by Piper Stone
“Much more harshly than I’m already going to.”
I allowed my laugh to be boisterous as I inched closer. When I was ready to pull the trigger, the savage man reached out, fisting my hair and yanking, the force he used tossing the can out of my hand. When he wrapped his fingers around my throat, squeezing until my breath was instantly cut off, a jolt of fear rushed into me.
The bastard could kill me with a single snap of his wrist. He removed his hand from my hair, brushing the tip of his index finger across my cheek. I shuddered from his touch, sickened that it caused a burst of electricity skipping through every muscle.
“Don’t worry. You’ll soon come to understand and respect my level of authority. You might even learn to crave the way your body yields to mine.”
His voice was deep and low, hypnotic enough that I closed my eyes briefly, fleeting images of surrendering to him rushing into the forefront of my mind. No. No! That would never happen. As his fingers dug into my skin, I feared I would pass out. Then he lessened the pressure, still stroking me like I was a furry kitty.
“You are truly beautiful, Catherine. You will indeed make a lovely bride. Then again, if you choose not to accept my marriage proposal or if you continue fighting me, I will have no other alternative but make good on my promise regarding your father. Either way, you are walking down the aisle and saying your vows. Your father already made an irrevocable deal.”
“You are such a bastard.” A deal. My father had actually sold me off like I meant nothing to him. Tears burned my eyes, but I blinked them away, doing what I could to catch my breath.
“Call me every name you would like. Very little bothers me. Now it’s time for you to understand that there are consequences for childish actions.”
“My boyfriend is going to hunt you down and kill you.”
He laughed, his eyes twinkling all over again. “As you have already figured out, I am a very bad man. I’ve done some despicable things in my life. If it were actually true that you had a boyfriend, I would be forced to end his life and I assure you that the method I used wouldn’t be pleasant for him.”
Until he’d snapped his hand around my throat, I hadn’t realized how strong he was. He was brawny, his muscles well-toned. Everything about him screamed of danger and dominance, traits I had no doubt he used to his benefit.
“I hate you.” The words were childish, stupid for me to say. He responded by lowering his heated gaze to my breasts, sliding the same index finger down the side of my neck to my nipple. I was forced to bite back a moan as he swirled his finger around in several circles. My legs quivered, the scent of my arousal wafting between us. I was sick at the thought, but there was no stopping my body’s betrayal.
As he continued his exploration, sliding his finger under the full curve of my breast, I wasn’t able to stop from panting like a wild animal in heat. The electricity came in wave after wave, pulsing through every vein and muscle. My cheeks were inflamed yet my body was already on fire.
When he moved to my other breast, taking his time, I dug my fingernails into his arms. “Stop. Just stop.”
Exhaling, he slowly lifted his head. “While I would enjoy tasting you right away, I must deal with the situation at hand.”
“Meaning what?”
“Now I’m going to spank you and if you’re a very good girl, I might give you a taste of what you can expect as my wife. Every. Single. Night.”
Chapter 4
Catherine
The bastard acted like he owned me already. He was rugged and dominating as hell and that pissed me off.
He was also more unnerving than any man I’d met.
Gorgeous.
Debonair.
Exciting.
But all three had to take a backseat to the horrible arrangement that had been made without my consent. I couldn’t dare allow myself to become attracted by Matteo. That would only lead to…
Heartache.
While I’d always given off an aura of being tough, even mouthy, I was still a girl who’d remained unsure she was doing the right thing by practicing law. My gut had told me that would have eventually placed a rift in my family.
I guess I didn’t need to worry about that now.
My breath caught as I pushed the thoughts aside.
I felt as if I was standing outside my body watching a terrible B-rated sex movie. My legs refused to cooperate even for a second as he dragged me across the room, planting his muscular ass on my couch. When he started to drag me over his lap, only then did I do my best to get away from him once again.
It would seem all the strength and venom I’d had from before had been yanked out of me. I was tossed like a ragdoll onto his knees, my face immediately smashed into the soft cushion and the breath knocked out of me. If that wasn’t embarrassing enough, when I felt the hard and very long bulge pressing into my stomach, I was mortified. He was just as aroused as I was.
“Let go of me,” I said meekly.
“That’s not going to happen. When you do bad things you deserve to be spanked.” He ripped down my thin shorts, taking my panties along for the ride. My naked bottom was elevated, right there for the horrible man to see. I’d never been spanked in my entire life and I wasn’t about to allow him to take advantage.
I wiggled and struggled, throwing back my arm as I kicked out. He growled, the sound so husky that vibrations danced through me. My God, the man was so strong, easily pinning my arm behind my back then swinging one of his massive legs over both of mine. I was going nowhere.
I was able to tell he was ripping my shorts all the way off. I’d never felt so exposed in my life. When he brought his hand down in rapid succession, one hard smack coming after the other, I almost begged him to stop from the very beginning. But I held my tongue, refusing to allow him to see that his actions bothered me in the least. However, I was already plotting a way to kill him, and I would make good on my threat one day.
With every firm strike of his hand, I was unable to stop the moans from erupting from my throat. Within seconds, the pain shot through me like a rocket flare, pulsing down the backs of my legs. Even the sound as his palm slapped against my naked skin added to the level of humiliation. How did he think he was going to be able to get away with this? My father would certainly put a stop to the deal he made. Wouldn’t he?
I knew the answer somewhere in the back of my mind. While it was difficult to face, I’d known my father was a greedy bastard who’d sell his soul to the devil for more power. I’d just never expected to be caught up in the darkness.
Matteo continued the spanking, one brutal smack coming down after the other. I’d lost count long before, my mind one big blur. I clamped my hand around the cushion, biting my lower lip to keep any additional sound from slipping past my lips.
When he caressed my heated and aching skin, I jerked as hard as I could, almost managing to tumble off his legs. Even if it would have meant slamming into the table, I didn’t care at this point. I had to find a way to get the hell out of his clutches. He jerked me back into position, making a tsking sound.
“While I love a woman with spirit, I’m losing my patience with you. Stay in position or I will start again.”
I opened my mouth to scream but thought better of it. How would I be able to explain his presence? Did I really think that anyone from the police department was going to haul the man in and arrest him? And if my father found out, I could only imagine what he’d do. I was stuck taking my punishment from a man I didn’t know and didn’t want to know like a good little girl.
When I stopped struggling, he eased his leg away, taking his time to brush the tips of several fingers from one side of my bottom to the other. But when he pulled my legs further apart, I tensed, burying my face in the upholstery. How could this be happening to me? I’d never done anything wretched in my life. I’d followed the rules, abiding by every law. And now I was repaid by being fondled by a beast of a man?
He rubbed the insides of my thighs. I could hear the
change in his breathing, the sounds now becoming ragged. When he darted his finger across my pussy lips, I could feel my legs starting to tremble visibly.
“You’re wet for me. I can tell you’re enjoying this,” he whispered.
“No. Not a chance.”
“Don’t lie to yourself, Catherine. I could tell the moment I walked into your apartment that you were already aroused.”
“You’re a narcissist.”
“Deny it if you must to make yourself feel better, but I know a woman’s body. I can tell by those gorgeous lavender eyes of yours that you have a hunger deep inside of you that has never been satisfied. It’s written all over your face how much you’ve needed a strong man in your life. And your body has already betrayed you.”
“Stop. Just stop.”
“I can’t do that, Catherine. You already know the reason why. The minute your father agreed to the penance I offered, you belonged to me. I will do anything and everything I want when I want.”
Everything about the man was brutal, but his words were said with the kind of passion I’d always longed to hear. I repeated my mantra of ‘no’ over and over again in my mind in the hopes that I could block him out. When he slipped a single finger past my swollen folds, thrusting in hard jabs, I was tossed into an insane moment of bliss.
Then he resumed the spanking, taking his time to move from one side to the other, covering every inch of my bottom. The heat continued to build, my eyes unable to focus and even when I closed them, I was riddled with images of his handsome face. I had no way of knowing how long it continued, but instead of feeling the agony that I should be experiencing, I was floating on air. I didn’t understand any of this, nor did I want to continue surrendering, but my body fought my urge to continue fighting him.
I was so ashamed, my heart hammering against my chest with enough force a lump had formed in my throat. Everything about this was unbelievable. It had to be some kind of catastrophic mistake. Or maybe a dream. Hopefully I would wake up soon, never being forced to see the bastard again.
The second he rolled his finger down the crack of my ass, I slammed my fisted hands against the couch. “Please just leave.”
“I’m not ready to leave just yet, la mia principessa.”
Princess. I’d know that word in any language. Another lurch of revulsion settled into my system. I found it difficult to swallow. As he eased me off his lap, forcing me to stand in front of him, I could feel my body swaying.
Matteo gripped my arms, holding me in place as he swept his gaze from my face all the way down. I was being inspected like goods in a store or a car on display. He was making certain he liked what he was seeing. I expected him to rip off my shirt, forcing me to perform some other humiliating act.
But he seemed to soften his rogue mannerisms, sliding his hand under the thin material. The touch of his fingers against my stomach was powerful, tingling every portion of my body. I was shocked at how amazing the gentle touch felt, but I reminded myself that it had been a very long time since anyone had touched me in an intimate manner.
When he lifted the edge, pressing his lips against my skin, I closed my eyes, placing my free hand on his head. He rubbed his lips from one side to the other, dragging the tip of his tongue around my bellybutton. I tangled my fingers in his hair, stunned at my actions. Everything about this was surreal, illogical.
Sinful and filthy.
He slowly stood in front of me, our bodies crowded together by the proximity of the coffee table. The look in his eyes was practically inhuman. As he reached his hand in my direction, I flinched. Then he cocked his head, waiting until I gave him a nod. He brushed his knuckles across my cheek, rubbing far too gently for what I’d just been through.
“So beautiful,” he said with a husky growl. He eased his hand behind my head, tugging out the ponytail holder. Then using both hands, he fluffed my hair. “But much prettier with your hair framing your face.” He took the time to slide his fingers through several strands of my hair, only adding to the heated sensations flowing through me.
When he removed his jacket, tossing it over the back of the couch, another whimper gave me away.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to ravage you.”
“I don’t want sex,” I insisted, trying everything to keep some level of control in my voice.
I was failing rapidly.
His upper lip curled. “This isn’t about just sex, Catherine. Sex is nothing more than a man getting pleasure then refusing to provide his partner with anything they need. Fucking is primal and almost desperate, so heated that every cell in your body explodes from shared passion. Fucking disregards time or space, the desire to satisfy the other taking over every thought. And fucking is wet and messy, two bodies becoming one. So what I’m going to do to you has nothing to do with sex. I’m going to fuck you like you’ve never been fucked before.”
The words continued to reek of passion as well as utter domination. I was stuck in some time warp, finding it difficult to move my feet. Finally, I was able to inch away, folding my hands in front of my pussy as another round of heat swept across my cheeks.
“Don’t be embarrassed around me, Catherine. I’m going to learn every inch of your body, discovering everything that gives you the most pleasure.” He slowly unbuttoned his shirt, his eyes piercing mine.
Claws were gripping my throat, another set gnawing at my insides. I couldn’t do this. Not with him. Not ever. I continued to back away, darting glances from left to right. I could tell my discomfort amused him. While that fueled another round of anger, it was obvious there was little I could do other than stare at him as he tugged his shirt out of his trousers, removing it in such a way to suggest he had all the time in the world. As soon as he tossed the thin material, I bit back a cry.
He was even more magnificent without a portion of his clothing. With broad shoulders and a carved chest, a thin waist and muscular arms, he appeared as a gorgeous godlike creature and not the horrible gangster I knew him to be. My nipples immediately hardened once again, scraping against the stupid tee shirt until I was forced to bite back a cry.
I took another step away then another, struggling to find something to defend myself with. When I noticed the statue that my mother had presented as my last birthday gift, I figured the ugly piece could finally be used for something. While a part of me knew what I was doing was nuts, I grabbed it anyway, holding the thick piece of stone in both hands then lunging toward him.
All I did was amuse and irritate him. Within seconds, he was able to yank the statue out of my hand, carefully placing it on the coffee table as he held both my wrists together. How the hell had he managed to do that?
“That wasn’t very nice of you, Catherine. I thought we had an understanding.”
“You’re nuts.” The two words were all I could manage. “And don’t you dare use my name. You have no right.”
“As I told you before, I take what I want.”
He chuckled, his hot breath cascading across my chin and neck. Saying nothing else, he merely tossed me over his shoulder then turned and left the room. Oh, my God. He was heading for my bedroom.
I couldn’t react at first and even when I did, punching him in the back, it didn’t faze him in the least. He stormed into my room as if he owned the place, taking his time to turn on a single light before dumping me onto the bed.
“Asshole!” I yelled.
I refused to give into him, scrambling to jump off. Once again, he was far too quick for me, wrestling with him as I moaned like a stupid child.
He straddled me with ease, yanking my arms over my head and slamming my hands into the pillow.
“Don’t fight me, princess,” he said oh-so softly. Who the hell did the motherfucker think he was?
“I will never stop fighting you.”
“You know you want this. I could see by the look in your eyes the moment I walked into the room how excited you were.”
I opened my mouth to object, b
ut what the hell was I supposed to say? I’d never been very good at hiding my thoughts or emotions, my facial expressions always getting me into trouble. Even as I continued to struggle, his expression remained carnal, his hunger increasing.
He deftly unfastened his belt and I watched in horror at his actions. Was he going to discipline me again? Over my dead body. I was stunned, blinking several times as he pulled the thick leather from his belt loops. By the time he was finished, I was whimpering like the bad little girl he’d accused me of being.
“Don’t. I’ll be good. I promise.” Where the hell had that come from?
“Yes, I have no doubt you’ll learn to be good and don’t worry, sweet bride of mine, I’ll use my belt across your bottom more than once, but not tonight.” When he leaned forward, wrapping the strap around my wrists then managing to secure it to the posts on my bed, I couldn’t react in any way. Did he really think the damn contraption was going to hold me?
I found out very quickly that it could and did. Oh, no. I was secured to my bed, a stranger who really believed I was going to marry him ready to… fuck me. I could barely consider the thought.
When he was satisfied, he eased off the bed and finished undressing. He was obviously in no hurry, folding his clothes carefully and placing them on the dresser. I watched in horror as he picked up my bra, fingering the material.
“No wife of mine will ever wear something inferior. You will have the finest silks and lace.” Matteo issued the statement in such a matter-of-fact manner. Did he really think that was going to entice me to agree to the arrangement? Not a chance.
When he turned around, I was unable to stop a moan from giving away my continued arousal. Every part of him was stunning, carved in all the right places. And his cock was a thing of beauty, so long and hard that I was terrified it wouldn’t fit. I forced myself to close my eyes, repulsed by my own thoughts.
“Look at me, Catherine.”
His voice was even raspier than before, the commanding tone curdling my blood. I did as he demanded, unable to stop trembling. He advanced like a predator, his nostrils flaring when he took a deep breath, holding it in for several seconds.
