Page 66 of Massimo

I rise off the sofa and slowly walk toward him.

He's massive—I barely reach his chest, and anyone behind him wouldn't be able to see me as I fit within the width of his frame.

I lift my hand, watching it tremble before it touches his chest. He draws in a breath as my hand settles on him.

He discarded his jacket and tie hours ago but still wears his vest over his white button-up shirt. His sleeves are rolled up to showcase his porn-worthy forearms. I haven't seen his naked body, and the thought of it—the size of him, the hard muscles I can feel over his shirt—makes my hand tremble more.

Feeling braver than I've ever felt in my life, I start to explore the broad expanse of chest over his shirt and vest. Massimo stands still, letting me touch him without moving, like he's trying not to frighten me away.

I don't want to be this weak, wilted, timid version of myself.

So I become bolder.

With one hand still exploring his chest, I trail the other up the side of his neck. I feel the bite mark I made earlier under his collar, which makes me smile. My hand continues up his neck to his thick, soft hair. Ithread my fingers through it; the idea of mussing it up—of mussing him when he's usually so composed and immaculate—is a pleasure in itself. I imagine few ever see him casual and disheveled, and I want that version of him all for myself.

When I lift my eyes to look at him, he stares down at me, his expression curious but heated.

He's so gorgeous it makes my chest hurt. Like he's been carved by the angels themselves.

He's a monster.

The reminder makes me pull my hands away.

But he catches them and kisses each one of my fingers. "What do you need, princess?"

I don't answer; instead, I lift onto my toes and reach for his face. He bends to me, closing the height gap between us, but pauses before I can bring our mouths together. He holds us there, our breath intermingling, and drags his thumb over my lips.

"What are you up to, my little hellcat?"

I should've known I couldn't fool him, so I decide to go with the truth. "I'm doing something for myself."

I'm not sure where this husky, sex-kitten voice came from.

I lick my lips, and he tracks the movement. I'm feeling a bit drunk with power, that this powerful Don and frighteningly massive man's attention is zeroed in on me.

My skin tingles as I swallow a plea for him to make me lose my mind with pleasure.

His hands fall to my waist, holding me in place because all I want to do is meddle our bodies together.

There's a wrinkle at the bridge of his nose as he frowns. "Tell me what's really going on here, Nova."

He gave me a command, and I'm conditioned to obey.

"I want you to take my virginity."

Chapter 29

Massimo

WhenIwalkedthroughthe door into the safe room, I must've walked through a portal to an alternate universe.

An hour ago, when I ushered Nova in here to keep her hidden from Vito, she was stiff with hurt.

When I admitted why I'd sent all my staff away and was keeping people from the house, I knew exactly what went through her mind—that's she's just a pawn for me to use against her father. Which was reinforced when I sent her into the safe room like she was some dirty secret.

But after making her wait in there for so long, I was expecting any reaction except this.

"What?" I can only stare at her, sure I've misheard her.

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