The Mafia Contract Series

I am officially a lost cause. Angelo has seduced me with the unknown. Apparently, a soft touch, a loaded look, and a gentle smile are all it takes to win my empty heart. I wasn’t expecting him to be so amenable. The fact he’s so hot is a bonus and I can’t believe my luck. Where is the cruelty my mom promised and why does he make me feel like the most desirable woman in the world?

Just what he did with the whiskey scrambled my brain. I want him so badly I can’t even sit still and the wet slick between my legs could be an embarrassing stain on this silk dress if he keeps this up.

He is eating slowly and watching me intently the entire time, and it’s heated already. I know what he wants – me, apparently, and yet he said differently earlier.

I wonder what’s changed and perhaps the whiskey, followed by the champagne, has blurred my senses because I say in a soft voice, “I get the impression something has changed since our conversation this morning.”

A small tug on his lips tells me he’s amused by my sentence, and he nods. “You are very astute.

Yes, I’ve thought about it and decided you will be my wife in every sense of the word. Only if you agree that is, I’m not a monster, despite what you’ve heard to the contrary.”

“So, let me get this straight…” I take a huge gulp of champagne for courage and say as bravely as I can, given the subject. “You want to have sex with me?”

He leans back and I’m struck by the light dancing in his eyes as he nods. “I do.”

“Oh.”

Now I’m flustered because for all my bravado, I don’t have a clue what to do now. I am so embarrassed and don’t really know where to look either and he says in a deep commanding voice that sounds more like a business discussion than anything else, “I sense you’re curious. It would be my pleasure to educate you.”

Once again, I grab the champagne because fuck me, this is excruciating. He obviously doesn’t care because he carries on. “After dinner, we can retire to my room. I will take it slowly and you can stop at any time if you’re unhappy about it. If it goes to plan, you can return to your room and sleep alone, as already discussed. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement, and I can reassure you I won’t be looking elsewhere for sex. We will both use each other for physical gratification on the understanding it’s just that. No feelings involved and no kids-ever. Which reminds me until you’re on oral contraception, we will use condoms. Any questions?”

I can’t believe he said it as if he’s negotiating a deal with an associate. What the hell is this, anyway?

I am struggling to form a reply and he must take that as a big fat ‘yes’ and rings a bell beside him on the table and smiles. “Time for the main course.”

I’m so glad of the reprieve because I need time to form my reply. Like hell am I happy about this arrangement. I may be a virgin, but I’m definitely not approaching this as an unemotional contract that will be devastating to my sanity.

Mrs. Bourne enters the room and clears our plates with no eye contact or words spoken and serves a main dish of beef casserole that looks and smells divine.

She fills our glasses with red wine and leaves and as soon as the door closes, Angelo says in his deep, sexy voice, “It may seem strange to you, but you’ll understand it’s the best way. Emotion only gets in the way of a good and lasting friendship that will be ours to enjoy without sentiment affecting us.”

Setting my glass down, I gather my pride around me like a shield and say in a firm voice, “I’ve considered your offer and will politely decline, if it’s ok with you.”

I stare at him with a hard, unyielding expression and love the surprise that he tries so hard to disguise.

“You’re saying no.”

“I am.”

“What are your reasons?”

I can’t believe he’s asking me that and I inhale and say in a tight voice, “Well, firstly, emotion would play a big part in sex for me. I’m not some cold bored whore who does this every day.

Secondly…” I grab the wine and take a huge gulp and my eyes flash as I say angrily, “You are making me feel like a business deal.”

“You are.” His words slap me in the heart as he confirms the truth. Of course, I am. Silly me, I forgot for a moment.

I’m beaten already and slump back in my seat, shaking my head. “I want to return to our original agreement. I will play your wife in public, but you will stay the fuck away from me in private. I kind of liked the sound of that.”

I am angry. So fucking angry the heat is building like a chemical reaction inside me.

Angelo leans back and stares at me with a thoughtful expression, and it’s impossible to read him.

I’m shocked when he stands and holds out his hand and I blink in surprise, “What?”

“Come with me.”

I’m not sure this is going to end well because yes, I declined his offer, but I’m aware I don’t really have a choice. Sighing, I reach for his hand, and he pulls me up and hard against his body, and whispers, “Allow me to change your mind.”

Looking at the half-eaten food on the table, I say in a rather high voice, “Don’t we get to finish our meal?”

“No.” The determination in his eyes makes my breath desert me because what the hell is happening here?

I allow him to lead me to the door and out into the hallway and as I run to keep up with him, my heart sinks when he heads up the huge staircase. Mrs. Bourne steps out of the kitchen and, seeing his expression, heads straight back the way she came and it’s only the sound of my heels on marble that indicates there’s any life in this place at all.

We head upstairs and he pulls me quickly toward what I’m assuming is his room and I try to stem the panic attack that’s threatening to kill me right now.

We reach a large door, and he pushes inside, and I stare at a room that reeks of masculine control.

“What is this place?”

I gaze incredulously at the room set before me because I’ve never seen anything like it. A huge bed dominates the room dressed in black silk sheets with posts at each corner. A canopy drapes above it of black organza and set around it are various chests with several drawers. This room is sparsely furnished, and the walls are painted as black as his heart. Black marble flooring reflects the low spotlights, and a huge mirror is set on one side of the room, making it appear twice as large.

“Where are we?” I can’t believe for a second this is his bedroom, and he says darkly, “I had this designed as a fuck room.”

“A what?”

My cheeks burn as he sits on the bed and smirks. “As I said before, I’m not interested in romance, just sex. When I sleep, I want my own personal space and I’m guessing you do, too. This room is designed for purpose and if you won’t join me here, somebody will.”

“Who?”

My heart is beating out of control, and he shrugs as if he’s not bothered by my unease.

“I’m a man, Jasmine. I have a wife and if she won’t fulfill her role, I’ll take a mistress, maybe two, possibly three. You will get used to seeing them hanging around. What can I say? I’m a man with a huge appetite.”

“Do what you want. I couldn’t care less.”

I turn away because I will not give in so quickly and definitely not because of his threat.

A strong hand on my shoulder stops me and as he spins me to face him, his voice touches me inside like soft syrup on a cold sundae.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“But I want you, Jasmine. It surprises me, but when I saw you standing so bravely at your parents, there was something that appealed to me. You were magnificent and strong, and I wanted you. I tried to talk myself out of it, but I couldn’t get you out of my mind. I came home when I should be away tonight because there is something about you that speaks to my heart.”

“You did?” My eyes are wide because I wasn’t expecting this, and he nods, dipping his mouth close to my ear and whispering huskily, “I want to show you how amazing sex can be. How two people can bring each other to the edge of sanity with just one touch and one stroke. I want to worship your body and give you pleasure and make your days an endless yearning for what I can give you in this room. A neutral room where we are equals. Two people intent on pleasure and nothing more. No boundaries, no consequences, only pleasure. I want it to be you. I don’t want anyone else, but if you force me, I’ll adopt Plan B.”

“But…” He captures my lips in his and whispers, “One night only, and if you hate it, we stop. We carry on with the first plan and never speak of this again. Let me show you what you would be missing and let me make you understand why I can’t let you turn me down.”

Possibly it’s the wine, the champagne, and the whiskey. Perhaps it’s the heat that’s tearing through my body at the thought of it, or I expect it’s because from the moment I met him I have been yearning for this, that I say in a whisper, “For one night only then.”

He lifts my chin to face him, and I see the lust sparkling in his eyes as he whispers, “Good decision.” Then he bends that wicked mouth to mine, and I abandon all hope because God help me, I’ve tumbled into hell with the devil.