Page 21 of The Don's Proposal

Delicious smells radiate through the swinging kitchen doors, even more when Santino pushes them open and leads me inside. When I sigh in content, a chuckle rumbles from him.

“You haven’t eaten much.” He turns and looks at the three women working together to prepare meals for many. They’re mixing bowls, throwing in ingredients I don’t recognize. He clears his throat and immediately captures their attention. “Take a break. I want privacy.”

My stomach flips at his words. Every time we’re caught alone, bad things happen. But we’re only here for food. What is the worst he can do? Try to feed me?

As the three women scurry past us with passing goodbyes and nods of respect, silence fills the room. Enough to hear a pin drop.

“What are you hungry for?” Palm pressed against my middle back, he leads me closer to the pans of delicious-smelling food. At this rate, I’m happy to take whatever I can get my hands on the quickest. “If none of this is appetizing, I’ll make you something else. I’m not known as being a master in the kitchen, but I do have some secrets that aren’t known.”

This man is offering to cook for me. “Really? How do I know you aren’t trying to look for a way to poison me?”

I’m starting to think this isn’t really a game between us. He’s not just trying to swoon me over by speaking the right words. He called me his, and I’ve been walking on air since.

Santino really wants me. He wantsme.

I’m struggling to comprehend it all. He picks up on it with ease as his arms move to trap me against the nearest counter once he leads me right to it.

“I don’t think you and I are on the same page here.” He presses his front against my back and grinds forward, trapping me between his body and the counter. “When I say I don’t plan on letting you leave here, that includes leaving in the grace of death.”

My toes curl when he taps my foot with his, urging my legs to split.

In such a rush to see my sister, I had yanked up these pants and barely managed to tie them in a knot. I hadn’t bothered to look for a replacement for my underwear since he ruined my only pair.

“Santino, people get food here.” Face blazing, I can see the familiar look in his eyes. Even more when he kisses the sore spot on my throat.

“They interrupted us. They can fucking starve for all I care.” He’s still sore about that.

I guess a tiny part of me is a little upset too. My body is still wet, still aching. Now that the shock of Eliza’s arrival is starting to simmer, I only have this man to focus on.

“I’ll say it as many times as you need me to. You’re mine, understand? I’m keeping you here because I want you. I’d be a fool for trying to think otherwise.” His hands glide to my hips, and he squeezes them roughly.

“You don’t even know me.” What if he starts thinking the same things as my brother? “I don’t want to be locked away again.”

The truth comes out in a hoarse whisper as I stare down at the marble design printed across the counter.

His chest vibrates, and I bet he’s frowning. “I won’t tuck you away in some room. I’ll let you roam wherever you want on the estate.” He reaches around me and teases the sloppy knot with his fingers. “If that isn’t enough, I’ll let you leave.”

My breath catches in my throat. “Really?”

“I will be at your side. If not me, I’ll send four men to keep you safe.” Nuzzling my throat, he growls softly. “I’ve seen this pussy, Camellia. If I let you be alone, every man within five feet of you is going to want to have a taste. You understand? I don’t want to kill innocent civilians because they can’t keep their fucking eyes to themselves.”

A shiver rolls down my spine and moves into a liquid pool of heat in the pit of my stomach.

“That’s the best I can do, the most I’m willing to negotiate on this matter.” He tugs one of the strings and it gives way too easily.

Anyone can walk in on us, I’m sure. One person was already far too much to my liking. Yet, I don’t tell him to keep his hands to himself like I should.

“Part your legs for me, sweetness. I bet you’re still soaked, aren’t you?” His foot taps mine once more and I do as I’m told. “Such a good girl.”

I’m starting to think this man is becoming my weakness. A little praise should not be what makes my knees wobble and my limbs turn into noodles. Would my body betray me like this if it were another man muttering such things into my ear?

I shiver as my pants hit my ankles and gasp when he wastes no time in discovering that Iamstill very much wet.

“If anyone comes through that door, I’ll slit their throats, I swear to God.” Groaning the threat, he presses his fingers through my slickness. “I didn’t hurt you before, did I? Does this feel alright? You handled the hard part and didn’t even get the reward. It’s such a shame, isn’t it?”

Reaching forward, I clutch the edge of the counter. A moan escapes my lips as he spreads my juices toward my clit. At this rate, little circles are going to be what makes me meet my downfall.

“Y–Yes.” Knowing he’ll tease and torture me until I answer his question, a whine slips past my lips as he pulls away. I didn’t want him to leave altogether.

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