Nico smiles at me and caresses my cheek almost tenderly.
“Now you’re mine again,” he says softly. “But we’re not finished yet.”
“We aren’t? Not yet?”
“I’m not finished testing you.”
I blink rapidly. I try to summon anger but it’s all been washed away.
“What else are you going to do to me?”
“You’ll see.” His smile is evil. I feel a murmur of hate, a shadow of my normal loathing. It’s like a distant echo, muted and weak. I can’t seem to summon my usual rage toward him.
He helps me stand. I pull my bikini bottoms back on and he hands me the towel. His eyes move along my skin and I shiver.
“We don’t have much time, you know. Rinaldo might get caught at any second, and then what will you do? You can’t play with me forever. You’re going to have to marry me eventually.”
“I know that, princess. If you’re good, I promise you’ll get what you want.”
“And what does it mean, to be good? You want me to be your little doll? Spread my legs for you whenever you want?”
He smirks and bites my lower lip. “Goddamn right, princess. Now go sit by the pool. I want to watch you sweat in the sun.”
I let out a sharp breath as thrills and shivers roll down my body.
And I obey him. I leave the rec room with the towel wrapped around my middle again—hopefully hiding whatever red marks are showing on my ass—and park myself back in the chair outside.
Elise looks up. “Smoothie?”
I shake my head and look toward the house. “Get it yourself.”
Elise scoffs and curses but I just ignore her.
Nico’s standing at the door, watching me, and I close my eyes and let him.
Chapter 22
Karah
I work the early shift the next day. It’s mostly young kids with their parents, which is both good and bad. They make a mess but at least they’re cute.
Dave pays me in cash again. “You’re doing pretty good, shoe girl. I’ll tell the higher-ups.” And by that he means my brother.
“Much obliged.” I grin at him and head out. I catch a ride back to Villa Bruno from one of my father’s soldiers who doesn’t speak the whole way over.
As I walk through the house to my room, I keep hoping Nico will appear and pull me aside. I keep picturing all the punishments he has in store for me—each one more depraved than the next.
My ass is still bruised and painful from my spanking but it feels like a badge of honor. I wear it with pride, like it’s proof that I really am his.
How did this happen? I still find it hard to see past the years and years of teasing and abuse, but I feel him now between my legs, in my stomach, in my heart. There’s more to Nico than I ever imagined, and I want more of him, so much more.
I want to know him. I want to taste him.
I want him to fuck me and finally take my virginity.
But nobody stops me as I head into my room. I get changed, wash my face, and I’m about to head downstairs when someone knocks on my bedroom door. “Come in,” I call, feeling a thrill, hoping it’s him.
Elise steps inside and smiles at me. I try not to let her see my disappointment.
“Well, there you are. I was hoping you’d join me at the pool this morning.”
“Sorry, I had work.”
She’s wearing pants and a jacket, way too much clothing for Phoenix in the summer. I frown at the big purse she has dangling off one arm.
“Well, sweetie, I just came to say goodbye.”
My eyebrows go up. “You’re leaving?”
“Heading to London for a week then it’s back to Tuscany.” She sighs and flips her hair back. “It’s a hard life, darling, but I’ve got to live it.”
I grin at her. “I have to admit, I’m going to miss you a little bit. Not a lot, but a little.”
“I know you will.” She grins back. “Come here. Give me a hug before we return to hating each other.”
I walk over and do just that. She squeezes me and rubs my back and blinks away something.
Is she crying right now?
In all my days, I never imagined I’d see Elise crying. I genuinely didn’t think she had it in her—or that her tear ducts worked after all her surgeries.
“You’ll be back soon though, right?” I frown at her as she wipes at the corner of her eyes. “I mean, this isn’t goodbye forever. You’ll get bored of Tuscany soon enough. There are only so many handsome, eligible, rich men roaming the Italian countryside.”
“More than you think, darling, but I’m too loyal to your father to take advantage.” She sniffs and smiles. “No, sweetie, don’t worry, I’ll be back. Sorry if I’m getting weird and emotional. I just don’t want to leave you right now, but I feel like I have to.”