CHAPTER XXXI

I sat at the head of the table, my fingers tapping impatiently against the oak top. Uncle Alessandro, Matteo, Luca, and Lo joined me as we discussed a potential new supplier for our wine.

My mind wasn’t on the meeting, though. I glanced at my phone; still no response from Winter, which wasn’t like her. I had been looking forward to cutting the day short to take her out for lunch, maybe have her for dessert afterward.

Why wasn’t she responding? A knot tightened in my stomach.

I grabbed my phone and typed a quick message to Enzo.

Me

Where is Winter?

After pressing send, I forced myself to return my attention to the meeting, but Winter still occupied my mind.

Moments passed and the conversation flowed around me, but my eyes remained glued to my phone.

Finally, it buzzed, and I opened Enzo’s response.

Enzo

Winter and Tabi are at the spa.

* * *

After my meeting, Miguel dropped me off at the spa, and as I stepped out of the car, I spotted Enzo waiting by the front door, his expression unreadable.

“She’s in the pedicure room,” Enzo said, nodding toward the front desk.

I strode toward the desk, where a woman looked up at me, her eyes sparkling with desire as they dropped to my tailored black suit.

“Good afternoon,” I said, keeping my voice smooth. “I’m Nico Moretti and I’m here to see my girl. It’s my understanding that she’s in the pedicure room.”

The woman blinked. “Uh, yes, of course! I’ll… I’ll get you there right away, Mr. Moretti.” She fumbled with the papers on the desk. “If you could just?—”

“Is something wrong?” I interrupted, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.

“No, not at all,” she replied quickly, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of pink. “Just follow me.”

“Lead the way,” I said with a casual wave of my hand, watching as she took a breath and stepped out from behind the desk.

I followed her down a narrow hallway that felt too bright and too sterile. When we reached the white double doors, she pushed them open, I was greeted by the sight of Tabi lounging in a chair, her head tipped back as a technician meticulously painted her toenails.

“Here we are,” the receptionist said.

“Thank you,” I said, flashing her a smile. “You’ve been very helpful.”

“You’re so welcome, Mr. Moretti.”

“Tabi,” I called out, and she jolted upright, her eyes widening as they locked onto mine. “Where’s Winter?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended.

Tabi swallowed hard, her expression shifting to one of unease.

“Tabi, I asked you a question,” I pressed.

“Uh, she’s… um… getting a wax,” she finally replied, the words tumbling out hesitantly.

“Okay,” I replied. “What kind of wax?” I turned my gaze to the technician painting Tabi’s toenails.

“We have a few options,” the technician explained, her tone cheery despite the tension in the air.

I shot a glare at Tabi. “What service, Tabi?”

She looked terrified, her lips pressed together tight.

“Tabi!” I snapped, and she blinked rapidly, as if trying to shake off a trance.

“A Brazilian.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. My stomach dropped.

“What did you say?” I repeated slowly, hoping I hadn’t heard her right.

“Oh, a Brazilian!” a voice chimed from behind me.

I turned to see a woman standing there with an unsettlingly wide smile. “Are you a friend of Winter’s?” she asked, her tone far too chipper.

“Yes,” I ground out through clenched teeth.

“Well, she’s in good hands. Our technician is fantastic and has years of experience. He’ll take great care of her.”

Did she say he ?

“Oh, fuck,” I heard Tabi groan.

I stormed toward the woman. “Take me to her now,” I hissed, my patience evaporating.

“Sir, we can’t allow non-members or non-customers back there without an appointment,” she replied shakily.

I pushed past her, fury propelling me forward. “Tell me where she is.”

“Sir, please?—”

I halted and turned, forcing her to step back. “You’re going to tell me where she is, or I swear I’ll tear this place apart.”

She swallowed hard, eyes darting. Nodding frantically, she led me down a long hallway that felt like it would never end. Each step only intensified my growing anxiety. When we turned the corner, a woman stepped in front of me, arms crossed, her name tag reading “Manager,” as if that title meant shit to me.

“Get the hell out of my way,” I growled.

“Sir, I don’t know who you are, but you can’t be back here without an appointment. If you need me to get a customer for you, I can do that, but you need to wait in the waiting room,” she replied, her tone unnervingly calm.

“No, I won’t,” I shot back, stepping closer. “Get out of my way, or I’ll move you myself.”

Her eyes widened, and she stepped aside, panic flickering across her face. I stormed down the hall. Without knocking, I flung the room’s door open.

My jaw clenched, fury and something darker curling in my gut as I took in Winter laying half naked with a small towel covering her pussy. Winter belonged to me, and she shouldn’t be getting her pussy waxed, especially by a man who would be looking at her pussy like it was the flavor of the day. Winter was put in my path for a reason. Mine to look at. Mine to touch. Mine to kiss. Mine to fuck.

My jaw tightened as I took in her appearance, fury igniting in my chest.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Winter if I wanted to. She formed an “O” with her gorgeous lips. The storm brewing inside me was ready to unleash.

And then, as if to fuel my anger further, she tried covering up, giving me an eyeful of her pussy. I stormed toward my little angel, but the technician positioned himself as a barrier.

“Sir, you need to leave now. I will call the police if you do not.” He placed a hand on my chest and Winter gasped.

I smirked.

“Nico,” she said in a pleading, warning tone. My gaze was met with her exposed skin in the presence of another man, fueling my fury.

I lunged at the technician, seizing his wrist with an iron grip. The sound of breaking bones echoed through the room, accompanied by his agonized shrieks.

“Nico! Stop it!” Winter cried, attempting to get off the table.

“Stop fucking moving!” I roared at her, and she halted in place.

I glared at the man cowering before me, his body trembling, when I heard footsteps approaching.

“Boss?” Enzo called out from the hall.

I yanked the man up by his collar, dragging him into the hall. I thrust him toward Enzo, my voice low and dangerous. “Get him out of here. I don’t want anyone setting foot in this room until I say so, you hear me?”

Enzo nodded and took the man by the arm as he pulled him away. The man let out a sob, cradling his injured wrist, but I didn’t care.

With a grunt of frustration, I slammed the door with enough force to shake the walls, my anger now directed at Winter.

I was so furious I could barely string a coherent thought together. The urge to shake Winter, to rattle some sense into her, was overwhelming.

My eyes scanned the room, landing on her clothes folded neatly across the dresser. I marched over, snatched them up, and tossed them at her. “Get dressed.”

She didn’t say a word but reluctantly complied, pulling on her clothes.

“Nico,” she said, her voice soft and almost pleading. But I was too wound up, too tightly coiled to let her soothing tone penetrate my anger. I needed to cool off before I said or did something I’d regret.

“Not now, Winter,” I snapped. “Just get in the car.”

She didn’t argue.

I swung the door open and followed her out of the room, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and guilt.

When we reached the front office, it was eerily quiet. I stepped outside, the crisp air hitting my face, and spotted Miguel. “Go with Enzo and take Tabi back to my place. I’ll handle Winter,” I ordered.

He nodded, but Winter’s gaze drifted to Tabi, who shot her a look of regret. Tabi reached out, squeezing Winter’s hand gently, and the sight made my insides churn. I was ruining her day.

I opened the door for Winter, and she slipped inside, fastening her seatbelt. I unbuttoned my suit jacket, feeling stifled by it, and climbed into the driver’s seat.

Stealing a glance at her, I noticed she was staring out the window, her posture turned away from me as if that could save her from me.

With a deep breath, I turned the ignition, the engine rumbling to life, and pulled out onto the road.

The ride was spent in an almost suffocating silence. The only sounds breaking through the quiet were the steady hum of the engine and the soft rustle of leaves outside as we made our way home.

As soon as we pulled through my gate, I cut the engine. Winter didn’t waste a moment; she flung the door open, slamming it as she stormed away.

“Damnit,” I muttered under my breath.

I strode after her. “Winter, where the hell do you think you’re going?”

“Getting an Uber home!” she shouted back.

Did she really think she could just escape me?

I quickened my pace. Once I reached her, I had her by the wrist, tugging her through the lawn to the front door. I pulled her toward my bedroom room. She stumbled, her protests falling on deaf ears.

“Nico, stop it!” When we reached the door, I kicked it open with a pissed off Winter in my arms. I pushed her onto the bed, my hands tightening around her arms. My anger and jealousy spilled over like the whiskey I abandoned during the meeting.

Winter glared up at me, her face flushed, but she remained silent, her breath coming in short gasps.

Welcome to the club, baby. I’m pissed off too.

“You want to play games, Winter? Let’s play.” My voice was low and dangerous, and my eyes narrowed as I loomed over her.

“No one”—I gestured to her clothing, my voice shaking with rage—“will ever see your pussy but me.” Winter swallowed, her eyes flicking up to meet mine.

I stepped closer, my legs brushing the edge of the bed. “What the fuck were you thinking letting another man...” I trailed off. I ran my hand through my hair, trying to rein in the tornado that was building within me. “You belong to me, and no one, and I mean no one sees you like this.” The jealousy clawed at me, fierce and relentless like a rabid beast. I could fucking taste it I was so obsessed.

“Why are you so angry?” Winter shot back. “I wasn’t even going to go through with it when I realized it was a man.”

My hand shot forward, cupping her pussy, making her flinch.

“This pussy,” I growled, “is mine. I will decide what to do with it. You keep forgetting that every inch of your body belongs to me now. The sooner you accept it, the sooner you can stop pissing me the fuck off.”

Winter’s gaze hardened. “Do you hear yourself? You can’t control what I do. And you didn’t have to hurt him. He was an innocent man just doing his job.”

My jaw tightened. I climbed onto the bed, caging her in with my body, forcing her to lay back, planting my hands on either side of her head. “Everyone answers to me. And you, my little angel, are no exception.”

Winter’s breath quickened as the power dynamic between us became apparent. We were at an impasse, and the anger radiating off both of us could set off like a bomb at any moment.

A knock at the door shattered the tense silence, granting Winter an opportunity to wriggle free from my grasp. I growled in frustration, more at myself than at her. “God dammit, Winter, stop fighting me. Just fucking relax.”

The persistent knocking continued. “Fuck off!” I bellowed.

The knocking stopped and footsteps outside retreated, but the damage was done. Winter had taken advantage of the distraction. Her hips jerked up, and she almost kicked me in the junk.

Without thinking, my body acted on its own accord. My hips grinded against hers, and my length pressed into her stomach. Winter froze, her eyes widening. “Wh-what are you doing?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

I cupped her face in my hands, brushing her soft cheeks with my thumbs. “I need you to stay fucking still,” I demanded, and then I crushed my lips to hers. It was a kiss infused with anger and desire, a kiss that demanded a response. I teased her lips with my tongue, and when she opened her mouth to protest, I plunged into her, tasting her sweetness.

Winter moaned, and it was my undoing. I lost the little control I had left, my hands tangling in her hair as I deepened the kiss. She tasted like candy, and it only fueled my hunger for her. I was fucking starving for this little vixen.

Massaging my tongue with hers and stroking her lips, I thought I was going to blow my load in my pants.

This kiss was fierce and passionate.

Too fucking passionate.

“Why do you have to be so defiant?” I breathed against her lips.

She buried her face in the crook of my neck, letting out a breathless moan, her body pressing against mine.

I wanted to take a step back, but my body had a mind of its own. My desire for her was all-consuming, and it wanted to fuck her senseless until there was an imprint of her body in the mattress.

I wanted—no, needed—her with an intensity that could eventually kill me.

My breath came in ragged gasps as my chest heaved. My eyes locked with hers, and I felt a jolt of desire as her gaze dropped to the tent in my pants. With a slow, deliberate movement, she bucked her hips against me, a sensual grind that had me groaning and aching for more.

“Tell me honestly, angel.” I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against her ear. “Were you going to let him see what was mine?”

“No.”

The thought of that man seeing her naked sent a flash of possessiveness through me, and it felt like battery acid was burning my skin. I wanted to brand her as mine, to explore every inch of her, and to be the only one who could make her feel this way.

I blew a breath against her neck, relishing the way she shivered in response. Her golden skin, adorned with goosebumps, was a testament to the effect I had on her. I wanted to devour her, but I also wanted to savor this moment.

Reaching to the side of the bed, my fingers wrapped around a cool metal bar, leather cuffs, a whip, and a blindfold. A mischievous smile played on my lips as I leaned back, still straddling her, and produced the items.

A mix of excitement and nervousness flashed across her face. “You want to play, Angel?” I asked.

Her breath quickened as she nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. “Yes,” she murmured.

Taking the silk blindfold, I tied it around her eyes, blocking her vision. My fingers traced her jawline, my touch gentle and reassuring. I leaned close, inhaling her scent, and whispered against her lips, “I’m going to punish you.”

“Nico?” she asked with a hint of nervousness. Her sweet voice that sounded like a soft melody made my dick harder than it already was. I was going to blow a load in my fuckin’ pants like a thirteen-year-old.

She tugged at the restraints.

“Relax, Winter,” I whispered, my lips brushing hers.

Surprisingly, she hadn’t tried to kick me in the balls or bite my face off. I took that as my cue to continue. My fingers trailed down her neck, across her collarbone, and lower, eliciting a soft moan from her.

Her tension melted away, and she finally relaxed as I slid down to worship at her feet. Kneeling, I took off her shoes and socks, setting them aside, admiring her delicate feet and the splash of red on her toenails. I wanted to taste her, to suck her toes, but I restrained myself, knowing there would be time for that later. I let my hands dance up her legs, starting at her ankles and moving slowly to her knees, then her thighs. She jolted at my touch, her body sensitive and responsive.

A cute, playful whine escaped her. “It’s ticklish.”

I chuckled at her reaction, my fingers digging into her soft thighs, kneading and eliciting a low, satisfied moan from her lips. Her pleasure was my pleasure, and I watched her intently as my hands continued their exploration, moving up to her hips. I straddled her once more, my body aligning with hers, and felt the heat between us.

I’d never felt this way with anyone else; usually, it was just raw fucking, but with Winter, I wanted to be gentle and to savor her, explore every inch of her, and indulge in this sweet torture.

My hands brushed the sides of her breasts, and she wiggled beneath me, a delightful sensation. The hardness of my desire pressed against her softness, and she moaned again, her body yielding to mine. I ran my fingers up her jaw with a feather, along her earlobe, and down her neck, feeling the delicate bumps on her skin, a canvas I wanted to memorize.

I trailed soft kisses and feather-light caresses down her neck. She shivered and giggled, her body responding to my every touch.

“You like that, my angel?” I whispered, my voice hoarse with desire. I could feel her nodding as I gently bit her earlobe, licked, and blew softly afterward.

Leaning back, I gazed at her, admiring the view. Her heavy panting filled the room, her need for release evident. I wanted to give her that relief, but my own desire was building, my length straining against my pants. I felt the precum leaking.

But I needed to punish her first.

“Turn around and lay on your stomach,” I ordered her. My eyes narrowed as she hesitated. “Now, Winter, or I’ll do it myself,” I added, backing up a bit to allow her room.

Winter’s throat bobbed as she reluctantly turned and kneeled before me. I looked down at the position she was in and internally groaned. “Strip,” I instructed.

She glanced over her shoulder at me. “Why?” The word escaped her lips in a breathless whisper.

I paused, considering her question before responding with a simple, “Just do it.” I gripped the metal bar tightly to keep from bursting out of my skin.

Obediently, she began to undress, tossing her clothes on the floor. “Now what?” she asked.

“Get into position,” I growled. “Flat on your stomach, legs spread, and arms tucked between your legs.”

Surprisingly, she did exactly what I told her to do.

I secured the leather cuffs around her wrists and ankles. What a beautiful sight. Winter lay helplessly restrained, her wrists and ankles secured to the bar, her body completely wide open for me.

Her ass and pussy were up in the air, begging to be touched, licked, and fucked.

“Nico?” she asked, her voice strained.

“I have to say, Angel, I could get used to seeing you like this all the time,” I murmured.

I trailed my fingers along her spine, making her shiver, and rubbed her ass cheeks in slow motion. “As much as I want to fuck you like this…” I pressed a kiss on the base of her spine and lingered,already hard as fuck taking in the smell of her wet pussy. “This is all you will get,” I said, my voice low and stern. “For now.”

Without warning, I delivered a sharp smack to her ass. Winter cried out, her face buried in the pillow. I delivered another strike.

Now she was soaking wet, and I couldn’t resist leaning down and licking her folds. She writhed against the restraints, her body arching perfectly, inviting me for more.

My gaze was fixed on the spreader bar that had her in the perfect position for me to pull out my cock and ram it inside its rightful place, but I held back.

Her pussy wasn’t ready for my dick. Not for what I had planned for her.

I stared down at her round ass and grabbed the whip and gave her another smack. Her ass now flushed with a crimson hue.

“Ahh...Oh, God!” she cried out in pleasure and pain.

The sound alone was enough to awaken the possessive beast within me, reminding me that her body would only respond to my touch, and mine alone. I wanted to mark her, claim her, ensure she understood the depth of my possession.

Inhaling her sweet scent, my control slipped further. I reached for the zipper of my pants, ready for my dick to explore her?—

“Nico!” Lo called from somewhere in the house.

“Fuck,” I muttered. I didn’t want to stop; I needed to continue what we’d started, but I knew I had to wait.

“Sorry, Angel,” I whispered, placing a kiss on her ass. “We’ll continue this later. I promise.” I covered her with a sheet, my eyes never leaving her face.

I straightened my clothes and raging hard on, and strode to the door, making sure to close it so he wouldn’t see my angel sprawled on the bed. No one got to see her that way but me.

“What?” I yelled when I whipped the door open.

Lo raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms across his chest. “Dude, what the fuck? I’ve been trying to reach you since the meeting. We need to close this damn deal; you know that.”

Fucking hell. This was what Winter did to me—threw me off my game.

“Just go wait downstairs. I’ll be out in a minute,” I barked, trying to sound more composed than I felt.

Lo’s gaze shifted to the door behind me, then back to my face, a smirk creeping onto his lips. “Do I even want to know?”

“Fuck off, Lo. I said I’ll be out in a minute.” When he finally turned to leave, I shut the door behind him.

Walking back to Winter, I undid the cuffs and removed the blindfold, freeing her from her restraints. Her eyes, heavy with lust, met mine, and I knew she wanted more.

“I have to attend to business. But Enzo will make sure you get home safe,” I said, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

She sat up, the sheet clinging to her skin as she wrapped it around her naked body, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features. “I’m going home now?”

I held back a smile at knowing just a few minutes ago, my little vixen was ready to fight me and escape.

I nodded, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. “Yes, and we’ll continue this later. I promise.”

To my surprise, she didn’t argue or plead for more. Instead, she simply smiled.

Her smile was my ultimate undoing, lighting up my world in ways I never thought possible. My heart quickened as her gaze locked onto mine, and I knew I’d be counting the minutes—no, seconds—until I could return to her. I stole one last glance, committing her beautiful image to memory. As I turned to leave, I noticed her hands ghosting over her lips, a dazed expression on her face as if she were still reeling from the intimacy we had just shared.

I opened the door and walked down the stairs to see Enzo. I shot him a knowing look, my heart still racing. “Make sure she gets home safe,” I instructed.

As I walked away, I could feel a heavy weight settle in my chest. I couldn’t shake the image of her sweet smile, which only made being apart from her feel like an eternity.