Percy's POV

She was aroused again. I could smell it almost immediately. Her scent was delicious. The blurry shroud of blonde around her head, which I'd learned to pinpoint as her hair, didn't appear to turn toward me. Nevertheless, I could feel her eyes watching me from her seat across the limo.

Perhaps she was wondering how much of her I could see?

"How was your meal? I asked directly, breaking the silence as the car went over a light bump in the road.

"You mean, what you let me eat of it?" She replied, in a tone meant to sound annoyed, but my sharp ears detected a hint of happiness.

"You could have boxed up the food and taken it with you, could you not?" I said, smiling coyly.

"You said to come right away," she answered.

I smiled and leaned forward, reaching out to touch her leg. I felt her squirm as I grazed my fingers above her knee.

She has goosebumps for me.

"There will be plenty cummings soon enough, mio piccolo topo," I said, as I suddenly gripped her leg harder, welcoming a satisfied hitch of breath that escaped her lungs.

As dirty, dominant thoughts flooded my mind, my phone damned the river. Perfect, fucking, timing. I released Annie's knee and sunk back into my seat to answer the incoming call.

"This is Percy," I growled.

Annabeth's POV

I watched Percy go from Hyde to Jekyll as he listened to the receiver.

"Hi, stellina, how is Daddy's little one today?" His voice became gentle and caring. I immediately knew he was talking to his daughter, Thalia.

"That's good baby…Yes, Daddy is fine in Italia." He chuckled. "Good pronunciation. But you can just say Italy, honey."

Percy smiled in my direction. I beamed.

Watching him in dad mode made my insides melt. I felt an urge to straddle him right then and there.

For fuck's sake. He's talking to his daughter, Annabeth! Keep it together!

Percy put the phone on speaker, allowing me to hear the conversation. I couldn't stop myself from reaching and taking his free hand in mine.

"Will I get to stay with you when you come home, Daddy?" The little angel's voice was full of innocence and hope.

"Of course, piccola," Percy promised, his voice turning low and anxious.

"Mommy says I won't get to."

"Mommy doesn't know that, Thalia. She shouldn't be telling you that."

My god, his ex sounds cruel.

"I used fancy nail polish yesterday, and now all my nails are different colors," Thalia blurted, shifting topics.

Percy glanced at me, his eyes softening with relief. "You'll have to show Daddy them when he gets back."

"Are you friends with the Blonde Hair Lady now, Daddy?"

I jolted. This little girl remembered me.

Percy just stroked my hand tenderly, sending a warm shiver through my body. "Her name's Annie, and yes, actually she happens to be with me right now. Say hi."

"Hi, Annie!"

"Hi Thalia!" I answered, surprised at how happy I felt to be included in the adorable father-daughter conversation. "How was your day? Are you being a good girl?"

"Mhm, yeah!" Thaila answered delightedly, but then her voice became quiet.

"Oh…okay, Mommy," she said, disappointed. "Mommy just came in, Daddy. She says I have to go."

Percy quickly turned off the speaker and held the phone to his ear.

"Be a good girl for Daddy. I'll see you soon, okay, baby? I'll tell Annie you say ciao." I squeezed Percy's hand a little tighter. It was clearly painful for him to say goodbye to his daughter, not knowing when he would be able to see her again.

"Yes…talk to you soon piccola. Ciao, sweetheart." The phone clicked.

I looked at Percy, but he was gazing out the window, deep in thought.

I found it hard to believe the heartbroken man sitting next to me was the same person seeking to dominate me. Maybe he liked control in the bedroom because he lacked it in his life.

The car began to slow, and I heard the wheels roll over gravel before we came to a stop.

"Come on, Annie," Percy said, revitalizing as the driver opened the side door. "We're here now."

Percy's POV

Doing my best to push Thalia and the custody battle from my mind, I pressed the small of Annabeth's back, guiding her forward, up the stone-paved escarpment.

As afternoon turned to evening, the light dimmed, and I could no longer make out even the faintest of shapes and shadows of my surroundings. But I had visited these Tuscan Ruins many times before, so I could conjure a clear image of them in my mind.

I had always loved to sit among the ruins, immaculate in their destruction. Beauty born from brokenness.

That's what I could do for Annabeth.

I wanted to fuck her so thoroughly it tore down all her walls and revealed the messy perfection of true passion and intimacy.

Pure domination. Pure Submission.

Taking her to the Tuscan Ruins was more than just alone time. It was the beautiful metaphor I needed to convince her to be mine.

"I'm sorry you're going through all this," Annabeth started. "You're strong. You'll get past it."

Fuck. She's bringing it up.

I desperately wanted to change the subject. But if I was asking her to be vulnerable with me, I needed to lead the charge.

I took a seat in a grassy patch at the top of the escarpment. Annabeth sat beside me. I traced tender circles on her back, listening to her sigh at my touch.

"I had a damn tumor in my head, Annie. Because I got rid of it, I lost my sight. My wife cheated on me while I was figuring out my will. My fucking will. At thirty years old," I continued, my voice getting angrier.

"She left me for another man. Luke. I wanted to strangle him, but I don't even know what he looks like. They're engaged now and doing everything in their power to ruin what is left of my life. I've lost a lot. But I can't lose my daughter," I finished, grimly.

Why are you ranting? You didn't come here to spill your guts. You came to convince this woman to give herself to you.

But it felt good to talk to her.

"You won't lose her," Annabeth said, reassuringly. "You'll fight, and you'll win."

"How do you know that?" I said. "They're trying to use my blindness against me. They say I can't take care of her."

"Then prove it's not a weakness," she said firmly. "If you want Thalia, you have to win. So, you will."

Her cold encouragement stung at first. Then, I remembered Annie was a business woman who didn't take shit from anyone. In the back of my mind, it made me want her to submit to me even more.

"I know what it's like to lose someone, too," she said, her voice softening. She was about to open up to me. I pulled her closer to let her know she was safe.

"It's not easy when your own mother forgets who you are."

Oh, no.

"I'm so sorry. Dementia?"

"Alzheimer's. She's in a facility now. It costs a small fortune," she sighed.

I ached for her. I had no idea she was carrying something so heavy. "I could help that." I offered. "Say the word, and I'll—"

"No, Mr. Jackson. That won't be necessary," she responded quickly.

"Why not?" I asked. "I have the means to help. Let me."

"My family life is one thing I will definitely won't let you have control over," she breathed.

"Not control. Assistance."

"I have to handle this on my own. I mean, it's my mom—"

I nodded. "I understand. I feel for you, Annabeth." I leaned over and placed a small, feather-like kiss on her lips. I lingered, and she sucked my lower lip between hers for a precious moment.

"So…" Blood began involuntarily pumping from my heart to my groin. I couldn't help myself. "You said there's one thing you won't let me control. Does that mean you're willing to submit to… other things?" I whispered with a coy smile.

She didn't answer but circled her tongue over my lips. I could sense her decide, but also her fear in equal measure.

Instead of giving me an answer, Annabeth stood up and walked away from me. I sat in a desperate silence that was finally interrupted by the sound of her clear, sweet voice behind me.

"We'll see," she said.

I rose from my seat and followed the sound of her voice, my northern star. When I reached her, she was backed up against a cold stone pillar.

I pressed her into the pillar with my body, gripping her waist with one hand and moving her leg up with the other. She was truly positioned between a rock and a hard place. And her moans betrayed that she liked it.

I sighed at how perfectly she fit against me. Her lips were parted, and I took advantage of it, kissing her deeply.

"Thank you for opening up to me," I said, moving the kisses down her neck. "I hope we can continue to go deeper. And deeper.

She quivered in my arms as I trailed my way back to her lips with my tongue.

"Say yes."

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