Was it possible to hear a smile? Because I did. And then, I came. I came hard in his hand, the sounds I made foreign to my own ears, my body going limp over his thighs, my eyes closing, sleepy. When it was over, I felt him unbind my wrists and lift me, cradling me in his arms and leaning back against the sofa.

“Lucia, Lucia, Lucia. You surprise me.”

“You’ll still take me to my sister?” I asked, burrowing into his body, my eyes half-open.

“I told you I would. And we need to go shopping to find you a dress.”

“A dress? For what?”

“My father’s birthday party.”

8

Lucia

Being locked away with the nuns for five years had been easier than this. I didn’t have to face anything. I could think about it. I could get angry about it. I could blame everyone and everything, but I didn’t have to face them. Now I sat beside Salvatore in his car as he drove me to what should have been considered home to me. Thing was, I didn’t know what was home anymore. I didn’t know where I belonged, who I was. Who I was meant to be.

I looked at Salvatore, at his profile. At a glance, the set of his jaw told of power, of strength, while his eyes betrayed a depth beneath this outermost layer. Gave a glimpse into the darkness there. He kept his attention on the road while I studied him, wondering who this man was. What was expected of him.

Wondering what the hell had happened between us yesterday.

They’d examined me on the day of the signing. His father had wanted to be certain I was intact. A virgin. Was it only to humiliate me? To break my father to the point he could no longer be repaired?

I shook my head, trying to erase the memory of my father’s face when I’d finally been able to look at him. How his hands had been fisted, his shoulders slumped. He’d been made to stand by and watch his daughter’s degradation. Why?

Yesterday, Salvatore hadn’t forced himself on me. He hadn’t tried, and he’d had the opportunity. Multiple opportunities. And, he might argue, the right. He owned me. But he hadn’t taken anything I hadn’t given up. And I’d given it. I’d lain there and let him bring me to orgasm. I’d felt his cock pressing against me throughout both the punishment and the reward, but he hadn’t taken his pleasure from me.

I fumbled to turn up the AC, feeling too hot suddenly. Our fingers touched when Salvatore adjusted it for me, and it was like a bolt of electricity. Our gazes locked, but I quickly blinked and turned away.

“If you get off at this exit, I can show you a shortcut.”