The Throne of Fear: The Romano's Read online

  I gasp and look up into eyes that are so full of passion it brings tears to my eyes. I can’t help myself and reach out and trace the intricate pattern that swirls around his heart, and he tenses as I make contact. Gently, I run my fingers around the ivy and step a little closer. I can’t look anywhere else and then I do something I never have before, I lean down and kiss the ink with reverence and homage to a man who has paid me the ultimate compliment.

  A low growl escapes him and he says huskily, “You should go and change and I’ll meet you up top.”

  I raise my eyes and whisper, “Is that what you want?”

  He is trying to control himself. I can see the tightness in his expression as he struggles to do the right thing. “Of course not, but I don’t want to reveal to you the monster I can be.”

  I shake my head and press closer, pushing away the fear as I feel him hard against my stomach through my thin cotton dress and I feel light headed as I say boldly, “I have never been with a man, Romeo, I never wanted to—until now. Let me give you something valuable, something to show you what you mean to me, my own version of the tattoo.”

  My own breath sounds ragged and we are so close now, with just the thin fabric separating our bodies. At this moment, nothing else matters but us. Drew, my parents, my virginity, can all go and take a hike because there’s only one thing I want right now and he’s trying so hard to push me away.

  My eyes beg him where my words fail. I need it to be him, but I can’t speak. I want him to take charge of something I have no knowledge of, and I feel a little foolish as I wait for his answer.

  He lifts my chin and as our eyes meet, I see emotion in his which takes my breath away. He whispers, “You are the only woman I want, Ivy; have ever wanted. I have imagined this moment a million times already, and it would be so easy to be that man. The one who takes without consequence.”

  “But...” I almost can’t believe there is a but, and he sighs and runs his fingers around the back of my head and pulls me so close his lips touch mine. “But I want it to be right. Not a moment of madness that you may regret the minute afterward. I want to make you mine and I don’t want to give you back. This was never about sex, Ivy, it’s about love. I have always loved you and if I take your virginity, I want to know you will never walk away. I can’t lose you having given you every part of me, I need to keep something back because I’m on the edge of madness already and when you leave, you will pull me over the edge.”

  Before I can speak, he pulls me hard against him and his kiss lights a fiery trail through my body as he demonstrates what a real man kisses like. No wet sloppy kisses here, just power, control, love. I could kiss him all day and night, he is that good and the fact he has just rejected me doesn’t matter because he is demonstrating that I mean more to him than I dared hope for.

  His kiss makes me feel different, stronger, bolder and free and as he pulls back, I feel like a new woman and smile happily. “Then let’s go and take that swim to cool off, and we will revisit this conversation later. Maybe I should go and meet you up on deck, it’s probably safer—for you.”

  He smirks like the cocky bastard he is before growling, “Keep telling yourself that, darlin’ because you don’t know what I’m capable of.”

  “I think I do, Romeo, and to be honest, I’m kind of hoping to see that for myself someday.”

  Stepping back, I make to leave and then he grabs my wrist and pulls me back, “Just so you know, that conversation happens tonight. I want to know the secret your hiding and I want to know it all. Then we can move on and deal with it together. You’re not on your own anymore, I just want you to know that.”

  I nod and break away and leave him standing there like a magnificent sculpture. An Adonis, a masterpiece - my destiny.

  Chapter 15

  Romeo

  Fuck me, that was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Saying no to Ivy shows me what a fool I am. It was all there standing before me begging me to make it happen. Something I’ve dreamed of almost every day and I said no.

  With a frustrated growl, I head to the shower and allow the cool water to calm the raging inferno inside me. Taking my shaft in my hand, I pump it hard to get some release from the madness I inflicted on myself. The image of those soft red lips wrapped around my cock causes me to spurt hard against the tiles and I bite my lip to contain the roar of a beast who is out of control.

  This isn’t about a quick fuck and then deposit her back to her future. This is about what’s best for Ivy, and that certainly isn’t me. She needs to be free to find someone who will make her happy and safe. I can never be that man because my life is definitely not happy and far from safe. In my heart I think I’ve always known I can never act on my feelings, which is why I struggle so hard to come to terms with that. My brothers have all found their normal with women who accept who they are and the life we lead. I don’t want that for Ivy; I love her too much to ask.

  I quickly dry off and change and head to the upper deck. She’s not waiting, which gives me a moment to arrange things with Richie who is waiting for instruction.

  Our eyes meet and he raises his and says blankly, “Is everything going to plan, sir.”

  Shaking my head, I laugh softly and say in mock anger, “If you think it was, do you think I’d be standing here right now. Fuck me, I need a drink, this is hard.”

  Richie laughs softly, “You always knew it would be.”

  We take a seat on one of the many cream cushioned seating areas on deck and I reach for a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade, wishing like fuck it was something stronger. Pouring one for Richie, I lean back and say evenly, “So, any news to report?”

  “We have the video ready to release on your command. Drew was followed home where I expect he’s spent a sleepless night and two of the guards are keeping tabs on him. As soon as he makes the call, we’ll know about it. Um, sir...”

  I look up quickly because Richie is unsure about saying something which tells me I’m not going to like it and I narrow my eyes. “Spit it out Richie and when we’re alone, it’s Romeo, you know that.”

  He nods and says in a low voice, “If this ends how I think it will, maybe you should inform your brothers of what to expect.”

  I lean back and consider his words. My brothers, he’s right, this doesn’t just affect me and Ivy, it affects them, the whole set up, my family. The trouble is, I haven’t yet decided what this is. When I first engineered this whole intervention, I didn’t really expect Ivy to be so - willing. I thought she’d be scared, beg to be returned, unhappy even. I never expected to find myself in this situation and I don’t actually have a plan for that, which is probably why Richie is thinking for me. He always is which makes him the most important person in my life because Richie is my brain, my conscience and my harshest critic. My advisor and my best friend who I trust implicitly.

  Sighing, I reach for another lemonade and say roughly, “Leave it for now. Let’s see what Drew does first.”

  My attention is diverted as Ivy makes her way on deck, dressed in a long flowing white robe that covers what is sure to be my downfall. Her shades disguise her eyes and Richie stands quickly, “I’ll leave you to your afternoon, sir.”

  Before he goes, I say quickly, “Find Jamie and ask him to make the jet ski ready, Ivy wants to swim.”

  He nods and heads off, leaving me to gaze in wonder at a woman I never thought I’d meet again.

  Pouring her a lemonade, I pat the seat next to me.

  “Here, drink this while my men arrange the jet ski.”

  “Really, that’s amazing.”

  She breaks out in a smile and sits down hard beside me and her robe falls open, revealing the swell of her breast in a skimpy red bikini.

  I take a deep breath because this afternoon is promising to be the purest form of torture.

  I think I’m already hard and try to think of anything other than what I really want to be doing to this woman whose leg is touching mine like a velvet glove.
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  “I’ve never been on a jet ski before, is it dangerous?”

  “Not if the driver knows what he’s doing.”

  “Then I’m perfectly safe because Romeo Romano, I’m guessing you always know exactly how to handle anything.”

  Her mouth twists in a wicked grin and I laugh softly. “I do.”

  Ivy appears playful and I like to see it. I hate it when she shows fear, and I will make it my mission to tear down her walls and make every hour we spend together count.

  Jamie appears on deck and nods, “She’s ready when you are, sir.”

  Lacing my fingers with Ivy’s, I pull her up and wink.

  “Ready for the ride of your life, my little flower.”

  She nods and says with excitement, “I can’t wait.”

  She grins and leans forward a little, and I feel the brush of her breast against my arm and count to ten in my mind. Not long now because I am fast realizing the only one controlling anything around here is this woman who appears so innocent on the outside, but is hiding a whole load of trouble inside.

  We head to the rear transom where a jet ski is gleaming in the sunlight, looking as if it’s never been used.

  Ivy laughs and whispers, “I should have known it would be black, everything is it seems.”

  “Of course, you are on the Black Heart, after all. There’s a theme running here, you know.”

  She laughs and the sound lights up my soul. I love making her happy because for the first time in forever, I am happy. Somehow here with her, I am carefree and free from responsibility. Nothing matters out here in this bubble we have created for ourselves.

  Jamie hands Ivy a lifejacket and I swallow hard as she hands him her white robe and stands there tempting me with a body that was crafted for sin. Full plump breasts fill the bikini with perfection and her narrow waist would take the span of my hands. Her hips sway as she moves and her ass is high and tight and immediately, I go into freefall.

  Long shapely legs taper down to slim ankles and well-manicured toe nails gleam in the sunlight. Her golden hair is tied up high on her head in a messy bun, and she appears to be struggling a little with the fastenings on the life jacket. Eagerly, I step forward to help her and secure her in safety so she will be safe if she falls into the sea. I dare not look into her eyes because if I do, I’m sure to embarrass myself in front of my staff, so I say roughly, “Ok, you’re ready. I’ll get on and you can sit behind me and hold on tight.”

  Trying to distract my thoughts from this woman, I relish the feel of steel beneath me as I sit astride another one of my pride and joys. We all love the water; my brothers get off on the speed as much as I do and in total, we have three jet skis on board. Often, we stage competitions when we are all together, which is rarer these days. My brothers are wrapped up in their women and Dante has a family now. Riley and Lucian are married and expecting their first child, and Dante and Isabella are newlyweds trying for their own baby. Our older brother Lorenzo lives near Washington with his own wife Sophia, and their first child was born just two months ago. I am the last Romano standing and if I had my way, I wouldn’t be far behind them but only with Ivy, nobody else, which dooms me to fail at life because she can never be mine. I wouldn’t inflict that on her. She needs freedom, not to swap one prison for another.

  As she climbs on and her arms wrap around me, I realize this was one of my most stupid decisions. Her legs sit against mine and her mouth rests against the back of my neck, causing me to shiver inside. Her breasts are pressed into my back like two plump cushions and desire is not strong enough a word for how I feel right now and so without a moment to lose, I start the beast and head off into the ocean, hoping the cool water will douse the fire burning out of control inside.

  Chapter 16

  Ivy

  This afternoon was just what the doctor ordered. Romeo and I fool around, first on the jet ski and then by diving off the boat and taking a swim.

  It feels good to be free and with such a man. My man. I know he is, but I’m afraid I can’t keep him for long.

  It’s so intoxicating swimming in the ocean with my own personal protection with not a soul in sight. Romeo is attentive, good fun and rather gorgeous, and I can’t stand it when I’m not touching him with some part of my body.

  I’m ashamed to admit that I orchestrate that as much as possible and yet he doesn’t take the bait. He’s holding back and I wish he wouldn’t. There’s only one game I really want to play with Romeo Romano, and it’s strictly x-rated. However, he has other plans because as soon as we return to the boat, dripping sea water all over his newly scrubbed deck, he reaches for a warm robe and wraps it around my shoulders, tying the belt tightly and kissing me on the forehead like he would a child. “Go and shower and change, we need to have that talk.”

  He smiles, but I see the determination in his eyes. He wants the whole of me, it’s obvious and that starts with my memories.

  He escorts me to my cabin and as I turn to enter, his hand catches my arm and spins me around. He is so close and looks as if he wants to devour me, which sets my pulse racing and the nerves to spark through my body like electricity. Pushing a wet tendril of hair out of my eyes, he holds my face in his two hands and stares at me with a look that could explode stone.

  “This evening we talk and work out your future by confronting your past. Only then will we decide what that means for us.”

  My lip trembles as he hovers close and then with a low moan, he captures my lips in his and kisses me so deeply, so intensely, I think I may burst into flames. I shift closer and my robe parts a little and I feel his wet chest on my bare skin and it drives me insane.

  It’s almost as if he’s come to a decision in his mind because there is something different about this kiss. There’s a power to it. Before he was hesitant, making me feel as if he was holding back - not anymore.

  He pushes me back until I feel the hard wood of the door behind me and he presses against me, the thin fabric of the robe doing little to protect my body from feeling something alien to me. His hard length presses into my stomach and I moan softly. I don’t even recognize myself, and as he fists my hair and punishes my mouth, I lose my mind completely.

  Then he pulls back and my head spins when I look at the emotion on his face and he growls, “We don’t have long and I’m not sure if I can play the gentleman around you much longer. We need to come to a decision tonight before I go crazy.”

  My breathing is all over the place and impulsively I reach out and pull him close, as if he’s my life belt in a raging sea. My legs feel weak as I contemplate leaving him because now it’s changed, I don’t fear returning home, I fear leaving Romeo.

  For a while, we stand clinging together, both reluctant to break the spell that’s been cast, and then he groans low in his throat and pulls back and says huskily, “Shower and change, I’ll meet you on deck.”

  I watch him walk away and it feels wrong somehow. I don’t like it because I don’t want him to go.

  I spend a long time getting ready for one reason. I need to make this evening count. If this is my last one with him, I am determined to take back with me a memory that will get me through life. We are no longer two kids unsure of what to say, those kids grew up to be insanely attracted to each other and there will only be one outcome. So, unlike with Drew, I am preparing to seduce my man because he will not get away from me again.

  The shower feels like pure heaven as I stand under the steam and soap my body, washing the salt of the ocean away. Making sure to wash my hair thoroughly, I style it slightly curled at the edges. My makeup is bolder than usual, more seductive, and the black dress I choose, dips low at the front with a split up the side that ends at the top of my thigh. I slip on some sparkly sandals and finish the look with a diamond bracelet and almost don’t recognize myself. The girl is gone and in her place is a woman who means business.

  I just hope I’m a successful one.

  Romeo is waiting, looking devastatingly handsome in black
trousers with a crisp white shirt that is slightly open, revealing that hard body my own craves so much. His hair is freshly washed and the powerful scent of his aftershave draws me toward him like a magnetic force.

  The sun is dipping low in the sky and promises a show of the most fantastic kind as it makes way for the darkness but bows out in a blaze of glory.

  Romeo is holding a crystal glass that he extends to me and says a little gruffly, “You look beautiful, Ivy.”

  “Thank you.”

  I walk toward him and the dress parts a little, revealing the split, and he can’t stop staring, which makes me confident of success. Attraction is a powerful weapon that I have never needed until now, and I am going to use it well. As my fingers wrap around the glass they brush with his and a shiver of need rushes straight to my core.

  He smiles gently. “Come, we’ll watch the sunset, it’s always an impressive sight from the boat.”

  His hand splays across the small of my back and guides me across to the rail at the rear of the boat. The soft lapping of the sea is almost sensual as the silence wraps us in safety and the promise that tonight will change everything. Romeo pulls me against him and it feels so good standing beside a man like him. I can’t get close enough it seems, and the sexual tension in the air sits between us, promising a show much more beautiful than any sunset can provide.

  I gasp as the light changes from warm yellow to brilliant orange. It lights up the sky and transforms the dusky light into one of brilliance. We remain silent in homage to Nature as she shows us what’s she capable of, and as the sun dips below the horizon, Romeo whispers, “It would be hard to find a more magnificent sight than that.”

  I nod in agreement. “It’s amazing, special even.”

  Shifting to face me, his eyes sparkle in the darkness and he whispers, “You are special, Ivy, you just don’t realize how much.”