Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38723 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38723 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Luca growled behind me, and his body heat kissed my back as he inched closer, as though he wanted to rip me away from Dante.
“You don’t have to do this,” I begged, desperate to spare my husband from further humiliation. “Leave him alone. Please.”
Dante’s beautiful features firmed into something fierce, but his hand remained gentle on my cheek.
“He killed my brother,” Dante seethed. “He’ll suffer a lot more before I’m finished with him.”
“Francesco was my friend,” Luca snapped. “You don’t know—”
“Keep my brother’s name out of your mouth,” Dante barked. His eyes narrowed on my husband. “I didn’t give you permission to speak. Say his name again, and Lorenzo dies.”
Luca fell silent, but his stubble-shaded jaw ticked as he chewed on words that he wasn’t allowed to utter.
The monster’s rapt attention fixed on me once again, his expression hard with disapproval. “That’s enough arguing. I’ll have to tame your tongue, too.”
I swallowed hard and edged back toward Luca, but Dante kept his firm grip on my hand. He dragged me forward, into his dungeon.
It was just as awful as I remembered. I took in the chains where he’d whipped me, the flogger that he’d used to beat me, and the enormous bed where he’d coerced me into humiliating Luca for the first time.
I shuddered, but he pulled me inexorably into the terrifying space, leading me to a slightly raised, padded platform covered in black leather. His hands bracketed my waist, and he urged me to step up onto it before guiding me down onto my knees. The padding cushioned me so that the position wasn’t uncomfortable, even if I hated being forced to kneel before him. The platform was only a few feet above the floor, so he still towered over me.
He stroked my hair and smiled down at me like I was his favorite pet.
“You look so beautiful on your knees,” he rumbled.
He glanced back at Luca, almost an afterthought. “Stand there and watch,” he commanded lazily.
Luca grunted, but he made no move to defy Dante. Not when his friends’ lives were on the line.
The monster had promised not to hurt me today. I could only hope that he would keep his word.
He leaned down and brushed a quick kiss over my lips. “Stay here, darling.”
When he stepped away, I could see Luca again. His eyes burned into me, his nostrils flaring like an enraged beast. His fists were clenched at his sides, and his muscles flexed with the need to attack our tormentor.
I subtly shook my head at him. I could handle whatever was coming. His friends wouldn’t be killed because of me, no matter how desperately I wanted to escape with Luca.
Dante filled my vision again, looming over me. I saw the coils of rope in his hand, and I shrank back.
The last time he’d bound me, he’d chased me through the woods and tied me up so that I couldn’t run from him. The bindings had hurt, digging into my flesh.
His eyes glittered with pleasure at my small show of fear, but he tenderly stroked my hair again, soothing.
“This won’t hurt,” he promised. “I will never lie to you, Nora.”
He’d called me by my name. Not one of the diminutive, mocking endearments he favored. The sound of it issuing from his lips was jarring and deeply personal. It made me feel seen, vulnerable. Especially when I was on my knees before him, and he held all the power.
“Take off your robe.” It was a gentle order, but an order, nonetheless.
My hands shook as I tugged at the silken tie that was the only thing preserving even a scrap of my modesty. This new, intense connection with Dante was unnerving. It was much easier to rail at him when he was hurting me. He’d been perversely tender with me at times, but never when he was toying with me sexually; he’d always been cruel and unyielding when he touched me with erotic intent.
I had no idea what to expect from him, and that scared me more than the whips that hung on the wall.
My fingers were still trembling when I’d shrugged out of the robe, baring myself to him completely.
He trailed his fingers through my hair. “It’s all right, pet. You’ll enjoy this.”
“That’s what you always say.” My defiant words came out in a breathless whisper.
He lightly tapped the gold padlock at my throat, and the chain weighed heavier around my neck.
“I’ll take care of you. I left marks on you yesterday. You bear them so well, but I won’t harm you with another whipping.”
“How is bruising me taking care of me?” My voice was still too small. He was taking up all the oxygen in the room, and he towered over me. So much more powerful than I could ever be.
He blew out a sigh, but he didn’t rebuke me. “You don’t want to accept it yet, but you enjoy our games too. We’re a good match, Nora.”