Page 98 of Vicious Vows

“I thought you said you missed me,” I whispered into his ear as I ran my palm over his growing erection. “It feels like you miss me.”

“Are you asking me if you can be in control tonight, princess?”

“Would you let me?”

“No.” He traced his finger over my nipple. “I don’t relinquish control.”

“Maybe that’s your problem?”

“I have a lot of problems. Don’t I?” He picked up his gun from the counter, glared at me, and strode to the back stairs. “I told you not to lie to me.”

“I’m not lying.”I’m withholding. That’s different, isn’t it?

“I’ll be upstairs,” he said. “When you’re ready to tell me what you’re hiding, you can join me.”

“Don’t go.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

He left me in the kitchen, alone and empty. He had foiled my seduction attempt in less than three minutes. I was the fool standing in her underwear trying to come up with a way to fix this.

How could I tell him what I was hiding? If he knew I asked my father for help when he didn’t even want help from me, he would never forgive me. Even worse, if he found out I gave my father information about Nico, he would throw me off the terrace.

The sad thing about this situation was I would rather be tossed off a New York City high-rise than know that Marchello wouldn’t forgive me.

Why did I get myself into this mess? Why didn’t I let the Accetti men handle their shit? They didn’t need my help, and now I had placed myself in the worst possible circumstance. I had to accept my father’s deal if I wanted to bring Nico home. But in doing so, I had to leave Marchello.

Stupid impulses!If I could learn to control them, maybe my life wouldn’t be so complicated.

Before going upstairs, I poured him a glass of vodka. If there was a way to Marchello’s heart, expensive vodka was it. I probably should have led with that.

When I crept into the bedroom, he was sitting in the chair by the window, staring out at the city skyline. He had removed his shoes, socks, and belt. His chest was still bare, and his pants were unbuttoned.

He was the picture of a perfect man.My man.Sexy, fierce, and frightening. I should have backed out of the room and left him with his grim thoughts, but I couldn’t resist him. That was the problem from day one. I craved his danger. I desired all of him. The good, the bad, and the very ugly.

Things were about to get ugly.

It was almost as if I couldn’t thrive without his fury. His rage was the one thing I would take if it meant he could forgive me for the mess I had made of his life. Being with me cost him more than he would ever admit. If I took my father up on his offer, all of the aggravation I caused Marchello would go away. But my hell would begin.

I would have to accept a life without him in it. Was that something I could do? Could I take my father up on his offer so Marchello could have his father back?Am I selfless enough to do that?

“Did you bring me a peace offering?” He nodded toward the vodka. “Now I know whatever you’ve done is going to cause me trouble.”

“You look like you could use a drink.” I slowly made my way to the chair, stopping in front of him. “Do you want to tell me about your day?”

“No.” He held out his hand. “But I’ll take the drink.”

His gaze followed the glass as I brought it to my lips, filling my mouth with the strong alcohol that needed cranberry juice. I straddled his lap and swept my lips along his until he parted them. As the vodka poured from my mouth into his, I kept my stare fixed on his.

“That’s the only time I’ll ever allow you not to swallow.” He took the glass from me and chugged the contents before setting it at his feet. “Speaking of which…”

“I thought you didn’t want that.”

“I always want my cock in your mouth.” He traced his fingers down my sides and to the edge of my tank top. “It’s the only way I can guarantee you won’t talk back to me.”

“That seems like a no-lose situation for you.” I raised my arms when he tugged the top over my head, exposing my breasts to him. If he occupied my mouth, he would stop pressing me for answers on what I was hiding.

He didn’t waste the opportunity. Gripping my hips, he brought my chest close to his face and skimmed his tongue around my nipple. I ran my fingers through his hair when he bit down.

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