"That's not what you said you'd do."
"No," he admitted. "But it's what you needed."
Vee shrugged, a careless little roll of her shoulders. "So according to Google, orgasm denial is a surefire way to punish a man who thinks he's God."
"I'm not God," he corrected. "I am the devil."
"In this context," she replied breezily, "same thing."
"Do not let Nonnina hear you say that," he warned. "She'll light a candle and set you on fire with it." Then his gaze dropped meaningfully to the flimsy tie on his wrist. "So what's your plan here, Vee? Deny me sex? You've been doing that since the day I met you. At this point, I've hit a year's quota of punishments. Untie me."
"I didn't say sex denial," she said. "I said orgasm denial."
"Vee," he said slowly, "don't you dare. Don't."
She climbed onto the mattress anyway, and placed her hands on his chest, pushing him back down. Luca fell against the pillows with a muted huff.
"Would you at least tell me what you're up to?" he asked.
