TASTING TEMPTATION

Giulia could not believe the words she had heard. Her chest shook and jumped quickly, as if she had run a mile without shoes. The fingers of her hands reached out to grasp her wrist.

Nope. This is not a dream.

The woman looked at Vincenzo. Her lips parted, and her throat became dry.

"How do you even know that's what I want?"

The grin of his was slow and uncontrollable. He leaned back on his seat and licked his lips with a lazy effortlessness.

"I see it in your eyes, Bellissima. The way you gaze at me conveys a desire for something intense. I can provide you with something extraordinary. You want a Daddy. I can be your Mafia Daddy."

Her whole body began to tense. The thoughts in her mind were a flood of ideas she'd hidden for many years. She concealed her silent desires in the recesses of her mind, fearing to express them. However, there he was, voicing her thoughts aloud as if they had come directly from her own lips.

He glared at her and struggled to maintain his cool.

"What do you even get out of this?"

"I get you."

Like that. No hesitation. It's just the truth.

Her heart was beating at such a volume that she thought she could hear it.

"So if I go along with whatever this is for thirty-one days, you'll let me go?"

The man gave only a smile, without breaking eye contact.

Giulia found herself engulfed.

Her hands trembled; however, it wasn't from the fear. From curiosity. From hunger. The moment she was finally offered something she didn't think she'd be brave enough to have to.

"So what do you have in mind?"

The lips curled up again.

"Plenty. But first, tell me what you like in bed."

The heat swelled up her cheeks.

Her voice dropped. "Well... um... once in college, this guy I was seeing... he spanked me."

He raised his eyebrow and then cut her in half.

"Don't mention other men touching what's mine, Giulia. Unless you want me to find him and cut off his fingers."

The phrase shouldn't have caused her to shake; however, it did. Air between the two became thicker. She was unsure whether to be concerned or agitated.

"Sorry. I... I like spanking. And dirty talk."

"That's a terrific start. Ever had a Dom?"

She did not want to. "Not really."

"You sure? Because your face says otherwise."

She stretched her arms and crossed them, trying to stay steady.

"Maybe. I mean... I could try."

He stood up and slowly walked towards her, his eyes set as if she were his prey.

"Good. Because I want you to be my submissive.

She inhaled deeply and held her breath. Her thoughts raced.

She laughed in a nervous way. "Like Cristiano Grigio?"

Vincenzo's eyes darkened.

"Who?"

"A character from a film I like."

He turned his head. "I hate movies."

Bummer. The girl loved films.

"So how does this work exactly?"

"You sign a contract. NDA."

"Wait. An NDA? Seriously?"

"Yes. It keeps things clean. If you break it, there are legal consequences. Maybe even... not-so-legal ones."

The woman raised her eyebrow.

"And if you break it?"

He smiled. "I won't."

The woman exhaled slowly. "Okay. Say I sign it. Then what?"

His voice dropped low.

"Then, Giulia, I bring heaven to you."

Giulia did not know what was to come next. Perhaps he would take her to his bedroom. Perhaps handcuffs. Instead, he took her to a fashion boutique located in the city of Palermo.

"Pick anything you want."

She looked up, confused. "Anything?"

He sighed and fell into an elegant couch as if he were the sole owner of the city. Perhaps he was.

Giulia was able to move her hands over the dress that was on display. A white dress with tiny, rose-coloured prints caught her attention. It was flirty and delicate. She smiled before turning.

"I like this one."

After that, she scanned the tag, which she almost lost.

"Nine hundred euros?!"

He didn't even blink. "Try it on."

The bride entered the dressing room, wore a dress, and then got out.

Vincenzo's jaw was tense.

"Dio mio."

He strolled towards her like an avalanche; his hand wraps around her neck.

"Don't ever check price tags when I'm paying. I run more than half of Palermo. I've got money you can't even dream of. Whatever my kitten wants, she gets."

And then he kissed her.

It's not a soft kiss. He kissed her harshly. However, it was a genuine, intense and passionate kiss. It sent heat spiralling through her spine, which caused her feet to curl.

Giulia exclaimed in her mouth. His tongue was hot, smooth, and moving with perfect tension. Her body melts into his.

She felt it. The pressure against her thigh was intense. Hard. Hot. Alive.

She groaned softly.

He stopped before she could speak a word.

"Wait here. I'll go pay."

He left her dizzy, lips swollen, breath uneven.

Giulia looked around; she was racing her heart. He was on the phone.

The girl picked it up, and her hands were shaking.

Her sister, Alessia, couldn't help but become agitated, constantly trying to understand what she was doing. It was impossible to let her fret all day. However, the phone remained unlocked.

Her fingers were hovering on the display.

There was a sound in the background.

"Zero. Eight. Zero. Four. Zero. Eight."

The girl froze.

She walked in a slow manner. Vincenzo stood there with his arms crossed.

Caught, Cold

His eyes conveyed everything that needed to be said. He was aware of the actions she took. Now... she must face the consequences.