Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“Your kitchen?”
“Yes. I want a cake every day.”
I frowned. “For sixty days.”
“Yes.”
“Why can’t I just make you all sixty and freeze them for you?”
“I want them fresh.”
“So, where is your kitchen? Is it close enough I can take the bus?”
“No. You’ll come with me.”
“To where?”
“Italy.”
He said it so matter-of-fact. As if it was no big deal.
I blinked. “Let me get this straight. You expect me to leave my life, travel with a stranger to Italy for sixty days, and bake you a cake every day?”
“Your life is not so great at the moment. You’ll be perfectly safe with me, and yes.”
The man was deranged. There was no doubt about it.
“Why?”
“I liked your cakes. Very much. I like you. I want to spend some time with you.”
“And you’ve decided sixty days is the right amount of time?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not for sale.”
“I know that. But your cakes are. And I’m buying them. Your presence is the added bonus.”
“No. I’ll work off my debt somehow. Tell me your terms, and I’ll figure something out.”
He drew back his shoulders, his gaze becoming serious. It reminded me of the first time I saw him. Intense and focused. “I just did. Those are the only terms I’ll accept.”
“No.”
“I’m not sure you have a choice.”
“Then contact the bank and withdraw your payment.”
“That isn’t possible.”
“Ask your brother to take it on. I’ll work out terms with him.”
“Not happening.”
Suddenly, he was looming over me, his hands resting on the arms of my chair, trapping me.
“I want you. In my villa, baking me a cake every day. I want to watch you create your art. I want to smell the aroma of it. Taste it. I want to hear you sing as you bake. Then I want you in my bed, so I can taste you. Devour you. Get my fill. I need you to satisfy all my cravings.”
My breathing picked up, and I had to swallow down my whimper. I shook my head.
“I won’t sleep with you for money.”
“No, you won’t. You’ll sleep with me because you want me as much as I want you. And I won’t touch you until you ask. But you will ask, Little Bee. You’ll give me what I want, including your body. Freely. I guarantee it.”
“No,” I managed to push out between my tightly clenched lips.
“It will happen.”
“Leave. Now.”
He straightened, tugging down his sleeves and smoothing back his hair. Then he moved so fast, I had no time to react. His mouth was on mine, his tongue sliding in, gliding and twisting, making me crazy instantly. I had no control over my own body. It bloomed like a rose under his touch, weeping for him, wanting him closer. Wanting his mouth harder, his tongue deeper.
Then as quickly as he was on me, he was gone.
Staring up at him, I touched my bruised lips.
“It will happen, Little Bee. The hard way or the easy way, it will happen.”
He pulled a card from his pocket. “My number. You have twenty-four hours to decide.”
He paused at the door. “Lock this behind me. You never know what sorts of weirdos are wandering around the neighborhood.”
Then he was gone, and I heard his laughter echoing down the hall.
Chapter Seven
BRIANNA
I spent the first twenty-four hours after Dante left in a frenzy of worry. Then when the allotted time came and went, I realized I was overreacting.
What was he going to do? He couldn’t force me to go to Italy with him. I had no passport, so I couldn’t even leave the country.
He had been playing me. I was certain of it. Still, worry niggled at me, and I decided to leave the city for a few days. When I was out of sight and he didn’t know where I was, he’d grow tired of waiting, and he would go back to whatever place he came from and leave me alone. I would speak to Carolina’s father and arrange payments to Dante from afar.
The only thing that happened was a pizza arrived at my door at six. Hot and fragrant, it was laden with toppings and cheese and smelled incredible. The note attached was simple.
I said I would feed you.
Eat it. I’ll know if you don’t.
Dante
I was tempted to throw it out, but it came from a pizzeria I had been wanting to try and couldn’t afford, and frankly, I was starving. It smelled too good to throw out, so once again, I found myself doing his bidding.
As I ate, I mulled over my options. I had no shifts until the weekend. No school. It was a rare break. Since I had no payment to make this week, I had a little extra cash. I decided to pack up Roomba and go to a small cottage up north. It was off-season, and the rate was cheap. I could take the bus, spend a few days by the water, and get a break. My cat traveled well and would sleep in her carrier on my lap. The bus ride was only four hours. The next morning, I walked to the bus terminal, keeping my eyes open, but I saw no trace of a red SUV or a tall, intense man watching me. Using my now debt-free Visa, I bought my ticket, then went to the store and bought some apples, crackers, and a jar of peanut butter. Great snacks for the bus and when I arrived.