I was so fearful I whimpered, biting my lower lip before continuing my heated exploration. He had several scars that had been carefully hidden by various tattoos and I knew that all of them had a story, ones I suddenly wanted to hear.

  He seemed pleased by my reaction, rubbing his hand against my cheek in a loving manner.

  “Aren’t you a wild little girl? Where have you been hiding all this time, Sophia?”

  “In a prison.”

  “Mmm… Then I suggest we break you free of the chains keeping you in that gilded cage.” He walked closer, wrapping his hand around the base of his cock then tapping it on one of my cheeks then the other. “Now, little princess. Open your mouth.”

  CHAPTER 8

  Mattia

  Destiny.

  Fate.

  Karma.

  Whatever you wanted to call it, that’s what had brought us together every single time.

  Fuck.

  Sophia was everything I’d ever wanted, nothing I should dare taste, yet the single person in my life I refused to do without. Was that the weakness my father had warned me against? Was it the single reason my enemies could find to bring me to my knees? Perhaps, but if I was required to face the devil himself, I would die a happy man.

  Sated.

  The woman was beautiful, perfect in every way, so voluptuous that I was thrown by her stunning features. She was nothing like I’d remembered, growing into a gorgeous creature.

  And all I could think about was fucking her, slathering her porcelain skin with strings of my cum. My beast was dangerously close to escaping. What surprised me as well was the fact my thoughts continued to drift into the understanding that she deserved better than being on top of a rooftop bar, but there was no chance in hell I could stop what was about to happen.

  The moment she wrapped her lips around the tip of my cock, I was certain I was going to lose my load right away. The heat was explosive, the inappropriate longing for her continuing to fester in the back of my mind. I’d gone too far with her already, but God help me, there was no stopping the beast once I got him started. Sophia was exactly what I needed to calm the raging bull inside of me. Did she have idea how dangerous a position we were both in?

  I sensed that fueled her as much as it had done for me. As I fisted the back of her hair, I noticed she was keeping her eyes pinned on mine. Was it possible she was looking for praise from a monster?

  “That’s it. Relax your throat, princess. Suck me. Take every inch of my cock into that hot mouth of yours.”

  When she placed her hands on my thighs, I took a deep breath, staring up at the bright moon. It had been far too long since I’d had wet lips wrapped around my cock. She swiped her tongue back and forth before sliding her hand between my legs, cupping and squeezing my balls.

  Her gaze never left me as she sucked, rolling my testicles between her fingers and adding enough pressure I was forced to laugh. Goddamn, the woman was turning me on, more so than any other one had in a long time. Years.

  She took another inch then another and I rolled onto the balls of my feet, driving the remainder into the back of her throat. “Such a good girl. My good girl.” My hoarse whisper seemed to keep her turned on, her eyes twinkling in the moonlight. I kept my fingers tangled in her hair but allowed her to pull back, sucking on nothing more than the tip. Then she rolled her tongue down the underside, every sound she made as guttural as mine.

  Flashes of light drifted in front of my eyes, every muscle tensing. She was going to drive me insane quickly and I wanted a taste of her. Hell, I craved making her come inside my mouth almost more than I wanted to thrust my cock deep inside her pussy. When the hell had that ever happened?

  The moment she pulled one of my balls into her mouth, my body began to shake from another adrenaline rush. “Fuck. Jesus Christ.” I allowed her to play, shifting to my other testicle, enjoying the soft moans floating from her mouth. Somehow, I knew I wouldn’t be able to take this for much longer.

  As the crisp air filled my lungs, the need only intensified. I grabbed both sides of her face, holding her in place as I dropped my head. Then took over control, unable to stop myself from fucking her mouth like a crazed animal.

  I heard her gagging sounds and didn’t care, continually stroking her hair as I peered down at her. “That’s it, princess. Relax and breathe through your nose.” When the tip hit the back of her throat, I almost lost my mind. I shifted my hand to the back of her head, holding her in place as her strong jaw muscles clamped around the thick invasion.

  Exhaling, I finally pulled back, gasping for air as my control began to slip. I pushed her away gently, refusing to allow myself to take advantage of her hot little mouth. She took several deep breaths, staring at me through hooded eyes and I realized she was the sexiest woman I’d ever had the joy of taming. I couldn’t wait for her to learn how to surrender to every single need.

  She swayed back and forth on her knees, staring up at me, her eyes asking for guidance. I wiped my arm across my mouth, craving the taste of her. When I managed to stumble forward, I scooped her into my arms, taking long strides toward the bar.

  The moment I lowered her bottom onto the bar, I raked my arm across the surface, sending napkins and drink straws scattering to the floor. Then I eased her across the top, lifting and spreading her legs wide open, leaving her head hanging down on the other side.

  She planted her feet on the edge, taking gasping breaths as I rolled my fingers along the insides of her legs. Goosebumps followed my trail of exploration and when I pressed my lips against her heated skin, she jerked up from the bar, shivering more than she’d done before.

  “Stay right where you are, my princess.” I pressed my palms against her thighs, pushing her knees to the bar’s surface before blowing across her glistening pussy.

  She fisted her hands, gasping for air as I lowered my head. I adored the way she chewed on her bottom lip while her eyelids fluttered from nervousness. Everything about the girl excited me.

  Grinning, I planted my hands on either side of her, leaning over even more until I bit down on her lower lip. She squealed from surprise, pushing one hand against my chest. As soon as she did, she issued a strangled moan, digging her fingers into my skin.

  “Such a tease. Aren’t you?” I growled then slipped my tongue from one side of her jaw to the other before dipping my head over her chest. When I cupped her breast, I let off another series of growls, enjoying her stilted reaction. “You’ll learn that’s not in your best interest.”

  She purposely pursed her lips then raked her hand down my chest, rolling the tip of her finger across my already sensitive slit. I reacted by taking her nipple into my mouth, swishing my tongue back and forth before biting down on the tender tissue.

  “Oh,” she whimpered then wrapped her arm around my head, holding me in place.

  The taste of her skin was just as sweet as her lips, a hint of peaches mixed with a dash of vanilla. I growled as I sucked, biting down twice before rolling my lips to her other nipple, repeating the brutal action. Then the need to feast on her slickened pussy was too great.

  Exhaling, I lifted my head, my chest rising and falling. I studied her face as I rolled my thumb around her clit, delighting in the jarring vibrations slamming through my body.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, her breathlessness a powerful draw.

  “Feasting on your sweet pussy.”

  There was no holding back any longer. I dropped my head, swirling the tip of my tongue around her already hardened bud as I brushed my fingers along her thigh.

  She bucked her hips, tossing her head back and forth as I sucked on her tender tissue, the soft purrs she issued driving me crazy. Every sound she made intensified the moment, my mind blown by how incredible it felt having her in my arms.

  There was something almost reverent about indulging in her wetness, taking my time lapping up her delicious cream.

  If only her daddy could see me now.

  I lifted my head briefly so she’d understand exactly what was happening here and that I wasn’t playing games.

  “Then, my beautiful princess, I’m going to fuck you. After that, you will belong to me. Body and soul. After that, I will claim your heart.”

  “You know that my father won’t allow that,” she whispered. “He’ll kill you first.”

  The challenge was far too tempting. If my father wanted me to have a bride, I’d be happy to give him one, but it would be my choice. Why not rock the world of the Italian mafia while doing so? “Here’s the deal, princess. I might not be able to make good on my promises at this exact point in time, but I meant what I said. You are still mine.”

  “What does that mean, Mattia? As I told you, I’m not for sale.”

  “Perhaps not. But I assure you that one day very soon you will become my wife.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Sophia

  His wife?

  That’s exactly what he’d meant last year. He’d planned this and if I didn’t know better, I’d be forced to think he’d managed to lure me here with some crazy kind of magic. It was ridiculous, but how else could I explain what I’d already known somewhere deep in my heart? What had I done?

  Reality check. I refused to be used as a pawn for anyone, including Mattia.

  Even if this is exactly what you wanted all along? Even if marrying him would be a million times better than any brutal son of a bitch your father chooses?

  I was still shaken, uncertain I could handle the aftermath, but knew Mattia had made up his mind.

  Still, the marriage couldn’t happen in a million years. My father would start a bloody war in the street before allowing it to go forward. Is that what Mattia had meant last year? Had he already made a deal with my father? Or was this a way of destroying my family once and for all?

  Far too many ugly scenarios rushed into the back of my mind including that requiring me to come back to town for a birthday, which wasn’t usually treated as such a big deal, was more than out of the ordinary. Had I been lured here? Would my father do that to me?

  I stared at Mattia incredulously, certain I hadn’t heard him correctly. This was sex, nothing more. I wasn’t going to become anyone’s wife, least of all a man considered an enemy to my entire family. I’d played into the game. This was partially my fault. Oh, no.

  Somehow, I could tell he wasn’t kidding.

  “Na… No. Not a chance, Mattia.” When I tried to climb off the bar, he pushed me down with a hard thud, immediately burying his face in my pussy. Gasping, stars floated in front of my eyes, the feel of his tongue driving into my tight folds unlike anything I’d ever felt before.

  “Now I taste what belongs to me.”

  His animalistic sounds were intense, the deep rumble he issued as alluring as the way he was licking me. I was thrown by how powerful the moment was, my mind a fuzzy blur as he dragged his tongue up and down several times, sucking on my clit as he’d done before.

  “This is… crazy,” I whispered, trying to skirt from his hold before things got out of hand.

  Almost immediately he lifted his head, cracking his fingers across my pussy. The shot of electricity soaring through me was jarring, so much so my entire body tensed. He repeated the move and I gasped, trembling to my core. His powerful hold on me was more than I’d anticipated, the breathless wonder of what it would be like to share in our dark passion every day filtering into my mind.

  What was I thinking? That was the issue. I hadn’t thought this through. I’d opened Pandora’s Box without realizing the harm it could cause. Being an impetuous child could cost more than just my virginity.

  It could ultimately cost me my dreams.

  And even my life.

  “Mattia. I will… never… marry you. I can’t. You’re my enemy. You’re…”

  “No, bellissima gattina You are exactly what’s required to happen.”

  “Meaning what?”

  “Meaning the deal will be struck.”

  I remained in limbo as he teased my aching pussy, the need for him not diminishing even with the horrible realization of what he had planned.

  The brutal crack of his fingers three times in rapid succession was almost too much to take. When he soothed the ache, sucking as he shifted his head back and forth, there was no chance of holding back. I couldn’t think or breathe, the pain mixing with a moment of beautiful bliss, the experience incredible.

  A climax roared into me, my breath stolen as I jerked up. Lights of various colors skipped along my periphery of vision, every beat matching the lights from outside. This time, my scream was silent, my body shaking violently. I’d never experienced anything so intense before, no man ever bringing me to raw ecstasy.

  “Oh. Oh… Yes. I…” I jerked up as the wave continued, sweeping through me like a thunderous boom of sensations, every one of them so electrified I was lightheaded. He refused to stop, the man never taking no for an answer, driving his tongue into my core. “That’s so good. So… good.” I no longer recognized my voice, but echoes floated in my ears. I laughed nervously, pressing one hand across my mouth.

  He growled in answer, pinching my clit between two fingers. The combination of pain and pleasure elongated the climax. I was wet and hot, exhausted from the rapture. When the orgasm finally swirled, slowing until it left a minor thump in the deepest part of my core, he pressed his lips against one thigh then the other.

  “My bad girl,” he said in ownership, the words alone keeping the tingling sensations rushing through me.

  “Never.”

  “You will learn. When the time is right, you will be by my side. You will be made my queen. And it will be an honor to make that happen.”

  I could not believe he was making that kind of promise. I shook my head but as the scenario played out in my mind, I knew I had to leave for Paris as soon as possible. What if he found a way to lord it over my father’s head? Oh, God. This had gotten out of hand so quickly.

  He licked my clit, flicking his tongue back and forth, his grin as evil as I’d seen. I was so sensitive, my heart racing, but I knew he had no intentions of letting me go.

  “I can’t,” I whispered.

  “Yes, you can. I need you to come again for me, princess.”

  When he slipped two fingers inside my tight pussy, I tensed, pressing my hand down on his.

  He slowly lifted his head, searching my eyes. Then he pulled back, rising to his full height. “You’re a virgin.”

  “I…”

  His exhale was almost too much to take. “You’re a virgin. You’re giving yourself to me. How perfect.”

  The way he repeated the words had them reverberating in my mind. I was driven into another moment of complete uncertainty, my pulse racing.

  A cold chill quickly tore through me, embarrassment like I’d never experienced in my life pounding through me. Suddenly, tears rushed to my eyes, my mind a foggy mess. I pushed him hard, managing to jerk up from the bar then sliding off. When he reached for me, I shoved him savagely a second time, able to skirt around him, running away before I made a bigger fool out of myself. How stupid I was to think he was the right one. What was wrong with me? Was I brain dead?

  “Stop!” he commanded but I refused to obey him, snatching my dress then racing toward the elevator. “You will not leave without my permission.”

  I smashed my hand on the button, trying to get as far away as quickly as possible. After a few seconds, I pressed it again. I sensed he was getting closer but taking his time. As a second wave of shame jetted into me, I glanced around for another exit. There had to be a set of stairs by code. If not, I’d use the fire escape I’d noticed earlier.

  And go where? He’ll find you.

  When I turned around, Mattia was waiting for me, jingling a set of keys in front of me.

  “You won’t get off the rooftop without these.”

  “You locked me up here?” I demanded.

  “I didn’t want us to be disturbed, Sophia. Nothing more. However, it would seem we need to have a discussion.”

  “Not a chance.” I rushed around him, trying to find the other door.

  “You’re going the wrong way if you’re looking for the stairs, my beautiful princess.”

  “I’m not your anything, Mattia. I was stupid to try and seduce you.” I’d never been so embarrassed in my life, my mind still processing what I’d heard. God, I’d also been so childish, impetuous in making a decision that somewhere in the back of my mind I knew I’d regret.

  But I stopped short, furious that I’d placed myself in this position.

  “Look at me, bellissima principessa.”

  “Stop calling me that.”

  He wrapped his fingers around my arm, tugging me backward. While it was obvious he was in full control of the situation, he wasn’t horrible or forceful, just encouraging. Why did I want nothing more than to obey him?

  “Look at me, Sophia. It’s okay. I’m not angry or upset.”

  “Yeah? Maybe I’m just feeling… stupid.”

  “Offering me something so incredible is beautiful, an honor.”

  Was he kidding me?

  I threw a look over my shoulder, shocked at the glisten in his eyes. Anger at myself remained but I had no other choice, turning around stiffly. He closed the distance, every move methodical, obviously concerned he’d scare away the little fawn.

  When I was facing him, he cupped my jaw as he’d done before but the look in his eyes was completely different.

  “Do you think I’m upset with you because you’re a virgin?”

  I was terribly uncomfortable, hating the vulnerability I displayed. It was impossible to look him in the eyes.