Page 96 of Fortress of the King

My inner turmoil is so palpable, that I’m certain Angelo is going to see straight through it. I just hope I don’t blow my cover acting like a nervous, blithering idiot. I just have to get through tonight.

If Enzo can’t crack the code, then I’ll have no choice but to confess to Angelo and suffer my fate in his hands. I can’t kill the guy, no matter what is at stake, and I know he’ll have my head for this betrayal.

If I run, Mia is dead. I tremble at the thought because I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.

When I step out of the foyer, he’s leaning back on the limo door facing me.

I hug a faux fur shawl around my shoulders as he takes me in with his penetrating eyes; hungry and dangerous looking. He has a glacial stare as I glance up at him as I approach.

“Hello, Angelo,” I say. He looks sexier than a man has a right to in a tux and bow tie, I just about melt on the spot. “You look amazing.”

He grins and pushes off the door to reach a hand to my waist. His lips find my neck, and he kisses my pulse point. So much for my reservations about him seeing straight through me. “You look good enough to eat, Miss Michaelson.”

He guides me into the waiting limo with a hand on the small of my back.

We ride in companionable silence while he pours me a glass of champagne. I sit opposite him as I take in how dashingly handsome he is. He’s shaved but still has a small amount of stubble on his face, his hair is gelled back and his skin is tanned like he just got back from Mexico.

For as long as I live, I’ll never want a man as I want him, and I’m already secretly mourning the loss. Nothing could ever fill the void; I know that now.

He sits back in his seat with one leg crossed over the other, assessing me and watching every move I make, like a predator stalking its prey.

“Are you okay?” I ask him, taking a sip of the bubbles and feeling nervous at how he’s looking at me.

“Just taking in the view,” he says, his voice low. “Your fucking breathtaking, Rayne. I like how you tease me with bits of flesh on display. Is that to give me easy access?”

I bite my lip and laugh under my breath, “If you play your cards right.”

He licks his lips and grins. “The only reason I’m not gonna take you now is because I don’t want to ruin your hair and makeup. It’s a pity, the just fucked look really suits you. It’d give the old cronies something to talk about tonight.”

“Has anyone told you how incredibly sexy you look in that tux?” I fire back.

He downs his shot of whisky, his eyes sparkle dangerously as he reaches forward and nuzzles into my neck, softly biting the flesh at my pulse. “You smell so fucking great,” he growls. His hand snakes into my dress, and he finds my breast easily and tugs on my nipple. “Want to fuck these tonight, you’re gonna be wearing my cum all over you, so any man who dares to fucking come near you knows who you belong to.”

My eyes go wide. He’s been possessive before, but this is something new.

My heart races in my chest.

“That’s very alpha of you, Mr. Medici,” I whisper, playing along as he tweaks my nipple hard and I press my legs together. He snakes a hand up my leg, pushing my thighs apart and brushing my panty line. He hisses when he finds I have no underwear on.

“Fuck,” he mutters. He pinches my clit as I open my legs for him, letting him run two fingers through my wetness, but he doesn’t penetrate. “Wish I had time to fuck you hard and fast.”

I run my hands through his hair, pulling tighter as his kisses on my neck become wilder, nipping, flicking, sucking. Like he really is marking me.

“But,” he goes on, pushing the gap of my dress to one side so my breast pops out freely. He grasps it and bends his head to suck me, then laves me with his tongue. His eyes close, his fingers are still rubbing me while I try to seek out my pleasure. I’m so close…. “I think I like you panting and frustrated better than I like you sated.”

“Fuck,” I whisper. “Angelo, please.”

He tsks, biting my nipple as I mewl and feel moisture pool between my legs while he pinches me again. “Patience, little one. Every time I look at you tonight, I want you to picture this. My hands on your body. My head between your legs. My cock inside you. Me keeping you right on the edge. Your body is mine, do you understand?Mine.”

I nod.

“Answer me!”

“Yes!” I cry out.

He squeezes my breast as his eyes come to mine, and he tongues my pebbled peak. I reach for his cock, but he knocks my hand away. “Patience,Carina,” he mumbles, withdrawing his hand as I groan out loud in frustration. “I’ll fuck you when I choose to, when you least expect it. And you’ll love every minute of it when I do.”

His dirty words go straight to my core as he pulls my dress back together, and I stare at him wordlessly.

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