Page 68 of Sacred Blood

“Take a seat and have some wine, Vincenzo. We have much to celebrate today.”

He sat beside me, and we watched his mother put finishing touches on the salad and then handed us plates, giving each of us a generous portion.

“Oh my god, the fresh mozzarella is so buttery, the best I’ve ever had,” I enthused. “Where is it from?”

“It’s ours, or rather, from our property in Italy. The basil is from our gardens here, as are the tomatoes.”

I mumbled my compliments again as I ate. One of the kitchen staff placed a basket of fresh bread on the counter. Vinny dug in, spreading a copious amount of herbed butter over the fluffy crumb.

“Wait until you try my Mama’s butter, Gabriella. It is the best in the world.”

I lathered a piece of bread and quickly took a bite. “Mmm, it is the best. Don’t you have a similar one at the restaurant?”

He nodded. “I do, but mama has a special ingredient she hasn’t shared with me, so mine isn’t as good.”

Isabella laughed. “One day I will share all my culinary secrets with you, my son.”

When lunch was done, Vinny was headed back to the restaurant to oversee the meal prep for the evening’s dinner, and I excused myself to rest up and prepare for what I was sure would be a long evening.

When Tano arrived back, he looked tired, and I made him lay down and rest. He was out like a light, and I snuggled beside him, finally taking that nap I’d been promising myself.

I woke up first and checked the time. We had an hour until we were expected downstairs. “Tano. Are you sure you’re up for a family dinner? We are expected to be downstairs in an hour.”

His eyes remained closed, but his smirk told me he was awake. “And miss a chance to show off my beautiful fiancée? Not a chance.”

“Who are you and what have you done with the real Tano?”

He chuckled. “This is me. I just never had a reason to share myself with anyone before. Not until now.” He rolled up to sit and glanced at the time. “We better move it if you are going to eat dinner on a sore bottom.”

“But you need to get ready,” I argued.

“I just need to change my clothing and so, it seems, do you. We have plenty of time.” Tugging me over his lap, Tano clamped my legs with one of his so I couldn’t wiggle out of his grasp.

“I saw your text to Vincent, little brat, and I didn’t appreciate you sending a man, especially an employee, heart emojis.”

His hand came down with a resounding slap. My ass hadn’t been spanked in a while and I felt the sting immediately. Unable to wiggle free, I moaned and groaned and hissed and cried as I tried to adjust.

“But I only meant to make him blush!”

“Regardless, no hearts to any man but me, sì?”

“Sì. Ouch!”

The spanks rained down too fast for me to acclimatize, and I was soon shouting. He pushed me over an invisible barrier and my tears and cries finally turned into purrs of desire.

“Oh god. Yes!”

I was so close to coming when he pulled away.

“No more for you until later and only if you behave. But I do have something for you to wear while we dine.”

He placed me on my tummy on the bed. Cold gel was pressed into my anus and the tip of a plug slowly made its way in. “You can’t be serious. Everyone will know.”

Behind me, Tano laughed. “No one will know, just you and me, and I will keep your dirty secret.”

Once the plug was fully seated, he allowed me to get up. “For tonight, you can wear panties, but under no circumstances is that to be removed until I decide. This is your chance to prove your obedience, Gabriella, and I expect you to not only pass, but exceed my expectations. Clear?”

“Yes, Sir.”