Page 42 of Carnal

"Tristano," she says on a laugh, slapping my ass.

I walk through the condo and go into the bathroom attached to the bedroom. I set her on the counter, fist her hair, and tug her head back. I lean over her and ask, "How many times do you think I can make you come today?"

8

Pina

Monday

Nicki Minaj rapping "Boss Ass Bitch"tears me out of my sleep.

Groaning, I fumble for my phone, hit the snooze button, then snuggle back into Tristano's warm body.

He tugs me closer, pressing his lips to my forehead. In a sleepy voice, he imitates Nicki, singing, "I'm a boss…” ass bitch, bitch, bitch..." the chorus.

I reach for his mouth and put my palm over it. "Shush."

He chuckles then tries to bite my fingers.

"Ugh!" I whine then try to get away from him.

He flips me on my back, caging his muscular frame over me. A twinkle grows in his dark eyes. He moves his lips an inch from mine, ordering, "Call off work today."

"What? No," I reply. It's not in my nature to play hooky. Besides, Dante will probably show up on my doorstep if I don't go into the office. He's messaged me a dozen times over the weekend asking me to call him about the list I sent regarding the men at the club who have shown interest in me.

Not that I'm at my primary residence. The blizzard continued wreaking havoc in Manhattan. Still, I didn't plan on Tristano staying all weekend, nor did we discuss it. It just naturally happened.

Neither of us left the condo all weekend. We had more sex than I've ever had, in less than forty-eight hours. We cooked food, binged a reality program about celebrities eating hot wings while being interviewed, and listened to each other's playlists. His brothers blew up his phone the entire time, but he ignored them.

Tristano kisses the curve of my neck, claiming, "One day won't hurt."

I smirk. "Says the man who also takes orders from Dante."

His body stiffens, and he puts his face in front of mine, scowling.

"What did I say?"

"I don't take orders from Dante."

I scoff. "Since when?"

His expression hardens. He rolls off me and stomps into the bathroom.

I get up and follow him. He turns on the shower, and I reach for his arm, asking, "What's going on?"

He steps under the water and picks up my body wash.

I twist my hair, secure it with a claw clip, then move in front of him. "Why are you pissed?"

He squeezes soap into his palm then sets the bottle down. While washing himself, he answers, "I'm not Dante's minion."

"I didn't say you were," I point out, unsure what's going on, but it's clear I've hit a nerve.

He sniffs hard, takes some shampoo, and lathers his hair. "Think what you want, Pina." He closes his eyes and lets the water run over his head.

I step closer to the stream of hot water. I slide my hands up his chest and lace my fingers behind his head. "I don't understand why you're upset right now. Everyone takes orders from Dante, including me. Does that mean you think I'm his minion?"

Tristano clenches his jaw, spins me so I'm under the water, then responds, "Of course not. It's your job."

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