls me onto his lap, my back against his chest. “I’m going to punish you,” he purrs into my ear. His words are a threat, but his tone promises I’ll enjoy every minute of it. “I’m going to bend you over my knees and spank you hard for stealing from me.” He nips my earlobe, and my breath catches. “But only if you ask nicely.”

His nearness short-circuits my brain. “Yes,” I whisper. “Please. . .”

At first there is pain, sweet and delicious, and then it is replaced by a rush of pleasure. He strokes me between the spanks and every nerve ending in my body responds to his touch. The slap of his palm against my reddening ass fuels my arousal. I wriggle on his lap, grinding my pussy shamelessly against his thighs, desperate for any little bit of friction against my aching clit.

My muscles tighten and tense. My orgasm builds. . .

And that’s how I wake up. Poised on the knife edge of release, shaking with need, drenched with sweat, Antonio’s name on my lips.

I can scream until I’m blue in the face that I’m not interested in him, but my subconscious just made a liar of me.

Damn it. Damn it all to hell.

What I need now is a cold shower. Avery longcold shower. I don’t care what my subconscious wants; I am not getting involved with Antonio Moretti. I made myself a promise ten years ago to never put myself in a position where I’m emotionally dependent on somebody else, and I’m not going to break it.

Especially not for Antonio.He is the king of Venice, a mafia boss, and akiller.He’s literally the last person in the world I should be attracted to.

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