Cruel Vows

I’ve got no idea what he’s talking about, but my stomach is churning at being so exposed to a man like Massimo.

The tips of his fingers dance lightly over my exposed flesh mere inches from my pussy. I sink my teeth into my bottom lip as it’s the only way to stop myself from moaning, as this asshole would get too much satisfaction from the sound. “We’re going to have a lot of fun, baby.”

I shiver, wondering what he’s going to do to me.

“Once we’re married.” His fingers retreat and I feel the most inappropriate pang of disappointment ignite deep in my gut. “Get up.”

When I don’t move, he grabs my wrist and yanks me to my feet.

“Strip, Paisley.”

Numbness spreads through every inch of my flesh as I stare at him. “I’ll stay as I am, thanks.” No one has ever seen me naked and the prospect of this man seeing me that bare makes my skin crawl.

“You can’t sleep in that.” He moves toward me. “Strip.”

“The likelihood of me sleeping at all is about zero percent.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“You’re not a fast learner, are you?”

His voice is dripping with condescension, making me wish I could punch his smug face. Although after punching his chest back at the bar, I know it will hurt me worse than it hurt him. My fist is still throbbing with pain.

“I hate being told what to do.” I set my hands on my hips. “So why don’t you stop ordering me about?”

A muscle in his jaw moves, and then he turns away and disappears through a door to the far right.

I swallow hard, wondering whether he’s coming back or if he’s just dropped it.

A couple of minutes later, he returns in nothing but a pair of tight boxer briefs. Briefs that leave nothing to the imagination, framing what appears to be his very hard cock.

My body sets on fire as I watch him walk toward the bed, mesmerized by his beauty despite everything.

“Quit staring and get into bed,” he says, smirking at me as he pulls back the comforter and gets in.

“The floor was pretty comfy. I might try it out again.”

Massimo doesn’t say a word, rolling over so his muscular back is to me.

I glance between the floor and the other side of the ridiculously enormous bed. Feeling a little stupid standing there, I pull my skirt down and drop it to the floor before unbuttoning my blouse and tossing it on top. Once in my underwear, I pad softly toward the bed and get in on the other side of the monster holding me captive.

I’m thankful that he doesn’t move toward me or say another word as the minutes tick by and then I hear his breathing turn heavier, suggesting he’s asleep. I roll over and glance at my kidnapper, noticing the scars on his back.

How the hell did I end up here?

Before Rick got caught up with the MC, I was studying at night school to become a nurse. Now, I’m nothing more than the property of a man who doesn’t care about the law. A man so immoral that he profits from trading innocent women into slavery.

If he thinks putting a ring on my finger will make me his, he’s very wrong. I’ll never belong to anyone.

* * *

After a mind-numbinglyboring day sitting in silence in Massimo’s room, which is basically my jail, he arrives looking irritated.

“Get in the shower,” he orders.

I raise a brow. “I’m fine, thanks.”

“Shower, now.”

I clench my jaw and glare at him, folding my arms over my chest. “Make me.”

He growls and stalks over to me, grabbing my wrist and yanking me forcefully off the bed. “We’re going to dinner with my family, and I need you to be presentable.”

“Is that right? Are you suggesting there’s something wrong with how I look now?”

His jaw clenches. “Shower. Now.” There’s danger sparking in his irises. Danger that should warn me not to push him any further, but who the fuck cares anymore? I’m a slave, a prisoner. He can’t do anything worse to me than he’s already done.

“Fuck. You.”

He growls and slides his palm around my throat, squeezing hard. “You’re testing my patience, little girl.” He looms over me, sending a shudder right through me from the top of my head to my toes. “I’ll strip you and fling you in there myself if you don’t get in the shower in one fucking minute.”

Instead of defying him, I nod in response. “Fine.”

He releases my throat.

I turn toward the bathroom, dashing in there and shutting the door. I turn the lock, which clearly angers Massimo as he violently smashes his fists against the door. “Unlock it, Paisley. Or I swear to God you’ll wish you never met me.”

“Too late for that,” I shout back.

He growls softly and then I hear the lock turning. Massimo marches in and grabs hold of me, yanking my back against his chest. “If you think that being a brat is going to get you out of this arrangement, you are wrong.” He presses his lips to the side of my face, kissing softly. “All this fighting only makes me more certain that I want to marry you. Keep that in mind.” His gaze dips to my cleavage. “I’m glad you disobeyed me, as it means I get to undress you,” he murmurs, his breath teasing my earlobe. And then he grabs the front of my blouse and tears it apart, the buttons shooting across the room violently.

“Don’t,” I plead, realizing he won’t stop until he has me naked in front of him. “I will shower, but leave me to it.”

Massimo cups my breasts in my bra, squeezing gently. “And why would I do that when I can enjoy watching you?”

I feel the hard press of his cock against my lower back, prickling the hair on the back of my neck.

And then he grabs my skirt and forces it down my hips, leaving me in nothing but my panties and bra.

“Shall I continue? Or will you do as you’re told?”

I pull away from him and unhook the back of my bra, dropping it to the floor. All the while, I keep my back to him as I swallow hard and pull down my panties, dropping them on the floor and then pacing hastily toward the large waterfall shower on the far wall.

“Not so fast,” he says, making me tense. “Turn around and let me see every inch of my future wife.”

I clench my jaw and turn around, knowing there’s no use delaying the inevitable.

Massimo’s eyes flash as they drag painstakingly slowly down the length of my body, lingering at my breasts and making my nipples harden under his gaze. “Perfetta,” he murmurs and then he moves toward me, eyes fixed on my body.

“Don’t come near me,” I say.

He smirks, glancing into my eyes for the first time since I turned around. “There’s zero chance of that happening.” He grabs my wrist and drags me toward him. “You’re like a magnet, pulling me to you.” He kisses me suddenly, the press of his lips against mine taking me off guard.

And then I feel his tongue probing at my lips, forcing them open.

I have kissed guys before, but whenever Massimo kisses me, it’s entirely different. It’s savage and passionate and steals the breath from my lungs. And then he nips my bottom lip just enough to sting, before pulling back. “Get in the shower, princess.”

My body feels numb as I turn around and walk into the shower cubicle, turning on the faucet. The rush of cold water steals my breath and yet it helps douse the flames he just ignited inside of me. And then I hear him behind me, walking toward me.

I don’t dare look at him, frozen by fear and anticipation.