Page 27 of Merciless Desires

“Not another fucking word better come out of your mouth.” He pointed at me. “You need to learn your place.”

“Culo!” I shouted as Conti pulled the car into the street. “You’re an ass.”

I turned and looked out the window, smoothing my hair with my hand and trying to gain my composure. Why did this barbaric man infuriate me? Why did I allow it?

I stormed into the penthouse and threw my wristlet on the sofa. We hadn’t spoken to one another the whole ride from the club. Gio ordered the guards to stay out of the penthouse before we got into the elevator. Two stood watch outside the door, but we were the only two inside.

“Go upstairs,” Gio said.

“No.” He was not going to dismiss me.

“No?” He took a bottle of vodka from the shelf in the corner of the room and set it on the coffee table. “I don’t want to see you right now.”

“Then you go upstairs.”

“This is my fucking house.” He tore off his jacket and slung it on the back of the sofa.

“I’m a guest, and you insisted I stay here, remember? I wanted to go to a hotel.”

“That was bullshit.” When he loosened his tie, a thrill coursed through me as I remembered what he did with it last night. “Your father told you that you would be staying with me. That scene at the airport was an act. You knew the terms before you stepped on that plane. You’ve been playing games since you arrived.”

“Whatever.” I leaned against the back of the sofa. “I’m positive my father would not appreciate the way you have been treating me.”

“Do you want to call him and find out?” He slid the tie off his neck and placed it on top of his jacket, and then undid the first few buttons on his shirt. His sexy chest tattoo caught my attention. “Why don’t we mention how you persuaded your guard to go against my wishes and leave the penthouse to explore the city without me looking the way you do. Should we send him a selfie?”

“My father doesn’t dictate what I wear.”

“I can.”

“In your dreams.”

“As a matter of fact, he’s given me permission to do whatever I want with you.”

“He would never do that.”

“He did.” Gio came closer to me, trapping me between him and the sofa. Although, was it really a trap if I wanted to be caught? “If you don’t want me to treat you harshly, then I suggest you reevaluate your attitude.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my attitude.”

“Are you sure?” He swiped the back of his hand down my throat. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you could use an attitude adjustment.”

“I could use so many things.” I slipped my hand inside his shirt and swirled my fingers along his chest. “Only things that you could give me.”

“Stop playing with me.” He moved his hand over my breasts, cupping one in his hand and squeezing it. “It’s dangerous.”

“I like danger.” I kissed the corner of his mouth. “I like you.”

“You don’t know anything about the danger I could unleash on you.” He bit my bottom lip, tugging on it as he gripped my breast even harder. “You can’t handle me.”

“You’re wrong.” I trailed my hand down his chest and along his sculpted stomach muscles. “I can handle whatever you give me.” I closed my eyes and let my bold side overshadow my fears when I rubbed my palm along his erection.

“Cin.” He breathed against my lips. “You’re playing with fire.”

“You don’t want this?” I gripped his rigid shaft in my hand. “You don’t want us?”

“No.”

“You’re a liar.” Why is he fighting this?

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