Page 19

Penelope

'SILLY' IS THE FIRSTthing that comes to mind when I feel my eyes actuallyflutteropen at the touch of Cesare's hands on my knees. I can't remember my eyes ever doing that before, but since I've also never had a man make me cum until now...

Maybe...this is all part of my sexual awakening? Or is it somethingworse...like me being head-over-heels infatuated with amafiaboss who's too handsome for his own good?

The thought of resisting doesn't cross my mind even as Cesare gently parts my legs open. But then I see him reach for a damp washcloth as he crouches back down on one knee—-

Oh...no, no, no, you don't!

I've read enough steamy romances to know what he plans on doing next, but Cesare only clucks his tongue when I try - and fail - to snap my legs back close. "Disobeying me on this will only earn you a punishment,tesoro.And you wouldn't want that, would you?"

"I just don't want you to, um, bother with unimportant stuff—-"

"On the contrary—-cleaning you up is one of my most important responsibilities as your owner.

But if it means to you that much—-" He looks at me gravely, and I know right away whatever he has to say is guaranteed to either kill me—-

"You have my permission to suck my cock clean the next time."

—-or embarrass and piss me off all at the same time, andyeeeaaargh, I'm totally right, and that's why I'm still red-faced and choking as Cesare guides my hands to the hem of my dress and orders me to hold it up.

"Now be a good girl and sit still while I clean you up."

His every stroke is gentle and thorough. He's treating me as a doctor would, really; it's just totally my bad that his touch makes me feel anything but a patient, and it's getting harder and harder not to squirm or make the slightest sound as he takes his sweet,sweeeeetdamn time—-

"You're starting to get wet again—-"

Aaaargh.

Cesare only chuckles as I shove him away, and he rises gracefully to his towering height while I jump out of the chair like a toddler who's just starting to learn how to walk.

"Mm..."Cesare manages to run his knuckles down my cheek before I'm able to slap his hand away. "Your face feels very hot,tesoro."

"Because I'm...I'mmad,not embarrassed!" It's a lie, of course, but I just want to save some face for once. "So don't you flatter yourself—-" I break off with a squeak of surprise when he suddenly scoops me off my feet and carries me out of the room.

"Let me down!"

"Relax," he says soothingly. "I'm only taking you to your room."

"I said let me go!"

I continue to struggle even as we make it to the stairs, but I'm unfortunately no Allah to make mountains move.

"I am only doing this to make it up to you, my Penelope. It was not my intention to make you mad." His tone is soft and cajoling, and every word he utters weakens my defenses.

Oh no.

Here we go again—-

"Mi può perdonare, tesoro?Will you forgive me?"

My mind wants to continue resisting him, but the rest of me has already given up. My senses are once again tingling at the lovely and now-familiar scent of his aftershave, and instead of beating his chest and doing my best to wriggle out of his hold, my arms have tightened around his neck while my breasts start to swell and ache.

Oh boy.

Maybe it's time to just throw in the towel and admit the painful truth: I'm putty in this man's hands, and as if I didn't have enough proof of that as it is—-

Ugh.