It hadn’t taken him long, she’d give him that. They’d shared a lovely dinner at a small, quiet Chinese restaurant, then she’d somehow found herself agreeing to a nightcap back at his apartment. Was she just that easy or was he that good? She couldn’t decide.

“I barely know you. Tell me more about yourself, Dante.”

He kept his eyes on the road, his hands firmly wrapped around the wheel of his sleek black BMW 5 Series. “Let’s see. I grew up in Florence, Italy. I came to the States after turning eighteen, when my father had been transferred.”

That sure explained the delicious accent that made her bones melt. “It must have been a serious culture shock for you.”

He nodded. “It was difficult at first, but I grew to love it here. A few years ago my father died of a heart attack. It was hard on my mom, she and Dad were very much in love.”

“I’m so sorry, Dante.”

He looked at her then, taking his gaze off the road for a second. “It’s okay. I was raised to believe that death doesn’t mean the end, merely a change of location.”

“I’ve never heard it put quite that way, but it’s a very nice way to think.” She glanced at his ring finger, noticing not for the first time that there was no glimmer of a gold band. “So, you never married?”

“No. I’m not opposed to marriage, but I’ve been busy getting my business off the ground. Mom says I’m a workaholic.”

“Are you?”

He shrugged as he turned a corner. “Maybe. Maybe I’ve just never found the right distraction.”

She had nothing to say to that so she stayed silent and watched as he pulled into a parking garage.

As he maneuvered the car into a space, he shut off the engine and turned to her. “We’re here.”

“I barely know you,” she blurted out.

Dante leaned forward and took her face in the palms of his hands. “I’ve watched you every day for the last three months. I’ve wanted you since the first moment I saw you. I can’t stop wanting you, believe me I tried.”

It’d been the same for her, but she wasn’t about to give him that sort of leverage. “But you want my shop. You want to close me down. You admitted that yourself.”

He shook his head. “It’s true I wanted the space. Hell, look at it from my viewpoint. I go away on a two-day business trip only to come back and find it already leased. I won’t lie to you, Cherry, I wasn’t real thrilled.”

“Yeah, I thought as much.”

“I had that place all planned out before you came along,” he murmured. “And I had thought to coerce you into giving it up, but I still would’ve compensated you so you could open Serene Comfort elsewhere.”

“And now?”

“Right now the only thing I can think of is you. What you look like underneath those conservative slacks and that silk blouse. I have a fair idea, but I’d really like to see for myself.”

“You’re much too bold, and I’m way out of your league.”

“How so?”

“For three years I was married to a man who tried his best to destroy my sense of self-worth by cheating on me.”

Dante’s face hardened, as if angered on her behalf. “Why did you stay with him?”

She shrugged. “When you love someone you don’t give up at the first sign of trouble. I wanted to make it work, no matter what.”

“What changed?”

“I realized that some men are better off single.”

Dante’s grin lit her on fire. “He was an idiot. I never would have looked at other women if I had you in my bed.”

She leaned back, to preserve her sanity if nothing else, which forced him to drop his hands. “Don’t flatter me. I’m already here so obviously flattery isn’t necessary.”

His features changed, turned hard. “I don’t lie. I say what I mean.”

She faltered at the seriousness in his tone. “I’m not perfect, Dante, I have just as many flaws as the next gal.”

“Maybe, but I like you just as you are. I wouldn’t expect you to be anything other than you.”

“You don’t even know me.”

Dante closed the gap she’d created. “You’re Cherry DuBois, the sexy massage therapist who managed to snap up the space I’d been eyeing for the last six months. You’re the woman I’ve craved so bad I go to bed smelling that damn cherry oil you use on your clients. You’re the woman in my car arguing over whether you deserve compliments or not. You’re the only thing I want and everything I need.”

Every bone in her body seemed to gel, her blood heated and her mind went blank. She couldn’t counter an attack like that. No woman would be capable of speech after such a statement.

Dante didn’t seem to require words from her though, he simply placed two fingers against her lips and murmured, “Just follow me and you’ll see.”

She blinked, then nodded. They left the car and he took her hand in his and led her to an elevator. They rode up in silence. Once inside his apartment she knew the truth. She was about to sleep with Dante Ricci. She would no longer be imaging his kisses and touches, she’d be experiencing them. Oh, my.

When they entered his bedroom, Dante flipped a light and the room instantly came into view. “Wow,” Cherry cried.

“You like it?”

Like was too tame a word. She was floored. He’d decorated the room to the hilt in romance. Tiny red rose petals littered the bed. White candles sat atop the dresser and the bedside table. On the nightstand stood a crystal bowl full of cherries. The most sensual ruby-red nightgown lay across a corner chair. Long flowing satin with spaghetti straps. Simple, but elegant. She’d never worn anything so exquisite. She’d given him so much grief and he’d gone to such trouble.

She turned, needing to say something, anything, but he was killing her further with more thoughtful gestures.

“I took the liberty of buying you several items from the store. In the bathroom there’s a toothbrush, hairbrush, scented soaps and creams.”

“You planned this. All of it. But why?”

He reached up and smoothed a hand through her hair, letting the long, silky strands sift through his fingers. “I started buying things the minute I realized I’d never get you out of my system by simply willing it,” he murmured. “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted you here, just this way. It’s Friday, Cherry, and I had hoped you would spend the weekend with me. Just the two of us. I want us to get to know each other. Would you like that, little one?”

She’d been unsure and scared when she’d accepted his dinner invitation, but this went beyond anything she’d experienced. Brody had certainly never taken the time to romance her. Never once had she felt this wanted, this craved. For once Cherry knew exactly how to respond.

“I would love that, Dante. Very much.”

His eyes darkened as he looked at her from head to toe. “First, I want to run you a hot bath. I have a need to sample all these scented soaps I bought.”

“I wouldn’t want you to buy something you aren’t completely satisfied with. We should definitely test everything.”

“My thoughts exactly. Including the cherry flavored oil.”

“You bought edible oil?”

His eyes twinkled with mischief. “Yep. And I can’t wait to try it out.”

“You are a very bad boy, Dante Ricci.”

“And you’re all mine, Ms. DuBois.”

Cherry went still. Hearing the statement of possession from his lips made it real. She really was spending the weekend with the big, gorgeous, Italian hunk.

Hot damn.

Dante made damn sure Cherry didn’t have a chance to change her mind. He moved swiftly around the small bathroom and prepared everything before heading to the tub and running the water. She was still in the bedroom, getting naked he hoped. Once he had the water temperature just right, he looked at the scented bubble bath. He’d bought a variety, but he had no idea what sort of scent she liked. He didn’t want to ask and sound like an imbecile. So, he closed his eyes and randomly selected one. He opened them again and realized he’d picked the strawberries and cream. He popped the lid and inhaled. Mmm, yeah, good choice. It reminded him of the Cherry scent that seemed such a part of her. His mind conjured an image of her creamy skin topped with luscious berry nipples. His body hummed to life. She wasn’t even in the same room and he was getting a hard-on! She’d been a fire in his blood for too long. It was high time to do something about it.

Dante poured the scented soap into the bath. How much of this gooey shit was he supposed to use? He shrugged and dumped in a good portion. Bubbles started to appear before his eyes. He’d never taken a bubble bath with a woman, but he was already picturing Cherry’s long, lean frame surrounded by the white fluffy stuff. Her dark hair swirling around her body like a black curtain. He loved her hair. He’d watched her each morning opening her shop, she’d start out with her hair down, but by the time she left for the evening it would be up in a ponytail. At first he’d been angry that she’d gotten to the empty space first. The more he watched her, the more he realized she’d been innocent. It’d been his dumb luck that she’d come across the FOR LEASE sign while he’d been away on business. Once he’d come to the conclusion that she’d not duped him, he’d allowed his mind to wonder what it’d be like to make love to the luscious beauty.

Dante’s cock felt strangled in his restricting pants. He reached down and unbuckled his belt, then popped the top button. Better, but not by much. The only thing that would relieve his ache was getting his dick as far into Cherry’s hot little cunt as he could. He wanted to be balls deep. Damn! And she’d agreed to the entire weekend. Thank God, because a quickie with Cherry would only be a teaser. It would take a good long time to get his fill. He wanted her naked. Eager. Screaming with pleasure. A little taunting voice inside his head kept egging him to get on with it already. He wished he could shut that damn voice up.

Cherry was jumpy as hell already. She would need to loosen up if he was going to get her to drop her guard. He had ideas. Very specific ideas of how he wanted their first time to go. He wouldn’t let his dick derail his plan now.

Dante turned off the water and left the bathroom. He stopped dead at the sight that greeted him in the bedroom. Cherry, sitting naked on the edge of the bed, legs pressed together tight, arms over her pretty tits. Damn, if he didn’t already know she’d been married, he would’ve taken her for a virgin with the way she appeared. Her black hair covered her like a protective shield, eyes downcast. The sweetest temptation he’d ever seen.

And she’s all mine.

He crossed the room with purposeful strides and sank to his knees in front of her. She looked up at him finally and Dante’s heart squeezed tight in his chest. In her expression, she conveyed a volatile mix of anxious wanton and hopeful innocent. He wanted to get her past her shyness though. He ached to see the wanton beauty that lay beneath the layer of protection.

Her husband must have done a real number on her sense of worth. She needed to get over that psychological bullshit. He wanted her in fighting form. Ready to give him a piece of her mind, even while he fought to get a piece of her succulent little pussy.

She seemed to be beating herself up for being in his bedroom, but he wouldn’t let her hide behind guilt. Taking her hand in his, Dante whispered, “Your bath awaits, Ms. DuBois.”

He saw a sparkle light her eyes for a brief second before she hid it. “You like pampering me, don’t you?”

“Yes, and knowing how much you’re going to enjoy my pampering makes my cock a very happy camper.”

She laughed and loosened her arms a touch, which was all part of his plan. Soon, she’d drop her arms altogether. Then, he could get a good long look of the sexy woman he’d desired for the last three months.

“Well, I’m glad you have a happy cock.”

Dante reached out and placed his hand on her arm; her eyes grew as big as quarters. “My cock will be even happier when you let me look at you.”

Cherry bit her lip, worried, anxious, but in the end, bravery won out. “I will, but I want to look at you too.”

Ah, now they were getting somewhere. “You want me naked, little one?”

She closed her eyes tight and blurted, “Yes.”

In an instant, Dante was on his feet and shucking his clothes. Her eyes opened and her mouth dropped as she watched his efficient striptease. Soon, he wasn’t wearing a stitch, his cock mere inches from her face. He had the insane urge to wrap a fist around his stiff erection and rub it all over her. Cheeks, lips, chin, then lower. He wanted to kiss her nipples with the slit in his penis. He wanted so many things with Cherry.

“You don’t mess around, do you?”

He crossed his arms over his chest and pointedly looked down at her still-covered chest. “I’m naked. Now you.”

Cherry’s spine stiffened. Again, her fearless streak appeared to come to the rescue and she dropped her arms.

Dante’s libido shot into overdrive. He dropped his own arms and clenched his fists at his side to keep from jumping her. “Now your legs.”

Cherry looked down at herself, then back up at him, frowning. “What’s wrong with my legs?”

“They’re pressed too damn tightly together. Open them for me. Let me see what’s mine.”

A regal brow rose. “What’s yours?” she repeated.

He knelt down and looked directly into her blazing green eyes, then slowly spread her open himself. He let his eyes dart quickly over her darkly covered mound, then he leaned in and kissed her there, right over the clitoris he ached to suck and tease. “This is mine. Same as my cock belongs to you,” he growled. “This weekend we belong to each other.”

Her voice was decidedly weaker when she replied with a demand of her own. “Then I should get a kiss too, shouldn’t I?”

She wasn’t really asking, she was telling. Cherry reached out and wrapped her slender fingers around his biceps and tugged, indicating she wanted him to stand. He stood and she pulled him forward. When her pink lips barely grazed the swollen red head of his cock, it was all he could do to stay upright. She leaned back and stared at him there, then her eyes traveled up his body to his face.

“You taste very nice.”

“That wasn’t a taste. That was a tease.” Her answering grin was that of a naughty imp. Oh, yeah. Much better than the scared innocent moments earlier.

He held out a hand. “Come on, before your bath gets cold.”

She rested her palm in his and Dante guided her to the bathroom. He heard Cherry inhale sharply at the sensual sight that greeted her.

“Do you like it?” He was more anxious than he cared admit.

“I love it. You’ve outdone yourself. I’m truly bewildered by you.”

Candles were the only light in the small room. The flickering glow caused the bubbles in the tub to dance. It was so strange, being seduced and cherished. Cherry didn’t know how to handle it.

She turned, wanting to say something, anything, but her attention was caught on the object in his hand. A remote control. He pushed a button and the soft masculine voice of Frank Sinatra filled the room. The tune Dante had chosen: “Mind If I Make Love To You.”

“Dante,” she murmured. His name and nothing more. She couldn’t begin to put into words the way he so easily got under her skin.

Dante set the remote on the bathroom counter and stepped into the tub. Once seated, he spread his legs wide, knees peaking out of the water, then lifted a hand in silent invitation. She stopped thinking and followed his lead. He’d asked for the weekend. She’d agreed. All the reasons why she shouldn’t be here could wait until Monday.

Cherry dipped her toes in, testing the temperature. It was perfect, of course. She slipped one leg over the rim of the tub, right between his hard, muscular thighs, then the other. A rush of heat swept over her when he took her hips in his rough palms and tugged. She melted and sank into the warm frothy water. Dante hummed his appreciation and drew her back against his powerful chest. His cock nestled against her ass.

“That’s it, just relax and let me take care of you, little one.”

“I’m six-foot-one, not exactly little.”

Dante stroked both his large hands over her hips clear to her stomach. He massaged her lower belly and whispered against her ear, “I’m six-foot-four and have about a hundred pounds on you, you’re little compared to me.”

His fingers began to find their way south. He sifted through her wet curls and slipped his long thick index finger between her folds, teasing her by sinking only to the first knuckle.

“Your skin has such a pretty glow and your tantalizing breasts are so full and ripe.” His finger moved in tiny circles and she arched against him. “You’re sexy as hell. It’s been nearly impossible resisting you.”

“Please, Dante.”

He moved his finger all the way out and flicked her clit. “Please what?”

“I need you. Stop teasing me!”

Dante took her clit between his fingers and pumped it. Her body sizzled with little shock waves that only he seemed able to create. His other hand came up and cupped her right breast and squeezed. She’d always been extra sensitive there and Dante zeroed in on the fact immediately. The man was intoxicating.

When his finger dipped between her slippery pussy lips again, she pushed forward, telling him without words what she wanted. He complied by sliding two fingers in. This time he sank them deep and began pumping her hard, his thumb swiping back and forth over her clit, his other hand torturously pinching her nipple. His head dipped down and licked the side of her neck and shoulder, then he bit down. Hard. Cherry jolted and her pulse throbbed, as if eager to be tasted. Dante was everywhere at once. Cherry couldn’t hold back.

Her orgasm began a slow climb. Water splashed over the edge of the tub as she gyrated against his palm and fingers. He slipped three fingers in and Cherry lost it. A mass of heat welled to the surface as Dante finger-fucked her, his words pushing her over the edge.

“Let go. Take what you want.”

And she did. Her right hand reached beneath the water and behind her buttocks. She found his heavy cock and she squeezed him tight.

“Fuck, yeah.”

Her body took over and suddenly she exploded. Her orgasm went on and on as Dante wrung every bit of pleasure from her he could.

They stayed that way, her hand wrapped tightly around his rigid length, his fingers still deeply embedded in her vagina. When she wriggled her bottom, they both groaned.

“Do you remember after my massage, when you called me Master?”

Cherry could barely breathe, let alone think. It took her a minute to recall the episode. “I was being sarcastic because you were way too arrogant.”

“But I still liked it. I want more of it.”

Cherry swiveled her head to look at him. She couldn’t turn around completely, because his fingers were still buried inside her pussy. He seemed content to leave them there indefinitely. She couldn’t quite figure out why the notion seemed so appealing.

“You want me to call you, Master?”

“In the bedroom, yes.”

She should not be turned on. Every instinct screamed in outrage. “What if I don’t want to? What if I can never do that?”

“I happen to know you’ve at least thought about it. That magazine you subscribe to is proof.”

He couldn’t possibly know. How could he know? Oh, God, please tell me he doesn’t know. “What magazine?”

He quirked a brow and said, “Whips and Gags ring any bells?”

Her cheeks heated with equal amounts of embarrassment and anger. “You stole my magazine?”

“It was delivered to me by mistake, imagine my surprise to see who it belonged to.”

“You had no right, Dante.”

“Hey, it wasn’t my fault the postman got the wrong address.” She started to protest, but he placed a finger against her lips and murmured, “I find I’m quite intrigued by your secret fantasies, baby. All you have to do is open yourself to me and those fantasies can be reality. Are you willing?”

Say no. Scream no! “Yes.”

Dante’s mouth came down hard. His possessive, untamed kiss curled her toes. Nothing she’d ever experienced could have prepared her for such a force of nature. In her gut, Cherry understood what he was showing her. He wanted her to see how pleased he was by her acceptance of their new game. She was being rewarded for her trust in him. She’d read a little about this sort of thing, but never experienced it. She hadn’t really had a lot of time to look over the Whips and Gags magazine with all she’d had to deal with since the divorce. Besides, Dante was oh, so much better than anything she could have found in those magazines.

His lips forced hers open and his tongue delved deep. His fingers slid free of her wet channel, then came to her throat and squeezed. In a flash, her body was ablaze with sensations. Cherry didn’t let herself think as she surrendered herself to Dante.

She clutched his stiff penis as her own need mounted, then began to massage his silky length. Up and down, the water giving her the right amount of slick pressure. Dante broke the kiss and squeezed her throat tighter.

“You do not touch me until you’ve been given permission. Move your hand.”

Cherry froze. She didn’t know what to do. Was he serious? The darts of fury in his eyes said he was deadly serious.

For an instant his gaze gentled. “You need to learn the game. Move your hand away and ask permission to touch your Master.”

She saw it then. The arousal as well as the tenderness. He was ready to take them both to the next level of pleasure. All she need do is move her hand and do as she’s told. Could she? Would there be no turning back if she did?

Cherry closed her eyes and removed her hand. For good measure she mumbled, “Sorry.”

“Sorry what?”

She took a deep breath and spit the words out. “Sorry, Master.”

Dante’s grip on her neck loosened and his grin both excited and frightened. She’d affectively stepped into his wickedly erotic world. There would be no going back.