“That’s not what I meant.”
“I’ll pay the rest of the ransom.”
One side of his mouth hooked up as he moved toward me again. “That’s between you and my father. I want something for me.” He reached for my hips, and set them against his.
“What?” I asked, struggling not to moan at the feel of him pressing on me. If I just rise on tiptoe, it would be the perfect spot.
“I want you to work for me.”
“Work for you?”
“Your pal Joe is in with Scarfone’s gang now, and he’ll have all kinds of information I could use. All you have to do is pay attention when they talk.” He put his hands on my buttocks and squeezed, grinding against me. “And then come to me.”
Oh my God, that feels so good. But he was asking me to switch sides, to turn my back on Joey, the only person who’d helped me. I felt no particular allegiance to Sam Scarfone or the River Gang, but I couldn’t betray Joey.
Even if it means getting Daddy released?
I swallowed and tried to find my voice. “You can’t hurt my friend. You have to promise me that.”
Enzo kissed my forehead, my temple, my chin. “I won’t touch him, unless I find out he stole the necklace.”
“He didn’t,” I insisted, although I was less sure of that by the moment. What other explanation was there? “How long do I have to…work for you?” The friction between us was melting all thoughts in my brain into one—I want him. Now.
His mouth lingered on my ear. “Just for a little while, long enough for me to get back what Scarfone owes me. That’s fair, don’t you think?” I felt the towel being loosened and closed my eyes as it fell to the floor. Enzo ran his hands up underneath my breasts, rubbing my nipples lightly with his thumbs.
“I can’t think when you touch me like that.”
“Good. Then we have a deal.”
This is how he operates. He likes to be in control, and then he makes you promise things when you’re weak for him. I knew his strategy by now.
But he had a weakness too. I knew that as well.
I opened my eyes. “We might have a deal.” Unbuttoning his pants, I took great pleasure in both his quick inhale and his solid erection, which swelled further in my hands as I stroked him. “But maybe I should punish you a little bit first, for sneaking in here while I was bathing. For scaring me.” I squeezed his cock a little harder, rubbed a little faster, and his skin became slick in my hand.
His mouth fell open and a quick laugh escaped as he braced himself with his hands on the dresser behind me. “Yes. Ah, God, yes.” His eyes closed and his breaths became raspy and fast. A heady feeling surged through me as I brought him closer to release. I smiled hearing his low moans, seeing how he leaned into the dresser to keep his balance. Wearing only the necklace as I made this gorgeous, powerful man groan and tremble with only my hands, I knew the seductive nature of power and control. I can have what I want.
My eyes widened as his jaw clenched and he fell forward against me, thrusting into my grasp. He clutched my lower back with one hand, fingers digging into my skin, and I felt something hot and wet against my stomach and slipping through my fingers. A smile crept onto my lips. “And you an altar boy,” I whispered, clucking my tongue.
He shuddered once more and held me tighter. “I want to fuck you. Now.”
I hadn’t thought it would be possible, but sure enough, he was still hard in my hand. “Don’t you at least want to catch your breath?”
“No,” he said, bringing one hand to my breast and squeezing hard. “I don’t.”
“Hold on a minute.” I had to stop him before I lost my senses. Bending down, I picked up the towel and brought it to my stomach. “I want something first.”
He smiled. “I know what you want.”
“No, not that. I mean, yes, that, but—” I pushed him back, feeling heat in my face. “First you’re going to make a phone call.” I used the towel to clean up a little and handed it to him. Then I went to the closet and pulled out my robe. “You’re going to tell your father I gave you the rest of the money and this kidnapping business is over,” I said, slipping my arms through the sleeves and belting it around me. Tight.
“And then?”
When I turned, I saw that he was put back together, pants buttoned and shirt tucked in. But his skin was still flushed with desire, his thick hair tousled, and it made me even wetter. “And then we can…negotiate further.”
He reached for me, and this time my heart thudded only in anticipation. When he slipped his arms around my waist, I put my hands on his chest and kissed his lips for the first time that night. They were warm and soft, and they opened over mine as he teased me with his tongue. “I like negotiating with you,” he said, trying to untie my robe. I pushed him back.
“Later. The phone is in the front hall.”