LUCA

The words rolled off my tongue like they'd always belonged there. Her boyfriend. A title I hadn't used since kindergarten. One I never expected to claim again. Yet, as her face lit up, I'd happily wear it for eternity if it kept that smile on her lips.

"Oh, wow." Katie glanced between us and pulled Olivia in for an embrace. "I'm thrilled for you, babe. You deserve every bit of happiness."

But did I deserve her? A man with blood on his hands and a dark soul? The way Olivia had held me in my office two nights ago, insisting I was worthy of good things, almost made me believe it.

The grin she flashed once her friend left was pure mischief. "So, boyfriend, is that what we're calling this now?"

A chuckle rumbled up from my chest as I stole a kiss. "Feels fitting, don't you think?"

"I certainly like the ring of it."

"Good. Because I don't plan on letting you go."

She stretched, caressing my jaw with her soft lips. "Although quite presumptuous of you, Mr Moretti. Maybe you should have asked me first."

"Ah, mi dispiace, signorina." The luscious shiver nipping at her earlobe provoked in her was gratifying. "Olivia Taylor, would you do me the honour of being my girlfriend?"

"Since you asked so nicely—"

I swallowed her teasing reply with another kiss, claiming her mouth, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind she was mine.

"Liv, it's our song!" Katie reappeared. Her face flushed with excitement as she tugged Olivia by the hand. 

Content watching from the side, I hung back as the two found a spot in the crowd. The place was jarring compared to the refined elegance and elite clientele at L'Ombra. But happiness radiated from Olivia as she lost herself in the thumping music, hips swaying and waving overhead, carefree in a way I rarely saw.

They belted out the suggestive lyrics, laughing and dancing, yet her gaze kept finding mine. And when the chorus hit, she sauntered over and grabbed my hands.

"Dance with me," she purred before leading me to the centre of the dancefloor. 

Dio, the things this woman did to me.

Heavy bass vibrated through me as our bodies moved in sync. My little doe shimmied and swayed, her inhibitions evaporating with each beat. Every provocative movement was a goddamn invitation, taunting me, teasing with what was mine.

Her arms looped around my neck, breasts brushing against my chest, and she ground against me. Primal lust thundered through my veins. "Careful, Mia. You keep this up, and I'll have you begging for mercy."

The daring glint in her eye was nothing but temptation. "Promise?"

My fingers dug into her waist while I bit back a groan—she had complete control over me, and she bloody well knew it. 

"Behave." Because sainthood was in order for me for resisting the urge to haul her into the nearest dark corner and show her the effect her teasing had on me.

"Where's the fun in that?"

Santo cielo, she'd come far from the hesitant girl afraid of owning her desires.

"Shall I bend you over in front of everyone, cara?" I slid a hand down her thigh, hiking her dress up enough to torment us both. "Let them watch as I fuck you?"

The sharp intake of her breath sent satisfaction storming through me.

"You like the sound of it, don't you?" The way she pressed closer was answer enough.

Fuck. 

I needed a drink—or ten—before I surrendered to the clawing temptation.

"Be a good girl and go have fun with your friends, little doe." My fingers lingered on her heated skin as I adjusted her dress. "Before I scandalise them by ravishing you right here."

With a final spine-tingling kiss, she released me and joined a nearby group of fresh-faced uni kids, leaving me with an urgent need for the bar. But the double whisky was a poor substitute for the inferno she'd ignited in my blood.

"So, you're the reason my best friend can't stop smiling." Katie leaned against the bar and studied me over the rim of her glass. The incoming interrogation was written across her face.

Good. Olivia needed people who looked out for her.

"It's all her. She's—" I took a fortifying sip of my drink, grasping for the right word. "Extraordinary."

"You're doing something right, whatever it is, because I haven't seen her this happy in ages." Genuine warmth infused Katie's tone. "Which is why we need to get one thing out of the way, Casanova."

Pursing her lips, she jabbed my chest. "If you hurt her, if you so much as make her sad, I don't give a flying fuck how pretty that face is—I'll come after you and chop your bollocks off."

A bark of laughter escaped me. Ballsy, I'd give her that. Men twice her size cowered at my feet. "Understood."

"Fab. Because I like you, and judging by what I've seen tonight, I think you're exactly what Liv needs." Her smirk turned impish when she glanced over my shoulder. "Now, I don't suppose you have any single friends? Like the tall, dark, and brooding one over there?"

I followed her gaze to Marco, who was a picture of unwavering focus, scanning the crowd, looking out for threats. Amusement tugged at the corner of my mouth. "He is single if that's what you're asking. Bit serious, but I feel you could bring out his lighter side."

"Game on." With a cheeky wink, she sashayed off.

Seconds later, a familiar spicy-sweet scent enveloped me as Olivia's arms wrapped around me from behind. I turned and hauled her flush against me.

"Should I be worried?" She cocked her head in Katie's direction.

"Never. Just your best friend making sure my intentions are pure."

"Mm, and are they?"

The fantasies swirling through my mind were anything but. "Not even remotely."

She melted into my embrace, petite hands fisting my shirt while she burrowed her face in the crook of my neck. Light kisses peppered my throat. Each teasing brush sent electricity zinging through me.

"This is nice," Liv murmured. "Being here with you like this. It almost feels..."

"Normal?" At her nod, I tipped her chin up until our eyes locked. "We can have that, Mia. Anything you want."

Cazzo, I'd give it to her. Give her the whole damn world.

"What do you say we get out of here?" My hand drifted lower, grazing her arse, then the inner side of her thighs just below the dress. "I've got some boyfriend duties to fulfil."

"Oh? You do, do you?"

Capturing her bottom lip between my teeth, I soothed the sting with a flick of my tongue. "Certo. They involve taking you apart, piece by exquisite piece, until you're begging."

"Wait." She pulled back. Her attention strayed to the other bar, where Katie and Marco were deep in animated conversation. "Is it wise to leave those two alone?"

My typically stoic head of security cracked a smile at something Katie said. 

"By the looks of it, they'll be just fine."

"Well then." Olivia giggled and pushed up on her toes. That teasing mouth of hers hovered a breath away from mine. "Take me home, sir."

I didn't need to be told twice.

***

The moment we were inside my wing, I pinned her against the wall. The taste of her lips was my drug of choice, and I was a hopeless addict, unable to get enough.

"You've tested my control all night, little minx," I said when we pulled apart. "Tormenting me with these sweet curves. Driving me fucking insane with how badly I want you."

"Not even a little bit sorry." Her breathless defiance only stoked the flames higher.

Groaning, I scrapped my teeth along the column of her throat, her pulse jumping under my touch as I nibbled and sucked my way down to her collarbone. The sounds she made destroyed my restraint piece by piece.

"Oh, we'll see about that, cara." I tossed her over the shoulder and strode towards the playroom with a single-minded purpose. "Keep sassing me, and you won't sit comfortably for days."

"Hmm, is this supposed to be a deterrent?" 

The deliberate wriggle punctuating her far too smug retort had me biting back a growl.

 I set her on her feet in the playroom and let my greedy hands roam over her figure. Mine. The knowledge shot adrenaline straight into my thundering heart.

With a coy smile, Olivia took a small step back, slender fingers finding the zip of her dress. I dimmed the lights while she slowly peeled the fabric away, each deliberate movement meant to drive me mad. Air stalled in my lungs, my mouth dry, at the beautiful sight of her wearing nothing but my necklace. 

Fucking hell. I wanted her bound and at my mercy tonight.

Selecting a deep red rope from my collection, I held it up for her consent. "Will you let me tie you up, little doe?"

"Yes." Her eyes sparked with excitement, and her pupils were blown wide with need.

Anticipation hummed between us as I wove an intricate diamond pattern across her curves, framing her breasts and pussy like the most exquisite work of art. Each pass against her silk-soft skin, each hitched gasp coaxed from her lips, wound me tighter.

A final knot nestled over her swollen clit, and I stepped back to admire my masterpiece. She was bound to perfection and displayed for my pleasure. A living canvas for my darkest desires.

"Che bellezza." My fingertips skimmed along the rope. "You, cara, ruin me for all others." 

Instinctively, her hips bucked forward when I moved closer to her core, seeking the friction she needed, but granting her that wasn't on the cards. "Ah-ah. Patience, greedy girl. We've barely started."

Metal clamps clinked as I picked a set of pretty clamps in my hand and teased her nipple to stiff peaks, then fastened the clamps just shy of too tight, delighting in her answering moan.

"Still remember your safeword?" 

"Yes, sir."

"Brava. Let's try something different tonight." I helped her into the suspended leather swing, strapped her in, and settled between her spread thighs.

The swipe of my tongue along her slit drew a cry from her throat. Madonna, nothing in the world compared to her taste. I lapped and thrust, working her higher, tongue-fucking her with ruthless precision until she trembled.

"Lu—oh god!" Thighs clamped around my head, and I withdrew with a final long lick.

"Not yet. You'll be tiptoeing that edge for a while, little doe."

The frustrated sound she made only hardened my resolve. I retrieved a wand vibrator from the table and pressed it against her swollen clit, the hum of the vibrations mingling with her choked pleas. 

Her body bowed, straining against the restraints as I worked her closer...only to take the orgasm away at the last second.

"Colour, cara?"

"G-g-green."

"Good girl. Remember, yellow to slow down, and you can always safeword." But if I did my job as her Dom right, green would be the only colour on her mind tonight.

"Mhmm."  

Perfetto. She was already slipping under, surrendering to the sensations.

Time ceased to matter as I took her apart with excruciating slowness. Featherlight strokes of the paintbrush along her thighs and her body. The maddening hum of the vibrator against every sensitive spot. I lost myself in the delicious drag of each second as I edged her over and over until she was delirious from the sweet torture.

"Luca, please..."

"Shh, tesoro. Let me play."

The wand hovered between her thighs, close enough for her to feel the buzz, but not quite touching. Her hips rocked upwards to chase it, yet I moved it away, tutting.

"So needy."

With the lowest setting in place, I dragged the vibrator along her slit, barely grazing her clit. The drawn-out moan as she fought to stay still was perfection. "Is this what you need? Where you want me to touch you?"

"Yes," she sobbed, writhing. "More. Please." 

The dripping arousal down her thighs glistened in the low light. She was so fucking responsive, so desperate for it. 

I gave her clit the briefest flick before I dragged the toy down and eased the tip inside her, just an inch, but she clenched hungrily. A few seconds of ecstasy. That was all I was willing to give her, pulling it out, painting her slickness over her swollen folds.

Porca troia. The sight alone almost undid me. 

Without warning, I cranked the wand higher and ground it against her clit.

"Ahhhh. I can't—" Garbled pleas spilt from her lips as she tossed her head. "God— Please—I need—"

"What's that, Mia? Use your words." 

"To c-come." Her voice cracked. "P-p-ple...let me."

"Not until I tell you so, cara. This is a lesson in patience. In control." 

Her panting grew erratic, inner muscles fluttering wildly. She was right on the precipice. A few more seconds and she'd be gone.

But I wasn't ready to let her fall. I yanked the wand away completely and replaced it with an ice cube from the tray I'd prepared, pressing it against her throbbing clit.

The abrupt change tore another feral cry from her throat. Her body arched away on instinct, fighting the cold shock, but I held her steady. Gooseflesh rippled over her flushed skin. Muscles seized and released. Her impending climax receded under the icy onslaught despite her wordless attempts to hold on to the peak that was slipping through her fingers.

There was such a beauty in watching her caught between conflicting sensations. The way her body fought against itself, denying her gratification despite craving the release, pleasure and overstimulation blurring into one.

I withdrew the ice, letting it melt against her fevered skin as I moved it higher. Across her the quivering plane of her stomach. Circling her clamped nipples. Tracing the seams of her parted lips.

"O-oh god. C-can't take any m-more," she gasped.

"You can take a little more for me. I know you can." I trailed the cube between her folds, her loud whimpers making my dick twitch in time with her cunt when I dipped it in and out of her. "What's your colour?"

"F-fuck."

"Colour, Mia."

"Green. Greengreen."

Satisfied, I tossed the ice aside and released my aching cock from my trousers. Gathering some of her slickness, I stroked myself, base to tip and back, relishing her whimper as she looked on.

"That's it. Eyes on me, little doe." I worked my length faster, holding her half-delirious stare. "Since you wanted to brat, you get to watch me come while you wait patiently for your turn like a good girl."

"I'll be good, sir. I swear."

The breathy submission cracked through my restraint. The raw need to reward her obedience, to give her the pleasure I'd been taunting her with, overtook me. I needed her bliss more than my own. Needed to feel her shake apart on my cock, knowing I was the only one who could wreck her so thoroughly.

I notched my tip at her entrance, every muscle in my body straining not to slam home. One sharp tug on the nipple clamps' chain, and I thrust forward, wrenching a scream of ecstasy from her. The room's soundproofing was the only thing keeping the entire mansion from hearing her.

"Don't look away," I rasped while I sank deeper.

And then I was lost.

Lost to the perfect clasp of her walls around my dick as I moved. To the heady taste of her skin when I licked the moisture beading along her collarbone. To the rising pitch of her cries, the desperate arch of her spine every time she strained for more.

"You've been so good, belissima. Are you ready for your reward?"

"God, yes." 

"Then come, little doe. Let me feel you." I pinched her throbbing clit in time with my driving thrusts. 

She seized up, a silent scream painting her face, and then she was pulsing around me. Gushing, drenching my cock. I managed a few more erratic pumps before my own orgasm crashed into me and I emptied myself deep inside her spasming cunt.

Harsh breaths mingled while we came down, pulses gradually slowing, aftershocks flickering through oversensitised flesh. I could only stare at her in wonder, committing every detail to memory—her hazy eyes, her flushed cheeks, her blissed-out expression.

"Fucking beautiful." I peppered tender kisses across her face. "Sono fiero di te, Mia."

Still shaky, I scooped her into my arms and carried her to the bathroom. The warm, damp cloth I used to clean us made her sigh in contentment before I removed the clamps and untied the rope, massaging her reddened skin with oils and soothing any marks with soft kisses.

After wrapping her in a fluffy robe and making sure she had some water, I swept her up again. "Bed?" 

"Mmhmm." 

Her drowsy hum made me smile as we left the playroom behind. "How are you feeling?"

"Floaty. And I never want to come down." She peeked up at me, hesitant. "Actually...I was thinking. Can we play at L'Ombra sometime?"

My heart kicked against my ribs. My little doe wanted to experience this world with me not just in the mansion but outside too. The possibilities raced through my head, all the pleasure I could introduce her to there, starting with the masquerade ball tomorrow. But I wasn't going to mention it now.

"Certo, cara."

She nestled closer, sighing happily, until she did an adorable double-take when we passed her bedroom. "Luca? Did you forget where my room is?"

A low chuckle rumbled up my throat as I shouldered open the door to the master suite and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "No, I didn't. My girlfriend sleeps in my bed."