Page 35 of Immoral

I scoff. "Quickly? It's been over twenty years of coming to my conclusion."

He pulls back, sniffs hard, then reaches into his pocket. He tosses cash on the table and slides out of the booth, holding his hand out. His dark eyes—the ones that feel like they're undressing me—get more intense. "Let's go."

Knowing there's no way to get out of this, and trying to convince myself it's just sex and doesn't mean anything, I take his hand. My butterflies flutter faster.

He guides me quickly through the hotel, ignoring the waiter as Carl calls out, "Have a good night, Mr. and Mrs. Marino."

I blink several times. It's the second time anyone has called me Mrs. Marino besides Gianni.

It doesn't mean anything.

I'm finally his.

No, I'm not.

This is not the time to forget everything you've learned over the last few years.

He palms my ass, and I sink into him, unable not to. It hits me that I'm already submitting to him. Part of me loves how right it feels. The other part wants to strangle and slap myself until I return to hating him.

We get to the room. He unlocks the door then leads me through the suite. There's a white box with a matching bow on the desk. He picks it up then turns to me. His eyes are dark flames, burning hotter. It's how he looks when he's unhinged, losing his mind. I've only seen him look that way a handful of times when he's had some issue going on with work. Something about that expression and the fact it has to do with me makes me more nervous.

He holds the box in front of me. "Open it, tesoro."

I hesitate then ask, "What is it?"

He shakes the box. "Open it."

I take a deep breath then pull the bow and open the lid. My heart pounds harder, and the butterflies go crazy again.

A diamond and platinum choker with a matching leash rests inside. I gape at it then slowly look up at Gianni, feeling more confused than ever.

Why am I excited about this?

This is wrong. He cannot exert this much power over me.

Oh God. What would it feel like to submit to him in this?

Gianni reaches around me and unzips my dress. It falls to the floor. My pulse races and my chest rises and falls faster. He removes the collar from the box, unhooks the leash, then steps behind me.

I lock eyes with him in the mirror.

His hand slides around my throat, squeezing gently. My lips tremble, and I reach behind me to grasp his thighs.

His hot breath hits my ear. "The leash is only for me. But you'll wear this choker for the entire world to see who you belong to."

I stay quiet, unsure what to say or even what my true feelings on this matter are.

He unclasps it and holds it in front of my eyes. "Read it."

I drag my gaze off him and study the metal. My insides quiver, and I dig my nails deeper into his thighs. Tears form, but I blink hard, not sure why this makes me emotional. I don't want to show Gianni any weakness.

"Read it," he orders again.

My voice shakes. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. He presses closer to me, and his erection hits my spine. I clear my throat and whisper, "Tesoro, Forever means forever. Love always, Your Husband, Gianni." I swallow hard, meeting his gaze.

He nods. "You, tesoro, are my heart. There is no escaping me. I'm not perfect, but I won't be a foolish man any longer. You are mine. Forever. The sooner you get it into your head and forgive me, the quicker we can move forward and be happy again."

Happy again. How many times have I been happy "again" with Gianni?

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