Teasing Mr. Player

5.

MATTEO ROSSI’S POV

"And now, La mia bambola (My doll).” I said softly, "You're about to learn what consequences really mean.”

Before the prey in front of me got the chance to move as little as an inch I closed the distance between us in two steps, one hand gripping his jaw, fingers wrapping around his throat as I brought his face forward until barely an inch separated us. 

His breath hitched sharply and I felt his pulse hammer against my palm, fast and frantic, betraying every bit of calm he was performing.

"Still finding this funny?" I asked, my voice heavy.

But he wasn't laughing anymore. Instead, his hands came up immediately, gripping my wrist, trying to pull back. I held unto him tightly though not enough to hurt. Just enough to make the point land properly.

His eyes were wide now. Good.

"You walk into people's lives," I said, voice low. "You make empty promises, smile, you take what you want. And then you disappear. You think there aren't consequences?." I tightened my grip slightly.

 "There are always consequences Luca."

He made a sound as he kept trying to wriggle himself free. Before I could understand what was happening pain exploded across my hand. The little bastard bit me.

 A full, committed bite. 

I released him on instinct, pulling back, and he scrambled backwards on the bed gasping and rubbing his throat. My hand was bleeding slightly. I stared at it, then at him.

He was breathing hard, eyes blazing, hair wrecked. "Don't ever put your hands on me again."

My men moved immediately but I raised my right hand signaling them to stop. I reached for the handkerchief from my breast pocket and pressed it to my hand. The room was very quiet.

Luca was still glaring at me from the middle of the bed, chest heaving. Then he shifted back further, putting more distance between us like distance would help him at this point.

"Stay still," I said. “You asked for it.” 

He shifted back again anyway. Stubborn.

"I said—"

He moved once more and then there was nothing behind him. I watched him as his eyes went wide with the sudden understanding that he'd run out of bed. Then his arms flew out uselessly and he went backwards.

I moved faster.

My hand shot out, catching his shirt, hauling him forward before gravity finished the job. He came up hard against me, while both his hands grabbed my shirt. My arm remained locked around him and for a second neither of us moved.

Staring deep into his eyes I realized how close we were.

His face was inches from mine and his breath was warm. His hands were still fisted in my shirt and he hadn't let go. Somehow, I hadn't let go either.

I don't know which one of us moved. I'm not certain either of us did. But the distance closed and for one brief, suspended second his lips were against mine. Soft. Unplanned. 

I pulled back immediately. Cleanly.

I released him and stepped back and made sure my face showed absolutely nothing. He stood there staring at me with his mouth slightly open. His cheeks was red, eyes searching my face.

I straightened my jacket while he sat slowly. Still staring.

I turned away briefly, collecting myself. Then I faced him again.

"Your punishment," I said. "You will move into my house. You will be present for my brother and you will not be seen at close range with any other man for the next thirty days."

He blinked. "You're joking."

"You can't just—" He stopped. Ran a hand through his hair. "You can't decide where I live."

"That's not legal."

"I don't do legal."

He stood up. "And if I say no?"

I looked at him steadily. "Then Alessandro gets a very detailed account of tonight. The arrival, the company you had, the timeline." I paused. "He's already been through enough."

“And.” I said cutting off his attempt to speak. “And the cycle begins; he spirals probably goes into seclusion. I watch him. I hunt you down and do things dangerous can't compare.

The fight went out of him slowly. Not all at once. It drained, piece by piece, until he was just standing there looking at me with something that wasn't quite anger anymore.

“You're unbelievable."

"So I've been told."

He looked at the ruined door. Then at my men. Then back at me. The calculation behind his eyes was almost interesting to watch. He was looking for a way out and finding none and slowly making peace with that.

"Fine," he said. "Staying with Luca won't be that hard."

I stared at him.

"If I'm signing my life away for a month I want terms. Clear ones."

I studied him for a long moment. Of all the responses I'd anticipated that wasn't one of them.

"My lawyer will contact you tomorrow," I said.

He nodded once, jaw tight. "Great.”

I slowly buttoned my cufflinks and turned to leave. My men followed suit. However, I stopped but didn't turn around.

"That thing that just happened," I said.

 "Don't overthink it."