Page 48 of The Red Queen

She tore her mouth from his and bit his chest, digging her sharp teeth into his flesh. A shock-wave coursed through him, the pain mixing with the sensual pleasure of her hands on his body. It was stunning, it was consuming.

Desi reached between them, sliding her hand down his body until she was touching his cock through the fabric of his trousers. She explored lightly while he held his breath, waiting to find out what she would do next. She played lightly, running her fingers over him, exploring, then gripping him hard and leaning in to delve her tongue into his mouth.

His head swam and he wanted nothing more than to fuck her into the mattress until they’d obliterated the bed and set fire to the world around them.

But first, he needed to know that she knew exactly who she’d be fucking. She knew what she was doing, how to drive a man crazy, and she’d learned it somewhere. Jealousy tore through him, clashing with pleasure and igniting an angry fire.

He gripped her by the hair at the nape of her neck and dragged her head back. She moaned her disappointment and glared up at him like a child who’d had her favourite toy taken away.

“Who am I, Desiree?” he demanded, his voice harsh.

She blinked at him in confusion, the cloud of desire clearing. “I… Giovanni?” she asked his name like it was a question.

He wanted more. More conviction, more loyalty, more of everything she was holding back.

He shook her, tightening his grip on her hair until she winced.

“Say my name like you mean it.”

“Giovanni.”

“Louder,” he growled, dragging her closer. “Tell me you’re fucking me and not him.”

“Him?” she sounded confused.

“Garza,” he snapped the name like a curse.

She gasped, her gaze clearing completely of any desire she’d had, like a bucket of ice water had been thrown over her. He felt a momentary stab of regret.

“Let me up,” she said coldly, moving her hand from his crotch to his chest and pushing. “I’m not fucking you or anyone else tonight.”

“Wrong answer, Desi.” He held her tightly, refusing to let her go.

“Wrong answer?” she repeated. Then, in an expert move he didn’t see coming, she shoved the heel of her hand up into his chin. When his head snapped backwards, he was forced to release his grip on the back of her head. She followed it up by plowing her fist into his stomach. It was a weak hit considering they were so close together and she’d used her right hand, which was still recovering from the loss of her finger.

She leapt from the bed while he shook his head to clear it of both the fog of desire and her sudden attack. She pointed at him with the stub of her finger, her hand shaking, giving away the depths of her emotion.

“You think I’m in the wrong here?” she shouted at him. “You’re the fucking idiot who brought up my former lover while trying to fuck me. What the fuck is wrong with you?”

He winced at the volume she was reaching, which would definitely attract the attention of the bodyguard in the hallway. She punctuated each ‘fuck’ with even greater volume, emphasizing how pissed she really was. And she was right. What kind of fucking idiot brought up a former lover in bed? But he couldn’t help the jealousy that raged through him, demanding he imprint himself on her, claim her, erase all history of her ex.

He pushed himself off the bed and stalked toward her.

She backed away from him, bringing her fists up in a fighting stance and glaring at him like she had every intention of kicking his ass if she got the chance. One day he’d give her that chance, allow her to fully pit her skills against him, but not today.

“Don’t you fucking touch me,” she snarled, her eyes spitting fire at him.

“Lower your voice,” he said with a hard edge to his tone. “And I will touch you, Desi. Everywhere. Was going to wait until the wedding but this,” he waved his hand up her body, “is far too tempting.”

“You had your chance and you fucked it up.”

“I did, but I won’t apologize,” he said calmly. “You will know who you’re in bed with tonight.”

“I already knew,” she spat, trying to circle away from him. He blocked her move, backing her further into the corner. “If you think you’re anything like Nico, you’re dead wrong.”

Hearing the name of her former lover on her lips was enough to reignite his rage. He leapt at her, gripping her by the throat and pushing her into the wall. When she tried to punch him in the gut again, he lifted her off the ground, forcing her neck to hold the weight of her body. She choked and struggled, then quickly realized she couldn’t fight him in that position. She went slack, her hands gripping his wrist.

He leaned in close while she gasped for breath. “You will not say his name again.”

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