Chapter 6 6

Women have their place, and once I’ve had my fill, I send them on their way. It might make me an asshole, but at least I make sure they’re satisfied before they leave.

I rake a hand through my thick hair, letting out a deep sigh. I can’t help but think about what would happen if I ever gave in to the years-long battle with my conscience and acted on my desire for Caterina. The idea of sending her away like all the others bothers me—not just for her, but especially for my daughter.

How could I look her in the eye and tell her I slept with her best friend and discarded her like yesterday’s news?

I walk barefoot through the first floor, my swim trunks sticking to my muscular legs.

A sudden urge to go to her almost overpowers me. My body says yes, but my mind says no. Our dirty little secret would remain hidden, something we’d both pretend never happened, especially for Tatiana’s sake. I can only imagine her reaction if she found out what went down tonight.

My daughter must never know, but Caterina is in for a shock if she thinks I won’t address what happened. Now that I’ve seen beneath her innocent facade, there’s no going back.

I’m consumed with desire, but I let my brain make the final choice and enter my study instead of continuing down the hall. The first thing I do is head for the bar and pour myself a drink, hoping to cool my overheated libido. What I need more than anything is to dull my senses and calm the desire threatening to harden me once again so soon after coming. Images of fucking her and filling her with my cum, of claiming her completely, filter through my head.

The first sip isn’t enough to rid me of the mental image of a pregnant Caterina, her body swollen, thanks to the life growing inside her. The life I placed there. It’s too enticing to dismiss that image, and I allow it to percolate in my imagination as I sip my scotch and pace the room.

Sweet, trusting Caterina. Glowing, radiant, carrying my child. How perfect would that be? The very idea spreads warmth in my chest that has nothing to do with the drink in my hand. A pleasure that goes beyond the physical.

If I didn’t already know I was going to hell for the things I’ve done, I’d certainly earn a spot thanks to the direction my thoughts are running. The girl is twenty years my junior. She has her entire life ahead of her.

A future. A fucking boyfriend. I grit my teeth at the last thought. I want to kill the bastard. He doesn’t deserve her.Yet he’s the one who has her.

And here I sit, imagining myself claiming her. Owning her body, impregnating her, allowing her to carry the evidence of my claim for the world to see. There is no worthwhile excuse for that.

I turn my attention to the dark, silent grounds visible through the picture windows behind my desk. Even in the quiet, I know there are always eyes on the lookout for any signs of trouble. Guards are a constant presence, not just for my own protection, but for my daughter’s. She shouldn’t have to suffer because of the dangerous world I’m part of.

My thoughts drift back to Caterina. How could I possibly consider involving her in this life? She’s so much younger than me. Could I trust her to keep my secrets or follow my commands for her own safety?

Opening myself up to her feels risky, especially given my past experiences. I’ve trusted only one other woman before, and it ended badly. The idea of Caterina being pregnant terrifies me, a nightmare I fear becoming reality. Yet, the desire to claim her, to make her mine, burns intensely within me.

The answer is simple.I couldn’t ever trust her.But that won’t stop me from entertaining the idea of storming into my daughter’s bedroom to find her. Dragging her down the hall tomybedroom so I can tie her to the bed and make sure she can’t escape while I feast on her pussy until she passes out.

No doubt she’d seize up in fear, terrified at the prospect of the big, bad, dangerous villain she’s secretly lusted after finally giving her what she’s desired all this time. I can almost hear her sharp, rapid breathing in my ear. The tiny gasps and barely stifled moans she’d make while I woke her body with my hands, lips, and tongue.

She would learn how dangerous it is to play with fire, to confess to the dark desires she’s entertained. It would’ve been better for both of us if she’d walked away tonight.

It’s too late now.