Page 42 of Ruthless King
“Yes,” she hisses. “He thought I was someputtanayou picked up off the streets.”
“And you’d rather him know you’re my hostage?”
Her lips press into a thin line.
“Dante and I aren’t exactly close. I don’t keep him up to date on everything that goes on in my life, business or otherwise.”
“So it wasn’t true what he said about you not allowing women to spend the night?” Her cheeks burn an enticing crimson, the same shade I imagined she would turn if I was plunging deep inside her.
A dark chuckle rumbles in my chest, and her cheeks flush a deeper red. “Why do you care, princess?”
“I don’t,” she snaps.
“You could’ve fooled me.” I reach for her, dragging my thumb across her lower lip to free it from her gritted teeth. “Trust me, one night is all women need.” My feet propel me closer.
She swallows hard, the elegant column of her throat bobbing. Her dark eyes lance into mine, pupils so wide they nearly eclipse the blue. She draws in a sharp breath and actually leans into me.Dio, she wants this. Despite the fucked-up things I’ve done to her, her body craves mine as much as I desire hers.
What happened to the sweet, innocent Stella I’d known all those years ago? What did Liam McKenzie do to make her want a monster like me?
We remain perfectly still for an endless moment, locked in a battle of wills. Electricity thickens the air between us until it’s so heavy my breaths come out in ragged spurts. Stella’s chest is heaving too, her nipples erect beneath her new silk blouse. It would be so easy to take her right now. I’m fairly certain she’d let me toss her over the back of the couch and fuck her until nightfall.
I’d steal her innocence, and she’d capture my cold heart.
But in the end, we would both lose because villains don’t get happy endings. And as fucked up as I was, I wouldn’t rob her of that.
So I pry my fingers from her soft flesh and take a big step back, creating some much needed space between our heated bodies. “Tomorrow at the ball, I’ll introduce you as my girlfriend. Happy?”
The sound of air catching in her throat fills me with an immeasurable amount of pleasure.
“As per our arrangement,” I add before she starts imagining this concession is something more.
She licks her lips before clamping them shut.
“And if you’re a good girl, you may get a reward.”
Her eyes sparkle, the brilliant blue deepening a few shades. “I’m not your fucking Golden Retriever,” she bites back.
I can’t help the chuckle that erupts from deep inside. “No, you’re not,” I finally answer. “But damn, would I love it if you rolled over for me.”
Her eyes narrow, fury zipping through those expressive orbs. “Vaffanculo, Luca!” she hisses before storming toward her bedroom.
Go fuck yourself. I’d probably have to now that I was harder than hell. Luckily, I’d saved the video footage from the other night so I could get off while watching her touch herself as many times as I wanted.
Mmm. One day, princess. One day, it’ll bemycock coated in your juices instead of those fingers….
CHAPTER20
THE HEART BALL
Stella
A maddening bout of butterflies lash their wings across my insides as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Magda zips up the deep emerald gown with the plunging neckline, and I barely recognize the woman in front of me. Soft, dark curls cascade down my shoulders resting along the silky fabric of the gown. Dramatic eyeliner and smoky shadows make my blue eyes pop against light caramel skin. Not only is Luca’s housekeeper a whiz in the kitchen, but she is also an absolute miracle worker with hair and makeup. Though the bruises from my run-in with the robber have begun to fade, her expert strokes made them completely disappear.
I feel like I just stepped out of the cover of W Magazine.
Her pale gray eyes catch mine through the mirror. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks to you,” I offer. The girl has been a godsend over the past week. Though she claims Luca has spent much more time at the penthouse since my arrival, business meetings keep him away most of the day. Despite studying for final exams, which Luca somehow convinced my professors to allow me to take virtually at the end of the semester, most days I was pretty damned lonely. If it wasn’t for Magda, I would’ve gone insane. I begged Luca for my phone back, but every day I got the same answer.Not yet.
