“You may think you’re a force to be reckoned with, but so am I. I don’t respond well to selfish, demanding behaviour.”
“So you keep saying. It still doesn’t change the fact.” He started stroking my hair, and I sighed into his shoulder as he pulled me in. For a moment, I was lost in his embrace. Despite how much I hated this man, he always seemed to have me at a loss.
“Come, let us finish our meals.” He took my hand and led me back to the table.
Pulling out my chair, he made sure I was comfortable before taking his own seat. It was in that moment that I realised I was in big trouble. Not because I had a dangerous man who could have me disappear with a quick click of his fingers. It was because he threatened to weaken my resolve. Just looking at him made me weak in the knees. I knew why he got what he wanted; not only was he a powerful man, but he was also the epitome of perfection. The way he stood so tall and commanding. The way he walked. The way he breathed. The way his hard muscles twitched underneath my small hands had the hairs rising and my body quivering. Sitting there, I just couldn’t seem to pry my eyes away from him.
“Clara, what have I told you about looking at me like that?”
“Like what?” I asked, shaking my head a little.
“Like you want me to pick you up out of your seat, take you to your bed, and have me make love to you until you can’t breathe anymore.”
A breathless sigh escaped me. “If you can see that, then why don’t you?” I smiled and sucked a piece of spaghetti up slowly through my lips. I had to pat myself on the back for the nice sucking sound I made after it disappeared into my mouth.
“Has anyone ever told you that you scream to be touched?”
I shook my head. “Nope. I can’t recall anyone saying that. I’ve been told I have fabulous legs and great tits, but that’s about it. Oh, and sometimes I’ve had a comment or two about my lips.”
“Yes?”
I nodded. “Apparently, I have blow-job lips. Men have begged me for them in the past.”
I could hear the slight growl emanating from deep within his magnificent chest. He was looking a little angry now, and that was just how I liked it.
“Those lips are not to go near another man’s anatomy.”
I started laughing. His jealous outbursts were becoming quite comical to me now. “Okay, tiger. Stand down.”
He looked at me for a moment and then laughed. “I think I would prefer lion to a tiger. You could be my lioness.”
“Why, thank you,” I said sarcastically. “How honoured am I?”
“Don’t be flippant, Miss Murphy.”
“Why not, Mr. Belatoni? Am I being naughty? Do you want to put me over your knee and spank my bottom?”
He growled again. This was such fun. “It’s not going to work, you know.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know what you mean.”
I was about to take this further but then a knock at the door interrupted me.
Bollocks!
I was about to seduce Luca and seduce him good. I should be running away from him, but now that he was restricting me, I suddenly wanted him all the more. Maybe he was doing this all on purpose.
Opening the door, Luca found an embarrassed Tony. “Sorry to disturb you, boss, but I just need to speak with you for a few minutes.”
Luca huffed. “Very well.” He turned towards me. “Apologies, Miss Murphy. I shall be back soon.”
As soon as he was out the door, I ran to the drawer to get my walkie-talkie. I switched it on and immediately began whispering through it. “Hello… Hello… Is anybody there?”
It went silent for a few seconds and then came a voice. “Clara, thank God! We’ve all been sitting ducks worried about you. What the hell’s going on?”
I explained to Belinda as much as I could and could hear a few grumbles in the background.
“Don’t worry. We have a plan. We’re coming to get you out tomorrow night.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I heard her sighing loudly. “We’re not taking no for an answer.”
I thought about this for a few moments, but resigned myself to the fact that this was happening. “Okay, but when you do come, make sure you’re ready for a night out.”
“Why?”
I smiled. “Because, if I’m going to have time off from work, I may as well let my hair down. Let’s go to a club and get fucking sozzled. It’s all on me.”
I could hear a few people laugh and holler in the background. “Where has this come from, Clara?”
“Let’s just say a lion is about to meet his match.”
We ended soon after because I was worried that Luca would be back at any moment. I made sure Thomas was okay and Belinda told me he had been round regularly to check on them—especially since it looked as though he had developed a bit of a crush on Melinda. But, then again, I couldn’t blame the boy.