Kiara drew back, her cheeks turning pink.
“We were kissing,” I said, not bothering to step back.
Savio leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “Looks like that won’t be the end of it. Hypocrite much?”
Kiara gently pushed against my chest, trying to make me step out from between her thighs, but I resisted. “Nino.”
“If you ever bring a girl you’re serious about, you can get it on like this, too,” I said.
Savio smirked. “I take my fucking very seriously, does that count?”
Kiara poked my side and I finally moved back so she could slip off the counter, avoiding Savio’s eyes.
“The blush goes well with the red of your shorts,” he said.
I sent him a warning look but he was immune to my threats.
Kiara checked the enchiladas, bending over, and Savio’s gaze followed the movement of her ass before he gave me a thumbs-up.
I moved forward but Kiara beat me to it, whirling on him and stabbing her finger against his chest. “Stop staring at my backside.”
Savio raised his hands with a grin. “All right, Tiny.”
Kiara shook her head, smiling. I frowned, trying to understand what was happening between them. She told Savio, “I hope you’ll find a nice girl soon who will teach you some manners.”
“Not going to happen. Girls in relationships are too much work. They start thinking they can boss you around and make demands. I prefer it when girls do what I want.”
“How would you know? Have you ever had a relationship?”
“I don’t need to. Look at Nino and you. If a girl like you, who’s submissive as fuck already, can get a guy like Nino wrapped around her finger, that doesn’t really make me want to be in a relationship. I like my freedom.” He pushed away from the counter and headed for the door. “Call me when the food’s done.”
Kiara scowled after him. “Submissive as fuck?” She turned to me. “Do you agree with him?”
I stroked her throat with my fingertips. “Not in those exact words, but you are submissive.”
“I thought I was getting better.”
“You are. You stood up to Remo and Savio. Outside of the bedroom you aren’t naturally submissive.”
Her eyes grew wide and she swallowed. “What?”
I cupped her chin, bringing our foreheads together. “You don’t like being in control during sex, even when I tried to let you be in the beginning. You only relax if I take lead, if I don’t give you choices but decide for us.”
She bit her lip, embarrassed. “Isn’t that unnatural considering what happened to me …”
I kissed her. “No, you were scared of feeling at someone’s mercy, of feeling out of control, but you trust me and know you can relinquish control without fear because I only want to give you as much pleasure as possible.”
Kiara released a shaky breath, licked her lips, and from the look in her eyes she was aroused. The oven beeped, announcing the end of the baking time. I leaned into Kiara, letting her feel my erection.
“Later,” I promised.
KIARA
I watched the cage fight of Savio’s next opponent with Nino and his brothers, even though I’d have preferred spending the evening with Serafina, talking. Nino refused to let me be alone with her. My eyes began drooping as I rested my head against Nino’s chest.
I must have fallen asleep because suddenly Nino shook me. “Wake up, Kiara.”
His voice rang with tension that had me wide awake. I peered up at his tight expression. He was looking at Adamo, not me.
“Adamo, take Kiara into the panic room. Shoot to kill, no questions asked.”
“What’s the matter?” I asked, sitting up, completely confused. Remo and Savio were staring down at their phones. Nino pulled me to my feet, kissed me quickly then nudged me toward Adamo. I didn’t understand what was going on, only that it must be bad judging by Remo’s terrifying expression.
Adamo gave me a tight smile as he grabbed my hand and pulled me after him. He was clutching a gun in his other hand and his body was brimming with tension. I could hardly keep up with Adamo’s pace.
“Adamo,” I gasped. “What’s wrong?”
“Not now.” He led me down the stairs into the basement, then to the last door in the corridor: a monstrous thing made out of steel.
Adamo keyed in the code and the door unlocked. Shoving it open, he stepped inside with me and closed the door again. Only then did he release me.
“Fuck,” he breathed.
I touched his shoulder so he faced me. Seeing his worried face, my insides twisted. “What’s going on?”
“The Outfit attacked the mansion. They want to free Serafina.”
“They are on the premises?”
He gave a terse nod, running a hand through his unruly locks. “I should go back out and help my brothers.”
I gripped his sleeve. “Don’t leave me alone in here.” The panic room was designed to keep us safe, but it felt like a grave of steel. Panic began to claw at my chest as I felt the walls closing in on me and I started shaking.