Page 29 of Melody’s Little Secret

“You want to explore this dynamic with me,sì?”

“Sì.” I nodded. “Sì,very much.”

“Good, but first.” He leaned in and took my lips with his, kissing me like he hadn’t thought about anything else for his entire life. Wrapping his arm around me, he applied a little bit of force to lay me down and then he was on top of me. I laced my fingers behind his neck, holding him to me and reveling in the gentle, all-encompassing kiss.

It was over way too soon, leaving me breathless and wanting more.

Boz pressed his forehead against mine. “I can’t wait to have you again,” he confessed.

“I’m yours to have.” I wiggled my hips.

“As tempting as that is,dulcita, it’s late and we both have work tomorrow. We need to have our discussion and then I will tuck you in for sleep.”

I pouted. “How am I s’posed to sleep when you got me all worked up?”

“If you’re a good girl, Daddy will put out that fire before you go to bed.” He kissed the tip of my nose and stood up, pulling me back into a sitting position.

I watched him adjust his pants, his erection very much making an appearance.

“But what about your fire?” I asked as seductively as I could as I reached for him.

“Not tonight.” He tapped the top of my hand and pointed at me. “Don’t try to distract me, you won’t like the consequences,” he warned.

“I might.” I shrugged, unable to hold back the bratty retort.

“Dio mio, you’re so naughty.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I promise if I decide you need a punishment,dulcita, you absolutely will not like it.”

“Oh.” I folded my hands in my lap. I was itching to push his boundaries and force his hand, the brat in me wanted to know what he was capable of, but I held back, not wanting to come off too strong right out of the gate.

He hooked a finger under my chin and brought my gaze to his. “Don’t retreat into your head,piccola. There is nothing wrong with bratting, and I welcome the challenge, but I promise you, I will always win.”

My mouth went dry and all I could do was nod.

“Good girl, now let’s get down to business.” He pulled a paper out of his pocket and handed it to me. “The top ones are non-negotiable. Seth may specialize in animals, but the man is a doctor, and you will obey the doctor’s orders, or you will answer to me.Capisci?”

“Sì.” I sighed, not immediately aware I’d answered him in Italian.

“The rest of it I am open to discussing, but not tonight. I want you to spend some time with the list. Think it over. Make notes. Even add things you think I might have missed.”

“You want me to give you rules to give me?” I asked.

“We are getting to know one another, and I want to help you be the best version of yourself. I want to see you happy and thriving. So yes,dulcita. I’m asking for some insight into your wants and needs.”

“That makes sense. Geez it’s like you’ve done this before or something.”

“Not for a while and I’ve never felt so strongly as I do now.”

“My feelings are scary strong.”

“Don’t be afraid. Daddy will always protect you, all of you. Even your heart.Sì?”

“Okay.” He sat on the bed and pulled me into his chest.

“Everything is going to be fine. Now, let’s finish up. I’m sure Zio and Laney have had enough of each other out there. Speaking of Laney though, I wanted to talk to you about something else really quick.”

“About Laney?”

“Yes, Zio and I were talking, and he reminded me we have an empty apartment just like this one over our shop. It needs some updating, but we were thinking that with your help we could fix it up for her and you two would have your own separate spaces while still being very close together.”

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