Reign Of Pride (Dark Reign Book 1)

by A. G. Kirkham

  His clothes hit the floor and there’s a clink as something heavy lands on the bedside table. I glance over.

  His gun.

  As if I need the reminder that I’m married to a powerful man.

  I can’t do this. I can’t be married to him. I can’t do this…

  Nero traces a finger up my arm again. Electricity lights my nerve endings on fire.

  Maybe… maybe I can do this.

  “Let me make you feel good, mia dolce moglie.” He kisses me again—and this time, I kiss him back. Hungrily. His strong hands begin to stroke me, then his lips, his tongue…

  Oh my, it feels so good. So right. He is gentle with his touches. His lips hover over my breast and his tongue flicks out, lapping it softly, then tugging it gently until he wraps his lips around it and suckles it reverently. I tug his hair because the sensations are too much. “Nero, oh please. I can’t…” I cry.

  Nero doesn’t stop and moves on to give the same attention to its twin, as his thick arms spread my legs allowing his to fall through. My back arches, pressing my nipple further into his mouth. He trails kisses down my body… my tummy, hips, pelvis. I lift my head and our eyes meet—just as, with a sexy smirk, his tongue slides between my legs. “Oh, no,” I plead.

  “My beautiful wife, I am going to taste all of you,” he says against my core, creating a sensation that I truly believe will kill me with pleasure. He takes the wisps of lace between his hands and tears them. His hands open me while his mouth finds my center and he licks me over and over. I am panting and writhing beneath him. I feel like I am climbing atop a pinnacle of a roller coaster, waiting to reach the peak before the mighty drop. I grasp at his head to hold him to me, then try to push myself over the edge of the cliff. He links his fingers with mine, holding hands, so that all I can do is take his sweet torture.

  “Oh please.” Pride be damned; I have no shame at this point. My need is too great.

  “That’s right, Felicia, I control your body,” he states, then he sucks my clit, and I am thrown over the edge into an orgasmic paradise.

  I am still riding my orgasm feeling the glow and warmth when I feel Nero’s tip position between my legs. Nero lowers himself to create a warmth, then a sharp pain and fullness fills me. He pulls our linked fingers to either side of my head and braces himself on his elbows.

  “We’ll go slow,” Nero says with a strained voice.

  I nod because I can’t seem to find my voice. I feel so full with him inside me. After a few moments, I feel him slide out then back in deeper, until he has a steady rhythm. The pain is gone, and a warmth grows with every stroke inside me.

  His lips are against mine and he whispers, “Come again for me, dolce.” He takes my mouth in a deep kiss that sets me into another spiral climax, moaning into his mouth. He tears his mouth from me to bury his head in my neck as he roars his release. I am in awe of his beauty revelling in the intensity of his need for me. We stay like this for a few moments, until our laboured breaths become calm. He lays beside me and arranges my arm across his abdomen, hugging me closer.

  As I lay there exhausted, I discover two things about myself. One, I really like orgasms. The second is that Nero can be gentle. I hope I can always have him this way.

  “Sleep, Felicia. Tomorrow will come far too soon, and we have to meet with our families yet again.”

  His deep voice and his fingers running through my hair allow me to drift off—until I hear those words that make sleep impossible. “I will kill him if he touches you like that again.” I eventually drift off, unwilling to ask who it is that he’s upset with.

  Chapter Eight

  My Wife

  Nero

  She lays in my arms, full-out exhausted. I have never had a woman in my bed for more than a few hours. Sex with those women was just sex. I took what I wanted, gave them what they needed, and then they were gone. I never lied to them or led them to think it would be more because I knew my calling. My future included marrying a woman suitable for this world. A sweet Italian girl who was raised with the same expectations as were set for me. But I’d known I’d need more than just sweet.

  I must say, Felicia is hot as fuck and what I’d hoped for—though hadn’t really hoped to get. She is everything I had wanted, a lady in the kitchen and a sex kitten in the bedroom. At the wedding and reception, she’d hid her fear well. I wouldn’t have noticed if it hadn’t been for her trembling hand at the altar. Or during our first dance when my hand touched the base of her back. Her eyes showed only a hint of turbulence and then quickly masked her fear with the polite smile. I liked seeing her off-kilter so I took her off-guard by dipping her in the center of the dance floor and kissing her. Talk about surprise, though; my virgin bride had kissed me right back and had clung to me like a thirsty man reaching for a glass of water. I’d almost forgotten the sea of faces watching us until the burst of applause filled the room. I’d reluctantly stood her up then led her to her father for their dance.

  Watching her dance with her father brought back all her innocence, as if she’d been seeking the protection of her father’s arms, but that’s no longer a possibility because Felicia Moretti—my wife—now belongs to me.

  Forever the cautious man, I have learned to become thorough in preparation of the many attempts on my life. I searched the room for would-be assassins. They’d created a chaotic turbulence at our engagement party, that will not happen again. I went as far as threatening any man on guard this evening with the loss of his sight should he be the reason an intruder found their way in. I re-checked each man’s background and capabilities; but I didn’t let down my guard.

  I’d walked the room and greeted our guests, then danced all the tradition dances with my mother, mother-in-law, and aunts. Everything had been fine—until I’d seen Zio Amate request a dance with Felicia. My stomach had twisted. I’ve never been close to my uncle, but, in that moment, my gut had told me something was wrong. I’d watched Felicia attempt to pull away from him when he’d pulled her tighter into his arms. He’d been at a respectable distance, but I could tell Felicia had been uncomfortable.

  No one was going to upset my bride, blood relative or not.

  I’d danced my aunt closer to them, and it had taken only one look from me for my uncle to loosen his hold. I’d made my decision then: that was going to be her last dance of the evening with anyone but me.

  I’d waited a decent length of time between the final dance with Zio Amate before leading my wife away for the evening. Felicia had followed without protest—as I’d expected. With barely any words between us in the car, I’d realized that she’d been nervous about being alone with me. As far as I was concerned, sex was just sex, but for an innocent, she must have been afraid of what was to come.

  Normally, I prefer to be left alone when I get home, but I hadn’t been taking any chances tonight of all nights, so I’d doubled the guards.

  Felicia had looked casually about the living area, worry written on her face. I’d expected it, of course; she’d never been with a man.

  But she’d surprised me by giving me that gift.

  And, here, I’d actually thought she’d been pulling a weapon.

  It’d humbled me. I’m not used to getting gifts from women—well, not objects. The ones I’ve been with consider swallowing a gift. And, yeah, it has its merits, but Felicia’s gift… she’d shocked the hell out of me.

  When she’d teased me with the offer of her lipstick, I’d had to smile. I’d liked her teasing. At least she wasn’t afraid of me. Then again, she’d proven how brave she was when she’d saved my sister, which had been one of the reasons I’d been able to convince my father that a marriage between us would work.

  Her beauty is overwhelming. Even at sixteen I could see that she was growing into a stunning woman. I’d wanted her then, that day in the storage room under the stage, and I’d thought about nothing else. To the point that I’d purposely volunteered to work away from home on a family concern instead of sending my uncle to d
eal with it. Doing so served two purposes: it’d given me the chance to see that all wasn’t as smooth as my uncle had made it out to be with our business, and it’d kept me away from Felicia, thereby preserving her innocence until tonight. I had been tempted time and time again to come back and spend more time with her but refused because I wasn’t sure I would wait for our wedding night.

  I’d waited patiently for this evening. I couldn’t resist smiling while she continued teasing me. Mainly, my surprise came from the consideration she gave in choosing a gift for me on her own. It was neither expensive nor inexpensive. The thought behind the gift gave me more insight on my bride. She has surmised my strength, my need to privacy and the importance of the works imbedded in my skin.

  It was with supreme control over my libido that I’d been able to give my wife the wedding night she deserved. Under any other circumstances—with any other woman—I would’ve taken what I wanted, how I wanted. With Felicia, I’d wanted her to give me all that she was—and she did not disappoint. Innocent, yes. Willing, wanting, desiring… absolutely.

  I watched her sleep for a long while before drifting off myself. The day went smoothly, just as it should have, until Zio Amate. Something didn’t feel right. I can’t put my finger on it, but I have learned to trust my instincts. I need to mention this to my Father. He won’t like it because his sister has always been important to him. I will have to pick the right time to bring it up.

  Today, will be the only day that I allow Felicia and our families to interrupt my daily routine in order to give her the time to fully assimilate as the wife of the next don. I have men to attend to. Businesses to see to.

  Felicia is still cuddled up next to me, her hand on my chest, her hair cascading over us. I’d thrown the sheet over us last night, but now it’s casually draped over our lower bodies, revealing the curve of her back. I fight the urge to take her again because she’s going to be sore this morning. Normally, hurting someone would mean nothing to me, but Felicia is my wife and we are tied for eternity; I don’t want her to be afraid of me. And since we have a family brunch at my father’s home, we need to get moving.

  I roll her onto her back, revealing her enticing silky breasts, her lips still swollen from our passion. I can’t resist the temptation, so I dip my head to swirl my tongue around her nipple until it tightens, and a sigh is expelled from Felicia’s soft lips. I lave the other until my wife squirms beneath me. I suck it lightly while I caress the other one and Felicia gasps as her hand tugs my hair.

  “Mmmmm,” she moans, arching her back.

  I let the go of her nipple with a little pop, causing her eyes to open.

  “It’s time to get up, dolce,” I say, before kissing her belly.

  “Five more minutes,” she says breathlessly as I nip at the inside of her thigh. Her legs tense and she is silently begging for me to let her come.

  “I’ve already let you sleep too long,” I tell her as I kiss just above her pussy. “We’re expected at brunch.” She knows today’s plans but grips me harder.

  “They’ll expect us to be late.” She lifts her hips.

  I kiss her pussy while staring into her eyes, keeping our connection.

  She licks her lips and bites her lower lip when I take her pussy lip into my mouth and suck one then the other.

  “Please. I need more,” Felicia moans.

  I love the sound of her moans and her soft begging. I take her clit into my mouth and suck while inserting my finger inside her and set a pace that sets her on fire. It isn’t long before I hear her sweet release as her juices fill my mouth.

  I climb up and grasp her head with one hand fisted in her hair, then kiss her passionately, making sure she tastes herself on my mouth. I wait for her breathing to return to normal before jumping out of bed and hoisting her over my shoulder to the shower as she shrieks at her nudity, trying to pull the sheet along with her.

  I turn on the water, shielding Felicia from the cool temperature until it heats. Even the coolness of the water does nothing to temper my hard cock. I soap my hands and run them over Felicia’s shoulders and down her arms while she looks up at me with her head tipped back, still reeling from her climax. I cannot resist those tempting lips so I brush mine across them. I continue to caress her body with my hands, lathering her thoroughly, then turn us around so that the now-warm water is raining down on her. She leans against me and the column of her throat is exposed—the perfect opportunity to nip the sensitive skin there.

  I hand the bar of soap to her. Felicia licks her lips.

  “Your turn to take care of me.”

  Felicia runs her hands over my chest, focusing intently on her task. I turn so that she can continue her attention to my back. I feel the feather touch of her fingertips stopping at each scar on my back, tracing them as if to make them disappear. “How did you get these?” Her sensitive touch makes me harder, and I want to take her again, this time up against the tiled wall. Instead, I face her, then lead her hand down my chest to my throbbing cock.

  “Each one has a story, baby. One day I will tell you about each and every one if you like. Right now, I want to have your hands on me. Wrap your hand around it,” I entice, guiding her hand.

  Felicia complies and I wrap my hand around hers to show her what I like.

  “Grip it harder.” I squeeze my hand. “That’s right, dolce, just like that.” My voice is hoarse. My woman is a fast learner. I take my hand away letting her find her own rhythm. It’s a sweet torture as I watch her concentrate on her task and biting her lower lip as my cock swells in her hands. I place my hands on either side of her against the wall and she continues to fist my cock.

  “Harder, Felicia, faster,” I moan. I can’t hold back any longer, so I bury my head in her hair as I come, my roar echoing in the room. Felicia continues to watch as I grasp her hand and stroke along with her until I am fully sated.

  “Did I do it right?” she asks in a whisper.

  I laugh. My wife is a gentle doe, I knew this, but this solidifies my analysis.

  “Yeah, baby. You did great.” I place my forehead on hers as she smiles. “We have to get ready. Our families are waiting for us.”

  I rinse off then step out of the shower. “Finish up and get ready. I have to make some calls.”

  I get out of there quick because I’m too tempted to stay. And if I stay, there’s no way I’ll be able to keep my promise of giving her time to heal from last night.

  Chapter Nine

  Duty Begins

  Nero

  Felicia shifts on the front seat—again—as we pull up my parents’ driveway. She hasn’t been able to sit still the entire ride. If I’d ignored my own advice and made love to her again, I’d say her uneasiness is a physical thing, but I didn’t, and I don’t think that’s it. It seems that our lives are built on traditions and although for the most part I embrace them and even enjoy them, this day I could do without.

  The women will assemble and grill Felicia on our evening; the men will expect me to recount the glory of taking my wife’s virginity. That’s not going to happen. Our private lives are just that: private. The closer we get to Father’s estate the more Felicia fidgets in her seat.

  “Felicia, our personal time is ours,” I tell her as I glance at her.

  “Pardon?” She turns in her seat to look at me.

  “I don’t want our evening recounted to anyone. I devote my life to the family, but what happens in my home stays in my home. Understood?”

  “Got it. But what if they keep asking? I don’t want to insult anyone.”

  I can see that this has been on her mind since we started our trip. “Tell them that your husband, the don’s son, doesn’t want his actions discussed.”

  “I’ll look weak,” Felicia says.

  “Is it weak to decide that our lives belong to us at home? You perform your duties as my wife when we are with La Famiglia, but our home life is off limits.”

  “It’s not that I don’t agree, it’s just that I don�
��t want to sound like a young stupid child who only does what she’s told,” she says, throwing her hands in the air.

  I take her hand. “Felicia, never forget that you will do as I ask. I am the future of La Famiglia and even you will do as you are told. Last night, I was patient. I will not always be so because situations will not always allow to be as such. You will need to learn to adapt to your new circumstances. You are young and inexperienced and taking on the duties of my wife is not a small task. I will do my best to ease you into this however make no mistake that my word is final on all matters that concern our family.”

  I see the look of silent defiance in her eyes. It makes me want to kiss it out of her and yet makes me proud to see that tigress appear. But she dares not respond in a condescending manner.

  “All right, capo to be. We’ll see.” She lifts her chin but says nothing more.

  “Felicia…” I give her a warning tone, low and stern.

  “I won’t make you look weak, Nero. I don’t want everyone to know our business any way.”

  We drive to the front of the estate to have one of Father’s men open my door. I round the front of my car to guide Felicia from her seat. Her hair is in a ponytail and she looks like a natural beauty. I can see that she is not into loads of makeup and I like the freshness of her angelic face. She has chosen a vibrant teal dress with a simple flower pattern that reaches her knees. It fits her perfectly, with the material clinging to her hips and ass.

  Felicia takes my hand as I walk her up the stairs to the entrance way to meet the cavalcade of family and a barrage of idle chatter that I have no use for.

  Felicia