Page 33 of Savage Vows

“And an engagement party?”

“Plans are underway.”

I’d hoped he’d forgotten about that. But when it comes to his responsibilities, I’m learning that Matteo never forgets anything.

Later, as Nash is driving us back to Matteo’s fortress-like mansion in Tanglewood, he takes my hand. “I was proud of you this evening.” He brings my knuckles to his lips.

Who is this man right now? And why am I melting?

Quickly I snatch my hand back.

“You’d be well advised to keep me happy, little rebel.”

“Or you’ll …what? Huff and puff and blow my house down?”

He grins and leans in a little closer to capture my chin. “Oh much, much worse, I assure you.”

“Matteo …” He’s my captor, my tormentor. And yet he ensured I had food to eat at the family dinner, and he stepped in when his father would have pushed me about the wedding.

An awful Matteo I can deal with.

But one who is kind and so devastatingly handsome …?

“When we get home, I’ll give you a taste of what you can expect when you behave. And when you don’t.”

I shift, remembering the way he’d tossed me over his shoulder and gave me a sharp spank on my rear when he stole me away from my perfect life. “Thanks, but I’ve already experienced that.”

“No, Alessia, you haven’t. But you’re about to …”

CHAPTER NINE

Alessia

The breath whooshes out of my body when he reaches over to unfasten my safety belt and yank me across his lap.“Matteo!”

He’d instructed Nash to pull over into a vacant parking lot, away from lights and cameras. Once the car was parked, Matteo raised the privacy screen between us and the front seat.

“What are you doing?” I thrash, trying to escape.

“Admiring my fiancée.” He lifts my dress.

“Matteo! I mean it. Stop this right now.” A terrible arousal flares in me. But no matter how often I tell myself I want nothing to do with him, my body reacts to him as if I’ve craved him my whole life.

“Beautiful panties.”

Dusk has fallen, and because the windows are tinted so darkly, we have complete privacy.

“You bought them.” They’re a little skimpy for my tastes, but the silkiness is luxurious against my skin.

He gathers the material and pulls it tight between my thighs. Then he begins to abrade my clit with the silkiness. I nearly launch myself off his lap.

Because I’m still flailing, he clamps one of his hands around my waist, using his elbow to put pressure on my back, keeping me down. My hair has fallen around me, and I’m trapped, helpless.

Desperate, I continue to try to escape.

“You’re making this harder on yourself.” He jostles me, capturing my legs between his strong ones.

“Please.Stop.I’ll behave.”