Page 29 of Mafia Don's Twisted Proposal
Bile rises in my throat, and I swallow it down hard.
The last thing I want is to be hurt or killed because of this marriage. I need to be smart, not let my emotions make me act in ways that endanger my life.
“Okay,” I say quietly. “You have a point.”
“You’re not going to try to run away again?”
This time, I’m the one who hesitates. Shouldn’t I demand an annulment and return to my normal, boring life? But will an annulment really keep me safe from his enemies? And honestly, what do I have in LA that’s so amazing I can’t possibly leave? A job that bores me to tears? An apartment I can barely afford?
Wasn’t I just complaining about wanting something more exciting?
“I won’t run again,” I agree, keeping thefor nowpart silent.
The tension in Lorenzo’s shoulders eases, and his expression softens. “Good. I’ll keep you safe.”
I believe him. For a moment, warmth spreads through my entire body, settling in my bones. A flicker of hope that maybe this whole insane situation might actually work out.
Then he ruins it.
“Now that’s out of the way,” he says, straightening to his full, imposing height, “it’s time you were punished for running away.”
Oh, hell.
12
LORENZO
“What are you talking about?”
The rough edge in Mia’s voice tells me she’s gone from relaxed to pissed in less than a heartbeat. But I still see it lurking in her dark eyes—that same excitement that sparked in the hotel room yesterday. She likes to push back against me, but deep down, she likes it when I take charge.
“Come with me.”
I take her hand and pull her out of the bathroom, savoring the way her pulse jumps under my thumb.
“What do you think you’re doing? You can’t punish me.”
Her protests are weak, halfhearted. She doesn’t try to pull her hand from mine, doesn’t dig in her heels. She thinks she should protest. Some part of her believes it’s what a proper woman would do. But she doesn’t really want to, even if she hasn’t admitted that to herself yet.
I lead her to our bedroom, where I spent last night alone in a bed that felt too big without her small body curled against mine.
I bury my hand in her silky hair, pulling just enough to make her head tilt back and expose the elegant line of her throat. My other hand settles there, thumb pressing against the frantic flutter of her pulse. I don’t cut off her air, but I hold her firmly in place as I dominate her mouth.
Her lips move against mine, her mouth opening to let me deepen the kiss. When her hands slide up my torso, the heat of her touch through my shirt sends desire straight to my groin.
But I’m taking my time with her. I meant what I said about punishment.
I nip her bottom lip with my teeth before pulling back. Her eyes are dazed, pupils blown wide, and she’s already breathing hard.
“Seriously, are you really going to punish me?” she asks, and there’s something breathless in the question that makes my cock twitch.
“Yes. You’ve earned it.”
“What kind of punishment?”
“The kind that involves you over my knee, counting to ten.”
Her eyes clear instantly at my words, a mix of outrage and excitement flickering across her face.
