Claimed by the Sicilian Tycoon (Criminal Seduction #3)(25)

“No,” he agreed. “You are one better.”

“How so?”

“It occurs to me that when you suggested our arrangement, my immediate response was no,” Andros said, the thoughts that had nudged him all day giving him another jolt. “I did not like the thought of having a woman in my keeping,” He waved a hand. “Not because of the morals behind it. I have no issue with that.”

“You’re sure? Because I wondered about that.”


“I’m sure. You are, as you said, using your considerable talents for your own benefit. How could I disapprove of that? It would be hypocritical. God knows not everything I have done over the years has been strictly legitimate. Not in the early days at least.”

“You’re known as ruthless,” she said slowly, lifting herself slightly out of the water so that her rosy nipples were evident. His stomach muscles clenched, and when he spoke it was through gritted teeth.

“Yes, one has to be in business.”

“And in your personal life too.”

Andros took one nipple between his fingers, watching, almost in fascination, as it budded immediately. “Yes, that too is true. But now there is you, and with a day to think it over, the idea has grown on me. You know exactly where we stand, what I expect, just as I know what you expect. There are no falsehoods between us, no unrealistic expectations. Yes, the more I consider it, the more comfortable I am with our arrangement.”

She smiled some more and arched her back. “That makes me happy. You know what’d make me even happier?

“Tell me.”

“Your cock, my throat…”

Andros laughed, completely, and abruptly, fascinated by the idea of filling her mouth and watching her eyes widen as she struggled with his length. “We have no time,” he said, even as his cock throbbed. “We need to leave in a half hour. I had planned to get here sooner, but by the time I went home and changed, well, time escaped me.”

She pouted and he leaned forward to bite along her lower lip.

“Do not tempt me, Rossa. When I f*ck your mouth, I do not want to have to worry about appointments and meetings. I want to take my time.”

The pout turned into a sigh and she sat up, her skin all wet and pink, her hair curling in little strands around her shoulders. “So is tonight an official mistress duty then?”

“It is.”

“Then I will get ready. You should leave or else I will tempt you into staying.”

When she emerged from the bedroom fifteen minutes later Andros immediately regretted not mouth f*cking her. She looked…were there even words? Her hair was loose, tumbling down her back and shoulders, caressing her skin. In the dim light of the room it looked like burned copper, but he knew once it was under brighter lights it would be shockingly red.

She wore a pink dress, hot pink, and it shimmied around the tops of her thighs, leaving inch after inch of bare leg on display. Heels finished off the look, and just like last night, they were huge, adding several inches to her height. A wrap was laid over her back and arms; it too was pink.

“What do you think?” she asked, giving him a twirl. The wrap reached the cleft of her ass, but he scowled anyway. He approved of her covering up the skin up top, but the legs. They just went on and on.

“I think I should invest in a nun’s habit.”

“I was never very religious.”

“That I do not doubt.”

“We had this really pervy vicar at one of our homes; he was always trying to drag us into the confession box. Put me off organized religion for life.”

“And did he succeed?” Andros demanded, already planning how he might hunt the man down.

She grinned, her dimple appearing. “Nope. Penny jimmied the lock one time. He was stuck in there for hours and hours. It was hilarious.”

“Your other sister.”

“Yeah, she’s a bit of a whiz with locks.”

“Something tells me I do not want to know the rest.”

“I would agree.”

“Then let us go,” Andros said, his control shaky in the extreme. “My driver is waiting.”

It did not take them long to arrive at the restaurant, a French eatery that had been receiving rave reviews. Lyra gave her wrap to the doorman, making Andros hiss slightly as she turned and he got a full view of the dress in question. It was backless, dipping all the way down, and showing off every inch of her tanned skin.

“I shall burn that dress when we return home,” he snapped.

“It’s pretty.”

“It is too revealing.”

“You want me covered up?”

“Yes.”

“Liar.”

He scowled, because yes, in a way she was right, he liked seeing her looking sexy, outdoing every other woman within a hundred mile radius, but at the same time…

Andros took her arm in his, pulling her close, letting the scent that was unique to her wash over him, and led her into the dining room.

The moment they entered, it was like letting off a f*cking firecracker, and he, and every other man in the room knew it. Eyes swiveled and narrowed, positions were adjusted—he could see them—looking, wanting—and it angered him. It wasn’t even like Lyra was the only female present. Women of all shapes and sizes milled around, some very beautiful, some relying heavily on cosmetics, and yet none even came close to her flame.