Dirty Little Secrets (7 page)

Chapter Thirteen

Rolling over, she reached for the space beside her and found it empty. She stretched and winced. Her legs were sore as was the place between them. Obviously it had been a lot longer than she thought.

She sat up and looked around. Her room was quiet. It appeared that she was alone. Good. She needed a breather after the night she’d just experienced. Marco took stamina to a whole new level. She’d lost count of all the ways he’d flipped and turned her body as he sought to please her. Honestly, she probably could be fine without sex the rest of their time on the yacht, but there was no reason to waste a good thing. Which brought her back to wondering where Marco was.

She pushed back the black comforter and jerked the black sheet around her waist. As she did, a piece of paper fluttered beside her. Ava picked it up.

My insatiable temptress,

As much as I enjoyed watching you sleep, the temptation to wake you and begin again was too strong so for a few hours I am letting you rest, but be assured that I will return and be ready to pick up right where we left off.

Marco

Trying to ignore her new aches and pains, she pulled the sheet from the bed and wrapped it around her. Getting up, she surveyed the room. For the first time she noticed a small closet. Walking over to it, she opened it and found her suitcase and carry-on bag.

She pulled her luggage from the closet and placed it on the bed.
Well at least I can have a break without that mask on.
Ava didn’t know what the other women on the boat were planning on doing the rest of this weekend, but she had made sure to have a new mask to wear each day. No reason to let her identity be discovered if she didn’t have to. Rummaging through her suitcase, she picked out a red one-shouldered dress that belted at the waist, emphasizing her figure. A pair of red stilettos would complete the ensemble. A black demi-cup bra with no straps and a thong would go under her dress just in case Marco was ready to go another round. But then again, maybe she was overestimating her allure. Maybe he’d had his fill and was done, but she certainly hoped not and if so she needed to be ready.

And that meant she had to get a move on, getting showered and dressed before he came back. Grabbing the travel bag holding her toiletries and clothes, she went into the bathroom. Turning on the light, she was pleasantly surprised. She’d been expecting a small tub with a shower curtain around it. Instead she was staring at an opulent shower, large enough for two people to bathe in comfortably. A long hot shower would soon be completely in order, but first she had to do something about the smeared makeup on her face. Ava hummed to herself as she cleaned her face. She couldn’t believe she was humming. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d hummed.

If getting sex was going to put her in such a good mood, then she might need to think about having it a little more often. Besides the soreness, she actually felt pretty wonderful. Face clean, she quickly brushed her teeth and turned on the shower. She couldn’t wait to climb inside and let the hot water soothe her aching body. Grabbing a towel from the rack, she put down her toothbrush and stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She’d worry about what to do with the wild mess that was her hair when she got out. Her once-gorgeous curls were all mussed and she had a case of “bedhead.”

Ava picked up the soap and smelled it. A fresh, citrus scent greeted her nose. She set about lathering and washing her body. When she was done, she leaned her head against the tiled wall and let the hot water run down her body. It felt so nice. Her eyes closed.

“Look at my little wanton waiting in the shower.”

Ava’s head snapped up, but she didn’t turn around.
Crap. Crap.
She cleared her throat. “Marco, I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I’m sure you didn’t.”

Ava’s ears strained to hear what he was doing. She wanted to turn around so badly, but she couldn’t. Not bare faced, with no mask and a case of “bedhead.”

“I thought I’d have a little more time before you came back to make myself presentable.”

“You’re presentable now. Nothing like a naked woman in the shower.”

Ava smiled. “Be that as it may, I’d really prefer if you gave me some time to get dressed.”

“I don’t think I’m going to do that.”

Ava heard the rustle of a belt buckle. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I’m not going anywhere,” Marco said from behind her.

“If I recall correctly, this weekend is supposed to be about what I want and right now I want you to leave,” Ava said.

“Right now, this is about what I want and I want you. Naked. Vulnerable.”

“But I—”

Ava’s protest was cut off as arms slid around her waist and a warm, male body was pressed against her backside. Marco’s erection rose up against her. She closed her eyes, when his lips kissed the back of her neck. Her nipples tightened when she felt his tongue lick the spot he’d just kissed.

“Now aren’t you glad I didn’t let you send me away?” he asked.

“No.”

“Liar.”

The hand around her waist slid up to cup her breast, while Marco’s other hand moved insistently between her legs.

“I’m not—”

“You’re not what? You’re not ready for me? Don’t say that. I know you are.”

Ava whimpered as two of Marco’s fingers sank inside her. She could feel her own wetness as he stroked her. Unashamed, she spread her legs further apart, to give him better access. Her body tingled as his fingers worked their magic, slowly stoking the fire that she thought had burned out.

The hand at her breast lifted and squeezed the heavy globe, before he rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. She could feel sparks of pleasure racing from her breast down between her legs. She pressed herself closer into his talented hands.

“Still think you’re not ready?” he asked.

“No.”

“Do you want me?”

Ava gritted her teeth. She didn’t say anything. She was in control. Her. Not him. A third finger joined the other two already inside her, stretching her open a little wider for him. He pinched her nipple.

“Say it.”

His voice was in her ear. She could feel the rumble of his words, but still she didn’t say anything.

“Fine. Looks like I’m going to have to show you who’s in charge,” Marco rasped.

His fingers withdrew from her and then she was slammed against the wall. Her breasts were pressed against the cold tile. The humidity from the hot water surrounded her and then he was there thrusting into her. It hurt a little. He was thick and pulsing inside her, stretching her again. Eagerly she pressed back against him. His hand squeezed her waist tight. In and out he pumped into her. The sounds of his flesh slapping against hers, the steady stream of water flowing over them made her insides throb as he made love to her.

“I love being with you like this,” Marco told her.

“I like it too,” Ava finally admitted.

“I know you did, baby. How about showing me just how much?”

Ava lifted herself away from the wall of the shower and met him thrust for thrust, slamming back into him every time he entered her. She cried out as he buried himself to the hilt inside her and moved from side to side.

“Do that again. Please do that again,” Ava begged.

Marco obliged, moving from side to side. Ava’s body trembled as the head of his penis hit that secret bundle of nerves inside her. The orgasm overtook her like a tsunami sweeping aside a sailboat.

She rose up on her tiptoes before the waves of pleasure forced her to bend over. Marco’s hands locked on her breast, holding her tight against him as he quickly thrust into her faster and faster. She felt herself open wider than she ever had before and with one final thrust, he was yelling his release in the shower. Breathing heavily, they stood together still joined as the once-hot water sprayed over them lukewarm.

“Ava, you are something else.”

What?
Ava stood straight up. Goosebumps rose on her forearms.

“What did you just say?” she asked.

“I think you heard me.”

“How do you know my name? I never told you.”

“You didn’t have to. I recognized you as soon as you entered the room last night.”

Ava tried to turn around but his hands held her in place, still firmly impaled on him.

“Let me go,” she ordered.

“Are you sure you want me to do that? You might not like what you find.”

Ava pushed his hands away and created enough space between them so that she could turn around. Her heart rose up in her throat. Forest-green eyes met her own. This was no Marco. Dominic Sambarino stared down at her.

“Hello, Stepmother.”

Chapter Fourteen

Ava backed away. The air rushed from her lungs.
No. No. This can’t be happening. Dominic? Dominic!
She swallowed and then she slapped him as hard as she could. He didn’t even flinch but her hand stung as she pulled it back.

“Get out. Get out now.” Trying to regain her composure, Ava turned the shower off and then she moved to exit. Dominic didn’t flinch.

“Get out of my way.”

“I don’t think I’m going to do that,” he said. His green eyes mocked her.

“You’d better or you just might find that appendage you’re so fond of broken in half.”

“You wouldn’t do that.”

“You don’t know what I’m capable of.”

“Actually I do. Now that I’ve spent some time with you. Don’t get me wrong, you roar like a lion, but if you get stroked the right way you’re nothing but a pussy cat.”

Ava’s hand came up to slap him again. He caught her hand easily.

“You got one. That’s all you get.”

She tried to jerk her hand away, but he held onto it tighter.

“What do you want with me? What was the point of all this?”

“You say that like I set all of this up.”

“Well, didn’t you?”

“Not exactly.”

“You either did or you didn’t.”

“Fine. I didn’t.”

“Then what are you doing here? Oh wait, you’re a professional escort. That would explain all the pictures I saw of you with older women.”

Dominic lifted a brow. A small smile curved his lips. “So you’ve been checking up on me? I’m flattered.”

Ava sneered. “Don’t be. I make it a habit to know everything I can about my enemies.”

“So that’s what we are now? Enemies? I’m hurt, Ava. Really I am. Especially after everything we’ve shared.”

His hand came up to caress her face. Ava jerked away from him. “Don’t touch me ever again.”

“You don’t mean that. Not after last night, and then again this morning.”

“If you come near me again, I will make sure that my face is the last thing you see before you take your last breath.”

Before Ava could blink, a hand wrapped around her throat and she was pinned to the tile wall of the shower. Dominic leaned closer, his eyes glittering. A muscle twitched in his jaw. “Don’t you ever,
ever
threaten me.”

“If Joseph was really your father, then why did you make a point to screw his wife? Answer me that.”

His hold relaxed on her throat, but he didn’t let go. “Contrary to what you think, I am not a male escort. I do have a thing for older women and I may enjoy their company from time to time, but I don’t sell my body for sex. I have more respect for myself than that.”

Ava swallowed against his hand. “You still haven’t answered my question. Why did you have sex with me? To get back at Joseph for being a horrible father to you?”

“No. The only reason I’m here is because I had a bad breakup with a woman I cared a great deal about and a friend suggested I come along as an escort for the company he works for. Having nothing else to do, I agreed. It wasn’t until you walked into the ballroom I even realized you would be here.”

Ava shook her head. “I don’t believe you.”

“Why am I not surprised? Are you this suspicious of everybody?”

“You show up at my house and threaten me. Now you’re here spying on me. What are you doing? Trying to get something to blackmail me with so I’ll give you a part of my daughter’s inheritance?”

“I never threatened you. I simply told you what I wanted. And again I had no idea you would be here. But even if I did, there’s nothing I can use against you in an estate dispute and besides, I’m not going to call undue attention to what I’m doing here either.”

Ava stared at him. In her mind, his words made sense, but in her gut, she still didn’t trust him. Dominic had an angle and she needed to find out what it was.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Rule one of life, Ava.
His thumb caressed her neck. The hard look in his eyes softening.

“Why did you choose me?” Ava asked.

“Why not? You’re a breathtaking woman. Any red-blooded man would be attracted to you.”

“There has to be more to it.”

“Like what?” Dominic asked. His hand trailed down her neck towards her breasts. Ava tried to ignore the havoc his touch was wreaking on her body.

“To find my weakness. Something you could exploit.”

His hand cupped her right breast. She glared at him. His head cocked to the side as he rubbed her nipple. A small laugh escaped his throat.

“I already found your weakness.”

“I don’t have one.”

“Liar. Of course you do. We all do.”

Her nipple puckered in his hand. She cleared her throat ignoring the slow rising flame in her belly. She couldn’t afford to be distracted. Not now. “And what’s my weakness?”

“Sex.”

“Sex? I can assure you I’m fine without it one way or another.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. From the way you responded to me it was obvious it’s been a while since a man touched you. I also could tell that my old man wasn’t doing you right. Those old-school guys aren’t known for being very inventive in the bedroom.”

“I’m not discussing my sex life with you.”

Dominic shrugged. “You don’t have to. Your body already told me everything I needed to know. Besides I’m sure that from now on, when you think of a Martelli, it won’t be my old man who crosses your mind.”

“Fine. We slept together. Add that to the notch on your belt, but it doesn’t change anything. I don’t like you and if you persist in fighting me over Joseph’s estate you’re going to lose.”

“I think you like me a lot, Ava. In fact, I think if I were to get down on my knees and put my tongue between your thighs again you’d like me even more.”

“You…You…”

“Speechless. Nice to know I have that effect on you.”

Ava slapped his hand away from her breast. “This is over.” Pushing past him, she stepped out of the shower. She didn’t get far, before Dominic grabbed her by the arm spinning her around to face him. She stamped her foot in frustration. “Why won’t you just leave me alone? You got what you wanted.”

He shook his head slowly. “No. Not yet.”

“If you’re still waiting for some of Joseph’s estate, don’t hold your breath. My lawyer is going to wipe the floor with you.”

“That’s a possibility, but my birthright is not the only thing I want.”

“Your birthright? That’s rich. Come on, humor me. You can’t possibly think you’re going to get his territory. Angelo has that and I’m sure he’s not going to share with a nobody like you.”

She waited for him to lash out at her. To call her names and threaten to wreak havoc on her life. None of that came. Instead, still holding her arm, he maneuvered her over to the bathroom counter until her butt was against it.

“Call me crazy but regardless of how these legal proceedings turn out between us, it’s you that I want.”

Ava’s eyes stretched wide. Had she just heard him right? He wanted her? No. She wasn’t buying it. She stared up at him. “What kind of game are you playing?”

“I’m too old to play games. I’m just informing you of my intentions. I. Want. You.”

Ava shook her head. “But why? Do you think you’ll be better accepted into ‘the life,’ if you’re sleeping with Joseph’s widow?”

“This thing between you and I, has nothing to do with my old man.”

“This thing between you and I—” Ava almost choked on her words. “There’s nothing between us but sex.
Was
between us.”

He grinned at her. “It’s still there, lingering.”

Dominic released her arm. His hands raked through his hair as he paced around the confines of the bathroom. Despite the tenseness between them, Ava couldn’t help but admire his naked physique. The molded buttocks and muscled thighs. The well-defined abs. Not to mention the more than adequate appendage hanging between his legs.
Head out of the gutter, Ava. That boy is almost a decade younger than you, not to mention he might actually be Joseph’s son.
She shook away her thoughts, waiting for him to speak.

“You want the truth. The truth is that at first I thought you were just mean and frigid. I’ve been watching you ever since Joseph died, trying to decide the best way to approach you. Of course I found you extremely attractive, but you give off an ice-queen vibe.”

“And you don’t think I’m mean and frigid now? What changed?”

“The time we spent together. I saw a different side to you. Yeah, you’re mean and feisty, but you’re not frigid. You’re passionate about what matters to you and whether you and I agree or not, that doesn’t change anything. Not to mention the fact that with your looks, it wouldn’t take much for a man to fall for you.”

Ava folded her arms. “Anything else, Dr. Phil?”

“Yeah. Whether you want to admit it or not, you like me too.”

“Now I know you’re crazy.”

“Not crazy. Just honest,” Dominic said, coming to stand in front of her.

Ava sighed. This was absurd. Really it was. “And what are you proposing? That I just welcome you into my bed? That I give you everything you want and we live happily ever after? Sorry, I’m not made that way. I learned a long time ago that fairy tales don’t exist.”

Dominic caressed her cheek. His voice grew soft. “I can be your happy ever after.”

And then his lips were on hers. Taking. Consuming. Forcing her to admit the truth that her body had already decided. She wanted him. He gripped her face tight as he kissed her with ardent passion. Ava moaned against his mouth as his other hand slid between her legs. Rubbing. Caressing. She pressed herself into his hand. His tongue slipped into her mouth, mimicking what he was doing with his finger. Her breasts were crushed against his chest. Her hands gripped his shoulders pulling him closer to her. She whimpered when he stopped kissing her.

His eyes burned into hers and she was surprised when he picked her up and placed her on the counter. He wedged himself between her thighs. Her bottom lip trembled as he played with her breasts.

“I’m not going to force this, Ava. If you say stop, this goes no further, but I think you want it too.”

He leaned down and kissed her neck softly. Repeatedly. Her body was screaming, begging her to give in to his seduction. It wasn’t like she hadn’t already enjoyed the fruits he had to offer.
Why not, Ava?
She tried to ignore the voice in her head, but she couldn’t. Not with the way her body was humming.

“Tell me, Ava. Do you want this just as much as I do?” he whispered against her neck.

Her body tingled and she bit her tongue trying to hold back her response. Trying to deny her body what it wanted most. But every kiss across her neck weakened her resolve. “Yes.”

“Yes what?”

“I want you.”

Dominic kissed his way back along her jawline. “What do you want? Tell me how you want it.”

“I want you kissing me. Touching me. Rubbing me. Pleasing me.”

“Pleasing you how, Ava? Tell me. I want to hear you say it,” he whispered.

“I want…I want…”

“I’m waiting.”

“I want you to go down on me and don’t stop until I tell you to.”

Her hands flew to cover her mouth. She was sure her cheeks were red with embarrassment. Dominic’s laughter rumbled in her ear. She made a move to push him away, but he stopped her.

“Your wish is my command.”

She didn’t breathe as he pressed her back against the mirror behind the counter and dropped to his knees. He grabbed her thighs and opened them wider. The first lick of his tongue made her nerves dance. Bracing herself on the counter, she closed her eyes and gave herself over to the pleasure he made her feel. He lapped at her, licking and sucking like she was a juicy sweet mango. His grip on her thighs was tight. And already hovering closer was the promise of an orgasm.

“More. More.”

He complied by sucking her harder. Her pleasure increased and before she knew it she was grabbing his hair holding on to him.

Her entire world burst to life between her legs and the force of the orgasm left her trembling.

“Everybody freeze. Right now.”

Ava opened her eyes. Two uniformed men were standing in the entrance of the bathroom with guns pointed at her and Dominic.