Born in Blood Collection Volume 1: Collection of books 1-4

by Cora Reilly

  His lips swallowed my words again and his fingers tightened in warning. “I want you to be silent now unless you want to tell me to stop.” He nibbled my neck. “You do what I tell you, Valentina, or you tell me to stop. There are only these two options.”

  I nodded, and he must have felt it because he couldn’t possibly have seen it in the dark. I was glad Dante didn’t know how turned on I was by his commanding tone.

  “Very good,” he said quietly. “You’re still going to be very tight today; that’s why we’re going to go slow and take our time making you really wet.”

  I couldn’t believe the same restrained and cold Dante I knew by day was saying these things to me. I wanted to ask him why he’d changed his mind. Did one time make such a difference? Maybe he’d accepted that I knew what I wanted. “I want you to undress now.”

  I felt an instant of disappointment that Dante wasn’t going to do it himself, but then excitement drowned it out. He released my hip and I quickly sat up and tugged my nightgown over my head, then slid down my panties. I could feel Dante’s eyes on me. I turned to him, wondering if I was supposed to give him some sort of sign, and that idea almost made me giggle, but then the bed shifted and I could see Dante getting up and starting to undress. Everything was in shadows, but I could make out his impressive hard-on. “Sit on the edge of the bed.”

  I scooted over to his side of the bed and perched on the edge, nervous and curious and excited, and almost bursting with lust. Dante moved closer until he stood in front of me, his erection on eye level with me. I gasped before I could swallow the sound, realizing what he wanted to do. Bibiana’s advice shot through my mind, but I wasn’t sure if Dante wanted me to act on my own accord. He cupped my cheek, his palm warm and slightly rough against my skin. “How far have you gone before me?”

  I hesitated a moment, but I supposed he wanted me to answer, so I said, “I kissed Antonio a few times and he touched my breasts a few times, but that’s all I’ve ever done before you.”

  Silence filled the dark room. My heartbeat accelerated, the thud-thud seemingly louder by the second. I could hear Dante’s rhythmic breathing, no sign that he was sexually aroused—except for the proof straining to attention before my face. “I want you to suck my cock, Valentina.”

  His thumb brushed my lips, then slipped between them, parting them slightly. He waited, and I nudged his thumb with my tongue before sucking on it lightly, hoping he’d take it as the confirmation that it was. He moved even closer until his tip grazed my lips. Dante’s thumb stroked my chin, his palm still cupping my cheek. “Lick around the tip.” I darted my tongue out and trailed it around his head. Dante’s breathing hitched, but that was the only sign that my actions had an effect on him. “Now lick up to the top and dip your tongue into the slit.”

  I followed his orders and was rewarded by the quickening of Dante’s breathing. His thumb on my chin tightened. “Open your mouth.” I parted my lips without hesitation. I was glad for Dante’s orders. That way at least I wasn’t left to fumble around and embarrass myself. He slid the head of his cock into my mouth, so it rested lightly on my tongue. “Close your lips around me and suck lightly.”

  I did as he said and he stroked my chin, then trailed his thumb up until it brushed the spot where his cock disappeared between my lips. “I like my cock in your mouth,” he said in a low voice. “And I love that it’s the only cock you’ve ever sucked.” He slid deeper into my mouth, but still not very far. “Let’s see how much of me you can take.” He eased himself into me inch by inch until he hit the back of my throat and I gagged. I reached out for his erection. There were still a couple of inches of him that I couldn’t fit into my mouth. Dante pulled back slightly, then thrust a few times into me, his palm on my face keeping me steady. “With some practice maybe you can take all of me into your mouth, but for now this is enough.” I quivered with arousal. Could someone come from giving someone else a blow job?

  Dante withdrew his erection from my mouth and stroked my lips with his thumb again. “Lie back.” I let myself fall back on the mattress. Dante knelt down and wedged his hands between my knees, then pushed my legs as far apart as they would go. “Put your heels on the edge of the bed.”

  God, I knew what he was going to do. I’d read so many things about it, but I couldn’t even imagine how it would feel.

  I was glad for the dark. That way I didn’t feel quite so exposed. He eased his palms under my butt and lifted me slightly. I stopped breathing when I felt his warm breath on my wet folds. Dante licked around my outer lips slowly. I bucked my hips, but Dante ignored my silent pleading and kept up his torturous teasing. “Dante,” I said pleadingly.

  He squeezed my ass and pulled back. “No.”

  I pressed my lips together, and then finally he trailed his tongue along my slit in one long stroke. I moaned, not caring if that counted as speaking or not. He alternated between quick and light strokes, and firm but slow licks until I was panting and on the verge of climax. My hands shot out and I buried them in Dante’s hair, wanting to press him tighter against me. Dante resisted. His thumbs trailed up my folds and parted them. With the tip of his tongue he lightly circled my clit until I started shaking, seconds away from tumbling over the edge. He sat back without warning. It took all my self-control to stay silent.

  “Turn around and get on your knees.”

  My eyes grew wide with surprise, but I rolled over and knelt on the bed.

  “Lower yourself to your elbows.”

  I did. Now my butt was raised into the air. The position felt strange, and even more exposed than the one before. Dante nudged my legs apart until I could feel the cold air on my opening from behind, and then his lips were back on my center. I cried out with pleasure as Dante dipped his tongue into me and started fucking me at a leisurely pace. I could feel every move of him in me, the slight roughness of his tongue, the way he curled the tip when he was deep in me. I dropped my face into the sheets to stop more embarrassing noises from escaping my lips, but when Dante slipped a hand around my front and began teasing my clit with his fingers, even the sheets couldn’t stifle my moans and gasps. I jutted my ass out even more, my fingers scratching over the mattress as my orgasm exploded outward from my core, numbing and heightening my senses seemingly at the same time. I sucked in ragged breaths. My skin was damp with perspiration and my heart beat frantically in my chest. I lifted my head to breathe more easily.

  Dante was gone from behind me, but before I could glance over my shoulder to see what he was doing, his fingers grasped my hips and pulled me closer to the edge of the bed. Then his erection pushed against my entrance, and my body seized up with surprise and nerves.

  I’d read that doggy-style allowed men to go deeper than in other positions. I was still slightly sore, and the lack of intimacy this position allowed made it even less desirable for me. I wanted Dante’s chest pressed against mine.

  Dante stilled behind me, not trying to enter me. His hands slid to my backside and massaged it gently. I relaxed slightly but was still tight. I could feel how clamped up my inner muscles were. Dante bent over me and wrapped an arm around my waist before he pulled me up against his chest. I was still kneeling, but now my upper body was upright and Dante held me in his arms. He snuck one hand between my legs and started teasing me again while the other found my breasts and kneaded them lightly. I hung my head back against his shoulder, my breathing slowing. I was still tense but in Dante’s embrace, I could slowly feel my muscles softening. Dante leaned forward with me a bit and guided his tip to my opening. I still clamped up, but not as badly as before. “What’s the problem?” he murmured against my ear. He didn’t sound impatient or frustrated, merely curious.

  Embarrassment twisted my stomach. My seduction skills were obviously lacking, if I couldn’t even do it doggy-style for my husband. “I don’t know,” I admitted quietly. “Can’t you just push in?”

  “Of course I can, but you’re tight anyway and as tense as you are now, it’ll be pain
ful.” His voice was calm, neutral even, no hint to what he was thinking about my suggestion. Dante’s fingers were still between my legs, stroking and pinching lightly.

  “Don’t tell me you have a problem with causing other people pain,” I teased in a breathy whisper as tingles of pleasure spread through my core.

  “I don’t,” he said simply. I could feel the tension building as his fingers worked their magic between my legs. He increased the pressure on my opening, the tip of his cock sliding in, and at the same time I came hard, my muscles squeezing Dante’s cock tightly. Dante leaned forward a bit more, pressing me down, and my arms shot out to support my body on the bed while I was still recovering from my climax.

  Dante bit my neck. “But I don’t want to cause you pain.” He pinched my nipple, then pushed a couple more inches into me, making me quiver from the sensations of slight pain and pleasure. “At least not more than you enjoy.”

  He sheathed himself completely in me, then paused a couple of heartbeats before he started to thrust into me slowly. His movements became gradually faster until I had no choice but to lower myself to my elbows, or my arms would have given in. Dante straightened, robbing me of the warmth of his chest, and grabbed my hips. “Valentina, touch yourself,” he demanded.

  It took me a moment to understand what he meant. I brought an arm under myself and found my clit. I rubbed frantically as Dante’s movements turned more forceful. He pulled out as far as he could go and slammed into me again, making me cry out his name and my fingers press down on my nub even harder. Sometimes my fingertips grazed his cock, slick with my juices, and he moaned every time they did. Encouraged by this, I angled my hand so I could stroke myself and brush his cock at the same time. As my muscles seized up under my release, Dante tumbled over the edge too with a loud groan.

  He stilled behind me as his cock twitched in me a few more times, and I buried my face in the sheets. My forearms ached from propping myself up. The moment Dante pulled out of me, I rolled onto my back, my chest heaving. I could see Dante move away from the bed like he’d done last time, and then the light in the bathroom came on and he disappeared inside. He didn’t close the door though. I scooted off the bed and quickly followed after him. He stood in front of the shower and turned the water on. “Are you taking a shower?” I asked hesitantly.

  Dante glanced over his shoulder at me. I didn’t bother covering my body. He’d seen it all. Dante didn’t seem to be ashamed of his nakedness. “Yes. You can join me if you want.”

  Relieved, I hurried over to him. He held the glass door of the shower open for me and I slipped under the warm spray of the shower. Dante joined me after a moment. I took my time admiring his body. It was the first time I really got a good look at him without clothes on, and he was a sight to behold. His chest and stomach were lightly sculpted, and a fine trail of dark blond hair led down to his pelvis. Dante dipped his head under the water, then turned his back to me to reach for the shower gel. There was a tattoo on his shoulder. I was surprised to find him inked at all. Somehow Dante didn’t seem the type. “There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil. For to thee is this world given,” I read the quote written in cursive on his skin aloud. Dante faced me, an unreadable expression on his face.

  “Isn’t that a bit of a bleak outlook on life?” I asked.

  He handed me the shower gel. A barrier had come up between us again now that we were no longer in bed, and I wasn’t sure how to tear it down. I could see that Dante wouldn’t allow it. “I’m a man of sin, Valentina. My experience has taught me that good seldom wins. If there is a devil, he’s certainly the patron of the Outfit.”

  I leaned against the shower wall, frowning. “Nothing’s holding you back from being a better man.”

  That cold smile was back. “Yes, something is—my nature.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  My mother called me early the next morning to invite me over for brunch. I knew she was eager to interrogate me how my marriage was going. I was actually surprised that it had taken her so long to contact me. Maybe she’d wanted to give Dante and me some alone time to get to know each other. I told her I couldn’t make it to brunch but would be there for teatime. I wasn’t sure how long my visit to the casino would take. I chose a chic beige outfit and modest heels for the occasion. I didn’t want to look too sexy for my first impression. I had a feeling I would have trouble getting everyone’s respect even without flashing my legs.

  When I came down the staircase, Dante was already waiting in the entrance hall. As usual he was dressed impeccably in a dark brown three-piece suit and matching oxfords. His gaze flickered to me, and I hoped he’d approve of my clothes. “Is this okay?” I gestured at my body.

  “You look like a businesswoman. That’s the right choice for today,” Dante said with a nod. I stepped up to him. I didn’t try to take his hand or kiss him, even though I wanted to.

  “Only for today?”

  “When you welcome our high rollers, you can dress more casually. Most of them are traditionalists, so a dress or skirt would be a wise choice.”

  My eyebrows shot up. “I thought you didn’t choose me for the job because of my looks.”

  Dante’s eyes traveled the length of my body. “Valentina, only a blind man wouldn’t notice you. It’s always good to charm up the high rollers as you would entertain guests who were invited to a party in our house. They know who you are. They know you are mine, and you taking your time to welcome them and tell them about our newest amenities will make them feel special. Nobody will mistake your hospitality for inappropriate flirting.”

  I gave him a doubtful look, but I wasn’t going to argue with him. I was too grateful that he’d allow me to work at all. I didn’t have to listen to the rumors to know exactly what people would be saying about me once they found out the wife of the Boss wasn’t satisfied with being a trophy wife.

  * * *

  We took Dante’s Mercedes for our ride to the industrial part of Chicago because a snowstorm made the streets impassable for the Porsche. After thirty minutes, in which Dante explained what kind of gambling was most popular in our casinos and who the most important high rollers were, we pulled up in front of a gate barring the way down into an underground garage. Behind it loomed a massive storehouse with dirt-covered windows and graffiti-sprayed walls. A guard in a small cabin greeted Dante and opened the gate for us. We drove down the slope into a nondescript parking garage. Nothing hinted at the presence of a casino, but of course it made sense that the Outfit had to hide their illegal gambling endeavors. A few other cars were already parked in the garage. Dante steered the Mercedes into the spot between a sleek black BMW and a pretentious red Mustang with snow chains around its massive tires. I had a feeling I knew to whom the latter belonged.

  Dante and I got out of the car. To my surprise, Dante put his hand on the small of my back as he led me toward a rusty elevator at the other end of the garage.

  “Is it safe?” I asked suspiciously. That thing looked as if it was in desperate need of service.

  Dante chuckled. “This is all make-believe.” For a moment, his eyes met mine and unexpected warmth filled me. Dante pushed a small black button and the elevator doors slid open. The inside wasn’t much better than the outside. This was a freight elevator with bare steel walls and a scratched-up floor. Dante took a keycard from his pocket and eased it into a slit I hadn’t even noticed before. It wasn’t anywhere near the obvious buttons of the elevator. Dante noticed my curious look. “We’ve never had a visit from Feds, but if they ever check the storehouse, this will make it more difficult for them to find out what’s below us.”

  The moment Dante had inserted the card, the elevator started moving down. The ride was quick and when the doors finally glided open, I gasped.

  We stepped into a vast underground area with plush red and gold carpets, chandeliers and dozens of massive tables for poker games, blackjack, roulette and whatever else was played down here. Flat-screen TVs on one wall of the
casino showed everything from the Africa Soccer Cup over a darts championship in Scotland, to camel racing in Dubai and skiing tournaments in the Alps. Sofas were arranged around the wall for people who wanted to watch the athletes or teams they’d put a bet on. At the end of the room was a bar that took up almost the entire width of the room, with hundreds of bottles of liquors, wines and champagne.

  Right now the casino was deserted except for two cleaning ladies who vacuumed the carpet. Several doors led to what I assumed were private rooms for VIP guests.

  “In the back are the offices, as well as a welcome area for high rollers,” Dante explained as he led me across the room toward a dark wood door next to the bar.

  “Do I work daily?”

  Dante gave me a strange look. “You can work whenever you want. Nobody will force you to work at all. But you’ll always get notified when a high roller is expected so you can decide if you’re going to be there to welcome them.”

  “Okay. You said there were special events. Is anything set up in the next few weeks? For Valentine’s Day, for example?” The day was still four weeks away, but organizing an event took time.

  Dante stroked my back lightly, surprising me with the gesture. I wasn’t even sure he’d noticed what he’d done, since his face was still distant except for the wry smile directed at me. “Valentine’s Day isn’t really something the men coming here are interested in. Even if they’re married, their wives probably don’t know they’re coming here. As I said, we always have at least a dozen prostitutes in the bar area, and the bedrooms in the back are never empty.”

  “So I’m not just going to manage a casino, I’ll also be a bordello queen.”

  Dante laughed. A real laugh. I slanted him a look to make sure my ears weren’t playing a trick on me, but the smile was already disappearing from his face. “You aren’t their pimp. You can introduce our high rollers to their complimentary girls but apart from that, the prostitution part of the casino is in Raffaele’s hand.”