Surrendering to the Don's Dark Desires

Her lips, her scent—she's in my bloodstream like a drug I can't quit.

The way her skin feels like silk under my hands, the way her body arches toward me, desperate for my touch.

I close the distance between us, and those full lips part in anticipation.

Her chin trembles.

She tilts her face up, those emerald eyes flashing beneath dark lashes.

"Amore mio," I murmur against her mouth, "il mio tesoro."

Our breaths mix, lips barely touching.

"Sei tutto per me."

A slow, wicked smile curves her lips.

I drag my mouth over hers—once, twice—her taste like ripe cherries and summer heat, hitting me like a sucker punch.

My rough palm cups her cheek, the contrast of her soft skin against mine sending a possessive thrill through me.

She's delicate.

So easily shattered under my weight.

My fingers curl around her throat, and her breath hitches, pupils blowing wide.

Dark hair spills over my arm as I press my thumb to the pulse fluttering beneath her skin.

"You're exquisite, Bella," I growl, dragging my nose along her neck.

Her scent—jasmine and midnight—drowns me.

My blood ignites, a groan tearing from my chest.

"Sei così perfetta che mi fai impazzire."

I kiss the hollow of her throat, then lower, tracing the swell of her breasts.

She whimpers, squirming, and I chuckle darkly.

"Impatient, little one?"

I lift my head, locking onto those hypnotic green eyes.

"Tell me what you want."

"Anything, mio signore."

The title sends a violent shudder through me.

"When you call me that—" My voice is raw, barely controlled.

"I'd burn the world for you."

"I'd carve out the heart of any man who dared look at you."

"I'd bathe in their blood if it meant you'd say it again."

Her lips curl.

"Mio signore," she breathes, "mio padrone."

Her gaze burns into mine.

"The only man I'd ever kneel for."

"And the only one you'll ever surrender to again."

She tilts her head, a wicked gleam in her eyes.

"And if I refuse?"

"What if I decide you're not the one I want?"

Rage scorches through me.

My grip tightens.

"If you ever think of leaving me, if you so much as glance at another man—" My voice drops to a lethal whisper.

"I'll gut him where he stands."

"I'll tear out his tongue for speaking to you, his eyes for daring to look."

"I'll paint the walls with his blood and make you watch before I take you on his corpse."

Her breath hitches.

Her pulse races under my fingers.

And the way her pupils darken—she's turned on.

My brutality doesn't scare her.

It excites her.

"You like my cruelty, Bella?" I smirk.

"Does my savagery make you wet?"

Her lips part.

"What if it does?"

"What if it's the beast in you that calls to the darkness in me?"

"The way you take what's yours without hesitation."

"The way you destroy anything in your path."

She arches closer, her mouth a breath from mine.

"The way you claim me."

"Mia," I snarl, crushing my lips to hers.

She moans, melting against me, and I know—I need her.

Now.

I wrench back, gripping her chin.

"Swear to me," I demand.

"No secrets."

"No turning away."

"You're mine."

Her face pales.

"Dominic, I—"

"Dominic, wake up."

"We've got a problem."

My eyes snap open.

Matteo stands over me, face grim.

My knife is at his throat before I'm fully awake.

"Che cazzo!"

He exhales sharply.

"Easy, fratello."

"It's just me."

I lower the blade, shoving it under my pillow next to my gun.

"Next time, knock."

"I called you." He nods at my phone—three missed calls.

I scrub a hand over my face.

The dream had been real—her taste, her scent, the way her body yielded to me.

Who the hell was she?

Matteo smirks.