“Let me go inside my house.”
He glances at our mansion and then back to me. “The Bellini compound is beautiful, but it’s not where you live anymore. Your home is where my home is. Never forget that again.”
Your home is where my home is. Those would be the sweetest words I’ve ever heard if they were the words of a man who loves me.
“Hmm… you need to be taught a lesson. How shall I do that?”
I look at him, saying nothing. And then I feel this incredible anger come over me, and I can’t keep my mouth shut. “You are the one who lied to me and then left me alone for a whole day without any kind of communication—all so you could get high behind my back. You really think I’m the one who needs to learn the lesson?”
He smiles. “There it is—that fire I love seeing in your eyes.”
His words are gasoline on my fire.
“You want fire? I’ll show you some motherfucking fire.”
Balling my fists, I advance on him, growling as I beat my clenched hands against his chest. “I hate you so much, Luca Rossini.”
He only allows me to hit him a few times before he grips my wrists and pushes me down on the seat. “Careful, Emilia. You’re beginning to reveal your true feelings for me.”
I squirm beneath him, pulling on my arms. “Shut up.”
He clicks his tongue. “You wouldn’t be angry about me leaving you if you truly hated me.”
I shake my head. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I think I do… Emilia.”
Luca’s voice is deep and sultry when he says my name, making chills shoot down my spine. His stare is intent as though he’s trying to see something deep inside my soul. I don’t think he’s blinked once.
“Are you done being sassy?”
“No.”
His mouth comes down on mine, and I turn away as an act of defiance, ripping my lips away from his.
“You’re angry with me because I didn’t come home and dick you. Admit it.”
I turn away from him and stare at the back of the driver’s seat in front of me. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
With my dress shoved up to my waist, he grabs the back of my thigh and bends my knee, wrapping my leg around his hip. Rocking back and forth, he thrusts between my legs, and I hate myself when I realize how badly I want him inside me.
“Look at me, Emilia.”
Without any thought, I instantly obey him.
Dammit.
“You’re getting wet right now, aren’t you?”
I want to deny it, but I look into those green eyes staring back at me and I can tell him nothing but the truth. “Yes.”
Releasing one of my wrists, his hand follows the length of my arm, ribs, and waist, stopping when he slides it between my legs. Pushing my panties aside, he glides a single finger through my center. “Mmm. You never disappoint me, angel.”
He knows I want him. The proof is at his fingertips, so there’s no point in trying to deny it.
I tug my bound arm, still pinned over my head, and he releases it. With both of my hands now free, they move to his broad shoulders and down his powerful back where the muscles are taut, chiseled, and defined beneath my exploring palms.
The longer he kisses me and rubs me with his fingers, the less I care about our fight. The less I care about how mad I’ve been the last two days. I turn off my brain and put an end to my angry thoughts. At least for now.
It’s been too many days since he was inside me. My body craves him. I want to feel the weight and warmth of him on top of me. I want to be stretched by him.
And I’m not waiting any longer.
Bringing my hands around, my trembling fingers tug at the button on his pants, and then I lower the zipper. I pant into his mouth as I dip my hand inside and grasp his cock, pulling it out of his pants.
“You want it right here? Right now? Like this?”
I already know the windows are tinted so dark that no one can see in.
“Yes. Right here, right now, just like this.”
“Fuck, I love the way you hate me.”
He grips my knee and pushes it up, parting my legs and bringing us closer together. Pushing my hand between us, I hook my finger through the crotch of my panties and hold it aside while he positions himself to enter me.
With his mouth against mine, I devour his moan when he sinks into me. My body aches from the stretching but also throbs for more. So much more.
He moves inside me slowly and deeply, allowing me to feel every thrust from tip to base before he pulls back and fills me all over again. My free hand reaches for the back of his neck, and I hold on to him as we kiss and move together, our bodies slick with my arousal.
With our noses touching and our mouths sharing the same air, I close my eyes and wait for what’s coming. And then it happens—the pulsating waves and earth-shattering release.
Luca grips my thigh, his fingers digging into my flesh. His entire body tenses and he shudders. “Uh. Uhh. Fuck.”
Both of us relax, and I let go of the crotch of my panties. And we just lie there for a moment, him still inside me.
And then his hand finds mine. Looking down, I watch as he intertwines our fingers together.
His hands. They’ve done so many terrible things, and yet they pleasure me. But above all else, they protect me. These hands would kill to keep me safe. Of that, I’m certain.
He says my name and my eyes move to his.
“I want us to love each other with the deepest depths of our souls. With a little time, I truly believe we can get there, and a day will come when our children and grandchildren will ask us over and over to tell them the story of how we met and fell in love.”
Who is this man? And what has he done with Luca Rossini?
I don’t know, but I want more of him.
“I’m ready for you to take me home now.”
22
Luca Rossini
I enter the ballet studio and walk the center aisle toward the stage. Men in tights—they’re everywhere. That shit blows my mind because I can’t understand what kind of man would wear something like that and be okay with it.
“Sir, you can’t be in here.”
I turn to the man’s voice I hear behind me. “I’m here to pick up my fiancée. Emilia Bellini.”
Confusion spreads over the man’s face. “Oh. I guess I misunderstood. I thought you died.”
“You’re not confused. Her first one died. Lucky for me, right?”
The man looks at me, the wrinkle in his brow deepening. “I’ll tell Emilia you’re here.”
I take a seat on the back row and wait. It’s only a few minutes before one of the men on stage makes an announcement.
“Thank you, everyone, for your hard work today. Rehearsal was great. Everything is coming together. Go home, rest, soak your feet, and be back here at nine in the morning.”
It isn’t long until I see my girl walking out with one of the male dancers, and her eyes widen when she sees me standing at the exit. Judging by her expression, she had no idea that I was here and waiting for her.
“Surprise.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to pick up my fiancée and take her to dinner.”
Emilia slow blinks and curls her lips around her teeth, confirming my suspicion. This guy doesn’t know anything about me. I’d bet none of the dancers do.
She shrugs. “It was a tough rehearsal today, and I’m a mess.”
“We can keep it casual unless you want to go home to shower and then go out.”
“I’m fine with something quick and easy.”
She turns to the guy standing beside her and gestures to me. “This is Luca.”
I hold out my hand. “I’m her fiancé.”
He shakes my hand, and I give him a nice firm grip. I’m pleased when a slight grimace forms on his face. “Yeah, I caught that. I’m Peter.”
So this is Peter?
&
nbsp; “Good to meet you.”
I release his hand and put my arm around Emilia. “Are you ready to go, baby?”
She looks up at me and narrows her eyes. “I’m ready.”
I glide my hand down her arm and lace my fingers through hers, clasping our hands tightly so she can’t jerk it away as we walk to the car.
“What in the world possessed you to come to the dance company?”
“I had business on this side of town, and I thought it would be a nice surprise to stop by and take you out to dinner.”
“It’s a very nice surprise. And unexpected.”
“What do you feel like having tonight?”
“Pizza?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“There’s a great little pizza joint a few blocks from here. It’s usually pretty quiet.”
“We’ll go anywhere you want. Your choice.”
The restaurant is dark, most of the lighting coming from lit candles inside red glass globes on the tables. The place isn’t crowded, so it’s easy to hear the soft music playing overhead.
“Has Peter ever brought you here?”
“I’ve never gone out with Peter.”
Hearing that makes me happy.
“He’d like to though. Has he ever asked you out?”
“Not on a date, but he offers to share cab rides.”
“Yeah, I bet he would like to give you a ride.”
“Well, I’m pretty sure you ended any further offers.”
“Good. He needs to know that you’re mine.”
I should have put an engagement ring on Emilia’s finger. People outside of the five families don’t know that she’s mine.
“You’re so damn jealous and possessive. Surely, you must know that if I liked someone, I’d never act upon it.”
“Because I’d kill him?”
She nods. “Umm… most definitely.”
“Do you like someone?”
“If I did, I wouldn’t tell you. But no. There’s no one.”
I believe her. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker begins playing, and I can’t resist reaching across the table and cupping my hand around Emilia’s. “Not exactly as I would have imagined it, but I think this is our first date.”
“Is that what this is? A first date?”
“It feels like it could be.”
“We’re going to be married soon. I guess we should at least go out on a date first.”
She rubs her thumb over my knuckles and looks down. “Luca, you’re bleeding.”
I shrug, shaking my head. “It’s nothing.”
“It doesn’t look like nothing to me.”
“Just a little business I had to take care of.”
“What happened?”
“Rossini business.”
“I don’t like being in the dark about what’s happening.”
“I am a dominant man who leads and takes charge of Rossini business because to do anything else would be a betrayal of my true nature. This is who I am. I can handle it, and I’m never going to burden you with it.”
She wraps her hand around mine. “I know, but I worry about you. I want you to be safe.”
“I’m always careful.”
But I may have gotten a little sloppy tonight.
Looking at the entrance and then back at her, I bring her hand to my lips and press a kiss there. “I need you to listen to me carefully. I’m about to be arrested. The police are coming through the front door right now, and they’re going to take me away. I need you to go to my parents’ house and tell my father.”
“Luca! Why are you being arrested?”
“Listen to me, princess. My father and our attorney will take care of this. I don’t want you to worry about a thing.”
“But I am worried.”
“Don’t come to the jail. I don’t want you to see me in there.” And I don’t want anyone to see you and make the connection while I’m on the inside unable to protect you.
“How long will you be gone?”
Standing, I lean across the table and press a kiss to her lips. “I’m not sure.”
Turning, I place my hands behind my back because I don’t want Emilia to see them force me to submit. It feels like I get to keep a little bit of my dignity if I do it this way.
“Go, Emilia. I don’t want you to stay and see this.”
The officer cuffs me. “Luciano Rossini. You have the right to remain silent…”
23
Emilia Bellini
Thirty-three days later
My performance has been flawless every night this week, but I think tonight, the final show, was my best out of the entire production. But it should be. With Luca being in jail for the last month, I’ve had nothing to do but practice.
More than a month without him.
I’ve missed that jerk.
And I’m ready for him to come home.
Annette, one of the younger ballerinas, comes by and hugs my shoulders. “Great performance tonight.”
“Ah, thanks. You were great too.”
“We’re going out for drinks. Do you wanna come?”
I have nothing but an empty house to go home to, so why not? “Sure. Sounds like fun.”
I change out of my costume and into regular clothes. Not exactly going-out-for-drinks attire but it’ll work.
My hair is wavy when I take it out of the bun. It’s a little wild and unruly when I shake it, but I like it. Plus, I’m not in the mood to mess with it. It’s not as though I have anyone to impress.
“Hey, Em. Some guy is waiting for you outside with roses. I told him you’d be out in a few minutes.”
Although still in jail, I guess Luca was able to pull off sending roses to me. His mom probably took care of it, but I’m still eager to see how the card is signed. I’m hoping for a “miss you” or “can’t wait to see you.”
I come out of my dressing room, and I’m delighted to see the armful of red roses, but then I see who’s holding them and I’m thrilled.
He puts the roses down and I run to him, throwing myself into his open arms. “Oh my God. You’re here.”
He squeezes me tightly. “I made it, ballerina girl.”
I lean back and place my hands on each side of his face, pressing a kiss against his mouth. “When did you get out?”
“This afternoon.”
I kiss him again. “You didn’t call me or come home.”
“It was your final performance. I wanted to show up here and surprise you.”
“You certainly have.”
“The production was great. You were magnificent.”
“You watched it?”
“Of course, I watched it.”
I can’t believe he got out of jail and chose to come to my production instead of all the other things I would have imagined him doing first.
“Thank you for coming. It really means a lot to me.” More than he knows.
Luca squeezes me again, this time growling against my ear. “I want you to come home with me.”
“I’m supposed to go out for drinks with the other dancers, but I’ll tell them that I can’t.”
“Damn right you can’t go with them. After being apart for a month, I need you beneath me right now.”
“Okay, okay. I get it.”
I understand his need. Because I need the same thing.
I see Peter down the hall talking with one of the other dancers. “Hey, Peter. I’m going to pass on drinks tonight.”
“No way. You have to come out with us.”
Luca pulls me against him. “Sorry. She’s all mine tonight and every other night. You’re done putting your hands and lips on her.”
I laugh and smile at Peter, but I’m dying on the inside.
Slipping my hand into Luca’s, we walk toward the exit. “Did you really have to say that to him?”
“His hands were all over you. He kissed you. My fiancée. So yeah, I had to say that.”
“Calm down. It was all an act. Part of the performance.”
“I don’t give a fuck if it’s an act or not. I’ll kill him if he puts his hands on you again.”
“You’re such a jealous asshole.”
“Yes, I am, and I’m also a jealous asshole who’s about to take you home and make up for being apart the last thirty-three days.”
We get into the back seat of the car, and Luca pulls me to the center of the seat next to him.
“Eyes forward, Sal. Don’t even think about looking back here.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And turn the radio up.”
“Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves” by Cher fills the car as Sal pulls away from the curb onto the street. It’s Saturday night, and traffic is stop and go, stop and go. It’s going to take a while, much longer than I’d like, to get home.
“I missed you, Luca.”
“I missed you too. You can’t imagine how much. I thought about you day and night.”
His searing hot lips touch the side of my neck, and as though I’m steel and he’s the magnet, I lean into him for more. Turning my head, I grasp the back of his hair and pull him closer to kiss me.
I twist and climb on top of him, straddling him. He sucks air between his clenched teeth, but it’s not his usual sexy hiss.
“What’s wrong?”
He shakes his head. “I have broken ribs.”
I move to get off of him, but he holds me in place. “Why do you have broken ribs?”
“I may have been in a fight or two while I was on the inside.”
If he’s admitting to one or two then it was probably more like four or five.
“I thought the guards were supposed to stop things like that.”
“Don’t worry. The other guys look way worse than me.”
“I don’t care about the other guys.”
“Ah, forget about it.”
Luca wraps his arms around me, and I kiss his mouth, gradually moving my lips across his stubbled jaw toward his neck. His whiskers are stiff and abrasive against my skin, just the way I like it.
The ride home is nothing but thirty minutes of foreplay, and I’m buzzing from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet by the time we get home.
Waiting for my Queen: A Dark Mafia Romance Page 14