I set my jaw.
"Is that why you are so pissed at me? You think I slept with him?"
I grit my teeth so hard, pain shoots up the side of my face.
"Nothing happened, Michael." She takes a step forward.
I hold up my hand, " I am not interested in your pathetic excuses."
"I wouldn't do that to you, Michael. You must know that."
I glance away, then back at her.
"It's because, to the outside world, it seems like I slept with him. That's what’s got you so riled up, isn't it?"
I curl my fingers into fists at my sides.
"OMG," she gasps, "that's what it is. I mean, you guys are old-fashioned enough that you think you've lost face because I spent the night in the same house as another man."
Heat flushes the back of my neck. Damn her, for guessing that. She's way more perceptive than I gave her credit for.
"I swear, nothing happened between us, Michael." Her features soften. "As for having embarrassed you? I really am sorry about that." She tips up her chin, "How can I make it up to you?"
"You don’t want to know."
"Try me." She sets her jaw, "I almost lost you, Michael. You have no idea how relieved I am to find that you are still alive. Let me make amends for what I did. I’ll do anything to show you how sorry I am."
"Are you sure?" I fold my arms across my chest and her gaze flits over my biceps. Her lips part, and it’s as if she can’t stop herself from glancing down at my crotch.
"My face is up here," I drawl.
She flushes, jerks her chin up, "Yeah, yeah I know." She juts out her lower lip, "So what do you say? I’ll do anything you want, and in return, you’ll forgive me?"
I laugh. This woman… She has too much gumption. Does she actually think that she can manipulate me like this?
"Anything, huh?" I drum my fingers on my chest. "You sure about that?"
She shakes her head, "No, I am not." She swallows, "But I am not going to back down from your challenge, Michael. I need you to believe in me and if this is the only way to do it, then so be it."
I lower my arms to my sides, walk over to her. She flinches, then releases a breath when I pass her. I circle her, coming back to stop in front of her. "So," I drawl, "you think you have the guts to stand up to me, huh? You think I can’t punish you the way I do my men."
"Oh, I know you can, and that you will. In fact," she draws herself up to her full height, "I am counting on it."
"You can’t take what I have in mind,Bellezza."
"Oh?" She tilts her head, "Try me, Capo."
Sant’Iddio!I bunch my fingers into fists. She only has to call me by my title and my entire body strains to cover hers. To throw her down and bury myself inside of her and— I shake my head. "Shut up," I growl. "From now on, you won’t speak. Not until I give you permission."
"But—"
I raise an eyebrow and color suffuses her features. "Do you wanna play or do you wanna play?"
She opens her mouth and I shake my head.
She raises her hand and gestures.
"Sorry?" I smirk, "Not sure what you are telling me."