“Gattina?” When she nodded, I said, “It means kitten.”
“Oh.” Unease drifted into her eyes. For a moment, I thought I was seeing things, but then her shoulders tensed and she set the half-eaten croissant back on the plate.
She obviously didn’t like being called kitten. I knew she couldn’t understand the real meaning of the word—she was too innocent for that—and usually I hated it too, but it fit her. Especially since kittens had claws, which she very clearly did.
I moved back to the table so I wouldn’t be tempted to grab her and lose myself in her sweetness. “I need you to get dressed.”
“What time is it?”
“Nine o’clock.”
“What?” Fabric rustled in the bed behind me. “Why didn’t you wake me? You were supposed to meet with Versace at eight thirty.”
I slid my hands into the pockets of my slacks and turned toward her. She’d set the coffee cup on the nightstand next to her. The sheet was still clutched to her chest, but one bare leg was now extended to the ground, as if she were about to bolt out of bed. “I cancelled the meeting.”
Her eyes lifted from the floor where she seemed to be searching for something. “You did?”
I nodded. “I still need you to get dressed. We have another meeting in an hour.”
“With who?”
I didn’t answer.
She stared at me with both confusion and a whisper of unease. I saw it. I knew I could alleviate her worry, but I stayed silent. The little power struggle between us had to end. I needed her to know who was in charge. It was the only way I was going to keep her safe now that this thing between us had combusted.
Several seconds passed in silence, then she said, “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”
“No.”
She bit her lip. Trepidation filled her blue eyes. “Are you taking me to the airport?”
Fear grabbed hold of my heart and squeezed. “Is that where you want to go?”
She stared at me a long second then finally whispered, “No.”
Sweet relief filled my lungs, but I was careful not to let it show. This woman already had enough power over me. “I want you to wear the yellow sundress the stylist picked out for you, the nude heels, and no panties.”
A flush crept up her face. “No panties? Is that an order?”
“Yes.”
I could practically see the wheels turning behind her pretty blue eyes. She didn’t like being told what to do. Not even in something as simple as what to wear. She was weighing the pros and cons of defying me. Even though I didn’t want her to, I grew hard at the possibility.
Her gaze dropped to the floor. “Where’s my towel from last night?”
“In the bathroom.”
“Can you get it for me?”
“Why?”
“Because I’m naked and I have to go back to my room to get dressed.”
“You didn’t seem to have any problem being naked last night.”
Her face flushed darker, but when her fierce gaze shot to mine, I saw it was irritation, not embarrassment fueling her color. My dick grew even harder. Especially when she stared at me with those challenging eyes, daring me to back down.
Silence stretched between us, one that made my pulse pound. A heartbeat later, she tore her gaze from mine and tossed the covers back with a huff. My whole body tightened as I watched her slide out of my bed in nothing but her sexy flesh, square her shoulders, and walk toward the door with her head held high.
Fuck me. I was absolutely crazy about this woman.
“Natalie.”
She stopped at the open doorway but didn’t look back.
“The same rules still apply. You’ll do exactly as I say, or there will be consequences.”
She turned her head so I could see her gorgeous profile, but she didn’t look back at me. “I already know you’re not going to send me home. What else can you do to me?”
My blood flamed. “Test me, and you’ll find out.”
She didn’t respond. Just lifted her chin and walked through the suite toward her room.
As I watched her sweet ass swaying with her movements, I tried to settle my raging pulse, but nothing worked. I’d already had this woman—several times—but I was now more turned on than I’d been last night. Partly because I knew she’d test me. Partly because I didn’t know when or how she’d do it. But mostly because the thought of taming her, of watching her reaction as she succumbed to her own sinful desires, lit me up like a firework and made me feel alive.
And I liked feeling alive. I’d been numb for so long, I’d forgotten what it was like. With Natalie, I almost believed I wasn’t a monster. I hoped after today, she still agreed.
Chapter Fourteen
Natalie
Nerves bounced around in my stomach as I stepped out of the shower, dried myself off, and rubbed my favorite grapefruit lotion into my arms and legs.
I didn’t know how to read Luc this morning. Last night, after we’d made love on the couch, he’d carried me into the shower and thoroughly pleasured me under the hot spray. And after my skin had become pink and wrinkly, he’d done it again in that big bed in his room until I’d been limp from so many orgasms. He’d held me close then, stroking my hair and whispering things in Italian I didn’t understand. As I’d drifted to sleep, I’d felt precious. Cherished. Safe. His hands had never left me. Every time I’d moved, he’d been right there to lull me back to sleep. But this morning…
This morning he hadn’t once touched me. Even when he’d handed me my coffee he’d made sure not to graze my fingertips. And his eyes… They’d been as intense as I’d ever seen them. Laser focused. Locked on me as if he was sure I was about to say or do something he didn’t approve of.
Those nerves tightened in my belly as I moved into my room and opened my closet. His comment about rules and consequences bothered me. I was sure he didn’t want to send me home any longer, but why did I have this feeling he was waiting for me to step out of line?
I looked up at the clothes hanging from the rack and spotted the yellow sundress he wanted me to wear. It was simple and pretty, and if he hadn’t told me to wear it, I might have chosen it on my own just because I knew I’d look great in it and because I could tease him with that all day long. But being told to wear it…
I reached for the blue sundress instead and tossed it on the bed. After tugging on my bra, I slipped into the dress and looked down at my shoes. The nude heels really would go best with the dress. I slipped them on, telling myself I wasn’t caving to his order. At least not completely.
Since I had no idea what kind of meeting he’d scheduled, I went for minimal with my hair and makeup. After twisting my hair into a knot so only a few curly strands framed my face, I brushed on a little powder and mascara. Satisfied, I grabbed my purse and turned out of the room.
He was waiting for me in the living room when I emerged. His gaze shot right to my dress. I saw the way his eyes narrowed on the blue fabric, and those nerves in my belly twisted into a pretzel. “I’m ready,” I said, trying to keep my voice even.
“Very well.” He stepped aside so I could pass and held out his hand. “Let’s go.”
My thoughts were a whir as we waited for the elevator in silence, stepped into the car, and stood next to each other as it slowly began to move. Why wasn’t he touching me? Why hadn’t he kissed me yet this morning? Had last night been a one-night-stand kind of thing? I didn’t think so—not when he’d told me not to wear panties today. But if he wasn’t sending me home, and if he wanted me again as much as I wanted him, then why the hell was he acting so calm and detached?
The elevator doors opened, and he placed a hand at the small of my back as we stepped out of the car. Heat seeped into my skin beneath the cotton dress, sending a rush of sensation all across my skin that made my knees weak.
Oh, that was all I wanted. Just his hands on me again. Everywhere.
Unfortunately, as soon as we began walking through the
hotel, he let go of me.
Vincenzo was waiting for us at the car. I said “Buongiorno,” and climbed into the back. Luc sat next to me and slipped on his sunglasses, but he didn’t touch my bare knee or reach for my hand as I wanted. And as we pulled away from the hotel and he tugged his phone from his slacks and began checking email, my irritation—and worry that I’d pushed him too far—got the best of me.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I asked.
“No.” He turned the screen off on his phone and slipped it back in his pocket.
I’d nearly had enough of his attitude. Folding my arms over my chest, I glared at him across the backseat. “Maybe wherever we’re going is not a place I want to see.”
He turned his head and grinned at me. “You want to see this, gattina. Trust me.”
The force of his smile made him so devastatingly handsome, my irritation wobbled. But that word—kitten—set me on edge.
I didn’t like those cute little nicknames some men used. My stepfather called my mother princess, and I’d never liked it. Not because she didn’t deserve to be worshipped at that level by her spouse, but because he used it as a weapon against her. When he was happy with her he called her princess. When he wasn’t, he tossed out romantic terms of endearment like bitch and cunt.
Did I think Luc was like my controlling stepfather who had to know where my mother was at all times and who kept her isolated from her friends? I didn’t know. I didn’t want to think he could be like that, but the truth was, I honestly didn’t know that much about him aside from the fact he had a good heart buried beneath layers of something heavy and that he could make my body melt with just one touch.
Yes, he liked to be in control—he’d proved that last night when he’d told me to remove my dress and had commanded me to do things I hadn’t expected to want to do—but there was more to him than this façade of domination. I’d sensed it when I’d pulled him to me and kissed him last night. I’d seen it in the way he’d melted against me and gentled his touch. And I’d felt it when he’d slid deep inside me and we’d made love. Because that was exactly what we’d done. He hadn’t dominated me then. He hadn’t fucked me. He’d made love with me. Something he’d told me he never did.
“Something on your mind, gattina?”
I blinked, realizing I’d been staring at him, lost in thought. Lost in him. Shaking my head, I looked out the window. “No,” I lied. “I’m fine.”
But I wasn’t fine. My heart was racing and my mind was spinning because somewhere inside, I knew I liked both sides of him. I liked the tender lover who made my body tremble with one simple touch, but my body also craved the domineering man who could make me nearly come just by ordering me to my knees.
Elena’s words suddenly popped into my head. “It’s like I’m two people. The innocent model from Montana everyone knows by day, and the seductive bad girl at night who says ‘yes, sir’ and is willing to do anything he commands.”
My stomach pitched, and I felt the blood drain from my face.
I wasn’t becoming Elena…was I?”
I was so distracted by my thoughts, I didn’t realize the car had come to a stop until Luc’s warm hand covered mine against the seat. “Natalie,” he said softly. “We’re here.”
I jerked my head around and stared at him, trying like hell to keep my pulse in line, but it whirred in my ears like a helicopter blade.
Luc wasn’t Elena’s mystery man. I knew that deep in my heart. But I couldn’t keep from seeing the similarities. Elena had fallen for that man fast and hard—the same way I was falling for Luc. And he’d been a danger to the strong, independent woman she was inside, just as I feared Luc was becoming a danger to me.
He tugged off his sunglasses and pinned me with worried eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I—” My chest squeezed so tight, the breath caught in my lungs. I was losing track of my purpose. I was letting myself be distracted by a man when I was supposed to be searching for justice for my friend. “I—”
Vincenzo opened the door behind Luc, and I caught sight of the structure at his back. Confused, I leaned forward. “Is that…the Colosseum?”
“It is.” Amusement filled Luc’s stormy eyes when I looked back at him. “You’ve been searching for it every time we get in the car. I thought you might like to see it up close. A tour guide is waiting for us.”
I stared at him in shock. He’d brought me to the Colosseum. He’d blown off his meetings and appointments to play tourist with me. Heat seeped into my hand where his fingers closed around mine as he helped me from the car. Completely awed, I looked up at the gigantic structure and shook my head. “I can’t believe you did this. When we first arrived, you said you’d seen all the ruins in Rome.”
“I have.” He didn’t let go of my hand. “But you haven’t.”
In a rush, I realized he’d been acting strange this morning because he’d wanted to surprise me.
Tears pricked my eyes. Tears of relief and of gratitude. Even tears of stupidity because I’d assumed the worst. I turned into him, wrapped my arms around his waist, and pressed my cheek against his strong muscular chest. “Thank you,” I whispered. “I love this.”
He tensed against me. It was a very subtle move. But I felt his tension ease as I held him tighter. One arm closed around my back, and his hand cupped my cheek. “You pleased me last night,” he whispered in my ear. “I wanted to do something to please you.”
Desire roared through my veins, making my skin hot, making my body ache. I didn’t care if he was distracting me from my goal. I didn’t care if I was being reckless or if things were moving too fast. I only wanted more. I only wanted him.
Easing back, I bit my lip. He saw what I wanted with just one look. I knew it by the way his eyes darkened and his heartbeat quickened against my skin.
“Careful, gattina,” he whispered in a low voice. A smoldering voice. A commanding voice that made my sex absolutely weep. “Teasing me like that in public is going to get you fucked.”
Oh yeeeesss. I wanted that. I wanted everything. “Promise?”
He leaned down until our lips were only millimeters apart. “Naughty little girl. You’ll just have to wait and see.”
I shivered as he turned me away from the car. And hoped I wouldn’t have to wait long.
* * *
The Colosseum took my breath away.
Two hours later, my head was filled with more facts about gladiators and ancient Rome than I thought it could hold. We toured the upper tiers, the arena floor, and the Colosseum’s underground. After, we walked through the Roman Forum hand in hand, and Luc explained what each of the different ruins had once been and how the city had been laid out. He was better than any tour guide, and as I listened, I could actually picture the massive structures as they’d once been. By the time we met up with Vincenzo and climbed back in the car, I was happy, relaxed, and all the worries I’d had before seemed silly and a waste of both time and energy.
To my surprise, Luc’s little tour wasn’t done. Vincenzo drove us deeper into the city to the Pantheon. The incredible building completely awed me. We walked through the inside, and I was once again impressed by ancient Roman architecture. After grabbing lunch at a cute little trattoria in the Piazza della Rotonda that faced the Pantheon, Luc led me by the hand through the crowded streets to the Trevi Fountain. The tourists were thick here, and the streets narrow, but the fountain was magnificent. Finally, we made our way to the Spanish Steps, where we grabbed a gelato and two spoons and sat on the steps in the fading sunlight, talking and people watching as the city moved around us.
When Vincenzo picked us up late in the afternoon, my feet were sore, but I was riding a high from playing tourist and from the fact Luc had blown off work to show me the sites. Utterly content, I leaned my head against his shoulder and wrapped my arm around his in the back of the car as we headed for our hotel. His wide palm rested on my bare knee, a heavy weight that prevented me from drifting com
pletely to sleep. And the tiny circles he drew on the inside of my knee kept me utterly aroused with fantasies of all the ways I was going to show him my gratitude as soon as we were alone.
“Natalie,” he whispered near my ear. “Wake up, angioletto. We’re here.”
I blinked and lifted my head. But when my gaze registered the airplanes around us, all that happiness I’d been feeling shifted to full-on panic. “I thought you said you weren’t sending me home.”
“I’m not.” Luc gripped my hand and helped me from the car. “I have another surprise.”
Wind whipped my hair back from my face, but my eyes grew wide as I stared across the small airport tarmac toward the private luxury jet, its engines already fired up and waiting.
“Oh my goodness,” I muttered as Luc led me toward the plane. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
My mouth dropped open the second I stepped on board. I’d known Luc was rich, but for some reason, staying in fancy hotels didn’t compare to this.
The jet was top-end everything, with gleaming wood, expensive carpets, and butter-soft leather. I moved through the galley and into the main cabin, where seating was split into different conversation groupings. At my back, I heard Luc speaking with a woman in Italian. Wide-eyed, I turned to look back at him. The woman wore a blue jacket and skirt, and I knew immediately she was a flight attendant. Behind her, through the open cockpit doors, I spotted two pilots.
Luc finished his conversation and pointed toward two seats at the back of the main cabin as he walked toward me. I sat in the one by the window while he took the other.
“You saw the galley,” he said to me. “Behind us is a bedroom, and the bathroom is at the very back of the plane.” He reached for my hand and laced his fingers with mine. Leaning toward my ear, he whispered, “I’d give you an up-close tour of the bedroom, but what I want to do to you will take longer than an hour.”
A shiver rushed down my spine, and heat gathered in my breasts and between my legs. I opened my mouth to tell him I’d be up for anything, but the stewardess stepped forward with two glasses of champagne, interrupting us with a smile.