The Flaw In His Marriage Plan (Once Upon a Temptation, Book 7)
Page 18
How wrong she’d been to think him a frog. No, her husband was indeed a prince among men. For he had learned how to love when he’d never really known it for most of his life.
Keeping her arms around his neck, she kissed his jaw. “You don’t have to worry about her, V. Greta and I took alternating turns watching her, not forgetting her nurse is always there too.”
He nodded, his brow relaxing. “I just...it’s a habit, that’s all, bella.”
“I know,” Alex said, rubbing her nose against his. “How did your lunch with Antonio go? Is he coming around yet?”
Vincenzo shrugged. “I don’t know. But I will not just abandon him, in spite of what he did.”
“Of course you won’t. Maybe you should invite him to lunch here next time. Don’t you think he should meet the little monster that is your son?”
“Ah...so he’s my son when he’s a monster and yours when he sleeps like an angel?” Amazement spiraled through Vincenzo. He knew that Antonio’s intensity still made Alex a bit wary. But she was willing to try again for his sake. “You won’t mind?”
“He’s a part of your life, V. He was there for you before me. And like you said, he’s an old man, settled in his bitterness. We can’t expect him to come around just like that.”
Vincenzo took her mouth in a hard kiss that still left him hungry. “Ti amo, bella. More and more every day.” When he reached for the zipper on her dress, she slipped out of his embrace.
“I need you, Princess. Desperately,” he said, unbuttoning his shirt.
“But we have only a few minutes before Leo and Neha and the babies and Massimo and Natalie descend upon us.”
He caught her and stole another kiss. “I’m sure I can satisfy you in a few minutes, bella.”
Alex shook her head, all the while running her greedy palms over his hard, lean chest. “Ah...but I don’t want quick satisfaction. I want a whole night of indulgence, V. I want...everything tonight.”
Vincenzo groaned but nodded, anticipation building inside of him already. When she’d have run away, he caught her, lifted her in his arms and brought her to the chaise that looked over the window and settled on it with her in her arms.
“Then let me just hold you, bella. Before the boys or my mother or your stepmother or someone else demands your attention. Just let me have you for myself, si?”
She nodded and burrowed into him and only then did his heartbeat settle into a steady pace.
And Vincenzo sat there like that, with the woman he adored more and more each day, in his arms, his life sweeter and richer than anything he could have ever imagined.
Coming next month
REVELATIONS OF HIS RUNAWAY BRIDE
Kali Anthony
‘This marriage is a sham.’
In some ways, he agreed with her. Yet here he stood, with a gold wedding band prickling on his finger. Thea still held her rings. He needed her to put them on. If she did, he’d won—for tonight.
‘You’re asking me to return you to the tender care of your father?’ A man Christo suspected didn’t have a sentimental, loving bone in his body.
Thea grabbed the back of a spindly chair, clutching it till her fingers blanched. ‘I’m asking you to let me go.’
‘No.’
Christo had heard whispers about Tito Lambros. He was reported to be cruel and vindictive. The bitter burn of loathing coursed like poison through his veins. That his father’s negligence had allowed such a man to hold Christo’s future in his hands…
There was a great deal he needed to learn about Thea’s family—some of which he might be able to use. But that could wait. Now it was time to give her something to cling to. Hope.
‘You’ll come with me as my wife and we’ll discuss the situation in which we find ourselves. That’s my promise. But we’re leaving now.’
She looked down at her clothes and back at him. Her liquid amber eyes glowed in the soft lights. ‘I can’t go dressed like this!’
No more delays. She glanced at the door again. He didn’t want a scene. Her tantrums could occur at his home, where any witnesses would be paid to hold their silence.
‘You look perfect,’ he said, waving his hand in her direction. ‘It shows a flair for the dramatic—which you’ve proved to have in abundance tonight. Our exit will be unforgettable.’
She seemed to compose herself. Thrust her chin high, all glorious defiance. ‘But my hat… I told everyone about it. I can’t disappoint them.’
‘Life’s full of disappointments. Tell them it wouldn’t fit over your magnificent hair.’
Thea’s lips twitched in a barely suppressed sneer, her eyes narrow and glacial. The look she threw him would have slayed a mere mortal. Luckily for the most part he felt barely human.
‘Rings,’ he said.
She jammed them carelessly on her finger. Victory. He held out the crook of his arm and she hesitated before slipping hers through it. All stiff and severe. But her body still fitted into his in a way which enticed him. Caused his heart to thrum, his blood to roar. Strange. Intoxicating. All Thea.
‘Now, smile,’ he said.
She plastered on a mocking grimace.
He leaned down and whispered in her ear. ‘Like you mean it, koukla mou.’
‘I’ll smile when you say that like you mean it, Christo.’
And he laughed.
This second laugh was more practised. More familiar—like an old memory. But the warmth growing in his chest was real. Beyond all expectations, he was enjoying her. For his sanity, perhaps a little too much…
Continue reading
REVELATIONS OF HIS RUNAWAY BRIDE
Kali Anthony
Available next month
Copyright ©2020 by Kali Anthony
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