“You’re claiming more sex therapy?”
I grin. “Yeah.”
“Girl, you’re nuts.” I hear the resignation in Maggie’s voice. My plan has been accepted.
“Well, I’m not even sure it will happen. It might have just been the heat of the moment. I guess I’ll see when I get back.”
“Okay, well, keep me posted either way.”
I promise I will and end the call. Entering the coffee shop, I order a macchiato for Carlo and a latte for myself.
I’ll take good care of you.
The need those words produce in me give flight to kites of longing, tethered to my heart.
Did he mean it? Carlo’s the type who would take very good care of a woman. Efficient and capable, he takes care of everyone in my family, from my parents to my nonna and all the other elders who adore him just because he came from the Old World.
But is he playing for keeps? Or just playing?
Carlo
When I wake, Summer’s gone. I heard her moving around but was so relaxed, still blissed out from the sex the night before I didn’t want to wake. I didn’t expect her to leave.
I pull on a pair of jeans and look around. Her purse isn’t on the chair where it was the night before. I walk through the apartment. No Summer, no note. Where in the hell did she go? My keys are still on the counter, so she didn’t take off in my car. She might have called her friend Maggie for a ride.
I look at my watch. Nine fifteen. And I made a date with Gio at ten. I can reschedule, but the Gio situation is important.
The door pushes open, and Summer slips in, holding two paper cups from Starbucks. Relief courses through me.
But we’re playing a game here. She agreed to my rules. To my punishment. And she’s already broken a rule.
Lucky me.
I pull a stern expression. “What did I tell you last night about leaving this apartment?”
She makes a face. “I just ran down to Starbucks.” She holds out a cup. “This is for you.”
“Thank you.” I accept the hot drink but set it on the table without tasting it. “What did I say would happen if you broke the rules?”
A lovely blush colors her cheeks. “Come on, Carlo. Don’t be a hard-ass.” Despite the protest, she takes a few steps closer to me. Damn, her obedience turns me on.
I crook a finger. “Come here, principessa.”
“But I brought you a drink,” she wheedles. Cute as fuck.
The corner of my lips kick up, and I reach for her face, stroking her cheek with my thumb. “I appreciate that doll, I really do. But when I make a rule, I expect it to be followed. You’ve earned another punishment.”
Her eyes dilate, telling me her excitement matches my own.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have time to administer it. So your punishment will have to wait until later.”
Relief and disappointment war on her face.
I smile. “I’m going to take a quick shower. I can drop you at your place on the way to my meet-up, so you can get your things, and then we’ll go pick up your car.”
She looks adorable in my too-big t-shirt worn over her tight dress. I can’t help but reach for her, sliding the fabric up and down over the curve of her hips. She arches her breasts up and affects a flirtatious tone. “You’re bossy.”
I stroke along her thigh. “Get used to it, principessa.”
She flushes and licks her lower lip.
In a half-second I’m all over her, yanking her soft form against my body and claiming that lush mouth. Her hands come to my shoulders, and she opens to me, kissing me back, leaning into me.
I break away and bite back a curse. “I’m going to be late if I don’t stop touching you, principessa.” I pick up her coffee and hand it to her. “Wait here. I’ll be out in a minute.”
Ten minutes later, I weave through traffic as Summer steals glances at me from under her long, dark lashes. A thread of tension emanates from her.
“Second thoughts?”
She tucks her hair behind her ear. “About what?”
“Being under my thumb?”
She flushes, a smile curving her lips. “I guess I was just wondering if that’s what we’re still doing.”
I stop at a light and turn to give her my full attention. Or rather, to demand her full attention. “Yeah, that’s what we’re doing. I gotta figure out what to do about your dad, though, if I don’t want to end up six feet under.”
She worries her lower lip with her teeth. “I don’t think we should say anything. About anything. Okay?”
The light changes, and I hit the gas. I should be relieved. This will keep me from getting my balls ripped off and shoved up my ass.
But I hate her suggestion.
Does it mean she doesn’t think this thing will last? Well, why would she, anyway? Just because I proposed an insane scheme designed to keep her as my own doesn’t mean she’s wearing my ring.