I remembered how my childish heart had squeezed with jealousy and longing.
Then, I’d shoved that memory aside. It didn’t matter how nice the Capestrana patriarch had been to me that day. One pleasant memory didn’t outweigh all the hell they’d wrought upon my life. Salvatore’s old smile didn’t change the newly carved headstone with my father’s name on it or get my brother out of jail.
Besides, everything my father had ever done was to help me get ahead in life. That’s what counted. Not laughter, hugs, and games in a church parking lot.
Drumming my fingers on the counter, I tried not to look at my phone, even though a full minute had gone by since I’d sent that text. Aimlessly, I began to dance around the tiny kitchen of my studio apartment, mulling over my plans.
If I was going to follow Daddy’s advice, I couldn’t keep Colt at arm’s length any longer. The best bet for success was letting him in close. Maybe closer than I’d ever let in anyone.
So be it. I had to avenge the Ruffino name.
Nervously, I spun in a circle, and twisted my fingers into my curls.
But how far would I have to go? And what if I couldn’t find my way back?
In spite of myself, I remembered holding on to Colt’s forearm, his upper body stretching as he sat on the bar, and then his eyes, staring into mine, as he smirked about Wonderland.
“Wanna go right now?”
My phone buzzed and I jumped. Snatching it up, I saw his laconic reply.
Nope, what’s up?
I bit my lip. Oh, Colt was making me work for it, huh?
On impulse, I texted him back that I was thinking about getting a fabulous, super sexy costume for opening night, and whether the club could front the cash for the clothes. Then taking a deep breath, my fingers flying, I tapped out:
Maybe you’d like to tag along and offer your advice, boss man?
His reply came almost immediately, agreeing to everything, and then an address came through.
Meet me there in an hour, followed by a rabbit emoji.
I laughed, my veins fizzing with triumph and anticipation, and I rushed off to get ready.
An hour later, I was standing in front of some ritzy sex store, tapping my heels, and freezing my ass off. The few people on the street kept giving me curious looks, and I made a face. I was wearing knee-high black boots and a short sweater dress, going for sexy Parisian, not hooker chic, but I’d apparently overshot.
Prudes.
Glancing at my phone, I realized I was ten minutes early, and took the time to text my cousin, Lisa, again. Besides my grandfather, one uncle and a cousin, none of the extended family had been in touch with me since my dad’s murder, nor had they bothered to come to the funeral. That didn’t really bother me, but Lisa’s distance hurt. We’d been best friends as kids and then pen pals for years.
“Aw, Rabbit. You didn’t have to get dressed up for me,” a low voice murmured in my ear.
Spooked, I shoved my phone away, and whirled, hoping Colt hadn’t read Lisa Ruffino over my shoulder. Goddamn him sneaking up on me. And goddamn him looking so sexy in an Armani leather jacket with a popped collar and dark jeans.
“Aren’t you freezing?” His warm eyes twinkled at me, then he tilted his head, the amusement becoming concern. “Hey, you okay? You look a little pale.”
Forcing a grin, I looped my arm into his. “Now I am! Thanks so much for doing this. You ready to spend some cash?”
“Why do you think I picked this place?” Colt led me inside and shot me a devilish smile. “Get whatever you want. All on me. Just so long as I get to see it. For, you know, business purposes. You represent the club, after all, and we want to put our best foot forward.”
Squeezing his arm, trying to ignore the rock hard biceps through the leather, I responded, “Deal.”
As we walked further in, I could understand why the online reviews had salivated over this store. Most of them said it was the perfect place to get in the mood or spice things up in the bedroom. Wall to wall naughty, with everything from toys to role-playing costumes to condoms, the racy, red décor gave the impression of wandering into some forbidden, secret lair.
“Wow, Big Tony is packing some serious heat,” he said with a grin as we passed a twelve-inch dildo.
Come to find out, Big Tony was really only medium in the scheme of things. When we got to the The Punisher, my eyes nearly popped out of my head.
“How would that even work?” I asked, cocking my head to the side.
Colt just let out a low, long whistle and shook his head in awe. “And where would a person even store it? That’s not fitting in a chick’s bedside table. That needs its own guest room or something.”
We continued making jokes as we wound our way through the place. Inside, though, I kept thinking, we’ll see who has the last laugh, Mr. Comedian.
But as we got deeper into the store, the toys became more sensual. Our banter became a little more strained, especially as we walked down an aisle full of riding crops and restraints.
Out of the blue, an image of Colt standing over me with a feathery whip, me tied to his bed, flashed into my mind. I swallowed hard.
What was this guy doing to me?
A little stunned, I tried to walk faster, but Colt was slowing down. When I glanced at him, he looked preoccupied, which was almost funny with all this erotica around us, but he actually looked so sexy, I almost bolted then and there. Heat was creeping up from deep in my gut and I didn’t like it one bit.
“Hey, Bella.”
Colt stopped, and looked down at me, his eyes hooded and his gaze hot. Reaching out with his free hand, a little tentatively, he brushed a curl from my face. “Where’s the fire?”
My skin went hot, and I fiddled with my long sleeves, wishing I’d worn a different dress.
His face still tense, Colt gestured over to a rack of riding crops. “Don’t you want to check out the selection? After all, you’ll be seeing them often if you ever venture into other rooms of the club.” His grin was slow and sensual, and hit me right in the lady parts.
“I’m, uh…” I swallowed hard and tried to keep the full-body flush from creeping up to my cheeks. “I’m not into that kinda stuff,” I finally managed, my head spinning with images of me and Colt.
“My mistake.” Colt stretched, and began walking again, now grinning, like I’d amused him somehow.
For some reason, that irked me, and the words came out before I could stop them. “What are you smirking about? It’s true. I tried it before and I didn’t like it.” It was a lie, but whatever. It wasn’t the biggest one I’d told him.
He turned back to meet my gaze and the heat inside me cranked to a full-fledged inferno as the smile slid from his face.
He closed the distance between us, stopping just inches from me. “I’m the boss, right?”
I nodded, my stomach flopping restlessly as his scent washed over me. “Yeah,” I squeaked out.
“One of the new rules of you working for me? Don’t ever tell me about you and another man.”
His voice was all grit and I shuddered. I should’ve hated it. The male chauvinist trying to control me and my life. Instead, my legs turned to mush as I imagined him using that same voice on me in bed.
He held my gaze for a long moment and then turned away before stopping and turning back.
“And, for the record? You might’ve tried it before, but you never tried it with me. You’d be surprised by what I could make you like, little Rabbit.”
I stood, frozen in place until he walked back over and took my hand. “Come on, let’s get this over with.”
Colt pretended to be resigned as he led me over to the sexy lingerie and costume area. But then his eyes lit up as he looked around and his smile grew downright diabolical.
He rubbed his hands together and nodded.
“This is going to be fun.”
Colt
Jesus Christ.
Axe had given me a raft of shit about wanting to sleep wit
h Bella. He’d been a real dick about taking Toro for his walk so I could change when he found out where I was going. If Brenna hadn’t been there, I had a feeling he would have outright refused. My only hope had been that this new “legit” Axe wouldn’t rat me out to Pop.
Since then, though, after spending more time with Bella, I’d just about convinced myself he was right after all. Especially after I’d gone all alpha asshole on her when she said she’d been spanked with a riding crop before.
What had gotten into me? She wasn’t mine. I didn’t have the right to be jealous at the thought of another man’s hands on her.
But damn it, I was. In fact, part of the blood still pumping through me was straight up fury. All I could think about was bending her over and sliding in so deep, she’d forget her own name, never-mind his, whoever the lucky fucker was.
All that had made me realize a quick tumble was a seriously bad idea. Nothing could come from it but trouble, just like Axe said.
Then she sashayed out in a she-devil costume, complete with horns and my cock leapt to attention and disagreed.
Traitorous bastard.
“Nice,” I commented, “but I’m not sure it’s opening night material.”
When Bella had texted me her big idea earlier, I hadn’t had the heart to tell her that Julie’d already picked out costumes. Besides, it was too good an opportunity to pass up. And Bella could always wear anything we got another time.
Or maybe give me a private show.
Now, however, this dressing room area was all but turning into one. I didn’t know if it was the cold weather, or just dumb luck, but the whole store was practically empty. Honestly, part of me thought today was setting up to be your basic tag-along shopping with a chick. At least I’d be with Bella, I’d thought, and I could maybe learn a little bit about her.
But now, I was basically trying not to lose my shit in a public place, as my pants grew tighter and tighter with each costume change.
Next, she’d decked herself out as a belly dancer, which had thrown me for a loop, as I’d desperately tried not to think about my dream from last night. Things only got worse when she donned bad cop, and then French maid.
Maybe she was getting back at me for teasing her, but she made it so goddamned fun. I was paying for it now and I had the feeling she knew it.
With a flirty smile, she vanished back behind the curtain, and I tapped my foot, filled with both dread and impatience. Finally, Bella appeared again, this time as a naughty librarian. Slapping the ruler against her palm, she looked at me sternly.
“There’s a fine to pay for late books, you know.”
She tried to say it seriously, even as a smile spread across her face.
Hooking my hands behind my head, I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. But that slap of wood on skin had nearly made me jump out of the chair.
How I would love to use it on her and see that pink imprint on her perfect ass.
“I’ll keep that in mind. But nah, not quite. Needs to be fancier.”
“Oh, I know. These ones were just for fun,” Bella said smugly.
Which meant what? She was about to get serious?
My cock swelled again and throbbed, reminding me that the situation was already pretty serious.
I swore to myself as the curtain swooshed closed behind her and shifted in the chair. How much more was I expected to take?
“Ready?” Bella suddenly trilled from behind the curtain.
Above us on the sound system, which had not been helping matters with its fuck-me-hard-and-fast playlist, suddenly came on a remix of Killing Me Softly.
Fate and her sick sense of humor.
Well played, ma’am.
Gritting my teeth, I silently prayed this was the last one, and commanded, “Yep. Don’t go shy on me now. Get out here.”
She didn’t respond, but I heard the sound of a zipper being slowly pulled up. Bella was probably taking forever on purpose, and I sighed and massaged my aching temples.
Maybe this hadn’t been my best idea.
As the red curtain rustled, I tensed, holding my breath. But then it went quiet again. What, was she in there staring at herself?
Fuck’s sake, woman.
And even though it was the last thing I should have been thinking of, my mind flashed back to my dream, and Bella lying on the bed, with her hair in a halo around her. Then I recalled the lap dance from the night before, which seemed like ages ago now, since I already wanted another one. I grimaced, unable to think of anything that might calm this raging hard-on.
“Hey,” came a soft, uncertain voice. “How ‘bout this?”
Looking up, my jaw dropped, wondering if my zipper would finally give up the good fight and pop.
She was wearing some kind of an old-fashioned, low-cut, black bustier, dusted with glitter and ending in a red tutu. Fishnets hugged her perfect legs and a bow-tie choker circled her graceful neck.
But the piece de resistance was a pair of lace-embroidered bunny ears.
Her green eyes gleamed, but her cheeks were flushed, and she had her arms clamped around her middle.
“Holy shit,” I finally managed to get out, as my arms fell loosely by my sides. I wondered how long I’d been staring at her. “You’re like vaudeville playboy bunny.”
Bella’s cheeks went even pinker. “Yeah, I thought this might work.” She sounded a little breathless, meeting my eyes, and quickly looked away, twisting her fingers into her hair. “It’s kind of expensive, though.”
“No, we gotta buy that.” My heart was drumming in my chest and I clenched my fists so as not to reach out and touch her.
“We do?” Bella asked.
“Yes,” I said bluntly, leaning forward, still gob-smacked. For the first time in my life, I was at a loss for a witty comment, and I didn’t care.
A long tense moment followed. For a second, I thought Bella was going to walk towards me, and give me another one of her award-winning lap dances. Then she jerked her head in a nod and vanished back behind the curtain.
I had to repress a groan.
“Merde!” Bella suddenly swore in French. “Oh no. Ow, shit…”
In a second, I was in front of the curtain, and asked, “Hey, what happened? What’s wrong?”
“Oh, ha, it’s nothing, haha… Ow!” Bella went quiet and sighed. “Um, actually, could you come in here and help me? My hair got caught in the zipper…”
Clearing my throat, I hesitated. On the other side of this curtain was a tiny room and bunny-eared Bella. So far, I’d managed to be the gentleman Grandma Ange had raised, but this was too much. We’d be too close.
“Colt?” she asked, her voice high and shrill.
I could tell she was starting to panic and I sucked in a harsh breath. “Yeah, right here.” I slipped in and was met immediately with a pair of big luminous, anxious eyes. Bella immediately turned and I suddenly noticed she had a little white bunny tail.
“Didn’t notice the tail, before, Rabbit,” I said in a low voice, my boner getting even stiffer at the sight.
“Never mind that, can you get it out?” Bella asked, her voice getting higher.
Reaching out, I gently untangled her hair while trying not to drown in her scent. Some part of me wanted to luxuriate in this moment, take my time, but instead I hastily freed her. Another second in here and I was going to lose it.
“All set,” I finally said.
Shaking her hair out, Bella reached back, and tugged the zipper down. “Hey, thanks,” she said, turning, “I appreciate—”
But she didn’t finish. At that moment, the bustier suddenly split down the middle in front, and I had the dazed realization she must have gotten it a size too small. Her breasts popped out, her face making a comical “O” in shock, and her cheeks flamed.
“Bordel de merde,” she murmured.
I should’ve turned away. She should’ve covered up. Instead, the two of us stood there. Her pupils dilated and she swayed toward me.
“St
op looking at me like that,” she whispered. But even as she said it, her fingers curled into my shirt.
Her full breasts were perfect. More perfect than even in my dreams, the pink nipples hard already, and just asking to be taken without mercy. I took a step forward, closing what little space had been between us.
Then I met her gaze, and all I could hear was the whoosh of my blood roaring in my ears. But neither of us moved, even as our breathing grew shallow in sync, her soft parts plastered to my hard ones.
For a long moment, we just stared at each other, the tension screaming to a fevered pitch.
Finally, a snarl tore from my throat, and I shoved Bella against the mirror, capturing her mouth with mine.
Nothing but trouble…
Chapter Five
Bella
I never thought there existed a better feeling than when I was up on stage, letting the music move through me, and getting lost in a world of sound.
I was wrong.
Sure, I’d had boyfriends and lovers over the years. Most had been decent enough.
But I’d never had a kiss that made me feel like I was on a whole other plane of existence. I’d also never known a man like Colt before. As my rationality vanished, I had the strangest sensation, like my body was becoming molten gold under his touch.
When Colt had pushed me up against the wall, I was almost afraid it might give out under his strength. He’d locked one big hand onto my shoulder, brushing his fingers up my neck, while circling his thumb at the base of my throat. His other hand had begun to knead one of my breasts, and the bulge in his pants rubbed roughly against my stomach.
Colt wasn’t all domination and raw masculinity, though. He was deft with his touch, skilled with his mouth, and in moments, I’d heard noises escaping my throat I knew I’d never made before.
And I was helplessly adrift in his intensity, unable to do anything but respond.
Now, the kiss was deepening more, and my hands were pushing into his jacket, fingers dragging across his hard abs, and around to his broad back. The more he kissed me, the more I forgot who he was, who I was, and where we were.
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