by M. Robinson
He sat up, placing his arms behind his head. Arrogantly sinking into the comforter beneath him.
“Your words offend me. What do you take me for? I’m just a man with a hole in his leg.”
“More like in his head.”
He nodded toward his groin. “There’s a hole there too. If you aim it in your mouth, stroke it a few times, it’ll shoot down your fucking throat.”
I giggled, shaking my head. “Yeah, and there's a hole in your heart too, right?”
“No, baby, can’t have a hole in something that’s not there.”
I blew off his comment, not wanting to ruin this moment. I leaned over, grabbing the hem of his slacks, and started tugging them off. I didn’t think his cocky banter could get any worse.
I was wrong, learning really quick it seemed to be a running theme between us. As soon as his pants were past his ass, his dick jutted out free.
“Oh my God.” I instantly stared at the ground. “You don’t wear any boxers?”
“My balls like to breathe. It’s okay, Princesa, he’s just saying hello.”
I shut my eyes, I had to. I felt my face turn bright red, I guess he wasn’t lying about the nine inches. This wasn’t how I imagined this night would go, although I wasn’t complaining.
“Is this the first time you’ve seen a cock, Sin?”
“What do you think?”
“I think if you tell me it’s not, I’m going to shoot someone else’s dick off.”
“Someone else? Like you’ve done it before?”
“Look me in the eyes when I’m talking to you.”
I wouldn’t be able to hear him say those words again without thinking about this encounter. Here I thought I’d forever hate that sentence, now…I’d get wet hearing him say it.
“Then bury your dick in the sheets,” I retorted, pitifully trying to reel in my embarrassment.
“Sienna, you’re my wife. The only time you can tell me to bury my cock is when I’m thrusting it inside your sweet fucking cunt.”
“Oh my God.” I touched my face.
“What’s wrong, baby? Am I making you hot?”
“I just want to fix your leg.”
“If you’d look at me instead of the floor, then you’d see my thigh is already stitched up. Your father called his doctor.”
“Ugh…why didn’t you say so?”
“I couldn’t resist seeing if you were the type to blush with your entire body. I was right.”
“You’re horrible.”
“And you’re too fucking adorable. My dick is hard just watching your innocence play out in front of me.”
I peered up, locking eyes with him.
“I’m not that innocent.”
“I see, so you do want more blood on my hands?”
“Who’s blood? His or mine?” I baited, full of shit, just wanting to see how much he could truly call my bluff.
The statement was barely out of my mouth before, he gripped onto my wrists and dragged me on top of him in one fluid motion.
I shrieked, not anticipating his reaction. My belly fluttered and my thighs clenched. I resisted the urge to hide my face on his chest when I felt his hard dick against my core.
“Mmm…” he groaned, triggering me to feel all sorts of things I never had. “You feel damn fucking good in my arms.”
His lips were inches away from mine, and I swear I thought…
This was it.
The moment he’d kiss me again, and take away this ache he was creating deep inside my body. I thought he was going to make the first move, but he didn’t. He watched me with a predatory regard, inch-by-inch his eyes drank me in. There was something else there too, something I couldn’t put my finger on.
Lust.
Passion.
Love?
“I want to sleep with you exactly like this. I want to feel the weight of your body on top of mine. I want to wake up with you in my arms every day from here on out. Bottom line, Sin, I want you now and for all time.”
“Are you going to kiss me now?”
“If I kiss you, I won’t stop.”
“Who’s telling you to stop?”
“My conscience.”
“Oh, you have one of those?”
“I do when it comes to you.”
“I thought you said I was your wife and should be acting like one.”
“You sleeping in my arms is a damn good place to start.”
“What about fucking me? I thought you wanted that too?”
“Are you trying to provoke me?”
“Is it working?”
“I fuck, Sienna,” he breathed out against my lips in a rough, direct tone. “It’s all I’ve ever done. In mouths, asses, pussies. I don’t make love. I’ve never made love. I’m rough. I like it hard. I pull hair, I use straps, I choke. There’s something about wanting to see you at my mercy that makes my cock so fucking hard.”
Straps? Like tying me down?
“I’m always in control, even when you’re riding my dick. I want to fuck you so hard, just to make sure you’re sore, in pain, ready to take more. All of me. From the heart I don’t have, to the soul I sold to be yours, to my goddamn cock exploring every hole in your body. It’s taking every ounce of restraint inside of me right now, not to take you like that. It’s all I know. But with you…” He lightly swept his tongue along my bottom lip. “I want more. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Nothing in my life is guaranteed. I’ll protect you, taking my last breath if I have to. I demand you, I crave you, and those are terrifying things for a man like me to want. I don’t deserve you, but I’ll cherish you and never let you go. Till death do us part, Sienna. You have my word.”
“Promise?”
“My word is all I have.”
Softly, he finally kissed my mouth.
His lips were slow.
Tender.
Beckoning me to open up for him.
They did without me having a say in the matter. The way he claimed my tongue, left my body on fire. We kissed for what felt like hours, lost in each other.
Where there was no violence.
No blood.
No hate.
It was comforting.
Safe.
I fell asleep in his arms, only to wake up alone the next morning.
“Cruz.” I sat up, looking around the bedroom for him. He was nowhere to be found. However, in his place, there was a gift lying beside me.
With a note that read…
You make me want to be a better man.
Chapter 31
—Sienna—
You’d think it was Christmas by the excitement I felt opening the turquoise Tiffany box. Based on our conversation from last night, I thought it was going to be a new ring but once again, Cruz proved me wrong.
I gasped, overwhelmed by the diamond-encrusted horseshoe, shining brightly against the sun. It was breathtaking. I couldn’t believe he bought this for me, it meant so much.
When did he buy it?
How long did he have it?
I pulled the necklace out of the box and rushed into the bathroom. I wanted to put it on while taking a look in the mirror. Darting passed the threshold, I came to a complete stop. My eyes shifted toward the note that was taped on the vanity.
You look beautiful, Princesa.
The biggest smile appeared on my face, there was no hiding it.
Get dressed. Uncle Gino is waiting for you in the living room.
Pulling the note off the mirror, I set it on the counter, unable to contain my excitement. Quickly, I clasped on the necklace, admiring the pendent in the reflection for a few seconds, before I ran to the door. There in front of my eyes was another note from Cruz.
If you walk out of this room wearing that nightie, you’ll regret it. I promise.
I could pretty much hear his authoritative voice, echoing off the walls and into my mind. There was no denying my husband was a bastard, and I was half tempted to see what kind of punishment he’d deliver i
f I didn’t listen. I decided against it, too eager to find out what else awaited me. I threw on shorts and a tank, scurrying out of our bedroom and down the double staircase in the center of our house. Just as Cruz informed, Uncle Gino was sitting on the couch, reading the paper with a cup of coffee in his hand.
“Zio Gino!” I exclaimed his name, delighted to see him. I hadn’t seen him in a couple of weeks.
“Sienna, sei bellissima. Il matrimonio è d'accordo con te,” he greeted, “Sienna, you look gorgeous. Marriage agrees with you.”
Flinging my arms around his neck, I hugged him tight. “I’m so happy to see you. Where have you been? You haven’t visited me since I went shopping.”
The only time I was permitted to leave the house was with my uncle by my side. He was still Papá’s right-hand man, but Cruz didn’t trust any of the guards like he did him. My father had no problem whatsoever, he felt the exact same way. There was always an arsenal of guards around us, though Uncle Gino led the pack. The men listened to his every command.
Grabbing his arm, we started walking toward the door. “Where are we going?”
“If I tell you, your husband will kill me.”
“He would do no such thing.”
He laughed, guiding my steps to the golf cart parked on the travertine pavers of the roundabout at our estate.
“Are we going in this?”
“Yes.”
I glanced up at him, confused on where we were going. By the expression on his face, I knew there was no hope in getting details on this surprise. Sitting next to him while he drove, I anxiously waited. This was the first time I was taking a tour around our property. I knew we had an obscene amount of land with security filled to the brim, nevertheless, it was a shock to see how much land we really did own and how many guards protected our grounds.
Uncle Gino turned on the radio, and we listened to soft instrumental as we made our way through the vast ranch. It felt like every few feet there was an armed guard holding an assault rifle, standing at attention, protecting us with his life if needed. No questions asked, they were paid to die on command. Their faces blended together, and I made a mental note to ask Cruz what their names were. Most of the men who secured my father’s estate I’d known since I was a little girl.
Some of the guards I recognized, others I didn’t. Papá must have made several of his guards come protect our home. For a minute, it made me nervous he hired on new security for his place. With that insecurity, arose the reality that he was in this world all his life, he’d be careful of who he trusted.
Especially, with his life.
The grounds were immaculate, the landscaping surreal. An endless amount of greenery that was every bit of perfection. The trees, bushes, grass, were the brightest green I’d ever seen. There was a mixture of all kinds of flowers that lined in between. Once we reached the end of the acreage, further back of the estate, my eyes widened.
“No…he didn’t,” I rasped, caught off guard for what felt like the hundredth time in the last twenty-four hours.
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“Your husband finished this for you last week. He wanted to have it done by your wedding, but it took the contractors longer to get the imported marble and columns to be delivered.”
“Oh my God.”
Uncle Gino parked the gulf cart in front of the massive wooden doors. I stepped onto a stoned path under the cathedral archway. The comforting smell of sweaty leather, hay, fresh pine shavings, tack, and liniment. Without waiting another second, I opened the custom-made stable doors, revealing the highest vaulted ceiling with intricate woodwork in the arches and down the walls.
My feet moved to the wide foyer with black concrete floors. My jaw dropped as I turned in a full circle, taking in my surroundings.
The colors.
The decorations.
The spacious home away from home feel.
He captured everything I could have wanted without ever asking me.
I walked into the most elegant main sitting area. The sun was shining through every window in the wide-open space, illuminating the huge horse stables, where right before my eyes was…
Massimo.
My Black Stallion.
“Uncle Gino! He didn’t! Massimo!” I hollered, dashing toward him.
He noticed me immediately and made a huge fuss. His nostrils flared, his tail flagged, neighing over and over again until I was standing by his side.
“My baby! My boy! How are you?” I rubbed my cheek on his soft fur, petting along his face. “I missed you so much. You have no idea how much I missed you.”
He nipped, putting his lips while his head bobbed up and down. Showing me his affection.
“I love you, Massimo. I swear I’ve wanted to see you so many times. Please forgive me. I thought about you every day.”
He neighed as if he understood what I was saying, he did. We had that connection.
“How long has he been here?” I asked Uncle Gino who was standing outside of the stall, content that I was so happy.
“Your husband had him delivered this morning.”
“Why didn’t you tell me he was doing all of this?”
“It wasn’t my information to share.”
“So you’ve known? This entire time?”
“Cruz had the architect design your stable how he thought you’d want it.”
“I can’t believe he never said anything.”
I thought about all the times we fought, and I went for his throat. Being the biggest bitch. I felt the shame of treating him the way I had for the last three months. I wish he would have told me, it would have helped, and probably changed a lot.
“This is my dream stable, Uncle. How did he know?”
He shrugged. “Your father did let him in your bedroom one afternoon while you were gone. Cruz said he wanted to get to know you. I guess…he did.”
After my mother died, I started putting together a collection of all the things I wanted in my life. He must have found my manifestation book. For the last ten years, I cut out clippings of my dream stable. It was the one possession I wanted more than anything.
I was in awe that he actually made it happen.
I couldn’t wait to ride Massimo. Grabbing the pad and saddle, I placed it on my horse’s back. His feet stomped in the same excitement I was feeling.
“I know, Massimo, I’m excited too.”
I inserted the bit into his mouth, and made sure it was comfortable for him. Securing the reigns, checking off the list in my head for a safe ride.
“Uncle Gino, would you mind taking me back to the house to change?”
“There’s no need.”
I watched as he opened a door by Massimo’s stall, presenting me with yet another surprise. There was an extravagant, oversized closet with a dressing room area and full-length mirror. All my riding gear hung on the racks, including new clothing and boots.
“My husband thought of everything.”
Wow…My husband…I can’t believe I just called him that to someone else.
Because I had no patience, I grabbed the first outfit I saw and quickly put it on. In less than five minutes, I was standing at the left side of Massimo, placing my foot in the stirrup to pull myself up. Getting accustomed to riding was easy, the expression, “It’s like riding a bike,” was the same for a horse. Nodding to my uncle once I was ready, he opened the stall door.
I made a short click sound with my mouth, Massimo’s command to move, and off we went like no time had passed us by. I spent the rest of the morning and afternoon riding around the property, taking my time to really enjoy how blessed I truly was. Riding along the countryside, trotting and running, jumping over fallen trees, admiring all Mother Nature had to offer.
My day was complete, thanks to Cruz. On top of feeling like this was the ultimate gift he could give me, I couldn’t believe he hid it from me for so long. I treated him so badly and he didn’t deserve all the shit I handed him.
With the
breeze in my face and the sun on my skin, it was everything I could ask for and more. The joy I found in being with my best friend was hard to put into words. Hour after hour flew by, until I was putting Massimo away for the night. Nose-to-nose, placing my hands on the sides of his face, I promised him I’d be back the next morning and we could do it all over again.
All of this was possible…
Because of my husband.
PART IIII
Chapter 32
—Alejandro Martinez —
I walked into a church off the rainy streets of New York City. One foot in front of the other.
Deliberate.
Calculated.
Precise steps.
Down the aisle in between the pews, I followed my demons to the point of no return. Droplets of water fell to the marble floor off my suit from the storm raging outside. I instantly felt the judgment from the angels looking down from the stained glass windows in the cathedral.
Jesus Christ himself was hanging on the cross in front of me. The man who died in the name of our sins, while I was resurrected in the name of mine. Strikes of lightning flashed through the windows, setting an eerie tone as thunder crashed, announcing my arrival in the Lord’s realm. Almost like he was furious I had the audacity to show up in his promise land.
More flashes lit up with strobes of light and the echoing booms sounded with every step I took. A wave of guilt and shame cascaded down my body like God spitefully threw holy water at me. He banned my soul and condemned me from his kingdom a long time ago. I was shamelessly coming into his place of worship to try and save whatever was left of my humanity.
Unable to go on like this anymore, I needed to repent.
Once I reached the end of the pathway, I stood front and center in the church and bowed my head in respect. The last time I was here, my mother was laid to rest. The images of her lifeless body had stayed with me ever since. I could still see her lying in an elegant red mahogany coffin beside the podium. Until Lexi came into my life, my mother’s dead body was the only thing I saw in my mind for a long time.