ear a

clap a hand o

down upstairs until my head clears. My parents are entertaining guests from out of

a large household staff employed by the Valentini family used this set of steps to move unobtrusively throughout the mansion. A shad

him on a physical level. It's always been this way and nothing-n

him feels patho

him. Ironically, I'm in the last year of my graduate counseling program, and I'm unable

on for it, which only makes

y with my palms splayed across his solid chest. My hazy brain registers that his pecs are just as sculpted and chiseled as they appeared to be all the times I sne

ccusation and something I can

me-the irrational part I keep buried deep down t

nd now it feels more muddled than ever. This is the effect Roman has on me. Every damn time.

y," I

mptuous glare singes my flesh.

etort, enjoying my newfound bravado. I'm done with Roman's tight-

ess. What you do is of no consequence to me." Coldness fills his

teeth in

s." I may be Enzo Valentini's youngest daughter, but I'm no pampered mafia princess by any stretch of the imagination. I don't live a

ng this man does makes

s to find my room and lay down for a bit. Roman

val means no

ould mean n

sp as my back flattens against the wall and Roman's

ngerous for a young woman to lo

derstand that.

has the potential to end badly. I'm one of Enzo Valentini's daughters, which makes me a walking

I quietly remind him

lls in my head. "There are men milling around, people who have been invited here tonight who y

dare to touch me." I can't imagine any of my father's men or friends laying a finger on me. Not

, yanking them above my head

eyes widen in shock. "R

y his name

even think

led persona he normal

much-needed le

want to push the boundaries to see what will happen next. It's no secret that I want Roman. I've dreamed about what his hands would feel like co

madde

e a violent storm devastating a rocky shoreline. Battering the landscape. Leaving havoc in its

lowing him to exert his will on me. I should fight tooth

I do

h Roman away when I've craved

disturbing. I don't kn

circle of abuse or violence that needs to be broken. Deep in the

he adrenaline-infused desire p

he past seven years, but no one has ever manhandled me. No one has ever t

willingly open for him. His tongue invades my mouth, plundering the inside. It

ning my hands, he tightens his hold. His mouth leaves m

you," I murmur,

ing at my flesh. "You have no fuck

n means. Does he find me inex

l. My mouth feels bruised and tender. Without thinking, I take a step toward him. I want the warmt

me in that manner

his tone slicing through the ment

my upper arm. He drags m

keep up with him as my hea

ildhood bedroom. Holding me firmly in his viselike grip, he reaches out with hi

ns from the alcohol and his drugging kisses. My eyes dart t

on

ast five minutes play out in m

mation. They're sore and swollen, wh

'll avoid Roman

ve already proven tha