Page 50 of Merciless Queen (Moretti Mafia #1)

Caterina

“Why would you be scared?” I asked Harlow.

She sighed, gently pushing me back so she could stand up.

She was wobbly after the orgasms I just gave her, so I braced her with my hands.

“I’m scared of the feeling I have for you and the way you make me feel.

I’ve never been in love or had sex as amazing as you make it, but just now with how rough you were with me, I-I liked it. I-I want more.” Her face dropped.

I knew what she was about to say. It was something Elizabeth discussed with me, too, a few years back as things were getting intense with her and Luca. I slipped my hand under her chin and lifted her face, seeing her tear-filled, brown eyes. I brushed my thumb over her cheek, wiping them away.

“H-How can I want this, Caterina?” She squeezed my hand. “After everything that’s happened to me. All the men who violated me and destroyed me, I want things with you that should scare me. God, you probably think I am crazy.”

“No.” I caressed her cheek gently. “You are allowed to desire whatever you want. No matter what it is. I’ll never judge you or belittle you because of something you crave in the bedroom. Harlow, I’m not them. I will never be like them.”

With Elizabeth, she started having dreams that involved Luca being in place of the men who hurt her.

Instead of waking up terrified or traumatized again, she woke up horny.

She didn’t understand what was wrong with her, wanting that with Luca.

She couldn’t even look at Luca without feeling guilty for what she would dream about.

After therapy and me telling her that it was okay to want something with a person she trusted, she finally talked to Luca about it.

He never judged her for it. Instead, he went through with her scenes.

“I-I want you to be rough with me. I don’t want it to be gentle. I-I like when you are sweet with me, but I want…I want you to hurt me, but I need you to make me feel good, too. I don’t know what is wrong with me.”

She closed her eyes, and I allowed her a moment to break before I picked up her shattered pieces. “Look at me.” She didn’t move, so I grabbed her, flipping us and pressing her against the wall, lifting her arms above her head. “I won’t ask again.”

Her eyes fluttered open, looking up at me with her big, chestnut-brown eyes.

They were so beautiful. “There is nothing wrong with you. You are safe with me. What you want is a way to get your power back. You are in control. This time and every time after. You can make it stop. You will never be powerless or voiceless ever again.”

Her eyes filled with tears again. “I-I…” Her voice broke.

“It’s okay. This was intense. Why don’t we go take a bath and relax? Let me hold you while the water soaks into your muscles.”

Fifteen minutes later, the bath was made with rose oils and bath salts.

I went the extra mile and scattered fresh rose petals along the side of the tub and along the floor.

I lit a dozen tealight candles, which gave the bathroom a romantic feel.

A hopeless romantic lived in my soul, and sometimes she liked to break free. Harlow deserved this and so much more.

I walked back into the bedroom where Harlow was lying down and kissed her cheek. “Come on, princess, let's get you in the bath.” I pulled her up into my arms bridal style and walked to the bathroom.

When she saw the bathroom, her eyes grew in awe. “Oh my God.” She jumped out of my arms. “Caterina. This is for me? You did this for me?”

“Of course, you deserve it.”

She faced me and placed her hand on my face before leaning in and giving me a soft kiss. “I love it. Thank you so much.”

I removed the new t-shirt I gave her without ripping it off this time.

I might’ve had enough money, but I couldn’t keep destroying my favorite clothes just to get her naked.

Her hands went to the button of my jeans, and she looked at me, waiting for my consent.

I nodded and she quickly undid my pants, sliding them down my long legs.

Then her hands went to my blouse, tearing it over my head.

Instantly, her mouth was on my skin, kissing and nipping my flesh as she made her way down, falling to her knees between my thighs.

Fuck. She looked so good on her knees.

I knew what she wanted, but I wanted the first time she tasted me to be special and different than on her knees in my bathroom. Maybe I was a hopeless romantic, but it didn’t matter as long as my woman was happy.

Mine.

Harlow was mine, and would always be mine.

I picked her up, making sure she was steady on her feet before stepping into the hot bath and sinking low. Harlow stepped in carefully and sat between my legs, resting her head on my chest. I ran my hands up her thighs and she moaned, turning her head and kissing me softly.

“Thank you,” she muttered. “For everything.”

“Why are you thanking me, princess?”

“For everything. For saving me from Vincenzo. For loving me. For showing me that life is more than captivity and misery. I’m happy because of you.”

I kissed her temple. “I’ll do anything for you. If I could have saved you sooner, I would have.”

She sighed. “You know, sometimes I wish things turned out differently, but a part of me knows I never would have met you if this never happened to me. I wonder what my life would be like if my dad never met Vincenzo and if we lived a normal life.”

“I question the same thing. If my mother was alive, my father would still be leading the family, running his businesses and being happy, but I had to grow up just like you after she was murdered.”

“We’ll get him,” she said against my skin.

We will.

Soon.