by Marian Tee
He studied her appearance with satisfaction. She had the look of a well-pleasured woman, which was exactly what he wanted.
“Now…” He went down on one knee, knowing Misty would love the romantic aspect of his action even though he personally felt it was overkill. Weddings were special events in a woman’s life, however, and Domenico didn’t want to shortchange Misty on anything as much as he could help it. He already felt a tiny amount of guilt for taking away her chance of falling in love. If proposing on bended knee could go even a small way to making her memories of marriage rosier, he was willing to do it.
Domenico glanced up and was startled to see the look of panic in Misty’s face. “Misty?”
She blushed.
That was enough to tell him what she was thinking. Domenico almost smiled. She was the most adorably naïve woman he had ever met. “Ah, Misty. Although I truly feel it would be lovely to have us reach third base now, that’s not why I’m on my knee.”
“I-I-I didn’t think anything like that!”
Ignoring the obvious lie, he took the box from his pocket, snapped it open, and lifted it to her so she could see the gold band with a glittering cluster of diamonds shaped into a fang. It was an ancestral piece, symbolizing the passion of the Morettis and the fierceness with which they fought for what was rightfully theirs.
She gasped then blushed harder.
It was more difficult not to smile now, but Domenico managed to keep his amusement at bay. Taking out the ring and sliding the box back into his pocket, he said, “Misty, will you do me the honor of being my wife and standing beside me for the rest of our lives?”
For a moment, they could only stare at each other. Domenico saw the thousands of questions and doubts clouding her gaze before she deliberately blinked them away, taking a deep breath as she did.
“Yes.”
It was only when Misty whispered her answer that Domenico realized he had been holding his breath the entire time. Unable to smile because he was suddenly uncomfortable with the immense relief sweeping through him, he came to his feet in one graceful movement. Domenico slid the ring onto her hand and raised it to his lips.
“Mine,” he couldn’t help but say.
She nodded shyly. “Yours.”
Domenico snatched her back into his arms after that, loving how she yielded to him so sweetly. His kiss was not as gentle as he had wanted it to be. It was rough and wild, but she seemed to like it, molding herself closer to him as she put her arms around his neck.
Not long after, it was up to Domenico again to pull away first. Keeping her to his side with an arm around her waist, his hand splayed on her hip in a possessive clasp, he guided her out of the restroom and into the scene he had so carefully orchestrated.
Misty gasped when she saw the crowd awaiting them outside, staring at them with open-mouthed shock. When the murmurs became louder and more chaotic, Domenico knew it was because of their appearance, which spoke volumes of what had transpired earlier. He had deliberately walked out with his shirt still unbuttoned, necktie loose, and Misty’s mark on his neck on blatant display.
Quietly, Domenico took his time tucking several strands of Misty’s hair behind her ear, nuzzling her neck as he did so. When he pulled away, a collective gasp went through the gasp as he revealed his mark on Misty’s neck. Domenico bit her ear, making Misty yelp. He could feel her skin heating up in embarrassment and he nuzzled her neck even more, but only to hide his smile. He couldn’t remember the last time he had wanted to smile this often, at least not since--
Domenico straightened right away, deliberately changing his mental track. “You okay, darling?”
She smiled weakly.
He squeezed her waist reassuringly as he guided her forward. Domenico knew the exact moment when she realized everyone could see that little love mark he had branded her with and the even larger mark she had made on his neck. She made a little squeak, her fingers clutching his shirt. He knew she was doing her very best not to cover her neck as if she had been bitten by a vampire.
“Relax,” he whispered to Misty’s ear. “This is what you wanted, right? Proof of my sexual infatuation for everyone to see?”
“Let’s just say this has taught me to keep my big mouth shut,” she mumbled.
He laughed before finally facing the crowd with another deliberately disarming smile. “Ladies and gentlemen, I won’t beat around the bush. It’s hard to when everyone’s aware of…” He coughed delicately and everyone laughed. He wanted to laugh, too, because he could feel Misty melting in a pool of embarrassment beside him.
He took pity on her and retained his politely charming façade. “I present to you my fiancée and wife in one month’s time. The future Mrs. Domenico Moretti.”
Everyone broke into applause.
Oh, but he wasn’t done yet. This was his future wife and he wanted to make it clear to everyone that a woman of his should be respected in all ways.
He turned to Janice, whose look of hatred quickly melted into a sugary sweet smile upon seeing him walk towards her with Misty at his side.
Pretending he couldn’t feel Misty tugging at his shirt insistently, demanding his attention, he said softly, “I see you failed to give me the privacy I asked for.”
Janice paled.
When she opened her mouth to speak, he said easily, “I’m sure you did your best. After all, I’ve heard lots of things about you from Misty.”
Janice’s mouth snapped shut, tightening in an uncertain but furious line.
Misty’s eyes darted suspiciously toward him even as she gushed, “Oh, yes, I told him so much about you.”
Domenico turned to Misty, licking her ear just so she would squirm. She gasped and tried to move away, but he pulled her hard against his side, biting the lobe of her ear yet again just so she would gasp once more. When he finally let her go to face Janice, her face was stony, her eyes coldly furious.
Good. She was lucky he was not firing her. He would have, but she had not yet served her actual purpose.
“I know you will miss Misty once she’s gone from your department,” he murmured.
“Of course,” Janice said between clenched teeth and a smile that was anything but convincing.
“You need not worry about your department losing a valuable asset like Misty,” he continued. “I’ve made sure that she has a more than adequate replacement.” He smiled again, not bothering to hide his contempt.
Janice fell back a step, eyes widening in fear and hands clutching her throat as if it needed protecting.
Smart of her, Domenico thought.
His voice hard, he said, “Misty’s position will soon be taken over by Alice Grant.” Not waiting for the woman to react, he went on, “You may also know her as Mrs. William Grant. I’ve made sure she knows that you look up to her husband – so much that you would probably kneel before him if he asked.”
Behind him, Domenico heard some women gasping, and he knew they were the first women Janice spoke to about the affair she had made up between Misty and William.
“I hope we understand each other now, Ms. Rudely.”
Janice had a blanched expression on her face as she said tightly, “Perfectly, Mr. Moretti.” Nodding to Misty without looking at her, Janice added, “My sincerest congratulations on your engagement, Misty.”
Domenico spun Misty away before she could answer, walking them swiftly to the elevator.
“I wanted to say thank you,” she whispered to him.
“I know. And I didn’t want you to.”
She frowned up at him. “Why not?”
“You have to choose to whom you can show your softer side,” he answered honestly as he pressed the Close button of the elevator. His lips twitched when Misty sagged against the wall as the doors closed in front of them.
When he looked at her under his lashes, she blushed.
He laughed. “Why are you blushing? You asked for this, didn’t you?”
“I know, but…”
He m
ade a protesting motion with his finger. “No turning back now, Misty. A deal is a deal.”
“I feel like I’m making a deal with the devil,” she said, her voice getting smaller and smaller with each step he took toward her.
“A werewolf,” he murmured as he braced one hand on the wall she was leaning against. “You’re making a deal with a werewolf.”
Domenico traced her lips, loving how she trembled at his touch. “Be ready.”
Her eyes widened.
There was something about Misty that brought out the Lyccan in him, he mused. Whenever she looked at him like she was doing so now, and it was often, Domenico had a strong urge to eat her. His cock throbbed at the scent of her desire, even though she was doing her best to hide it.
“Misty,” he whispered.
“Yes?” she croaked out.
“I’ll always make good on my word. That’s a promise…” His hand suddenly snaked between her thighs, making her gasp in surprise and undeniable pleasure.
Lowering his tone, Domenico finished, “…and a warning.” His fingers found her sweet spot unerringly, and he flicked her clit. She bucked against his hand. He flicked it again and again until she suddenly squeezed her thighs closed, imprisoning his hand between them. Slowly, his fingers became wet with her come.
Chapter Two
Dear Diary,
Is it right that my body burns up with just one look of his eyes? He’s so beautiful to look at that I fear it’s impossible for me to ever regain control of my body when he’s around. I’ve always thought I was frigid until I met Domenico Moretti. Now, I’m scared of the opposite. I’m afraid I’m a slut – always been so – a slut destined to only find pleasure with Domenico’s touch.
It’s not the only thing I’m scared of. Sometimes, when he touches me, I catch a glimpse of tenderness. Even as I give in to the pleasure of his expert touch – that exquisitely all-encompassing feeling of reaching an orgasm, which I never fail to reach even if he’s just thumbing my clit – oh, God, I’m scared. When he looks at me with that secret tender light in his eyes – a thrillingly sexy Domenico can command my body at will. A tender Domenico can break my heart.
“We can’t just fly to Lake Tahoe!” Misty practically exploded. She had a hard time keeping up with him. The car ride had been spent mostly in silence on her part while Domenico had a furious-sounding conversation on the phone. Although it took place entirely in Italian, the number of times Domenico hissed ‘Papa’ was clue enough to the identity of the person on the other end of the line.
Misty had not bothered looking out of the window during the ride, having assumed that Domenico was being kind and taking her home. As such, it took her a while to truly appreciate that they were indeed leaving the state and that the limousine had parked right in the middle of an airport hangar.
“Of course we can,” Domenico answered as he took her hand and practically dragged her along with him. “In fact, we already are.”
She watched him nod absently at the rows of uniformed guards standing on each of their sides, continuing all the way up to the retractable stairs of the private jet that awaited them. “You’re like a prince,” she blurted out.
Domenico looked at her oddly. “Of course I am. You know I’m a prince.”
“I know, but--” she sighed. “Never mind. You wouldn’t understand.” How could he? Someone like Domenico Moretti would never have the chance to experience uncertainty or insecurity.
More bowing from the flight crew followed and everything became even more surreal. What…was…she…doing….with…this…guy…really?
Panic hit her and she whirled around.
Domenico caught her before she could even take a step towards the closing doors. “Uh-uh. Where do you think you’re going?”
“I--”
Clasping her shoulders, Domenico turned her around and nudged her to walk forward. She did so until they reached a private cabin just behind the cockpit. “Stay here while I get something from my office,” Domenico said as he made her take one of the plush seats in the area. “Just relax and enjoy the ride. There’s nothing to worry about, okay?”
Easy for him to say, she thought even as she did her best to relax.
A short while later, a young man came out of the cockpit, smiling politely at her in welcome. He was tall and dark-haired, with a hint of Grecian features in his face. “Hello, ma’am.”
Embarrassed at being the object of a distinctly deferential tone, she said hastily, “Please just call me Misty. I…work for Domenico Moretti as well.”
The man’s smile widened, his dimples showing. “I didn’t know. In that case, call me Ralph.”
A few minutes later, Domenico was about to call Misty’s name so she could join him in the office when he heard the familiar sound of her laughter. He paused, waiting. A deep chuckle followed, and Domenico stiffened, realizing that Misty was talking to the young pilot he had hired early this week. Ralph had impressed him with his maturity and dedication to the job, two rare features in one who was so young.
Jealousy, unexpected in its strength and presence, slithered its way into his heart.
It was in a Lyccan’s nature to be possessive, Domenico told himself as he made his way into the public cabin of the jet. “Ralph.” He nodded to the pilot, who quickly straightened and bowed. Ralph might be human, but he had been trained by Matteo himself to ensure that he displayed the proper manners in front of Lyccan royals, which frequently made up the passenger list of his private jet.
“Let’s take off now,” he told Ralph. The pilot bowed once more before leaving.
Domenico took a seat next to Misty, conscious of how she was no longer laughing and irritated by it.
“Did you have fun speaking with Ralph?”
Misty glanced at him uneasily. “Was I not supposed to talk to him? I hope I didn’t get him in trouble. He was just explaining to me why you wanted a third pilot for the private jet.”
“You didn’t get him in trouble,” Domenico murmured even though he wondered why she would even care if she had. She was his. Did she need reminding of that?
She sighed in relief, which irritated him even more. “I’m glad. He seems nice.”
Ralph chose that moment to walk back. “Sir, we’re taking off now.” The seatbelt light flashed red, indicating the need to secure themselves in their seats. Domenico waved the younger man away when he attempted to help Misty with her seatbelt.
“I can do it,” he said brusquely.
Misty inhaled sharply as Domenico reached for her seatbelt from her far side, his arm brushing against her breasts as he did. Surely he wasn’t deliberately--she inhaled sharply again when his arm brushed her nipples as he slowly drew the seatbelt diagonally over her body. Now there was no mistake about it. He was deliberately trying to arouse her, but why?
They sat next to each other, Domenico relaxed, Misty tense.
“Are you all right?” he whispered, turning his head slightly to face her.
Not daring to look at him, she croaked, “Yes.”
He did not speak again.
The seatbelt indicator flashed green ten minutes later.
Ralph stepped forward with a smile. “Would you like to--”
Domenico was already reaching for her seatbelt.
When he had it unlocked, she said breathlessly, “Thank you.”
“Thank me properly,” he returned huskily, making her eyes widen.
“H-how?”
“With a kiss.”
“D-Domenico!” She blushed when she glanced at Ralph, who now stood ramrod straight with an expressionless face.
In an unexpected flash of insight, Misty realized that the other man had actually liked her. With the exception of Domenico Moretti, no other guy had displayed an interest in her so early and so quickly after meeting her for the first time. Was this because having someone like Domenico Moretti interested in her made Misty appear more attractive than usual?
“Misty,” the man next to her growled
, and just like that, she forgot all about Ralph. Domenico was looking at her with fierce hunger in his green eyes.
“Kiss me.”
Slowly, she moved close to him and touched his lips with hers.
It seemed to be the signal he had been waiting for. In one swift move, Domenico lifted her off the seat and pulled Misty into his lap. She gasped against Domenico’s lips but he didn’t let go. Angling his head to the side, Domenico was able to push his tongue further inside her mouth and with it, he swept aside her remaining reservations.
