Page 97 of Mafia Virgin (The Kings of Italy)

According to the internet, not every man was thrilled about anal. Yet I’d met plenty of emergency room doctors, and they all told tales about heterosexual men sticking very inappropriate, sometimes dangerous, objects in their rectum. I presumed this was because society taught straight men to feel shame surrounding stimulating their prostate.

But Giacomo wasn’t ashamed about liking it.

“You are different than what I expected,” I admitted.

“You thought I was stupid, you mean.” His voice had taken on an edge I didn’t understand.

“No, I never thought you were stupid. You’re very smart. But you’re also caring and gentle, and into having your prostate massaged.”

He laughed, the harsh lines of his face easing. “Fair enough.” Then he sobered. “You’re not what I expected, either.”

“How so?”

“You’re young, but mature beyond your years. Easy to talk to. Your sisters have reputations as ball-busters, but that’s not you. You’re calm and steady.”

“Boring.”

Rolling toward me, he propped up on one arm. “I didn’t say that. You could’ve thrown a fit over being brought here and married against your will. But you didn’t. You handled it like an adult. And I’m grateful that you did, because I don’t like drama.”

“Would you have sent me back to Toronto if I threw a fit?”

“No, I would’ve locked you in your room.”

I didn’t believe him for a second. The man who punched a wall and jerked off on a bedsheet to preserve my virginity would not have locked me away. “Sure you would have.”

He smiled at me, an actual smile, and I could feel my chest expanding with emotion. Something dangerous was happening inside me, a depth of feeling, a tenderness I could not allow myself to possess. Not now, not this man.

I looked away and tried to rein in my stupid hormones.

He grabbed a few slices of prosciutto and rolled it around a chunk of parmesan. “Oh, I talked to your school. Doing your lab work remotely won’t be a problem any longer.”

I froze, mid-chew. Giacomo talked to my school? About my labs? “Wait, what?”

“You heard me. I took care of it.”

“How?”

“By making a big fucking donation to the science department.” The edge of his mouth kicked up. “They’ll let you do whatever the fuck you want now.”

I stared at him, my mind trying to wrap itself around this information. I never threw my father’s name or money around on campus, instead preferring to get ahead on merit. But how could I complain about Giacomo’s interference when his donation would fund research and improve facilities? Ultimately it would do a lot of good for many people.

“I don’t know what to say. Thank you.” Leaning over, I sealed my mouth to his and gave him a long, deep kiss.

“Prego,” he whispered when we parted. “I can’t solve all your problems, bambina, but I will do my best to make you happy.”

Oh, boy. The giddiness currently dizzying my mind could not be good. But I couldn’t deny the warmth settling into my bones as I stared at him, a sense of rightness I’d never experienced before. I wanted to curl up next to him and stay there forever.

He gazed back at me, but I couldn’t read his thoughts. Was he as perplexed by what was happening between us as I was?

Finally, he pushed up, took the tray of food and set it on his dresser. “Time for bed.”

“Okay.” I scooted to the edge of the mattress and reached for my bra and t-shirt. Where were my shorts?

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going back to my room.”

“Why?”

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