Chapter 46: Watching Him Undress
Gianna’s POV
A cocky grin spread across Dante’s face as he withdrew his hand from my dress, fingers dragging against my skin like he wanted me to feel every inch of his retreat. When his grip loosened on my wrists the sudden absence of pressure made me sway, dizzy from the force he’d held me with moments before.
He stood there, tall and ruthless, pride etched into every hard line of his expression. It wasn’t just satisfaction. It was possession. He was proud that he’d proven his point. Proud that he could make my body betray me, even when I swore he never would.
The shift in him was cruel. A heartbeat ago he’d been burning me alive with his touch, pushing me past reason, forcing sounds from my throat I didn’t know I could make. Now he turned away with the same coldness he used to deliver threats. His strides were slow and deliberate, as though he hadn’t just had me pinned against the wall, wringing moans out of me I never wanted him to hear.
My breath came hot and ragged. I rubbed my wrists where his fingers had left invisible bruises before wrapping my arms around myself like I could keep my shame from spilling out. I hated how easily I’d moaned for him, how that sound had escaped without my permission, and now I stood there trembling, aching for his touch even as I despised it.
I dragged in a deep breath, trying to crush the emotion rising up inside me. You’re not weak, Gianna.
He didn’t even turn as he spoke, his voice a low command that sliced through the silence.
“We’re having a gathering.”
I tilted my head back, confused at first, trying to understand what that had to do with me.
“Not just the leading clans,” he went on. “But the entire Mafia community. Hosted here.”
He turned his head slightly, his tone dropping. “And since you’ve just agreed to submit to me, your first order is to pledge your father’s name in front of everyone.”
My heart lurched. For a moment I couldn’t breathe. “You can’t possibly expect me…” My voice broke, a mix of disbelief and anger. “…to betray my father in front of the entire Mafia community.”
Dante spun back to face me, fury blazing in his eyes.
“Oh, I expect that and more. You don’t have a choice. You’ll play my dutiful mistress, as you’ve promised, and you’ll do exactly as I’ve asked.”
He chuckled then, mocking and soft, like my reaction was a game to him. “I was wondering when the façade was going to drop. You’re challenging my orders already?”
“I’m not…!” The word stumbled out of me. My arms dropped to my sides, fingers trembling, “I’m just trying to find out what’s changed…”
He stretched his hand, pointing at me.
“Time and time again, I remind you I don’t have to answer to you. You’ll do as you’re told. Enough with the silly questions.”
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My throat tightened. Fighting him was useless. I tried again, my voice softer now, almost pleading. “Please… don’t make me do this. Not in front of everyone…”
He moved closer, his presence swallowing the space between us. His fingers slid under my chin, tilting it up until my eyes met his.
“Precisely in front of all of them. So they know I’ve taken my revenge on Lorenzo. And now his name is beneath mine. All controlled by me.”
Rage coursed through me as I attempted to twist my neck out of his hold and fired back, “And what if I say no?” His smile disappeared and his face hardened instantly. “You’ll be remanded to this room for the next six months. That means your precious return to college in a few weeks, gone. Say goodbye.”
Shock hit me hard at how heartless he could sound. “You can’t take that back. It’s already in the contract…” He smirked. “I had my lawyers draw up the contract. I can break it.”
His fingers tangled in my hair and tugged, my head tipping back until I was forced to look at him. “I make the rules. Is that clear?”
I bit the inside of my cheek, tasting blood, my mind spinning. If he locks me up for six months, my escape plan dies before it even starts. But if I do what he asks, even if it kills me inside, there’s still a chance at freedom.
It would be humiliating. But survival had always meant swallowing fire.
I forced the words out. “Yes. I’ll do it.”
He tilted his head, a low murmur slipping from his lips. “Good girl.”
The praise rolled over me like a warm threat, sending shivers through me. He finally released me. But the smirk on his mouth only deepened as his fingers went to his shirt buttons. One by one, he opened them with deliberate recklessness, as if daring me to look.
My face burned and I turned my head, mumbling under my breath, “I’ll just… give you privacy.” I tried to step away, but his hand shot out, catching my wrist and pulling me back.
“No. You’ll stay. You’ll watch.”
I shook my head slowly, heat flooding through me. My breaths came slower. “Surely you don’t expect me to just stand here… watching you undress.”
He angled his head, dark amusement in his eyes. “Aren’t you my mistress?”
My stomach flipped as his fingers continued their work on the buttons. The shirt parted farther with every one undone, exposing the cut of his chest, the rigid lines of his abdomen.
“Besides.” His mouth curved into something darkly amused. “Don’t pretend you haven’t seen me naked
before.”
“It was only once,” I shot back, my voice coming out thinner and breathier than I wanted. “And I didn’t have a
choice.”
I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. Of course he’d use this moment to remind me what I really
Chapter 48: Watching Him Undress
was, his captive, his pawn.
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“You still don’t.” His tone turned almost mocking. “For someone who pledges submission, you have an awful way of showing it, arguing with every instruction I give you.”
“I… I don’t mean to challenge you.” My eyes betrayed me, slipping down the length of him.
The heavy muscles of his chest and arms caught the low light, all planes and ridges and power. Sparks shot through me, sending my pulse racing.
“It’s just… all of this is still new to me…”
“It’s simple.” His hands were already at the last button, eyes never leaving mine. “Follow every command. No questions. How hard can that be?” Then he nodded toward the bed. “Go. Sit.”
A protest rose in my throat but died there. My legs moved on their own, carrying me to the edge of the mattress. I sat, palms damp against my knees.
My eyes stayed on him even as I told myself to look away.
He shrugged his shirt from his shoulders, revealing everything. Broad chest. Thick arms. A trail of dark hair leading downward. His hands went straight to his belt. The rasp of leather sliding through the buckle made my belly tighten.
He unbuckled, unzipped. My breath hitched, my skin burned as if every inch of me was exposed though I was sitting still. My gaze dipped lower. Hard thighs. Powerful legs flexing as he shoved his pants down.
He hooked his thumbs beneath his briefs, and the sight of him was almost too much, raw power carved into every line of his body. Every inch of him radiated dominance. I’d never been this aware of a man before, never this undone by just looking. Panic and heat twisted together until I squeezed my eyes shut.
“Open them.”
The rough sound of his voice made my eyes snap open.
“Watch,” he ordered.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
