Page 28 of Tormented Diamonds

“Yes,” I say, lifting my chin and sinking into my part. “Does that make you angry?”

“Angry?” His low laugh makes me shiver. “Oh,cara mia, angry isn’t the word for what you’ve made me. I’ma powerful man who expects his toys to stay in the fucking box when he’s not around to play with them.”

“Then maybe you should play with them more often.”

The hair on his chin scrapes my cheek. “Is that a threat?”

“No, it’s a fact. This is a marriage of convenience, not choice.”

“You belong to me,” he growls, kicking my legs apart. “Let anyone else near you again, and they’ll die … slowly and painfully.”

“Is that a threat?” I quip, throwing his words back at him with a daring side-eye.

“No, it’s a fact,” he says, mirroring my response. “You’re mine, beloved, a word you seem confused by the definition.” I hear a rattling sound to my left, but I can’t discern what he’s doing since my head is turned right. “It’s a simple four-letter word that implies ownership. You know what else has four letters and makes disobedient toys learn their place?” I try to shake my head, but it’s being held immobile by an iron grip. “Pain. Deny.”

I freeze, my act slipping. Maybe I misread the situation. Maybe asking him about Torch tripped some wire in his head, sparking a flame that I’ve fanned. I’ve always accused him of having multiple personalities. What if this is one I haven’t seen?

What have I gotten myself into?

I’ve drowned myself in so many “what ifs” that I don’t notice the pressure at first… But then he pushes another button, and a full blast of pulsating water slams mercilessly against my lace-covered clit.

“Shit, shit, shit!” I struggle to close my legs, but the son of a bitch surges forward and traps me in a tight hold between his chest and the tile, his knees keeping mine apart.

I drop a mouthful of curses, damning him to hell when the water assault pauses long enough for me to catch mybreath. I don’t let my guard down. I know him too well. A decision proven wise when another button sends water jetting out of the handheld showerhead again, this time, in forceful, intermittent streams. Just when I’m on the edge of an orgasm, he presses another button, and it slips away. By the fifth time, I’m ready to rip it out of his hand and stab him with it.

Now I know why he left my panties on—to torture me.

“Gianni,” I wail, dangerously close to begging. “Damn, you…”

“Feel that frustration, beloved?” he murmurs behind me. “That rage coursing through your veins at being taunted by the one thing you desire most…? It’s maddening, isn’t it?” He puts the water on full blast again, this time grinding the handheld shower head into my clit.

My eyes roll back into my head. I’m losing my mind. Lights are flashing behind my eyes, my body is writhing against the wall, revolting at being left so raw and taut.

“All this can be over, Becca. All you have to do is beg for my forgiveness.”

Yes. Say yes.

“No.”

He tuts his disapproval. “Wrong choice again.” Moving my thong aside, he sinks two fingers inside me while switching the showerhead back to pulse. Just when I’m about to come, he stills them both.

I let out a scream in frustration. “Fine! I’m sorry!”

“And what are you sorry for?”

I grit my teeth. “For marrying a sadistic prick…” I jolt as a third finger slams inside me. “I mean, for trying to make you jealous.”

“And?”

“And for letting Owen touchme.”

“And?”

“And for not being a good toy. I’m yours, my don.”

Those last two words turn his cock to steel.

“Goddamn right, you are,” he rasps. Slipping the water nozzle under my panties, he presses it directly onto my clit while pumping his fingers in and out of me.