Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

S ofia

I had a serious case of cabin fever.

I'd read books. I'd binged Netflix. I'd even taken to helping Alonzo in the kitchen and learning how to make pastries and different kinds of cakes for dessert. He'd orchestrated a whole wine-tasting event for me that involved tasting all different vintages from the Tuscan region, which I really enjoyed.

The truth was I was bored.

The walls of Massimo's estate, as grand and luxurious as they were, were starting to feel like a gilded cage. I'd been cooped up inside for days now, and the desire to step out into the world was becoming unbearable.

Dinner that evening was quiet. Massimo was distracted, lost in his thoughts as he absentmindedly moved his food around on his plate.

After a while, he set his fork down and spoke, almost as if thinking out loud. "I'll be away in a few days. There's a charity ball—a fundraiser, really—that I need to attend."

His words piqued my interest immediately.

"A charity ball?" I asked, my hopes rising.

Massimo nodded, his gaze still distant. "It's an important event, a chance to maintain certain connections and keep up appearances."

I leaned forward, curiosity getting the better of me. "And you're going?"

"Yes," he replied, his tone matter of fact. "It's something I can't afford to miss."

I set my fork down and looked him straight in the eye. "Take me with you."

Massimo blinked, clearly taken aback. "Sofia, it's not exactly the kind of place where?—"

"I know it's dangerous," I interrupted, my voice firm. "But I need to get out of here, Massimo. I'm going stir-crazy."

He studied me for a long moment, weighing my request against the risks. I could see the gears turning in his mind, the conflict between wanting to protect me and knowing that he couldn't keep me locked away forever.

"You do realize what you're asking, don't you?" he said, his tone serious. "This isn't a party or a casual social event. It's a calculated performance, where every word, every gesture no matter how small, is scrutinized by every major figure there."

"I understand that," I replied, not backing down.

Massimo's expression softened slightly, a hint of admiration in his gaze. "You're determined, I'll give you that."

"More like desperate," I admitted with a small smile. "I need this, Massimo. Please."

He let out a sigh, setting his fork down. "Alright. But there will be rules, Sofia. You stay by my side the entire evening. You don't speak to anyone unless I introduce you. And if I say it's time to leave, we leave. No questions."

My heart skipped a beat, excitement bubbling up inside me. "Deal."

"Don't make me regret this," he added, a warning edge to his voice. "This is a world full of dangerous people."

"I won't," I promised, my mind already racing with thoughts of what the evening might hold. "Thank you, Massimo."

He nodded, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. "I'll have something suitable arranged for you to wear."

I couldn't hide the smile that spread across my face.

A few days later

T he night of the ball had finally arrived.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the grand dressing room, hardly recognizing the woman staring back at me. The dress Massimo had arranged for me was nothing short of breathtaking—a sleek silk gown in the softest shade of pastel blue that clung to my body in all the right places. The fabric shimmered subtly in the light, cascading down from my shoulders in smooth, elegant lines, hugging my curves before flowing into a gentle, floor-length train.

I ran my hands down the sides of the dress, feeling the cool, luxurious silk beneath my fingertips. It was the kind of dress that made you feel powerful, like you could conquer the world just by walking into a room. It made me feel like a queen. The color contrasted beautifully with my dark hair, which had been styled into loose waves that framed my face.

The neckline was modest yet alluring, dipping just enough to be elegant without being too revealing. The back of the dress was more daring, with a deep V that exposed the soft skin between my shoulder blades. I'd never worn anything quite like it before, and as I turned slightly to admire the dress from another angle, I felt a thrill of excitement mixed with nervous anticipation.

A pair of silver heels stood ready by the mirror, and on the vanity was a simple but stunning set of diamond earrings that Massimo had also provided. They sparkled under the soft light, catching my eye. I reached for them, fastening them carefully before slipping my feet into the heels.

As I stood up straight, taking in the full effect, a surge of confidence ran through me.

I felt like Cinderella.

The door to the dressing room opened quietly, and I turned to see Massimo standing there, his gaze sweeping over me with a mixture of approval and something deeper, something that made my heart skip a beat. He was dressed impeccably, as always, in a black tuxedo that highlighted his broad shoulders and commanding presence.

It made me want to climb him like a tree.

"You look… absolutely stunning," he said, his voice low and steady, but with an edge that told me he wasn't just talking about the dress.

"Thank you," I replied, trying to keep my voice calm despite the butterflies in my stomach.

Before I could say anything, he reached out, his hand cupping the side of my face. His touch was warm, steady, and possessive in a way that made my heart race. I could feel the roughness of his palm against my cheek, and it sent a thrill through me.

"Sofia," he murmured, his voice low and gravelly. "You have no idea what you do to me."

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat as he leaned in, his breath warm against my lips. There was a moment of hesitation, a heartbeat where the world seemed to stop, and then he kissed me.

His lips claimed mine with an intensity that left me breathless, his other hand sliding around my waist to pull me closer. I felt myself melt against him, my hands resting on his chest as I tried to steady myself.

My heart pounded in my chest, and despite the confidence I had felt just moments before, I found myself feeling shy, almost overwhelmed by the intensity of his desire.

But I didn't pull away. I couldn't. I wanted this—wanted him—more than I'd allowed myself to admit. His presence consumed me, and I found myself responding, my lips moving with his, my fingers curling into the fabric of his tuxedo as if I needed to anchor myself to him.

Massimo's hand tightened on my waist, pulling me even closer until there was no space left between us. He broke the kiss just long enough to murmur against my lips, "You're mine tonight, Sofia. No one else's. Just mine."

The possessiveness in his voice sent a shiver down my spine, but it wasn't fear I felt. It was a heady mix of excitement and longing, the realization that I wanted to be his, that I craved this connection more than anything.

I looked up at him, my cheeks flushed, my breath coming in soft, uneven gasps. "Massimo…"

Massimo pulled back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes, his expression softening. His thumb brushed gently across my cheek, and for a moment, we just stood there, holding each other, the world outside forgotten.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you, Sofia," he said, his voice steady and full of promise.

"I know you won't," I whispered.

He smiled, a rare, genuine smile that made my heart flutter all over again. Then he kissed me one last time, slow and tender, as if sealing the promise between us.

When he finally pulled away, there was a new resolve in his eyes, a fire that mirrored the one burning inside me. "Let's go," he said, offering his arm.

I took it, feeling surer of myself than ever. He led me out of the room and down the hallway and we headed down the sprawling marble staircase together.

The night air was cool as we stepped out of the estate. I grinned to see that there was a sleek black limo waiting for us. A chauffeur opened the door as we approached, bowing slightly in deference to Massimo. He released my arm just long enough to help me into the limo, his touch lingering on my lower back as I slid onto the plush leather seat. The interior of the limo was just as luxurious as I'd expected—dark leather, tinted windows, and a discreet partition separating us from the driver.

Massimo followed me in, and the door closed behind him with a soft click. The moment the car began to move, he slid across the seat, closing the distance between us in a single, smooth motion. I barely had time to register the possessive gleam in his eyes before his hand found my thigh, strong fingers wrapping around it with an intensity that sent a shiver straight through me.

"Sofia," he murmured, his voice low and thick with desire. "Do you know how hard it is for me to keep my hands off you tonight?"

I felt a flush of heat blossom across my face. I swallowed hard, the heat of his touch searing through the silk of my dress, sending a thrill through me that left my blood racing and my heart pounding. I could feel the strength in his grip, and it was causing butterflies deep in my belly.

He leaned in closer, his breath warm against my neck as his hand slid further up my thigh, bunching the delicate fabric of my dress. My heart pounded in my chest, the intensity of his presence overwhelming. Despite the nerves that fluttered in my stomach, I found myself leaning into him, craving the closeness, the security of his touch.

"Then don't," I whispered, barely able to get the words out as his fingers traced a slow, deliberate path along the inside of my thigh. The sensation sent a wave of heat pooling in my core, and I instinctively squeezed my legs together, trying to steady myself.

He chuckled softly, the sound deep and rich as it vibrated down my spine. "I love how you responsive you are to me, Sofia."

His lips brushed against the curve of my neck, sending another shiver down my spine. My body seemed to melt under his touch, the silk of my dress a tantalizing barrier between us that I both loved and hated in that moment.

His eyes never left mine as his hand slowly inched up my thigh, sending shivers of anticipation down my spine. He moved with deliberate slowness, teasing me, drawing out the moment until I could hardly stand it anymore. I felt his breath against my lips, warm and inviting, and before I knew it, his mouth was on mine.

The kiss started slow, his lips brushing against mine with a tenderness that took me by surprise. But it didn't stay that way for long. The gentleness soon gave way to something more intense, more demanding. His hand moved from my thigh to my waist, pulling me closer as his other hand cradled the back of my head, angling me just right so he could deepen the kiss.

I felt myself melting into him, the tension that had been building between us exploding into a fire that consumed my every thought. His lips were firm and commanding, leaving no room for doubt that I was his. I couldn't resist him, didn't want to. I let him take control, opening myself up to him in a way that I never had before.

His hands began to wander, sliding over the curves of my body with a possessiveness that left me aching for more. I could feel the strength in his touch, the way his fingers traced the contours of my hips, my waist, the small of my back. It was like he was memorizing every inch of me, and I couldn't get enough of it.

Without breaking the kiss, he moved his hands to my hips, gripping them firmly as he lifted me off the seat and into his lap. I gasped against his mouth, my hands instinctively reaching up to wrap around his neck for balance. The feel of him beneath me, the solid, reassuring strength of his body, sent a thrill through me that left me dizzy.

He groaned softly against my lips, his hands sliding down to the hem of my dress, lifting it slowly, deliberately, as if savoring every moment. The silk fabric slid up my thighs, cool against my heated skin, and I could feel the anticipation building between us, thick and electric.

My breath hitched as his hands continued their slow exploration, pushing the fabric higher, exposing more of my legs, my skin tingling wherever he touched. I could feel the tension coiling tighter, a delicious ache that spread through me as I shifted in his lap, pressing my body closer against him.

His mouth never left mine, the kiss deepening as his hands roamed higher, his touch both tender and possessive. I was lost in him, in the way he held me, the way he claimed me with every caress, every kiss.

"Massimo," I whispered against his lips, my voice shaky with need. "Please… I need…"

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes, his own dark and filled with a fierce, possessive hunger. His hands stilled for a moment, his fingers resting just below the edge of my dress, as if he was giving me one last chance to change my mind.

But I didn't want to. I was his, and I wanted him.

Right here. Right now.

In response, he gave me a slow, almost predatory smile before leaning in to capture my lips once more, his hands resuming their slow, torturous ascent up my thighs. I moaned softly against his mouth, my body arching into him as his touch ignited a fire within me the likes of which I had never known before.

He pulled my dress up even further and my breath hitched as a heated flush raced up my neck to my face.

I wasn't wearing any panties and he was about to find out.

With a low, husky groan, he slid his hand between my thighs, his fingers lightly teasing my slick, sensitive folds. I gasped, a tremor of pleasure rippling through me as he explored me with an agonizingly slow, deliberate precision.

It was maddening.

"Naughty girl. You're completely bare underneath this dress, aren't you?"

"Yes," I breathed.

I was lost in a haze of desire, my body trembling as his fingers continued to stroke and tease me. My hips began to move instinctively, seeking more contact, more friction, but he kept his movements controlled, his touch just enough to leave me desperate for more. With a soft whine, I leaned against him. My nipples pebbled beneath the fabric of my dress, and just as I was wondering if he knew, his thumb brushed over one of my stiff buds.

He broke the kiss and looked at me with a wicked grin.

I bit my lip as a wave of pleasure shot through me. I was so close to the edge, teetering on the precipice of release, but he didn't stop, didn't let up.

"Don't stop," I pleaded, my voice barely more than a whisper.

"It's not a very long ride to the venue, la mia bambina ," he ventured, and I rocked my hips again, this time succeeding in brushing my clit against the rough pads of his fingers.

"Please…"

But then, he lifted his hand away and smacked my pussy, using the flats of his fingers to punish me. I let out a sharp cry, more out of shock than pain, the sound echoing through the limo. My body clenched tight, and I gripped his shoulders, digging my nails into his suit jacket.

"That was quite bold, bambina , trying to take your own pleasure for yourself," he chided, as he smacked my pussy several more times.

"That hurts!" I whined, but he kept going.

"I'm going to spank this pussy bright pink as punishment, naughty girl. I want you to remember who's in charge with every step you take tonight," he growled, and he swatted between my legs several more times until my entire pussy felt like it was on fire.

And then he began to stroke me again, his touch gentle now, coaxing. I felt tears spring to my eyes, but they weren't from pain.

They were from relief.

"Now, you're going to come for me, la mia bambina . You're going to come fast and hard. If you don't come by the time we reach the venue, then I'm going to tell the driver to pull over and I'll pin you over my lap, spread that pussy open wide, and spank that disobedient little clit until it's cherry red and you're one very sore and very sorry little girl," he demanded.

"I understand, sir," I breathed, my heart practically thumping in the back of my throat as a mixture of excitement and fear swirled through me. I don't know where the ‘sir' had come from. It just kind of came out and then it felt right.

With his eyes locked onto mine, Massimo began to rub his fingers over my clit with slow, steady circles, his touch light and teasing. It wasn't enough. Not nearly enough. I needed more.

Oh, God.

Did he want to punish me? Did I want him to?

My pussy was already stinging, the flesh between my thighs thoroughly scalded from nothing more than his firm hand.

"Please," I begged, lewdly rocking my hips back and forth, trying to coax him to touch me more firmly, to give me something more so that I could come undone before we reached our destination.

He smirked at my neediness, the pad of his thumb lightly brushing against the bundle of nerves and sending a wave of heat pulsing through my veins.

I couldn't take it.

I was too wound up.

Without thinking, I reached down between my legs, and he caught my wrist before I could touch myself. In an instant, my stomach felt like it dropped to the tips of my toes.

"Bad girl. Now I'm going to have to spank this pussy beet red after all," he said darkly.

No. No. No.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Without a word, he quickly pinned me over his lap by wrapping an arm around my waist. I tried to close my thighs, but he quickly smacked each inner thigh hard. I squealed as he did it, but quickly spread my legs, allowing him access to my throbbing pussy.

Smack!

A yelp escaped my throat as the palm of his hand struck my pussy hard. A volley of sizzling fire exploded between my thighs, and I cried out. He smacked between my thighs several more times, far more firmly than before and I struggled to take it, but I didn't have any choice. The burning grew hotter, sharper, and I found myself whimpering and moaning and writhing over his lap.

"I'm sorry, sir!"

"Who decides when you come, little girl ?" he scolded.

"You do, sir!"

He smacked my pussy again, his fingers striking my clit and sending another burst of heat through me. And then, with one hand, he held open my pussy using his fingers and started spanking my clit.

Oh, God. Oh, God.

I was so wet, so close. My body trembled, the pleasure and pain blurring together into a maddening haze of sensation. I struggled to take every firm spank, but before I knew what was happening, I was coming, and I was coming hard.

I gasped and moaned and bucked, my hips jerking wildly as the orgasm ripped through me. My vision blurred, and for a moment, the only thing I was aware of was the feeling of his hand between my thighs and the exquisite pleasure-pain of his touch.

He stopped spanking between my thighs and then using several fingers, he started rubbing my clit so firmly that I rocketed straight from one orgasm into the next before I could stop it.

My whole body shook, and I felt as if every nerve was on fire. There was nothing for me to do but take it, and take it I did. The searing hot sensations were overwhelming, and I cried out as wave after wave of pleasure washed over me.

Then he spanked my pussy once, hard, before he returned to rubbing my clit, forcing my pleasure higher and higher until my head was up in the clouds and nothing and no one could stop my release from reaching its full height. The moment it did, he smacked my pussy one more time, this time using the tips of his fingers and the palm of his hand.

I cried out, the sharp sting a stark contrast to the sweet bliss still coursing through me, but nothing could stop the cascade of white-hot bliss that surged through me because of it.

"That's it. Come for me. Let me hear you scream my name as you come for me with your pussy spanked bright red and sore," he demanded.

I screamed.

There was no holding back.

I felt as if the pleasure was going to tear me apart, and all I could do was hang on and ride the wave of ecstasy as it crashed over me. He rubbed my clit, forcing my orgasm to go on and on until it finally started to fade, leaving me sore and utterly spent.

As the world slowly came back into focus, I became aware of him cradling me against him, his voice soft and low in my ear.

"You did so well, bambina ," he praised.

I curled up against him as my heart thumped in my chest, my breathing ragged. He held me tight and ran his hand over my hair. Gently, he pulled my skirt back down, covering the expanse of my exposed skin. Then, he wrapped his strong arms around me, holding me tight.

The rest of the ride was silent, except for my own rapid heartbeat.

When the car finally came to a stop, my breathing had returned to normal, and I felt more like myself.

He gave me one final look, his eyes roaming over me with approval. Then the driver opened the door. Massimo got out first, and then offered his hand to help me.

I took it, stepping out onto the street and trying to ignore the slight soreness between my thighs.

He was right. I was going to feel my spanking with every step I took tonight.