Page 9 of Carnal

I wiggle my eyebrows, teasing, "By situation, you mean this deep desire you have to get naked with me?" I tug her back toward me and suck on her lobe, then add, "Or the fact you're dying to slide your wet little pussy over my cock?" I nibble on her collarbone, and she whimpers.

She clears her throat and pushes away again. Locking eyes with me, she demands, "I mean it, Tristano. Dante and your other brothers are to never know about this. And no one—I mean no one—is to know about my place."

"Pina, do you really believe I'll run to Dante and tell him about this? Give me some credit," I assert, a tad pissed she would even question my discretion. I'm not stupid. Dante would go ballistic, and she's an itch I need to scratch. Once we do this, we can both move on with our lives.

"Marinos talk," she declares.

I freeze. "Have you lost your mind? Marinos donottalk."

Arrogance fills her expression. She crosses her arms, claiming, "I know more personal secrets about your family than anyone."

"Bullshit. You know confidential things because of work," I insist.

She shakes her head, firmly claiming, "No. I know lots of personal things. Even about you."

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

She untucks a lock of her hair and runs her hand through it. Then she raises her chin. In her kick-ass, confident tone, she attests, "I know a lot, Tristano. And there's no way I'm telling you everything, so believe me or don't. All I'll say is Dante trusts me with a lot of information, and not just business."

"Bullshit," I retort, unable to imagine my brother disclosing anything personal to anyone. He's the future head of our family and more tight-lipped than any of us.

She rolls her eyes and tries to get off me. "Whatever. Believe what you want."

I yank her back on my lap, circling my arms around her so she can't move.

"Tristano!"

"Don't get your pants—well, what little there is of them—in a tizzy," I taunt.

She stays silent, giving me the evil eye. "If you think you're going to boss me around like your brother does, you're wrong."

"Oh, Pina, Pina, Pina." I drag my finger down her neck. "You'll soon find out I'm nothing like my brother, but you'll enjoy taking orders from me."

She opens her mouth and then snaps it shut. She takes several deep breaths.

"What? Nothing to reply?" I goad.

The driver's door slams shut. Pina pushes away from me and slides on the leather. She straightens her skirt and fastens the button of her shirt.

I lean into her, stating, "Last chance to play hooky and make a run for it."

My driver opens the door. I almost curse him and make a note to tell him never to open the door again until I give him a knock.

Pina sits straighter and motions for me to get out.

I groan inside, wondering if I missed my opportunity. I sniff hard and tell her, "Make sure you text me the address." I get out and reach in to help her out.

She refuses to take my hand and shoves past me. "Forget I said anything. Nice seeing you, Tristano. Have a nice night." She smirks and struts away.

I watch her ass until I can't see it anymore, resisting the urge to run after her. I get back in the SUV then text her.

Me:Address?

Pina:Do you agree to my terms?

The thought of letting Pina be in charge goes against all my instincts. I'm a Marino man. We're the ones in charge. But if this is the only way I'm going to get in her pants and end this obsession with her, I'll set my normal requirements aside...for now.

Me:I'll agree to your terms, but when we're done, I'm in charge. Understand?

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