Page 34 of Brutal Vows

I huff, cross my arms over my chest, and glare at him through the mirror.

“Maybe use your words like a big boy instead of trying to manhandle me like a Neanderthal next time,” I snarl.

One overly handsome eyebrow lifts as he wets his hand and adds a few pumps of the mousse to his palm. The intensity of his eyes as he meets my glare through our reflections drops the floor out from under me.

He wraps his dry hand around my throat and lowers his lips to my ear before whispering.

“Don’t lie to yourself, Loretta.” He rubs his thumb over my jugular and nips my earlobe. I gasp and dig my nails into my arms. “It’s okay to be greedy and want the best of both worlds.” He tightens his grip around my throat and nuzzles my temple. “You want me to pin you down and have my way with you as I whisper sweet threats in your ear, don’t you,mia gattina?”

Liquid fire invades my veins. My entire body burns hot. I can’t breathe. Need pulses through me. My nipples pebble and breasts feel swollen as I tighten my arms around my chest. Wetness seeps into my panties and my clit throbs for relief.

I want him. I want him so badly every cell in my body aches, but I can’t have him. Not with my sister’s safety on the line. Not when he could crush me so easily. Not with so many dangers lurking around us and no certainty of the future.

If I gave in and had sex with him, I’d never be the same. He’d forever have access to my soul. The thought terrifies me.

He terrifies me.

His expression darkens as he studies my reaction. He trails his fingers over my throat and kisses my temple before releasing me and stepping back.

“It seemsmia gattinaneeds more sweet talk before we can get to the heavy petting. Don’t worry,amore mio, for you, I can be patient,” he rumbles.

I blink as relief, disappointment, and uncertainty spear through me, then nearly melt into a heap of mush when heworks the mousse into my braid, massaging my scalp. My toes curl in my socks, pressing against the cold floor, and pleasure streaks down my spine.

Despite his thick digits and the lethal strength in his hands, he tidies my flyaways and straightens my braid without pulling my hair once.

He couldn’t have meant it when he called meamore mio, right? I’m not his love. A person can’t fall in love after only a few hours together, no matter how crazy those hours were.

He’s mocking me. He must be.

So why can’t my mind stop replaying his deep rumble when he spoke the words or the gentleness of his fingers as he fixed my hair?

I shove the wonder creeping through my heart away and box my thoughts for later when he leans over the sink to wash his hands. Skirting around him, I exit the bathroom as though I have every right and return to the bedroom for my cup of coffee.

He fills the doorframe with his bulk.

“Are you testing your freedom,gattina?” he asks.

I shrug and gulp down the java. It’s still hot enough to sting but not scald, so I down half the cup before coming up for air.

“There’s nothing to test. I have no freedom. Hanging on your every word, right?”

I shouldn’t poke the monster looming over my shoulder, but my indignation demands an outlet as I recall his threats as he shoved me into his car in broad daylight. He may have thought I was Julieta, but I wasn’t. I was me.

He chuckles and pulls his car keys out of his pocket.

“That’s what you’re holding a grudge over?”

I scoff and pour sickly sweet sarcasm into my tone.

“Don’t worry,amore mio, for you, I can be petty.”

I know it’s a mistake before I even finish speaking, but the flash of surprise, disbelief, and hurt twisting his features is so worth it.

Until he grabs my nape, steals my coffee, sets it on the dresser, and pulls me flush against him with his gigantic hand splayed over my lower back.

“My patience only goes so far,gattina. Don’t say things you don’t mean unless you want me to prove you wrong.Capisci?”

His eyes dip to my lips. I swallow. The hunger in his gaze intensifies as he watches my throat bob.

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