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“So, Red, what kind of smoothie do you want?” I blanked him yet again

“Everyone, out,” Lorenzo ordered.

“Boss—” Emmet started but never got to finish whatever it was he wanted to say.

“I said out! Right now!” He turned to his mother. “You too, Mama. I need to talk to my wife.”

“Lorenzo, stop this,” she pleaded.

“Mama, please.” It was the first time I ever heard him say please. “I’ll speak to the two of you later.” He directed his comment to Red and Emmet who nodded once before leaving.

Carmella looked at her son with disappointment and irritation before she exited the kitchen. Within a few seconds, the front door closed behind her.

“What are you playing at? You disrespect me in front of my mother, my men…” He growled, his voice slicing through the air as he confronted me with a fury that vibrated off the walls.

“Be careful. You’ll pop a vein if you carry on,” I taunted. I knew he hated my sarcasm, so I gave it by the bucketload.

He gripped my face, bringing it closer to him, and all I did was smile, something that only angered him more. His fingers dug into my skin, firm but not painful, as he pressed me into the counter.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he muttered, his breath hot against my lips. But I didn’t flinch. I wouldn’t.

I tilted my head back, taunting him as if daring him to make good on his unspoken threat. My smirk never wavered despite his anger boiling over.

“You’re driving me insane,” he snarled before his lips crashed against mine in a kiss that was anything but tender. It was rough, punishing, and fuelled by hate.

His mouth moved fiercely over mine, demanding and unrelenting, as if he wanted to punish me with the kiss alone. I resisted as I pushed at his chest, digging my nails into the skin beneath his black shirt. But Lorenzo wasn’t one to yield. He pressed his body against mine, allowing no room between us as his grip descended to my neck.

His free hand dug into my hip possessively as he deepened the kiss, his tongue invading my mouth with a ferocity that mirrored his anger. I fought against him, my teeth grazing his lip as I tried to pull away. His strength was overwhelming, and his movements became sharp and urgent.

He abruptly broke the kiss, his forehead resting on mine as we struggled to catch our breath. His chest heaved as he glared down at me. “You think you can get away with whatever you like, don’t you?”

“You don’t scare me, Lorenzo.” I grinned, challenging him.

I knew I was playing with fire. The anger radiated off him in waves, but the thrill was too irresistible to ignore.

Without warning, he pressed my body against the pantry door, the force almost knocking the breath out of me. He pinned my wrists above my head and loomed over me. “Are you sure?” he growled against my neck. “Do you want to play, wife? Is that why you defied me?”

“Do your worst, Ricci,” I breathed as he trailed rough and needy kisses down my neck. His teeth occasionally grazed my skin, leaving marks to serve as a reminder of the moment we shared. I was no submissive, but there was something about Lorenzo that made me want to give him some control.

His hand slid up my thigh, his touch rough and desperate as he pushed my dress up around my waist. The anticipation built as he slid my lace panties to the side. “When will you learn to obey your husband and show him some respect?” he murmured against my lips.

I opened my mouth to respond, but he silenced me with another kiss, this one slower but just as intense. His tongue traced the seam on my lips, demanding entrance as his fingers teased my pussy. “Already so fucking wet,” he growled as I gasped into his mouth, my body betraying my defiance as I arched into his touch. “You can’t hide it from me, Anastacia.” His voice was thick with satisfaction.

He slid his fingers inside me as I bit my lip to stifle a moan, my body trembling as he began to move, his touch rough, which was exactly what I needed and wanted. He worked my pussy with a rhythm that was both punishing and intoxicating.

“Say it,” he demanded. “Say you’ll obey me from now on.”

“No,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, despite my walls clenching around his fingers.

“Say it, Ana.”

“Never.” I moaned as he fucked me with his fingers, his thumb circling my clit.

“We’ll see.” He whispered.

His fingers sped up, pushing me closer to the edge. I dug my fingers into his shoulders, slowly letting him claim the orgasm that was surging through me.

“Come.”