CALEB
When I wake,I lie there as the morning rays multiply outside the window, watching Juliet sleep.
I know this drill.
This is where I disentangle myself from her, grab my clothes, and get the hell out. This is where I punish her for her betrayal all over again, so that she’ll know who has the upper hand. This is where it ends.
In fact, I should’ve left before, the second her breathing slowed and I knew that she was asleep. That’s what I usually do. That’s what I told myself I’d do. Resist her, at all costs.
But instead, I fell asleep, lulled by the sound of her breathing, and the undeniable feeling of peace there in her arms. Still, as I drifted off, told myself I’d hightail it out of her room, first thing in the morning.
Meaning, now.
But why does this feel different? Why do I feel like I want to look at her forever, as she sleeps there, her pale skin hardly a contrast to the white sheets, her long hair feathered across her face? She’s fucking gorgeous, with those big pillowy lips, long eyelashes, even a few freckles across the bridge of her nose.
I think back to her, last night, on top of me, wearing those clamps. Fuck. I’m instantly hard as a rock again.
But it’s more than that. I’ve had her obedience, but I want more than that from her, now. I don’t want pricks like David or Nero Barretti laying a finger on her.
She’s mine.
And I’ve never felt like this before. I have to keep her here, with me.
I have to protect her, no matter what.
The moment that thought comes to mind, she starts to stir. Any hope of leaving before she wakes disappears, but I don’t care. As she yawns and stretches, her perky little tits pointing to the sky, I smile. Damn, I wouldn’t have missed that for the world.
“Hey,” I say.
She cracks an eye open and smiles at me. “Hey, yourself. You getting up?”
I kiss her temple. “Have to. I have a meeting.”
She sits up and modestly pulls the sheet over her naked body. As if I haven’t seen every last inch of her over the past twelve hours. Tasted her.
Claimed her.
“I don’t remember anything on the itinerary.” She says with a yawn.
“That’s because this is a personal meeting.”
She must hear the tightness in my voice because her smile falls. “Is it something bad?”
I shake my head. “Nothing to worry about. I just need to meet with someone connected to my parents. That’s all.”
“Does it have to do with the Barretti family?”
Shit. “Why would you think that?” I ask, guarded.
Juliet gives me a look. “Because he’s mafia. And this is Italy. And you said it had something to do with your parents. So I just connected the dots.”
She’s too smart for her own good sometimes.
“It shouldn’t take too long. I’ll be back and take you to lunch.” I go to the bathroom and run the shower, quickly rinsing off. I’d love to drag her in with me, but this is business that can’t wait.
When I emerge to dress again, Juliet has pulled on a hotel robe, regarding me with a thoughtful look. “I’m coming with you.”
I pause. “As much as I’d like the company, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”