“So this is your tower?” he said, gesturing to the room.
“Yes,” I sighed. “I thought it was an apt name considering it was at the very top of my castle.
“I like it.” He paused a moment and looked deep into my eyes. “I like you.” He kissed my hand tenderly, and a little groan escaped my lips. How quickly he had made me lose my senses.
“I want to take care of you. Your body screams at me to possess it and ravish it. Your eyes make me want to climb in and bury myself deep within you.”
I could feel my leg begin tapping underneath the table. I hated that he was taking control and dominating me in a sense, but I also wanted to plunge my tongue down his throat. I think—in fact—I would like to kill Michel myself. “I am not yours, Mr. Belatoni.”
Luca finished eating his mouthful before speaking. “You are what I say you are. You’re not mine in body yet, but you soon will be. Once I have it, I’m never letting anyone else near it again.”
My eyes widened. “How can you say things like that? We only met yesterday, and you talk like we’ve been together for years—and not only that, but you act like all the boys are out to get me.”
“When was the last time anyone made love to you?”
His sudden change in subject shocked me a little. I had to stare in wonder for a second before I answered. “It’s none of your business.”
“I’m assuming since you work twenty-four-seven and do not sleep with your clients, it means it’s been a very long time.”
“It’s none of your business,” I said again.
“I’m assuming four—maybe five—years?”
Six to be exact, but I wasn’t telling him that. “Okay, buddy. Since you want to know everything about my sex life, how about I ask you the same thing? When was the last time you had sex?”
Luca just shrugged. “Roughly over a week ago.”
I wasn’t expecting that. I also wasn’t expecting the huge gut-wrenching feeling in my stomach. Why should I care that he’d had sex over a week ago?
“Oh,” I found myself saying in resignation.
He saw my expression and frowned. “See, it’s easy when you just answer the question… Though, I’m guessing that wasn’t something you wanted to hear.”
No, it wasn’t, but I would be damned if I told him that. “I just didn’t think you would answer so honestly and quickly like that.” I also didn’t realise how much knowing he was inside another woman just over a week ago would affect me.
“I am a man, Clara. I have needs.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “So does every man that passes through here. And the same reason why I don’t entertain them is the same reason I’m not entertaining you.”
He seemed a bit miffed by my statement. “I have never in my life paid for sex.”
“No, but you’re willing—just like they are—to use a woman for your own selfish desires.”
Luca leaned forward a little with a smirk. “Believe me; she didn’t look like she was complaining at the time. I think she got what she wanted out of it, also.”
I cringed when he said this. I’m not sure why, but it hurt.
Luca could see I didn’t like what he had said. “I didn’t mean to upset you; I was just proving a point.”
I tried to stiffen my posture a bit and raise my head. “I’m not upset. Who you sleep with is your business, not mine.”
Luca sighed with a shake of his head. “I’m a little disappointed by that.”
I placed my fork down. “Why?”
He looked me straight in the eye. “Because you’re lying to me, and I could never see you as a liar.”
I shuffled in my chair a little and took another sip of my drink. “You know nothing about me.”
“Clara Murphy, born twenty-fifth of June nineteen-eighty-seven, in Balham, London. You were the only child to Michael and Stephanie Murphy. Michael is a vicar, and Stephanie is a homemaker. Both go to church every Sunday and have not heard from their only daughter in ten years.”
Rising from my chair, I raced to the window. I didn’t like that I knew so little about him, and yet he seemed to know so much about me.
Within a few seconds, I felt his hands on my arms as he spun me around to face him. “You know so much.”
He looked sincere, like he cared. “Why do you hide from your parents? Is it because of what you do here?”
I could feel the tears well at the unwanted memories. “I don’t want to talk about them.” My tone of voice must have hit him as he said no more on the matter. Instead, he surprised me.
“My name is Luca Belatoni. I was born fifteenth of May nineteen eighty-three to Marcelo Belatoni and Sophia. I was the eldest boy of three who all live in Italy. I came to England when I was a boy and stayed with my uncle while I studied in school. I then lived in New Jersey for a while until the call to come back here pulled me. I came, and many others have followed. Some others have joined the clan recently within the last year. I have many loyal men, and business for me is flourishing. I am not committed, nor do I have any children. I take protection very seriously and have never been without a condom. When I have children, I want to make sure it’s on my terms.”
I started laughing at that one. “Why does everything have to be on your terms? Having children is a decision that both partners involved should make. It’s not for you alone to decide. One partner can’t just click his fingers to immediately get whatever he wants.”
Luca pulled me to him, causing my body to melt at his touch. “I thought I already told you that I’m a man who always gets what he wants.” I started giggling. “What’s so funny?”
“You may think you’re a force to be reckoned with, but so am I. I don’t respond well to selfish, demanding behaviour.”
“So you keep saying. It still doesn’t change the fact.” He started stroking my hair, and I sighed into his shoulder as he pulled me in. For a moment, I was lost in his embrace. Despite how much I hated this man, he always seemed to have me at a loss.
“Come, let us finish our meals.” He took my hand and led me back to the table.
Pulling out my chair, he made sure I was comfortable before taking his own seat. It was in that moment that I realised I was in big trouble. Not because I had a dangerous man who could have me disappear with a quick click of his fingers. It was because he threatened to weaken my resolve. Just looking at him made me weak in the knees. I knew why he got what he wanted; not only was he a powerful man, but he was also the epitome of perfection. The way he stood so tall and commanding. The way he walked. The way he breathed. The way his hard muscles twitched underneath my small hands had the hairs rising and my body quivering. Sitting there, I just couldn’t seem to pry my eyes away from him.
“Clara, what have I told you about looking at me like that?”
“Like what?” I asked, shaking my head a little.
“Like you want me to pick you up out of your seat, take you to your bed, and have me make love to you until you can’t breathe anymore.”
A breathless sigh escaped me. “If you can see that, then why don’t you?” I smiled and sucked a piece of spaghetti up slowly through my lips. I had to pat myself on the back for the nice sucking sound I made after it disappeared into my mouth.
“Has anyone ever told you that you scream to be touched?”
I shook my head. “Nope. I can’t recall anyone saying that. I’ve been told I have fabulous legs and great tits, but that’s about it. Oh, and sometimes I’ve had a comment or two about my lips.”
“Yes?”
I nodded. “Apparently, I have blow-job lips. Men have begged me for them in the past.”
I could hear the slight growl emanating from deep within his magnificent chest. He was looking a little angry now, and that was just how I liked it.
“Those lips are not to go near another man’s anatomy.”
I started laughing. His jealous outbursts were becoming quite comical to me now. “Okay, tiger. Stand down.”
He
looked at me for a moment and then laughed. “I think I would prefer lion to a tiger. You could be my lioness.”
“Why, thank you,” I said sarcastically. “How honoured am I?”
“Don’t be flippant, Miss Murphy.”
“Why not, Mr. Belatoni? Am I being naughty? Do you want to put me over your knee and spank my bottom?”
He growled again. This was such fun. “It’s not going to work, you know.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know what you mean.”
I was about to take this further but then a knock at the door interrupted me.
Bollocks!
I was about to seduce Luca and seduce him good. I should be running away from him, but now that he was restricting me, I suddenly wanted him all the more. Maybe he was doing this all on purpose.
Opening the door, Luca found an embarrassed Tony. “Sorry to disturb you, boss, but I just need to speak with you for a few minutes.”
Luca huffed. “Very well.” He turned towards me. “Apologies, Miss Murphy. I shall be back soon.”
As soon as he was out the door, I ran to the drawer to get my walkie-talkie. I switched it on and immediately began whispering through it. “Hello… Hello… Is anybody there?”
It went silent for a few seconds and then came a voice. “Clara, thank God! We’ve all been sitting ducks worried about you. What the hell’s going on?”
I explained to Belinda as much as I could and could hear a few grumbles in the background.
“Don’t worry. We have a plan. We’re coming to get you out tomorrow night.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I heard her sighing loudly. “We’re not taking no for an answer.”
I thought about this for a few moments, but resigned myself to the fact that this was happening. “Okay, but when you do come, make sure you’re ready for a night out.”
“Why?”
I smiled. “Because, if I’m going to have time off from work, I may as well let my hair down. Let’s go to a club and get fucking sozzled. It’s all on me.”
I could hear a few people laugh and holler in the background. “Where has this come from, Clara?”
“Let’s just say a lion is about to meet his match.”
We ended soon after because I was worried that Luca would be back at any moment. I made sure Thomas was okay and Belinda told me he had been round regularly to check on them—especially since it looked as though he had developed a bit of a crush on Melinda. But, then again, I couldn’t blame the boy.
We made plans which would be executed around eight o’clock the next evening—assuming that everything was in order of course. I had to first of all give a signal that Luca wasn’t here with me. I really didn’t know whether he would or not, but then the girls did have a plan. I wasn’t sure whether I was going to like it, but it seemed as though they were not taking no for an answer. They all hated that I was stuck in here, and I had to admit … so did I.
A couple of minutes after I had finished off my meal and glass of wine, Luca walked back in. I was just about to pour myself another when he ran for the bottle. “Here, let me.” He smiled gently and poured another glass. “I’m sorry I was taken away from your lovely company.”
I frowned up at him. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. Just a little hiccup with another business venture. That’s all.”
I nodded, but didn’t press him. I knew a lot of his “business ventures” were not exactly legal, so he wasn’t about to spill all to me anytime soon. I doubted very much he ever would.
“Have you had enough?” Luca motioned to my empty plate.
“It was more than enough, thank you. I ate more than I normally do, but it was just too good.”
“Molte bene,” he said with a wink.
Did he have to keep speaking these little Italian words to me? It hit me straight between the legs every time he did.
“I would very much like to dance with you, Miss Murphy. Would you grant me the pleasure?” He took my hand, and I rose from my seat—straight into his arms.
Okay, maybe I was a little too eager there.
“Where’s the music?” I asked.
“Do we need music?”
I frowned a little. “Well, it kinda helps, don’t you think?”
He pulled me close and penetrated me with those eyes. “Can’t I just hold you close to me and pretend there’s music playing?”
I could have just given in, but my alpha female tendencies were telling me not to. I wanted to get my own way … even if it was just to get the radio switched on when he obviously didn’t want to.
“I’m not going to dance with you unless you switch that radio on.” I smiled at Luca, and he shook his head, smiling back. I could tell he was finding the whole “I’m not going to let you tell me what to do” persona highly amusing.
“Very well.” Letting go of our embrace, Luca strolled over to the radio and switched it on. As if on cue, a nice slow song was just starting. “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” by Simply Red came through the speakers.
“Is this better?” Luca raised an eyebrow.
I nodded my agreement. “Much. Thank you.”
Staring at each other for a moment, I almost lost my balance. How on earth could he look like that? He should be illegal in every state and in every country known to man … or should I say woman?
Luca slowly glided back towards me—all the while, he never dropped my gaze. “What have I told you about looking at me like that?” His voice was seductive—a whisper even.
I raised my eyebrow at him. “Maybe you make me look at you like that. Have you ever thought of that?”
Luca licked his lips a little, making my knees tremble. “It would seem I can’t make you do anything. That’s the problem I’m having.”
I sighed as his eyes danced across my face. “Am I making you work hard?”
“Yes, and don’t say the word hard.” He laid his hand behind my back and forcefully pulled me to him.
Staring at his lips and biting my own, I said, “I’m sure there are things I could make very hard.”
“Clara.” His warning tone reverberated throughout my body.
“I like the fact I’m making you work hard. I guess you’ve never had to work hard at anything.”
Lacing his fingers through mine as we swayed to the music, Luca sighed contentedly. What he said next surprised me. “You’re worth working hard for.”
Leaning my head on his chest, I took a moment to savour everything about him. His feel, his smell, and even his heart, which I could feel beating through my ears. He was a man like no other.
“You know, you’re making it very hard for me to hate you, Mr. Belatoni.”
“There’s that word again.” I chuckled. “Why should you want to hate me?”
I buried my head in his chest and sighed. “You only have to consider what’s been going on today to realise where that came from. And, look at me. I’m here whether I want to be or not. How could I not hate you for that?”
“I told you that you have to come to your senses.”
I let out a breath in exasperation. “I’ve told you to take me. What more do you want?”
He stilled for a moment, making me gaze up into that perfect face of his. “Don’t you realise that once you’re mine, there’s no going back? Once I feel what it’s like to be inside you, there will never be anyone else for you again.”
Sighing was becoming a habit for me ever since Luca walked into my life. “You only met me yesterday. How can you say things like that? Also, how do you know what it’s going to be like inside me? I may be the crappiest shag you ever had in your life.”
Luca shook his head indignantly. “I know that’s not true.”
I looked up to him. “How?”
Luca captured me with his eyes again. “Didn’t you feel it when I walked in and we first laid eyes on each other? I saw a photo of you at your aunt’s place and haven’t stopp
ed dreaming about you since. It was only when I saw you in the flesh that it really hit me, though.”
I frowned. “What?”
Luca smiled down at me. “That raw energy someone gets when they have an instant reaction to someone they haven’t ever met before. It was that intense heat and energy which seemed to bounce from me to you the minute I opened that door. Didn’t you feel it? Or am I just going crazy?”
I sighed again in defeat. “No, you’re not going crazy.”
Luca stared at me for the millionth time with those beautiful caramel eyes of his. He gazed from my eyes to my lips and boy did it make me feel dizzy.
The song quickly came to a halt and another soon followed. This time it was, “When a Man Loves a Woman,” by Percy Sledge.
“I really want to feel your lips on mine. I want to feel what it’s like to explore your mouth. You don’t know how bad I want that now.”
I shrugged, trying to make sense of why he wasn’t pushing harder. “Then, why don’t you?”
Luca gritted his teeth. “Because that fucker marked you. I don’t want to cause you any pain.”
“I don’t think you could ever do that.” I didn’t know where that came from, but it felt right. I should have been scared and intimidated by this man, but instead I felt safe—I felt protected.
Instead of waiting for Luca to make the first move, I initiated our first proper kiss. I moved up slowly on my tiptoes so I could reach his mouth. He soon realised what was happening and leant down to accommodate me better.
That first brush against his lips had a fire raging. It was only the tiniest touch, but my body reacted to it violently. My lips stung a little at the pressure of his mouth, but I forced it to the back of my mind—not wanting to stop the overwhelming feelings that having him close brought me.
Before long, I had slipped my tongue out and traced the line of his lips from top to bottom, making him shudder and growl. I went a step further and nibbled the top of his lip after tenderly kissing him. Our bodies were as close as they could be, and I felt his hardness against my belly. I ran my fingers through his hair and pulled him in deeper as I frantically wanted him to do something—anything—to release this ache that had been building and building inside of me.