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“Where’s Paula?” I ask, as Antonio takes his tux out of the suit bag.

I don’t want to have an argument with him right before our guests arrive, but Victor told me that a guard took Paula to be questioned, like everyone else, but that unlike everyone else, she never came back.

“She’s been detained for questioning. But from your tone, I suspect you already knew that.”

“You’re torturing her?”

Antonio glares at me over his shoulder. “Did I say that?” He rummages through a drawer until he finds a pair of thin black socks. “But it’s none of your business, Princesa. Stay out of it.”

“Detained for questioning” is a loaded term that can mean many different things, depending on who’s doing the questioning. Cristiano? Not too bad. Lucas? Not good. Tavares? Hell. “Who’s questioning her?”

“Did you not understand me?” He scowls.

Oh, I understood you.“She’s a member of my personal staff.”

“Who provided the name of a hitman to the guards so that he would have access to our home. To you.”

A hitman?No way. “She would never do what you’re suggesting.”

He steps closer to me, so close I can smell mint on his breath. His nostrils are flaring, and suddenly the closet seems too small.

“Listen carefully. You’re welcome to plead for her life, if it should come to that. And I am welcome to indulge you, or to slit her throat, if that’s where the facts lead. I’ve been abundantly clear that I will not allow anyone who attempts to hurt you to go unpunished.”

When he’s like this, there’s no winning with him. I quietly go over to my side and pull out shoes for tonight before leaving the closet. I’m worried about Paula. Even if she’s safe, she’s going to be a nervous wreck. I could have warned her about what to expect, or at least shown her some kind of support, if I’d known.

“Next time you detain someone from my personal staff, I would appreciate a heads-up,” I tell him, when he comes into the bedroom.

Antonio walks across the room and stops when he’s well inside my personal space. He slides a finger from my throat into the deep V of my silk robe.

“Lucas questioned her,” he says softly.

He doesn’t want to fight.Neither do I.

“She’s fine for now. Let’s just get through tonight.”

Using his big body, he nudges me closer to the bed.

“Not now,” I mumble, pushing him away. I’m still annoyed with him.

“You’ve already denied me once today. Denied yourself. It’s not happening a second time.”

He runs his nose along my jaw, while he unties the robe and eases it over my shoulders. Without even a small kiss, he lowers himself to his haunches and spreads my legs. I could stop him, but it’s been a hell of a day, and my body is aching for his tongue. I want the release.

His fingers caress my inner thighs. “Touch your pretty cunt, Princesa,” he murmurs.

I almost whine, No! You touch it. I want your magic. But that will not get me the orgasm I’m craving.

I slide my hand over my freshly waxed pussy and go straight for my clit, rubbing the swollen nub until I’m swaying. That’s when he swats my hand away.

“I want your orgasm to be mine.” His voice is raspy, as he plunges two fingers inside me and begins to flick his tongue over the tight bundle of nerves. When I grind my pussy into his hand, he slides in a third finger.

Ahhhhh! I cry, my legs trembling. I tug on his hair to keep myself upright.

His fingers curl inside me, as he sucks my clit into his hungry mouth.

I hear myself moan as my belly tightens. It’s right there. I’m right there.

“Come for me, Princesa. Come all over my fingers.” He sucks harder, and I latch onto his head and let the release drown me in giant waves.

“I’m going to shower,” he says, while I’m still panting. “We don’t have a ton of time before we need to be downstairs. If you don’t want your hair to be soaking wet, join me at your own peril.”

He’s incorrigible. Plain and simple.

Although, I’ll admit, it’s hard to resist that thick cock, bobbing proudly with every stride he takes. But I don’t want my hair dripping wet, and it will be, so I’ll just have to satisfy myself with an extra-long look at his gorgeous ass.

When he disappears, I pick up my robe and throw on a sundress before going to see if Valentina needs any help getting ready.

I try not to think about Paula being held, God knows where, or the gunman from this morning, and I push away any concerns that I have about tonight. I’m not worried about the food or the flowers. I’m worried that the gunman has a friend who slips in with the guests.