Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

A lexandra

“That’s not playing nice, Alexandra,” he told me.

“You don’t play nice. Do you?” I wanted to push him even further. I wanted to see how far this would go. While I’d already cracked the thick lock on Pandora’s Box, the woman inside I’d kept controlled wanted to throw it wide open.

There was nothing oppressive about the darkness. It added to the sensual atmosphere. I wasn’t certain what to expect, but after he grinned, laughed, and stroked the side of my face lovingly, he flipped me around to face the tree.

“What are you doing?”

“Well, since it’s been established I’m not a nice guy. I don’t need to handle you with kid gloves.” He certainly wasn’t gentle in jerking on my shorts until he managed to unfasten and get them down, exposing a vulnerable side of me. Was this tit for tat since I’d ripped his shirt? No, it was for something much darker.

His jealousy, the green-eyed monster.

“You don’t want me even talking to another man. Isn’t that what this is all about? You’re angry I might find someone else attractive. Other than you, the king.”

I don’t know if my button pressing was working, but he scooped something off the ground. I found out only two seconds later.

Swish. Swish.

Shit. What was he doing?

I had no idea a tiny stick could produce so much force. The pain was… There were no words to describe it. Of course being in the dark didn’t help. I couldn’t see his swats coming.

And boy, did they come.

My bottom was on fire barely five seconds later. Parts of every round of punishment could be divided into various seconds of time. It was something to think about as I struggled to get out of his hold. He’d also managed to yank my arms over my head, holding my wrists in place. Still, being the rebellious spirit, I kicked him, trying for his knees, but I had a feeling my aim was off after the grunt he issued.

But that didn’t stop him, the man delivering one swish after another. I wiggled and moaned, hating him for his jealousy.

“Guess what? There are other men just as handsome as you are.” That hadn’t come out right. I’d just admitted to the arrogant jerk that he was good looking. I closed my eyes, trying my best to ignore the pain. What was the point in fighting him? There was nowhere to go. I was certain he had a way of locking me inside my room if I angered him enough. The entire situation was childish.

He knew it.

I knew it.

But that didn’t stop the wild jolts of current jumping between us. They only increased as he continued to bring the switch down on my naked bottom. I made sure that every moan was followed by a growl, refusing to show the man he was getting to me with either the pain or… anything else. When I could tell he was finished and he let go of my arms, I jerked away, tugging on my shorts to get them back into place.

“Are you happy now, godfather? Or should I call you cumpari ?” I’d heard the Italian translation for godfather a long time before, but certainly never thought I’d toss it out there.

Nico did stop short, the moonlight drifting in through the trees allowing me to catch a grin. I was shocked the man’s face didn’t crack. “Very nice, Alexandra. I can see I’ll need to brush up on terms of endearment, finding the right one for you.”

I hadn’t paid enough attention; he’d taken a short but purposeful step closer.

Nothing really prepared a girl for an overwhelming attraction.

Blinding.

Irrational.

All consuming.

I’d been so angry, furious with him with every ounce of my body. But the moment he’d started chasing me, something had shifted between us.

His possessiveness was outrageous, but I’d never felt so excited in my life. I had no clue how that was possible or if I’d lost my mind, but after ripping his shirt, I placed my hands on his chest. His skin was hot, making me gasp. The darkness swirling around us would normally feel oppressive, but it added to the mystery and perhaps the raging desire.

I’d regret this. Of that I was certain, but it would be entirely different than I was used to, creating a reason to enjoy life.

The part of me determined to be a good girl scolded me profusely, but I ignored that side. I wasn’t certain if I’d really ever let go around anyone. Especially a man. I’d had no time. I’d found most men childish. I’d pretended as if I didn’t need passion.

Being in the same room with this man had proven otherwise.

He jerked me back against the tree, somewhere he could contain me.

As our lips collided, neither one of us taking the lead, he issued another series of growls. The husky sound permeated every synapse, fueling a hunger I hadn’t known existed.

I should push him away. That was still there in the forefront of my mind, but his scent alone was so intoxicating I didn’t know if I had the strength. Every inch of the man was hard-bodied, his hold around my throat tight enough there wasn’t a chance I could move.

Being driven against a tree was primal in every way, the light stream of moonlight barely making it through the canopy of trees adding to the aura of being forbidden.

I felt the fingers of his other hand tugging at my tee shirt, easily yanking it up by several inches. Everything about the moment was explosive, pushing my mind to a realm I hadn’t known existed. I kneaded his chest, but the moment he thrust his tongue past my lips, I moaned into the kiss, sliding one arm around his neck.

I’d wanted to tangle my fingers in his curly, dark hair and I wasn’t disappointed. It was thick and heavy on my fingers and I couldn’t help myself, tugging until he groaned like some animal.

While he’d captured my mouth, refusing to let go as he kept me pinned to a tree, I ground my hips back and forth across his. I couldn’t think clearly or rationally and didn’t want to.

He was rough, digging his fingers into my skin, the bark from the tree smoother than most yet prickling my back through my tee shirt. The man was a smooth operator, easily able to rip off my shirt without losing a beat. I was shocked at his abilities. He obviously seduced women on a regular basis.

Did that make me jealous? Maybe. But not nearly as strong as the way he’d reacted seeing me with Romeo. The way his mouth now trailed kisses from one side of my jaw to the other pushed several moans up from my throat. But this game, his hunt wasn’t one he should win.

I don’t know how I managed it, but I maneuvered my hands so I could smash them against his chest. It wasn’t the force I used that altered his hold, but surprise. I used that to my advantage, kneeing him in the chest and racing away.

There was nothing at first. There were no sounds as I fled through the forest, the darkness now becoming oppressive. But I ran.

And laughed.

He growled and snarled.

This was a huge game to him and I couldn’t lie; I was enjoying it more than I should.

But it was obvious he knew the area much better than I did, laughing in a predatory fashion seconds before he captured me once again. His smoothness continued and somehow with my struggling and trying to shove him away, he managed to unfasten and remove my bra. How had that been possible?

I gasped when he threw both my arms over my head, easily grasping my wrists in one massive hand. I truly hadn’t allowed my mind to register just how large and muscular he was. Or maybe I’d feared allowing myself to become attracted.

Once again, he trailed a series of licks and kisses against my lips and jaw, biting down on my lower lip until I cried out. I was wet and hot all over, the heat on my face providing an understanding I was completely embarrassed. Could anyone hear or see us?

What did it honestly matter at this point?

He was far too hungry to allow me to continue the antics, every sound he made more like an animal than a human. I was mesmerized by his carnal needs, the way he was easily able to let go while I was panting in short bursts.

Except when he flicked his tongue back and forth across one already sensitive nipple, I couldn’t take it, letting off a scream that would rival any beast in the wild. “Oh, God. They’ll hear me.”

“What would that matter, uccello gioioso ?” he asked in his deep, way too husky voice. He shifted to my other nipple, sucking as if he was able to taste something delicious and sinful.

“What did you call me?” I was so breathless writhing in his arms, I couldn’t recognize my voice. At all.

“Joyful bird.” He dragged his tongue between my breasts while I did everything I could to rip my arms from his hold. I longed to touch him as I’d done before, savoring every inch of his six-pack and muscular chest.

Crazy thoughts pushed into my mind. Was he hard-bodied everywhere, including his cock? I was blushing all over again, shocked I’d stooped this low in my resolve.

But there was nothing either one of us could do. We were attracted to each other like moths to a flame.

He licked and darted kisses down my stomach, the sensitivity forcing me to laugh nervously. His arms were long, but he was forced to let go of my wrists. Instead he placed a single finger against my lips.

“Do not try and get away or the things I will do to you will electrify your world.”

Was he kidding me? That was a formal invitation to finding a way to escape. But I couldn’t do that right now. He squeezed my breast with one hand, pinching and twisting my nipple as he laughed evilly.

I fought to remove the rest of his shirt, something he allowed me to do. But after that, he was in full control.

He raked one hand down my side, lightly brushing his fingers against my naked breast before continuing. I was holding my breath as he drifted downward, taking his time until his rough, callused fingers touched my thigh. But he wasn’t finished, sliding them underneath.

“Oh. God.”

His chuckle was dark and deliciously ominous. Just his touch was akin to lighting me on fire. “Are you wet for me?”

Was I really supposed to answer that? We’d played this game all day, his jealousy fueling something sinful. I’d been wet, my panties taking the abuse.

The only sound I could make was a strangled moan.

He took a few seconds to swirl a single finger around my lace-covered clit. I froze at first, but the wild building heat suddenly created tremors.

Being amazed around this man was going to be a constant. Using one foot, he managed to push my sneakers off. When he maneuvered the button and zipper of my shorts with ease, I knew I was holding my breath again.

Within seconds, the khakis were off completely. I was standing in an olive tree forest with a man I barely knew but had thought of as my godfather, and I was entirely naked. This wasn’t just sinful.

This was… My aunt would call it blasphemous. Even disgusting.

What the hell did I care? I closed my eyes, but knew if I didn’t hold onto something, I would crumple to the ground. I fisted his hair, tugging involuntarily while he whispered phrases in Italian. There was no reason to ask him what he was saying. The accent alone, the huskiness of his voice was enough to keep me enthralled.

Maybe a small part of me was prepared for him to fuck me here. He’d stick his cock inside, his roughness continuing until he released deep into my tight channel.

Boy, I was wrong. I obviously didn’t know the man.

He slowly dropped to his knees with utter control, pressing kisses against one thigh and the other while doing so.

As he widened my legs, I could tell I was slapping the tree with my free hand, still pulling at his thick hair with my other. The moment was crazy and I blinked several times, but between the darkness and the sheer rapture I felt, there was no chance I could see anything.

Or control my emotions either.

He lifted one leg from the ground, placing it over his shoulder. This felt so dirty, so wicked that I couldn’t talk either. Not that any words were needed.

I cinched my eyes as he pressed his full lips just over my mound. He was doing his best to tease me like I’d done to him. With one hand, he gripped my thigh with so much force I was tossed into pure euphoria. How was that possible?

The moment he dipped his tongue between my swollen folds, I was certain I was going to lose it. At least this time, my scream was more like a blast of hot air. He took his time, one hand stretching open my thighs to give him perfect access.

I was so startled I couldn’t make a sound. Of all the things in the world, I hadn’t expected this with our heavy bantering. I believed he would continue treating me like I was twelve, not twenty-five. This was something entirely different.

I couldn’t even name the last time anyone had done this to me. The two experiences I’d had hadn’t been stellar, the men obviously inexperienced or neither one had cared about pleasing me. I didn’t mind hard fucking and nothing else, but a girl needed release in other ways.

The man was teasing my clit and fucking me with his tongue. I was a bundle of nerves. It would take an expert to achieve what he was doing to me. I was studying to be a doctor and until now, I’d had no clue it was possible.

It was laughable.

And I did so nervously as I pulled at his hair. This time, there was no mistaking the cry of pleasure I issued as I writhed in his arms. He flicked his tongue back and forth across my clit, taking his time to suck on the tender tissue while he grunted like a true beast in the wild.

I continued to be floored, the man bringing me close to an orgasm and pulling back. Was this how men teased women these days? Another new sensation hit me seconds later. He’d filled me with his fingers, all four of them.

“Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh.” I was bucking and making crazy sounds of my own. I managed to push myself up onto my toes, shifting my hand to his shoulder. I was terrified I’d rip hair from his scalp, the ecstasy felt so good.

Now he used a combination of his fingers and tongue, blowing warmth across my slickened folds. I shoved aside any thought of thinking, breathing the only bodily function possible at the moment.

When he drove his tongue even deeper inside, curling the tip, my instinct told me what he was doing. He was looking for that amazing sweet spot that would push me past the point of nirvana. The pleasure continued to build.

And build.

Until my mind was blank, my pulse racing, and the completely strangled moans not my own.

I’d certainly never experienced an orgasm from a man’s mouth. I’d thought it impossible, a myth, but as my body convulsed, stars in vibrant colors exploding in front of my eyes, I now knew better.

This man was an expert at everything he did. It was as disconcerting as it was beautiful. The single climax drifted into either a longer version or a second one. I had no clue how long I rode the high. I had no clue what this would mean or if we could tolerate each other after this, but I didn’t care. I never wanted to come down from something so incredible.

It seemed as if everything was over far too quickly, my mind still a blank. But I sensed he was shutting down. There was no doubt of that in my mind. His muscles were tense and he helped me into my shorts, which meant he wasn’t going to fuck me. I was flabbergasted.

I thought he would totally turn away, but he kissed me again. Being able to taste myself was wicked, but I loved it. The salty sweetness, the way my mouth and tongue reacted. But I knew this kiss meant one thing.

We’d crossed a line that was never, ever going to be crossed again.

And I wasn’t certain how to feel about that.

Somehow, in the back of my mind, I knew the line we’d crossed would be redrawn further the other way. He’d lost control, allowing his jealousy to handle him. I knew just enough about the man to know he’d do everything in his power to pretend the passion we’d shared hadn’t happened.