can never refuse sex.”
“You elitist prick. You think you’re better than us.” I glared as a muscle flicked in his stubborn face. “Look at what you’re doing!”
“I didn’t choose this.”
“But that won’t stop you from taking my virginity.”
Tony flipped me, and I winced as my shoulders kissed the freezing glass.
“Why the fuck would it?” His eyes blazed, the fire in them growing as I prolonged the moment.
“Because,” I choked out, “we hate each other. We don’t even want each other.”
“Sounds like a typical marriage to me.”
He thought bullying his wife was normal?
Saliva pooled in my mouth. If he tried to kiss me—if he dared—I would spit at the motherfucker. His eyes, black and dazzling, darkened like angry thunderclouds. Tony lifted a finger to my lips as I shook. The caress was a command, one I wouldn’t have obeyed if I weren’t so vulnerable.
He hovered over me, his face kindled with a passionate beauty. He fingered a loose tendril on my cheek. Then he trailed down my temple, my skin tingling where he touched. His closeness was like a deadly drug, conjuring warmth in my belly.
I couldn’t move.
I could barely squirm.
Heat bubbled in my chest at being made weak.
“Don’t talk. Just listen.”
My breath burned in my throat.
“I know that you’re scared and pissed off. You’re here against your will, totally helpless, and you don’t trust me. I’m the opposite of what you wanted in a husband. You probably think I’m up to no good, and you’re absolutely right.”
Did I hear that correctly?
Pain shot through my jaw from my clenched teeth.
“You can still walk away unscathed. Say the word, and I’ll let you go.” Tony’s nostrils flared as though he’d scented my desperation. “Then you’ll be back in the clubhouse, catching all the dick. Is that what you want?”
“You don’t scare me,” I snarled, sounding a lot braver than I felt. “I’ve heard it all, and you’re nothing compared to my boys.”
“Your boys. The same guys who let an Italian marry one of their women?”
I imagined throwing him off the balcony.
“Make your decision, Evie.”
My jumbled thoughts collided like two fireworks exploding into each other. Dad would be furious if I screwed up this alliance. He’d write me off, and then what? He’d sell my jewelry and the gold, torch my studio, and kick me off the property.
I couldn’t risk that.
His hand rolled over my shoulder, anchoring there. He branded me like a hot iron. It didn’t occur to me to shake him off. He made his intentions clear with the massage he pressed into my lower back.
I wouldn’t allow him to play games with me. If I had to do this, we would have sex on my terms.
Should I touch him?
I was morbidly curious about that stony jaw but couldn’t work up the nerve. Instead I stroked the sliver of chest peeking from his shirt. Hair brushed my palm before I pressed down to caress his warmth. He was so strong. His rock-like shoulders filled my hands.
Tony seized me like I came at him with a knife.
“What?” I asked, rattled. “Can’t I touch you?”
His nostrils flared.
Apparently not.
Slowly, he released me. Then he turned his head, lips grazing my arm. Sparks danced where he kissed—my forearm, the inside of my elbow, gliding to my shoulder. His mouth fastened in the crook of my neck. He sucked, crumbling a mountain of tension.
His teeth sank into me.
I winced, but the pain tingled like warm feathers. The burn spread between my widening legs. He lapped at the sensitive skin. I arched my back. A thrill leaped in me when he ripped away from me. He pulled me from the wall. His hand found my waist, shoving me over the bed.
I braced myself.
It was coming—the rough sex my cousin warned me about. She told me to separate mind from body, but I didn’t want to hide. I wanted to be present for every agonizing second. I didn’t hate his hands on me, far from it.
His fiery touch swept across my back, sliding lower, to my ass. He tapped it lightly. Then he struck. Stinging burst on my skin. He landed another smarting blow on my thighs, forcing my legs apart.
“Ow—what the fuck?”
“Hold still.” His detached voice chilled my blood as his palm rained hellfire. “It’ll hurt less if you don’t struggle.”
“Why are you—ow!”
He spanked me again. I gritted my teeth, hissing with the fierce ache. He hit me. Did he think I would allow him to—I gasped, distracted by him caressing my inner thigh. The sensual movements