Page 20 of Captured Innocence

“Tell me, princess. Tell me what you crave.”

She shook her head, narrowing her eyes. “I… I want more.”

“How much more?”

“All of it.”

“You’ll need to be more specific, bellissima principessa.”

“Oh, God.”

“God can’t help you.”

When she lifted her gaze, her lovely eyes piercing mine, I was no longer surprised at the answer.

“I want you to fuck me.”

CHAPTER 7

Sophia

What had I just done?

Somehow, I knew I couldn’t take it back even if I wanted to.

As I locked eyes with Mattia, a knowing settled in, as if he knew exactly what I was doing. Then I allowed my gaze to fall, noticing the flecks of blood on his crisp white shirt. There was no mistaking the substance. At least he hadn’t lied to me.

His jacket had been spotted and stained from blood, the dark coloring of the material unable to hide the stains. Maybe I was used to seeing it more than any human should be. How often had I walked into my father’s office only to find blood splattered on his desk or staining the terra cotta tile? The people who kept the mansion clean were used to scrubbing stains, none of the half dozen employees repulsed by the sight of blood or brain matter.

Why it bothered me tonight was beyond me.

Mattia had killed two men to keep me safe.

I fisted my hands, the light breeze keeping goosebumps popped along every inch of skin. Or maybe that was from the look he was giving me. My mouth was dry, the tickling electric sensations reminding me that he’d swiped my panties, shoving them into his pocket. I took a few seconds, enjoying the close-up view of his muscular forearms, the colorful ink accentuating his dangerous persona.

“I want you to fuck me.”

The statement hadn’t shocked him. I was certain by the expression on his face, the sensuality crossing his brooding brow. He’d led me into admitting my desires. There was a sense of accomplishment in his smile, as if he was proving he’d always been the one in control.

Maybe he had been. Maybe I was a fool in thinking otherwise.

I’d found the nerve to tell him exactly what I wanted. Was it something I would regret later? Never. He was the perfect man, the only one I wanted to share my gift with. To dance with the devil in the pale moonlight. The words tickled the back of my mind. He was right as to my intention, the meaning perfect.

To do something immoral with full intent.

Yes, that’s exactly what I wanted, although I wasn’t entirely certain I could go through with it. The ramifications about what this could mean were planted in the back of my mind. The two of us would likely burn in hell.

He rose to his feet and I immediately backed away, trying to control my nerves. Without his jacket, he was even more powerful, oozing danger with every piercing gaze and every dark command. I was still in shock he’d spanked me, although I’d pushed him on purpose, longing to see what he would do. He took a deep breath as he lowered his gaze. Then he shook his head slowly, chuckling as he’d done before. He grabbed his glass of wine, pulling the rim to his lips and gulping almost half the glass.

It was easy to tell I’d unnerved him.

“Undress.”

The single word was said so quietly that it took a few seconds to register.

“What?”

“You heard me, Sophia. Remove your dress. Now.”