Sondra
Nico stares at me like a starved animal, appearing almost pained with desire. He eases his fingers from me and rubs circles on my inner thighs with his thumbs. I’m boneless with the pleasure of my orgasm. Even without intercourse, I have to say it was the best climax I’ve ever had. Everything about the encounter made it hot, starting with the lead up of Nico strip searching me the day we met, then spanking me, then this. Combine that with Nico’s considerable skill and genuine interest in my pleasure, and I’m doubting this sexual experience will ever be beat.
And considering he hasn’t been satisfied yet, I don’t think it’s over.
How much better will it get?
“Th-thank you,” I say when my voice returns to me. My throat’s sore from crying out, which isn’t something I normally do.
Nico’s smile seems almost sad. “You’re so fucking sweet.” His hands roam up to my breasts. He lowers the zipper of my dress and pulls my boobs out of the bra cups. He pinches both my nipples at the same time, harder than I’m used to. My eyelids flare wide and energy zips back through my body at the slight pain.
“Get out of Vegas, Sondra Simonson.”
That was the last thing I expected him to say after bringing me to orgasm with his clever mouth and fingers. Before he’s gotten off.
He continues to make love to my breasts, squeezing them, thumbing my nipples. He lunges over me to flick his tongue over one stiff bud. “You’re too bright a light for a seedy place like this. It will tarnish you.” Another flick of his tongue. “I will tarnish you.”
His words aren’t jiving with his actions, so my brain is slow to catch up. What is he telling me?
“You came here for a fresh start. Your cousin’s here. I get it. But you should’ve gone home to Marshall, Michigan, baby.”
I shouldn’t be surprised that he knows where I’m from, but hearing it sends a tingle up my spine. It’s partly fear-or the awareness of how dangerous this man is. How thoroughly he researched me. But there’s also an excitement in being the object of such intense scrutiny. Because clearly, he’s into me.
He watches me intently as he tugs and rolls my nipples. There’s conflict in his expression, or tension, and it grows exponentially every second. Suddenly, everything hardens. His jaw tightens, focus goes steely. “I’ll give you money for a fresh start.” He slaps my breast, and I cry out with surprise. “It’s not payment for sex, so don’t even go there.” He points a warning finger at me. “I want you to take it and get out of town. Don’t come back, piccolina.”
I finally rouse myself past my orgasmic languor and push my back off the couch where I’m slumped. “What are you saying?” I frown at him. I can’t figure out if he’s threatening me or trying to help. I can’t figure out what in the hell is going on here.
Nico moves in a flash, gripping under my armpits. Suddenly, I’m horizontal on the couch and he’s looming over me. He slaps my breast again and I squirm beneath him, my hips bucking up to meet his. “I’m saying…” He rubs the back of his hand across his mouth. “I’m saying you should get out of here. I’m way too locked onto you, bambina. This is the last chance I’m gonna give you to run.” His eyes glitter dark and dangerous. “You set foot in this suite again, I’m going to claim you as mine. I’ll chain you to my bed and fuck you every goddamn minute of the day.”
I go still beneath him. My heart pounds against my ribs. I’d be lying if I said his words didn’t thrill me. Oh, I hear the danger beneath them. The threat. But also, so much desire.
I’ve never been wanted this much by any man. I’ve always been the sort of pathetic, under-appreciated girlfriend. The one who catches her guy cheating with multiple women.
Knowing he wants me this much flushes me with heat. With power.
He gives a single nod. “You understand me.” He eases off me and stands. With the gentleness of a parent dressing a small child, he slides my bra back over my breasts and zips my zipper.
He stands over me, as dark and forbidding as he’d been that first day. “I’m letting you go, Sondra Simonson.” It’s a pronouncement-like he’s some kind of god, which, in his world, he is. I can imagine his employees falling to their knees when he speaks. “Run while you still can. Because once I decide you’re mine, I will ruin you. Be sure of it.” He stares at me a moment longer, his throat working, then turns away.
His shoulders slump as he picks up my discarded panties from the floor and hands them to me.
My stomach knots and twists. The energy between us tangles, torques. There’s so much in his words to dissect. He’s letting me off the hook. Giving me an out. Or is he making me an offer? Or an ultimatum?
I can’t figure it out, and I suddenly want to get the hell out of there. I yank on my panties without looking at him and stand up. I head toward the door, and he meets me at my cart and thrusts a neatly wrapped stack of hundred-dollar bills at me. “Take it,” he says.
I jerk back like he slapped me.
“It’s not a payment, it’s a gift. Make a new start somewhere else. Not in my casino.”
I ignore him and push my cart toward the door.
He catches my arm and turns me around. “Sondra. Take it.” His chocolate brown eyes implore.
My nose burns and I shake my head. “I don’t want your money.” My throat is tight, although I have no reason to be upset. He gave me an orgasm and offered me money, which I really could use. Why, then, do I feel like I just got used and dumped?
“Please take it. It’s nothing to me and it would give you options. I just want you to have options, Sondra. I don’t want you to to make choices you’ll regret.”
I arch my brows. “Like what I just did with you?” I snap. “Well, it’s too late for that.”
I don’t know why I’m pissed, but I am. I guess the offer of money does cheapen everything. Or maybe I’m mad he thinks he can make decisions about my life without consulting me. Either way, I’ve had it. I knew my infatuation with Nico Tacone was a mistake, and I need to crush it now before I get hurt even more.
“Sondra.” His voice carries so much quiet command, I stop, my hand on the door handle.
“I’m sorry if I hurt or humiliated you. That wasn’t my intent.”
I don’t know why I’m surprised to hear such emotional maturity out of a mob boss, but I am.
I shrug. “I’ll get over it.” I pull the door open and push my cart through.
“I’m not sorry for the rest of it,” I hear him say just as I shut the door.