Page 59 of The Reaper's Bride

“Are you sure you don’t need your brothers’ protection after all? Where’s your little knife?” he asks harshly, prowling ever closer.

My hand flexes as if I could summon it with a thought. The knife is special to me and I did indeed carry it with me to New York. But, I won’t use it tonight. Not even to defend my own life. “If you hurt me, Alessio, I know you’ll regret it,” I whisper.

“Will I now?” He’s furious and not a man accustomed to reining in his wrath. But he would regret it. A boldness I never knew existed in me was born the day I married this man. Whatever happens, I will face it.

“I don’t fear you, Alessio.” It’s partly a lie. I’m utterly terrified at the thought of torture, but I want to believe that the monster I married is caged when it comes to me. He grips my arms, but I can sense the restraint in his touch.He doesn’t want to hurt me.I have to trust in that. The alternative would indeed break me. “I never meant to betray you. I just couldn’t tell on them.”

“So, you admit knowing about it?” Even the night he’d been shot, I’ve never known him to sound pained this way.

“I admit I knew she wanted to run and planned to do it today during the audition. Beyond that, I don’t know anything, but I pray she’s safe.”

“You and your fucking prayers!” he shouts, turning away to smash the vase of flowers beside him. The unhinged part of him wants blood, and I have enough sense to keep my mouth closed.

Instead, I reach out to touch him.Carefully. Just my fingers lightly brushing the back of his hand. He blows out a long breath and, when he glances at me, I know his rage isn’t all that governs him. The attraction between us is an undeniable force.

He comes closer, turning me around until my back is against his front. “Why must youtestme?” I can sense the longing in his voice. It echoes my own. His nose rakes against the side of my throat, his hot breath making my flesh come alive with a million goosebumps. The way I’m shivering when he holds me this way has nothing to do with terror.

“I don’t know why but I’m sorry,” I answer, daring to reach back and cup his stubbled jaw.

He doesn’t push my hand away this time even as he mutters, “You’re not sorry.”

“I’m not sorry I didn’t tell on her, but I am truly sorry I’ve hurt you.”

“Youcan’thurt me,” he sneers.

That’s a lie. Or I’m almost certain it is. My betrayal, such as it was, may have wounded him more deeply than any blade could manage. He’s only verbally pushing me away while still holding me tight. His proximity and strength, that spicy cologne and the salt of his skin fully awakens my need for him. He has an arm locked around my torso. Reaching down, I pull his hand up tomy breast, silently tempting him to take what I know he wants. He pinches my nipple hard, and I stifle a moan.

“You think you can escape questioning this way, Caterina?” he murmurs.

“Not escape. This is my favorite method of torture.”

He chuckles, darkly. “You think this is a joke? I should teach you a lesson.”

I lift my chin, twisting my head to give him a challenging smile. “Maybe it’s a lesson I need to learn.”

He stares back at me with such hardness in those blue eyes. Is my husband in there somewhere? “Just remember, you fucking asked for it,” he growls at last, walking me toward the sofa.

He lays me face down across the overstuffed arm and unzips his pants. It shouldn't excite me, yet it does. Arousal trickles between my thighs as he throws my skirt over my back. He yanks my panties off, lifting one foot to cast them aside so he can spread my legs further apart. I’m completely exposed to him. When I try to glance over my shoulder, his strong hand flattens down the center of my back, pushing my upper half further into the cushions. “You will be silent and take it,” he rumbles in my ear. “I’m going to fuck you hard, and you won’t get to come, Caterina.”

Despite that threat, another powerful jolt of desire electrifies my every nerve. “And this is my punishment?”

“No, this is your lesson.”

I’m confused by his answer, but there’s a rustling sound, his pants and boxers sliding down to his ankles. He continues holding me down with one hand while the other caresses my ass. He slaps one cheek, and my surprised cry is smothered by the sofa cushion. He slaps it again and then the other, over and over. The thrill his dominant side evokes in me and the erotic sting of his palm meeting my flesh soon has me whimpering for more. “Ibelieve this really is your favorite method of torture, but we’ll see what you think when it’s over.”

His hot thick length brushes against my tender bottom and I quiver. Then, he pushes insistently against my tight back hole. Immediately, I freeze up, every muscle clenching. “Alessio…”

The hand on my back pushes me further into the cushions. “You’re supposed to be silent and take it, remember?”

Oh God.I know it won’t kill me, but I’ll admit I’m scared and have every expectation of real pain. He’s going to fuck methere,and I know I’m not ready.

Except he doesn’t do that.

His cock slips down to my pussy. I’m wet, but he doesn’t test me with his finger or lick me as he usually does. He gives me no warning at all before he thrusts forward, hard and swift. I screech into the cushions, but it’s the sort of pain I’ve come to relish. It’s him claiming me, reminding me I’m his and I love it.

“Remember, I’m not going to let you come.”

I give a sharp nod and then he’s riding my ass mercilessly, chasing his own pleasure in a way I’ve never experienced. Yet, I gladly surrender to him. If he’ll forgive me, I will give whatever he wants to take.“Fuck… Caterina…”