Page 106 of Tainted Obsession 1

“I don’t know if I’m good enough,” I admit. “I’ve always dreamed of having my photographs in a gallery somewhere, but that will take years of work to build a reputation for myself.”

He curls two fingers beneath my chin, lifting my face to his.

“I believe in you, Evelyn. You can do anything you want to do. You are talented enough, and you deserve success. The world needs more beauty in it. You have so much to offer.”

“And what do you want?” I press, wishing him equal happiness.

“You,” he replies, and the single word resonates through my soul.

I flush with pleasure but push a bit more, “What do you want for your future? You have me already.”

He takes a moment to consider his answer.

“I want security for us both. I want to provide a home for you and build a life that we can share. Soon, we’ll be totally free to make our own choices.”

“You don’t feel free now?”

He cups my nape, his fingers sliding into my hair. “I’ve never been totally free to pursue the future I want. I’ve fought for every scrap of freedom I have. I want to choose my own path. That’s what I’m doing now with Gian and Enzo. We clawed our way out ofLe Vele, and we paid our dues. I will never be locked up again.”

I blink up at him in surprise. “You were in prison?”

He nods grimly. “For two years, from sixteen to eighteen.”

“What were you arrested for?” I’m not sure if I want to know, but I crave to understand him better.

“I robbed a jewelry store with Enzo. It was mostly cheap shit, but that was how we got by back then. It was how we proved ourselves.” He shrugs as though it doesn’t bother him, but I note the tension around his eyes. “Everyone gets locked up sooner or later. I don’t intend to repeat the experience.”

He kisses my furrowed brow. “Don’t worry,dolcezza.I’m untouchable now. I won’t ever leave you, and I’ll never be under someone else’s control ever again.”

My heart aches for him, for the desperate circumstances that shaped him. I understand his need to dominate me now. He’s never felt fully in control of his life, and controlling my pleasure brings him a sense of satisfaction and peace.

I’ll gladly give him my body in any way he desires if it eases some of his burdens. We’ll find our freedom together.

He pulls me close and steers the boat toward the arch in the rock.

“Kiss me,” he murmurs against my lips. “It’s good luck.”

I can hardly believe that I’ve been lucky enough to meet this wonderful man, and he’s all mine.

I tip my head back and offer myself to him, pledging my future to him with every caress of my tongue against his. He deepens the kiss as we pass beneath the shadow of the arch,laying claim to everything I promise and making silent vows of his own.

I try to stop my jaw from hanging open as Massimo leads me through the pedestrian streets of Capri; it takes effort not to gawk at the beauty of the setting and the luxury items that fill the shop windows. He already insisted on buying me a new dress, and a pair of large diamond studs now adorn my ears.

We approach an empty shop, and a woman greets us in front of the glass door.

Massimo introduces us both, so it’s clear that the woman is mostly a stranger to him. My brow is still pinched with puzzlement when she unlocks the door and gestures for us to enter.

“Call me when you’re finished, and I’ll lock up whenever you leave,” she says warmly. “Take your time. I’ll give you some privacy, and I’m happy to accommodate any further requests.”

Massimo thanks her, takes my hand, and guides me into the empty space.

“What are we doing here?” I ask, confused.

He spreads his arms wide to encompass the large, bare space. “Do you like it?”

“The location is beautiful,” I reply, uncertain what to say.

He chuckles and pulls me close. “It’s for you.This will be your gallery if you want it.”