Page 18 of Captured Innocence

Everything about her was seductive, which she was doing on purpose. Still unsure why, I remained quiet as she took a sip, shaking my head when she closed her eyes. After returning the glass to the table, she took two steps backward.

“Maybe so. Somehow, I don’t think you mind. Now you have me curious. What makes you happy, Mattia?”

“Power.”

“Exactly what I thought you’d say.” She spun in a full circle, her arms over her head. The throbbing had surpassed discomfort, pushing to the point of pain.

“What makes you happy, little princess?”

“Control.”

“Of which you have none around me.”

“You don’t understand that women always have the control whether men choose to believe it or not,” she half whispered then turned toward the street, moving quickly toward the edge of the roof, her laughter floating into the air. While there was a wall of stone surrounding the perimeter, iron railings keeping anyone from climbing on the roof’s edge, that didn’t stop her from stepping on the border and leaning over.

I shook my head as I studied her, marveling in the way the stream of moonlight added a stunning sheen to her long curls. She might be of Italian heritage, but she’d always had a hint of copper in her hair as if kissed by the afternoon sun. She leaned over even more, throwing out her arms as she lifted her head toward the night sky.

What the hell was I thinking? As if I was some kind of poet. I moved behind her, curious as to what she thought she was doing. When she released a howl toward the glowing orb, I shook my head. She acted as if she was going to step over the first ledge to the second and my protective nature rushed to the surface.

“Come here, princess,” I commanded.

“I’m enjoying myself.”

“Don’t do something you’ll regret. Remember what I told you earlier. You are required to obey me.”

“Something reckless. Like coming up here with you?” She twisted around to face me, bending backwards and staring up at the stars. Fuck. Her behavior was far too risky. She was doing this on purpose to push my buttons.

“Like tempting fate. Come here. Now.”

She barely glanced at me. I gave her a stern look then issued a growl when she refused to come down. “If you don’t come down, I’ll make good on my promise.”

“Mmm… I’d like to see you try.” She cocked her head then blew me a kiss, laughing as if this was nothing but a game to her. Perhaps she didn’t realize that I was the kind of man who would call her bluff. When I took long strides toward her, she jumped off the platform, racing several feet away.

Exhaling, I took long strides toward her, catching her easily, which had been her intent. When I grabbed her around the waist, she laughed. Until I tossed her over my shoulder.

“Put me down, you bully.”

“I gave you an opportunity to behave, princess. You ignored the rules.”

“Mattia. Put me down.”

I took long strides toward the bar, tugging out a stool then sitting down. When I pulled her over my lap, she gasped, which brought a smile to my face.

“Are you crazy?” she asked, a quaver finally appearing in her voice.

“Yes, I am. If you don’t behave, I’ll pull off my belt.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Like hell I wouldn’t.”

I jerked up her dress, marveling in the fact I had Sophia Lazarro across my thighs, her rounded bottom for my viewing pleasure. As I struggled to remove her matching thong, I took several deep breaths. She was wet, her panties already damp. The fact she was completely aroused kept my cock at full attention.

“What are you doing?”

“Removing your lacey thong. Women should be disciplined on their bare bottoms.” I snapped the thin material from around her ankles, knocking her heels off in the process.

“You are insane!” She pummeled her fists against my legs, which only forced my grin to widen into a huge smile.

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