Ashley opened the door and looked at Davio between two slits in her eyes. She had cried so much she could hardly see. But it didn’t matter anymore how she looked. She could not marry Davio after finding those photos and realizing that he had seen ever ugly detail about the defilement.
Ashley stood aside and allowed Davio to enter. She actually had expected this visit but she was not prepared for the pain she felt when she looked Davio in the face.
Davio didn’t know whether to take Ashely into his arms and try to comfort her, or to just try and talk to her. Fearing she would not want him to touch her, he finally asked if she would listen to what he had to say.
“Nothing you can say will ever change what happened,” Ashley said. “I am not worthy of being your wife, of bearing your children. As those photos showed, I am damaged goods. I don’t understand how you can even bear to look at me after seeing what that bastard did to me.”
“That’s just it, Ashley. You were his victim. You did not choose to have him violate you the way he did, and you are certainly not damaged goods because of it,” Davio said. “I saw those photos before we went to Florida. I saw them before I asked you to be the hostess for my family dinner. Randall took great pride in showing them to me because he thought they would turn me away from you. Don’t allow him to win. You are a very beautiful woman who is strong and you know what you want in life. Nobody has the right to take that away from you, and Randall certainly had no right to force himself on you. Please, don’t allow this to come between us. I still want you, no matter what has happened to you. In fact, I am desperate to make you my wife. I don’t ever want to face life without you in it.”
Ashley wanted to believe him, but she feared that he would always have the image of her and Randall in his mind. She had no idea how angry Davio had been when he first saw the photos. She had no idea, but wondered, if Davio was responsible for Randall’s disappearance.
“Every time that you make love to me I fear you will have those images in your mind. It was such a horrible experience for me. Not only was it degrading, but he hurt me, he made me bleed. And his two thugs were there watching it all, helping him by holding me down. There was no way I could fight them all, they were just too strong,” Ashley cried.
“Ashley, I have made love to you since then and all I saw was the pleasure on your face. I know what he did to you was awful, and I am so sorry you went through that, but I want you to be my wife. I want to protect you in the future, making sure that nothing like that ever happens to you again. As my wife nobody would dare touch you for fear of retribution.”
“I don’t want you to feel obligated to me. It would one day cause you to turn from me and I don’t think I could handle that. I don’t want to see that look in your eyes. It would be easier for me if we just broke things off now before they go any further,” she said.
“Ashley, I don’t feel obligated to you. I love you and want you to spend the rest of your life with me. I want to someday have a family with you. I can’t imagine life without you in it. Please, give me a chance to prove that to you,” Davio said.
Ashely told him she would have to have some time to think about it. Life with Davio would be so different than the life she had planned for herself. But then, she had not planned to fall in love with Davio.
Chapter 2
Ashley found out that Davio meant business. He came over every day bringing food, flowers, and one time he presented her with a beautiful diamond necklace that closely matched her ring. She had asked Davio for some time, but clearly he was not going to give it to her. She should be used to that by now. Davio always gets what he wants.
Her apartment looked like a florist, and if Davio didn’t stop bringing her food she was going to be as big as a house. She finally told Davio that it was enough. She agreed to marry him, but she had conditions. She wanted to continue working and she wasn’t interested in the social circuit. The occasional dinner party was okay, but she had no interest in spending her life playing hostess or attending other social functions.
Davio was reluctant about Ashley continuing working. He would much prefer that she stay at home and just be his wife. But he knew that it wasn’t her nature. She had planned her future around her career, and it would be wrong to take that from her. But in the back of his mind he was thinking that if they started a family then Ashley might be more interested in being a mother instead of an interior decorator.
Once Ashley agreed to a December wedding, things started moving quickly. She knew that she must pay a visit to her parents and give them the news before they heard about it on television or in the papers. Once their announcement was made, they would be the talk of the town. She called her mom and told her that she was going to come for a visit that evening.
Judith Lane was excited that her daughter was coming over for the evening. Since Ashley had graduated she had been so busy with the Porchelli project that it seemed she had little time for her parents. She decided to prepare lasagna because she knew it to be one of Ashley’s favorites.
Ashley was nervous about visiting her parents. She feared a lecture from her mother when she told her the news of her engagement to Davio. Oh well, she might as well get over her feats. Her parents had to be told, and the sooner the better. She chose to wear dress slacks and a sweater over her normal blue jean attire. She needed all of the confidence boosters she could get. Davio had asked to go with her, but Ashley felt that she needed to tell her parents alone. Perhaps after she tells them of the engagement she and Davio can invite them to his house for dinner. It would give them a chance to get to know him, and it would also allow them to see the work she had done on the place.
Ashley knew when she walked up to the door of her parent’s house that her mother had prepared lasagna. She could smell it as she walked up the walkway. The smell brought back memories of family dinners around the table, something she had missed since her years at college. She crossed her fingers in hopes that this family dinner would be a happy one. She must make her parents understand how much she was in love with Davio.
Judith was surprised when Ashley arrived in dress clothes. In the past she had only seen her wear jeans and tee shirts. She supposed that with her new career that Ashley felt the need to look more presentable. But there was something else, Ashley looked like a woman. In Judith’s eyes Ashley had always been her little girl. Even at graduation she had looked so young and innocent that Judith feared she was trying to grow up too fast. Now she noticed that Ashley carried herself with the confidence of a grown, mature woman. Not only did she seem more confident, she was also more beautiful.
Judith hugged Ashely as soon as she arrived. “It is so good to see you. Since you have started your new job I was beginning to wonder if you would ever have time to come and visit your parents.”
“Mom, you and dad know I haven’t forgotten you. It’s just because I am so new at this decorating thing that I have focused all of my attention on my design. Once I get a few more jobs under my belt then maybe I will not feel so pressured. Besides, this is my first real job, and it is a big one. You should see Davio’s house. It is more like a mansion than a house,” Ashley said.
“Well come on into the dining room and have dinner with us. I have fixed your favorite, and while we are eating you can catch us up on how the job is going,” Judith said.
Oh mom, the job is going a lot differently than you think. Just wait until you hear my news, Ashley thought in her head.
As usual, her mom’s lasagna was delicious. She never got tired of these meals when the family gathered around the table. She knew that with the fast paced life that most people lived today, family meals around the table were rare. She secretly thought that when she was married to Davio she would make sure they developed this habit of coming together at the end of their day.
Judith wasted no time in asking Ashley about the job. Ashley explained that she had completed work in the sitting room, dining room, and kitchen. Her next project was the office where Davio did
a lot of his work. But she lingered on her description of the kitchen. It was obviously one of the biggest jobs of the whole project, and Ashley had taken her time and done it right.
“I hope that before long you will allow me to give you a tour of the place so you can see what kind of work I have been doing,” Ashley said.
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Judith said. “This Davio might not appreciate strangers coming to his house. I have heard that the Porchellis do not venture far outside of their tight circle of friends and business associates.”
“But Davio is not like that,” Ashley said. “He is a Porchelli, and he does work in the family business, but he is also friendly. I think he would love to show his place off to you.”
“My dear, you know the Porchelli family has strong ties to the mafia. They don’t allow outsiders to get in because they must protect their interests at all costs. Personally, I will be glad when you have completed this job so that you can move on. I fear for your safety as long as you are connected to this Davio,” Judith said.
“Well mom, I hate to hear that because I have some news that you really are not going to like. Davio has asked me to marry him, and I have accepted his proposal,” Ashley said.
There was dead silence in the room. Both Judith and Jim were staring at her with their mouths open. If felt like an eternity before Judith finally found her voice.
“Ashley, you cannot marry this man. You know that his family has years of mafia connections. You don’t know if they make their money by honest means, or be devious means. Why would you even consider such a thing,” Judith asked.
“Because I have come to love Davio. Working for him has been one of the best things to happen for me in a long time. He is not a monster like you think. If you will just meet him you will see. He loves me and he has been trying for weeks to talk me into introducing him to you. Please, just give this some time and I am sure that you will come to love Davio too.”
“I just don’t know about this. Those people live in a different world than you grew up in. They take money for granted, and you know that you must earn it so that you can pay your bills. Where will this leave your career? Surely you don’t think that Davio will let you continue to work after you are married,” Judith said.
“Mom, we have discussed this. Davio knows that I want to continue my career, and he has agreed. He would prefer that I stay at home, but he loves me enough to allow me to keep my individuality.”
Ashley reached into her purse and pulled out the ring Davio had given her. She placed it on her finger and held her hand out for her parents to see.
“Wow! The man certainly has good tastes. That is the biggest diamond I have ever seen,” Judith exclaimed.
“Yea, it is pretty spectacular. Davio picked it out himself. I had no idea that he was going to ask me to marry him.”
Judith was starting to put two and two together. She knew that Ashley had a new, confident air about her. This explains it. Ashley has already become involved with Davio. She didn’t have good feelings about all of this, but she could see that her daughter was happy. She just hoped that Davio would not hurt her.
“Mom, I want you and dad to come over for dinner on Friday evening. That way you can meet Davio, and you can check out what I have been doing to his house. Please, say you will come. It is very important to me and Davio,” Ashley said.
Judith could see that Ashley was in love. She remembered that look of young love, even if it had been long ago for her. She fervently hoped that Ashley did not get hurt, but she still had her doubts.
“Your father and I will come to dinner on Friday so that we can meet Davio. But please, don’t go to a lot of trouble. We prefer something simple,” Judith said.
“Oh mom, it will be no trouble at all. Davio has been asking to meet the two of you for a long time, but I was just afraid of your reaction. I hope that you can be happy for me, because Davio makes me happy. Just give him a chance. I know that you will come to love him too.”
Chapter 3
Ashley was so relieved that her parents now knew her news. She had been dreading that from day one, because she knew that her mother didn’t trust the Porchellis. But she felt that once her parents had a chance to meet Davio they would see how much he cares for her. She rushed to Davio’s and told him the good news.
“Great! I am very much looking forward to meeting your parents,” Davio said. “We will see to it they are made to feel welcome. Why don’t you contact the caterers and get them to prepare another of their fabulous meals,” Davio asked.
“No, Davio, I want to prepare the meal. My parents are simple people who are used to a simple lifestyle. I really want to get into that kitchen and cook the meal myself. After all, soon I will be in that kitchen cooking for the two of us. There is no time like the present to get in some practice. But be warned, after eating my food you may change your mind about marrying me,” Ashley teased.
“Nothing can change my mind. If I don’t like your cooking we will just hire a cook. You could use some help around here anyway,” Davio remarked.
“No cook for now. I want to enjoy you by myself for a while. This is a big house, and I plan to stay busy working, but at least in the beginning I want to enjoy being married to you without the interference of anybody else in the house.”
Davio knew that they would one day have to hire a housekeeper. Ashley had no idea how much work it was to keep up with a house of this size. But he also knew that Ashley had grown up differently than him. She will have to have time to adjust, and he was more than willing to allow her the time she needs.
While Davio was holding Ashley he felt the stirrings on desire. Every time he was around her he wanted her. He never tired of making love to her, and he knew that he must have her tonight. He leaned down and kissed her, letting her know that he wanted her.
Ashley didn’t need for Davio to let her know that he wanted her. She could feel it when she was close to him. She too, had felt the stirrings of desire, a feeling she felt every time she was in close proximity with him. She returned his kiss with a fervor, letting him know they were on the same page.
Davio took Ashley by the hand and led her to the basement apartment. Soon they would have to discuss where their master bedroom was going to be, but for now he was satisfied with just having her close to him. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Davio headed straight for the bedroom. They both knew what they wanted and there was no reason to hide their desire for each other.
When they reached the bedroom Ashley took the lead and started removing her clothing. She did so slowly and seductively, teasing Davio as each layer came off. Davio felt the constraint on his manhood as he watched Ashley remove her clothing one piece at a time. Soon she was completely naked, standing before him, allowing him to take in her beauty with his eyes. She felt that she would never tire of watching the passion on Davio’s face. This man had taken her from being an innocent girl to being an experienced woman, and she was grateful that she had waited for him. She sat down on the side of the bed and slowly stretched out on her back, allowing Davio to do anything he wished with her body.
Davio couldn’t get out of his clothes fast enough. His manhood was straining at the pressure his pants were putting on it. He let out a sigh of relief when his manhood finally sprang free. He quickly removed the remainder of his clothes and joined Ashley on the bed.
Ashley was feeling confident tonight. Her parents knew about her engagement and were planning on coming to dinner Friday night. She reached down and grabbed Davio’s manhood and started moving up and down, mimicking the way he did when inside her. She watched as Davio closed his eyes and enjoyed what she was doing to him. While his eyes were still closed she moved down on the bed and took his large manhood in her mouth. She felt Davio jump when her tongue started teasing the head, flicking back and forth. Suddenly he reached for her and pulled her away from him.
Davio knew that he would not last long if Ashley continued teasing him with her mouth. H
e asked her to turn around and straddle his body, giving him access to her womanhood while she could easily reach his manhood. Ashely was surprised at first, not knowing what Davio wanted, but when she felt his hot mouth on her clitoris, she instinctively knew what to do. She leaned down and took him back in her mouth, taking as much of him as possible while her tongue continued tormenting the head of his manhood. She continued to lick and suck, giving him so much pleasure. At the same time, Davio was quickly turning her into a quivering, passionate mass of desire. His tongue darted in and out of her while his fingers began to massage her clitoris. She had never felt anything as good as this. She knew that her womanhood was fully exposed to his view, and that somehow seemed right. This was the only man who she would ever allow such privileges as openly admiring her womanhood this closely.
Davio was feeling the pressure of the impending climax. He didn’t know whether he wanted to bring Ashley to her climax in this position, or if he wanted to plunge deep inside her. He decided to allow her to make the decision. He knew she was close, and if she wanted to climax this way then he would try and make it as good for her as possible.
Mafia Romance Series Page 10