“So no contact with anyone? No one knows you’re alive?”
“My great aunt and uncle know. They’re the ones who connected me with your dad. I’m still in the business with my uncle–importing grappa.”
“Do you ever…want revenge?” I know I shouldn’t ask incriminating questions, but this is Carlo’s very heart and soul. His own brother tried to kill him.
I can’t imagine how that would affect a person.
He hesitates. His lips thin.
“No.” It comes out like an exhale. “I never have.” He shrugs. “I’m ruthless as hell when it comes to business decisions, but…” he trails off and shakes his head.
I see an ocean of pain in his expression.
My vision blurs, and I reach for his hand across the table.
“It’s different when you love someone. Mario saved my life a dozen times. He could be a cocksucker, but he’s still my brother. You know?”
I don’t have any siblings, but I can imagine. “Is he your only brother?”
Carlo shakes his head. “No. I’m the youngest of five.”
“Is there any possibility you could reconcile? If he knew you didn’t want him dead and don’t want to usurp him?”
Carlo drains his espresso cup. “I don’t know. Not sure I’d even want that.”
“Because you haven’t forgiven him?”
Carlo gives a slow nod. “Right.” A glimmer of a sad smile plays around his lips. “I don’t want to kill him, but I haven’t forgiven him. A purgatory of sorts.”
“Here’s the thing about forgiveness. Withholding it only costs you. It makes no difference to the person you’re mad at.” I know this because I’ve been working on forgiving John. I know hanging onto the grudge only harms me.
I’m not there yet, but I know it’s true.
“But you’re ready when you’re ready,” I say, realizing the same will be true for me.
Carlo considers me. “I’ll think about it. Thank you.” He holds my gaze with his steady green one. “You’re a treasure.”
Carlo
“Over my lap, principessa.”
That night, I get Summer naked for her punishment. I’m fully clothed, the way I like it for a power exchange scene.
I felt lighter after our discussion over brunch. I don’t talk about Mario with anyone, so having Summer share the burden and my secret changed things for me. I let her in.
She’s the first person I’ve really let in since I came to this country. The only one I’ve revealed this vulnerability to.
It’s easy when she offers up her vulnerability to me every minute of the day.
I need to figure out how to talk to Al about this. Summer is fully mine–she’s given herself to me, and I’m not letting her go.
She folds herself over my lap now. I haven’t touched her there yet, but her pussy already glistens with dew simply from the act of baring herself for me.
I stroke the curves of her muscular ass, down her long, shapely thighs. Fucking gorgeous. Drawing my hand back, I land a smack on the lower portion of her right cheek.
She holds still for me.
Such a perfect submissive. I love how soft and sweet she goes for me. The way she gives me moony looks from under those lashes.
I smack the other cheek, then rub the sting away. Warming her up slowly, I slap and stroke until her ass turns an enchanting shade of blush. Only then do I increase the intensity, spanking her harder and picking up the tempo.
She clenches her ass muscles and makes little gasping noises that make my already stiffened cock go rock hard. The gasps turn into grunts and little cries. I’m not giving her time to assimilate the pain, so it quickly overwhelms her senses. Sure enough, her hand comes flailing back, trying to cover. I catch her wrist and pin it behind her back.
Summer looks over her shoulder. “Carlo, I’m sorry!”
“I know. But you were a naughty girl, tesoro mio, and now your ass must pay the price.”
She wriggles as if trying to dodge my hand. “Please!”
I have no intention of stopping because the wriggling and the begging is just part of the game. I could spank her to tears, and she’d still be dripping wet for me. Summer’s wired as a true submissive, her masochism a complement or maybe a result of her dance career.
She’s a perfect complement to me. Satisfaction surges with each crack of flesh against flesh, the sting of my palm and the bounce of her cheeks fueling my lust.
I stop and caress her heated skin. Smooth the hair away from her face.
She looks back at me, a question on her face.
Leaning over, I kiss her temple and some of the tension leaves her body. She could probably take any amount of pain with enough positive encouragement.
“Reach back and pull open your naughty cheeks.” My voice sounds deep and rough.
“What?”
I lightly slap the back of her legs, right and left. “You heard me, beautiful. Therefore, the only correct answer is yes, sir.” I pop her twice more when she still doesn’t move.