C10 Only for his eyes?

Biting on the almond cookies Chad's Mom sent for me, I kept my eyes set on the television screen. A shiver ran down my arms as the cold wind blew past me. Pulling at my old oversized sweater, I cuddled Romeo who slept soundly on my lap.

At the end of November, it was freezing outside. The heater of my apartment wasn't working and I was saving money to fix that. But I will have to do that soon, otherwise the cold will bite me in the ass in winter.

My gaze went to the clock for the umpteenth time.

Five minutes left for it to be eight.

The flutters in my tummy were going crazy. Heart thumped.

Nothing was gonna happen. He wasn't going to be here. He had received my message. He knew very well I wasn't going to go anywhere with him or receive any punishment.

After his short phone call last night, I sent him a message with a big 'no' in bold words. I didn't deserve any punishment.

I didn't know about his rules, nor did I intentionally overheard his phone conversation. So he could take his rules and stick them up his sexy ass. Because Cassandra Brooks wasn't a woman one could bend easily.

I knew if I wanted him, I should have agreed and let him do anything with me. But something in me didn't let me do that. I would manage a way to get what I wanted, but I wouldn't definitely let anyone make me dance on their instructions. Boss or not.

My eyes went to the clock again. Two minutes left.

But no matter what I said, I couldn't deny the fact that Italian affected me more than I liked to admit.

He didn't call or message after I sent him the message. Not a single response.

And the silence from his side was what bothered me. Because I knew he saw my message.

Goosebumps crawled over my skin with another chilly wind.

Letting out a sigh, I got up and walked over to the window. The street was almost empty in this sudden drop of temperature. But as always, those black cars were parked before that house on the opposite side of the street.

At Romeo's mewl, I closed the window and walked back to the couch.

The doorbell rang.

And my heart stopped in my chest.

It was eight sharp.

Was it him? He said he would pick me up on eight sharp. But I made it clear that I wasn't interested in his punishment game. Then what did he want?

Or maybe it was someone else?

It couldn't be those drunk men because it wasn't Friday yet. I still had one day left. And the fact that I didn't have the whole amount they wanted yet was another story.

But what if it was them?

With a sudden anxiety rolling in me, I slowly walked to the door. Holding my breath, I peeked through the peephole.

A pair of dark icy blue eyes met me.

I gasped.

The anxiety disappeared but some new emotion ran through my veins. A mixture of thrill and nervousness, confusion and irritation.

He clearly didn't know how to take a no.

"Open the door, cuore mio. I know you're here."

The deep accented voice sent flutters to my stomach.

And what was that he called me with every time? I needed to google it.

"Sandra… open the door."

My lips pursed at the edge of his tone.

Clutching the knob, I opened the door. And there he was, standing there in a black suit and white shirt underneath with the top buttons undone.

As sinfully gorgeous as ever.

With his heady cologne tingling my nostrils, I stepped back and crossed my arms over my chest. "What are you doing here? And my name is Cassandra."

Ignoring my question, his dark eyes took a lazy stroll over my body. In my pink pajama pants and long gray sweater, I stood straight under his heated gaze.

I didn't care if he judged. I was very much comfortable in my clothes. Though his eyes one me like he had never seen a woman in his life bothered me. Even fully covered, I felt naked.

Clearing my throat, I managed to bring his eyes back to mine.

"Well?" I raised a brow.

Roaming his gaze over my features, he stepped inside before closing the door behind him.

My eyes widened. "What are you doi…"

"You're looking adorable, cuore mio." Wrapping an arm around my waist, he pulled me flushed against him. His sudden soft voice with his thumb brushing away some strands from my face caught the breath in my throat.

Leaning in as he nuzzled my neck, taking a sharp inhale. A shiver ran down my whole being. And this time, it definitely wasn't for the cold. My heart raced. His big arms around me were overwhelming.

"W-what are you doing?" I whispered.

"I missed you today," he murmured against my neck, his lips brushing over my sensitive skin. A silent gasp slipped my lips. My eyes went shut for a second on their own.

I didn't see him anywhere in Rossa today. From Elizabeth's chat with her assistant, I found out he was busy with business conferences the whole day.

Pushing at his chest slightly, I pulled away. But his arms didn't let me out of their clutch.

"I asked you a question, Mr. De Sylvano. What are you doing here? I told you I won't go anywhere with you. And how many times do I have to tell you not to grab me like that? It's becoming your habit now!"

A small smile danced at the edge of his lips as he watched me blabbering. As if he didn't mind my glare a bit.

"And I don't take noes, mia regina. I tell you to do something, you do that. No questions. Now, go and get ready. We're getting late."

"Huh? What's that now?" I frowned at the new Italian words. "And if you don't work well with noes, then learn it. Because I'm not getting ready. So you can take your big ego and stick it up your as…"

Before I could complete my sentence, he placed his thumb on my lips. His icy blue eyes narrowed. "Shh! Don't finish that word. Swearing doesn't suit beautiful ladies like you. Where are your manners, Sandra?"

Heat crawled up my ears. And I didn't know if it was because he called me beautiful or because he was being sexist here. He could swear in Italian whenever he wanted and I couldn't utter 'ass'?

"Cassandra!" I corrected him. "And I will say whatever the fuck I want. You don't tell me…"

Another gasp left my lips as he pinned me against the door with his hard body pressing my front.

Letting out a breath, he cupped my jaw in a firm yet gentle grip. "Do not swear in my presence, Sandra. I prefer my woman to be a good girl. Otherwise…"

"You punish her?" I challenged even if my heart was pounding down my ribcage. And I knew he could feel it too. His proximity made my knees weak. My fingers itched to touch him, feel his stubble against my palm. But I controlled myself. "And I'm not your woman."

"Yes, I punish her." A smirk tugged up his lips that messed with my heart. Leaning in, he whispered in my ear. "And you just added another in your list, because you're, MY woman. Mine."

My lips parted as I gaped at him.

His?

I was aware about his intentions, but he wasn't that bold before.

My throat suddenly dried up. Gulping, I licked my lips. His eyes followed the act. And a muscle of his jaw clenched.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath as if to control himself before pulling away.

"I- I'm not yours. I…"

"You have ten minutes. Go and get ready. If you don't want me to do something that you won't be able to handle, I will advise you to go to your room and do as I say, away from me for some time. Because I can't trust myself with you here, alone."

At the dark emotion that swirled in his blue irises, heat crept up my cheeks.

Picking a bag up from the floor which I didn't notice earlier he brought with him, he handed it over to me.

"Go and wear this dress."

He brought a dress for me?

"I said…"

"Think before you defy your employer again, Sandra."

My jaw dropped. "Are you threatening me?"

"Yes." Pushing his hands into his pockets, he threw me a look of dare. "Eight minutes."

I scowled.

"Seven."

Letting out a curse, I turned around and stomped inside my room before slamming the door shut behind me.

Fucking dictator! As much as I wanted to kiss him just a few moments ago, I wanted to kick his ass now.

Just for my job. Just some more days and when I will earn those twenty five thousand dollars, I will flick my middle finger in that sexy face of his.

At the reminder of the money, my mood just went more in the gutter. From the two days of photoshoot, I got ten thousand dollars as promised. I had some in my bank account. But I still didn't have the whole amount in my hands. And they will come and knock on my door tomorrow.

I had no idea what I would do. Maybe I will just ask for some more days? Because just three more days and I will be able to pay them back with the photoshoot's payment.

But the problem was, I didn't think they would give me any more time.

Damn you, Theresa! For making my life a living hell!

A curse left my lips.

A noise from the outside pulled me out of my thoughts. Then another came.

I frowned.

What was that man doing in my living room?

Pursing my lips, I looked down at the bag. It had a box inside.

Getting the box out, I opened it.

A black dress.

And when I unfolded it, my lips parted in awe.

It was a gown. A beautiful shimmery off shoulder mermaid gown that had a flare of mesh from down the lower mid thigh.

It was gorgeous.

He… chose it for me?

Something fluttered in my tummy.

But where the hell did he want to take me?

What was running in that Italian head of his?

Then my gaze fell on the other piece of cloth that came with the gown.

A cape?

A full sleeved cape matching the design of the gown.

Was he planning to cover me from head to toe with it? Because this cape would cover half of the design of the gown. The low cut at the back would be covered, so will be my shoulders and curves that this gown would show.

He gave me this beautiful gown and at the same time expected me to cover myself up with this cape?

Well, he had another thing coming for him then.

A smirk tugged at my mouth.

A game isn't fun until it's played by two players, Mr. De Sylvano.

***

Once I was ready, I smiled at the mirror in satisfaction. Open hair, smoky eyes and that stunning gown. Everything was perfect, especially with my dark red lipstick.

But there was still one thing left that would give my efforts success. His reaction.

Checking myself for one last time in the mirror, I took my purse and opened the door.

He was sitting on the couch while Romeo was on the opposite side of it. Both were staring at each other. When Romeo watched him with curiosity, Duncan had an unreadable look in his eyes.

At the sound of my heels, his head snapped to me. And he stared.

Even if my insides were in a mess under his gaze, I held my head high and raised a brow at him.

Roaming his suddenly dark icy blue eyes over me for a moment, he then stood up. A look of rage appeared across his features. His sharp angular jaw clenched.

"What have you done?" Deep accented voice tugged something in my lower region. Because no matter the rage, that dark desire was still vivid in that enchanting gaze. Icy blue eyes once again roamed over me.

I glanced down at myself and gave a nonchalant shrug. "Got ready as you ordered."

His nostrils flared. "I asked what you've done to the dress! Where did the lower half of it go?"

"Oh!" I flashed him an innocent smile. "I cut the flare off. I thought it would look better without that. And look, it's so much sexier without the flare."

Those calloused hands curled into fists as he glanced at my bare legs. And they lingered there for a moment.

Without the flare, now the dress ended some inches up my knees. Not to forget, the cape was still on my bed.

He wanted me fully covered. And here I was, standing in a cold shoulder backless dress.

"And you think I will let you wear this outside?" He pointed at the newly designed dress. "Never! Go and change!"

I frowned. "Why? What's wrong with it? I'm looking good in it."

Nothing was wrong except that the cold night would freeze me outside.

With his eyes flashing, he stopped inches away from me. Leaning in, he cupped my jaw. His cologne entered my lungs.

"Yes, you're looking… sinful in it." His husky yet dark voice made me take a deep breath. Those icy blue eyes kept my gaze locked with his. "But, cuore mio, this beauty is only for my eyes, not for the other men. And I would never allow them to see what's mine, you get that?"

Speechless, I stared at him. My heart raced down my chest.

Only for his eyes?