“I will if they show interest, but I won’t push anything on them.”
Slowly, my dress sags and slips down my body. When Luca finishes with the last button, he allows it to fall to the floor on its own. I’m instantly lighter.
Standing before him in my white lace undergarments, I reach up to take my veil from my hair.
“Don’t. Leave it just a little while longer. I like the way it looks with your lingerie and stockings.”
I’ve never worn anything this sexy in front of him. I must admit that I like the ravenous expression I see on his face. I like his hungry eyes feasting on my body.
“Stay just like that. I want to look at you while I take off my clothes.”
Luca simultaneously kicks out of his shoes and loosens his tie. He gives the black fabric a firm yank, tossing it aside, and then moves on to his vest. Piece by piece, he removes his wedding attire until he’s only wearing boxers. The outline of his fully erect bulge is very visible beneath the thin fabric of his underwear.
My husband’s body is a work of art, as though a skilled artist chiseled each groove, each rise, each fall. I feel so protected when I’m inside his strong arms.
Never taking his eyes off me, he pushes his boxers down, and they fall to the floor. He is all man, from his length to his width. His very proud hard-on is like cupid’s arrow pointing directly at me, ready to be launched.
“Take everything off except the garter belt and stockings.”
I’ve never been okay with the thought of a man giving me commands, especially in the bedroom, but my body unexpectedly responds to his instructions as though some kind of primal instinct is being awoken. Something inside me likes hearing him tell me to take off my clothes. My inner perversion likes that my choice is being taken away. I like it because it gives me a reason to not feel ashamed about giving him everything he wants.
He remains where he is, watching me remove my veil, then bustier, and lastly, my panties. His eyes drink me in as though he’s trying to etch every inch of my body on his brain.
He inhales deeply and blows the breath out through tight lips. “Damn, I have a sexy wife.”
His patience stretched to the max and ready to snap, Luca stalks toward me. We reach for each other at the same time, our mouths coming together for our second kiss as husband and wife. This time, it’s the fiery kiss we’ve both been longing for, and every cell inside my female body responds to it.
My world narrows to the sensation of his tongue dueling mine, his hungry lips sucking and kissing. His taste floods my mouth—whiskey and some other flavor I can’t put a name to.
My husband’s mouth devours me. My lips. The sides of my face. My neck. His kisses tell me words that his mouth never has. He wants to possess me, body and soul.
Liquid heat surges between my legs, and I thread my fingers into the back of his hair as we stumble toward the bed. Together, we tumble on top, lying sideways.
My thighs guided open by his knees, his body settles between my legs, the two of us fitting together perfectly like puzzle pieces. Lifting my hips, I rub myself against the physical proof of his arousal and pleasure curls tightly in my lower belly.
His large frame positioned over me, he supports his upper body on his arms, barely allowing any of his weight to press against me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. What we’re doing is fine. You aren’t going to hurt me or the baby.”
“I know. I’m just trying to be gentle with you.”
Reaching up, I grip his chin in my hand. “Don’t be.”
“Fucking you raw doesn’t feel right when I know there’s a baby inside you.”
“You’re going to need to get over your fear, or this is going to be a very long pregnancy.” For both of us.
“Okay. I’ll work on that.”
Reaching between us, he guides his hard length to my entrance. Pushing his swollen crown through my impatient center, he slowly sinks until we are perfectly joined as one. It feels so right. He stays that way for a moment, pinning me beneath him, our eyes connected. I smile, and his own lips curve up in response.
It doesn’t matter how many times we’re together. He always stretches me in the most delicious way, filling me until I feel like I can’t take another inch, but I can’t remember it ever feeling quite this good. Never this intimate.
Face-to-face. Skin-on-skin. Heart-to-heart.
A husband and wife couldn’t be more deeply connected than we are right now.
And it feels so damn good.
I gave myself to Luca in the beginning because I had no other choice, but now I’m giving myself to him because it’s what I want. No game play involved.
Pulling back, he rocks into me over and over. He breathes heavily, his open mouth against mine, as he moves his hard length in and out of my tight chamber.
My fingers cradle his cheeks and I stretch upward, kissing him. And he kisses me back, filling my mouth with his tongue. And the two don’t waltz. Instead, they tango.
Lifting my hips in sync with his thrusts, the head of his cock perfectly strokes the sensitive bundle of nerves inside me. One plunge builds on the next and the next, gradually strengthening my imminent climax.
There’s an internal frenzy as I wait for my release to find me. It’s physical, but it’s mental too. A quiet desperation. A fear that it might slip away before it has a chance to emerge.
Gripping his hair, I stop kissing him. I simply hold my parted lips against his, panting against his mouth when my release begins.
My orgasm. I am its hostage. And it is my captor.
Wrapped in his protection and devotion, I open my eyes and look into his. Waves of pleasure rush over me, around me, through me. His pace doesn’t change as he studies me, watching my mouth become an ‘O.’ And then I feel him shuddering, coming apart with me, tumbling into the bliss together.
He deepens his final thrusts and his entire body tenses, surrendering to his climax. He pulses inside me, his eyes locked on mine, and the sexiest groan I’ve ever heard vibrates deep inside his chest.
Our wedding night. It’s so much more than I ever dreamed it would be. That it could be.
And so, it’s done. I am bound to Luca. I belong to him for as long as we both live.
And for now, that’s okay.
26
Luca Rossini
For twenty years, I’ve called Emilia my betrothed. For six weeks, I’ve called her my wife. For thirteen weeks, she’s carried my child inside her.
I’m a happy man. So damn happy. I didn’t know this was possible.
My parents are throwing a party at their house tonight, a celebration, and the announcement will be made. Everyone within the five families will learn that there’s going to be a new heir of the Rossini empire. A child who will be taught our ways from the very beginning. Half Rossini, half Bellini. With those genes, there isn’t a chance in hell that he won’t be destined for greatness.
Slipping into the shower, I wrap my arms around Emilia from behind and cup her tits in my hands. “These are getting bigger.”
“And more tender.”
I lessen my grip. “Am I hurting you?”
“No. They’re just extra-sensitive these days.”
I flick my thumbs over her hard nipples. “I like them.”
“As demonstrated by your inability to keep your hands off them.”
“I can’t keep my hands off you period.”
“I’m aware, but we don’t have time for that.”
I kiss the side of her neck at the spot she loves, trying to persuade her. “Not even a quickie?”
“Sorry, no. Your parents want us to come to their house early.”
“For what?”
“This is our party. We need to be there to greet the guests as they arrive.”
I express my frustration in the form of a growl against her neck. “And I’m sure we’ll have to stay late.”
“You know we will.”
“Will you be angry with me if
I celebrate by doing a line or two with the guys?”
“Always celebrating,” she murmurs beneath her breath. “I don’t know why you’re even asking. You don’t care if I get mad.”
“I do care. I don’t like it when we fight.”
“And I don’t like it when you get high. You aren’t yourself. You become someone else entirely.” She hesitates a moment. “I don’t know why you’re asking me if I’ll be mad. We both know you’re going to do it regardless of what I say.”
“I’ve cut back. A lot. You know I have.”
She places her hand on top of mine, lacing our fingers, and brings it to her stomach. “Do you feel that?”
It feels like a hard ball inside of her. “Yes.”
“That’s our child. Don’t you want to do better for him?”
Emilia told me she was pregnant, and I believed her, but feeling her growing womb against my hand is tangible confirmation. This child is still small but very real.
I’m going to be a father. There’s going to be a tiny little person who comes out of Emilia’s body, a child she and I created together. He’s going to call me Dad and depend on me to teach him how to run this empire.
“I’m going to do better for him. I swear. But he isn’t here yet. I have time.”
Emilia turns in my arms and wraps them around my shoulders. “He isn’t here yet, but his mother is.”
“I’m not an addict, Emilia.” How many times do I have to say this?
“If I asked you to never do it again, would you be able to stop?”
“I could walk away from it and never do it again if that’s what I chose to do.” But that’s not what I want. “There’s no reason to stop right now. The baby isn’t here yet, and I’m not hurting anyone by doing it.”
“You think you’re not hurting anyone when you do it?”
“Not that I can see.”
She searches my eyes for a moment and then says, “Okay. I won’t bring it up again.”
Emilia releases her hold around my shoulder and steps away, getting out of the shower. It feels like she’s surrendering, allowing me to win this debate. She’s no longer arguing her point, but I don’t want this discussion to end like this.
“Come back.”
“Can’t. I need to get ready so we’re not late for the party.”
I said that I was going to quit, and I am. When I say that I’m going to do something, I do it. But I’m going to quit on my own terms, and tonight isn’t the time.
Emilia has little to say to me before we leave the house, and that doesn’t change in the car on the way to my parents’. I wish the cocaine conversation hadn’t come up. It’s soured what should be a happy occasion for us.
“Will you at least try to look happy tonight? There are going to be a lot of people from the five families there, and all of them will be judging us.”
“I’m happy.”
“You don’t look happy. You look upset.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine.”
She smiles. “See? Happy.”
I know what true happiness looks like on her face, and this isn’t it. “Don’t lie to me. What’s wrong with you?”
“I told you I wasn’t going to bring it up again, and I’m not.”
“You may not be bringing it up with words, but you’re still definitely bringing it up.”
She shrugs. “What do you want from me, Luca? I can’t and won’t pretend to be happy about you doing something that could hurt you.”
“I’m always in control.”
“Sure, you are.”
Damn, she makes me so fucking mad sometimes, so mad that I’d like to put her over my lap and spank her ass until she cries and begs me to stop.
And then I think about all the reasons she wants me to stop using cocaine, and I can’t be mad at her. She’s afraid for me and has my best interests at heart.
“Don’t worry. I’m careful.”
She turns to look at me, and the concern I see in her expression is genuine. So damn real. “Your physical safety isn’t my only worry.”
I’m not at all at ease. I don’t like being the reason behind Emilia’s distress. I want to be the man who solves her problems, not causes them.
Emilia keeps her distance from me after we arrive at my parents’ house. I’m not pleased by that. This party is intended to show the five families the strength we have when we are together. That’s impossible to do when she refuses to be by my side.
“Where is Emilia? I haven’t seen her since shortly after you arrived,” my father says.
“I’m not sure, but she’s around somewhere. Probably with her sisters.”
“It’s time to make the announcement, and your mother is about to burst.”
“All right. Give me a minute to find her.”
“Bring her to center stage when you do.”
I search as I weave through the guests in my parents’ house and find Emilia sitting in my mother’s private parlor. “What are you doing in here?”
“Thinking.”
“About what?”
She sighs. “How much my life has changed the last few months.”
“And how much more it’s going to change when this baby comes?”
“Definitely.”
“This baby is going to be the best thing that has ever happened to either of us.”
“I know.” She places her hand over her stomach. “And I don’t want to raise him without you.”
“You won’t. I’m going to be here with you every step of the way.”
She nods but I see the doubt in her eyes.
“I’m not going to make you any promises right now. You’re not in a mindset where you’d believe me anyway, but I’m going to prove it to you.”
I hold out my hand. “Come with me. It’s time for the announcement.”
With her arm looped through mine, I escort her to center stage. My chest is inflated with pure pride as I bring my beautiful pregnant wife before the members of the five families.
“Thank you for coming tonight. Emilia and I are happy that you are able to be here so you can share in this joyous occasion with us.” I look at Emilia and she looks up at me, smiling. The first real smile I’ve seen from her tonight. “We are thrilled to announce we just found out that we are expecting our first child.”
“We’re going to be grandparents,” my mother shouts from where she’s standing among the guests. I should have known she wouldn’t be able to contain her happiness without some sort of outburst.
“Half Rossini, half Bellini,” my father adds.
Our guests applaud, and I take Emilia’s hand in mine when the noise dies down.
“If we are blessed with a son, I would very much like to name him Alessandro after your father. If it pleases you.”
Emilia stares at me, tears forming in her lower lids. She nods and two large drops fall down her cheeks. “If it pleases me? Are you serious? Of course, it pleases me.”
She reaches up, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. Coming up on her tiptoes, she stretches upward and presses a kiss to my mouth. “You have no idea what that means to me.”
“You have no idea what you mean to me,” I whisper against her ear.
Our guests break into applause again. Sounds of congratulations and best wishes overlap.
Emilia’s mood improves after our announcement, and I’m relieved when she socializes with our guests. I’m hoping she has forgotten about our fight earlier this evening. Or at least put it out of her mind for the moment.
Monte punches my upper arm. “Fuck, Luca. You’re going to be a father.”
Vinny slaps me on the back. “That sure as hell happened fast.”
“Luca does everything perfectly. It’s no surprise that he already has an heir on the way,” Stephan says.
No one can know that Emilia was pregnant before we married. Not even the guys. “I guess I got it right on the first try.”
“You think it’s a boy?” St
ephan asks.
Angelica’s heels click against the marble tile floor as she approaches. “Luca gets everything he wants. Of course, this baby will be a boy. He’ll finally have the Rossini heir he’s always wanted.
She takes out a bag of coke and flips it back and forth in her hand. “We have to celebrate the good news. Where can we go hit this?”
I think I may have managed to fix things with Emilia. I can’t fuck it up by getting high tonight. The fight we had earlier is still too raw. “None for me. I’m not doing that tonight.”
“Sure, you are, Luca. You never say no to cocaine.”
“I’m saying no this time.”
“Why would you do that?”
Because I’ve upset my wife, and I want to do better for her.
“Tonight is about announcing Emilia’s pregnancy, not getting high.”
“Your new wife is giving you the son you’ve always wanted. That’s something to be celebrated.”
“He doesn’t want to do it. Leave him alone,” my brother says.
“He wants it, Steph. He always wants it. Don’t be fooled by this act.”
She isn’t wrong. I haven’t gotten high in a few days, and I want it. I want it badly. But I’m trying to resist for Emilia.
“Come with me, guys,” she says, beckoning us with her fingers. “No one will see us on the back patio.”
Vinny is the first to go after Angelica, followed by Monte.
One quick hit. Emilia will never know.
I take one step, and Stephan grabs my upper arm. “Think about Emilia and your baby. Don’t go with her, bro.”
“Just one tiny little hit. That’ll be it. I swear.”
My brother releases my arm. “You’re a grown man, and I’m not your keeper. You make your own decisions.”
“That is correct. I’m going to be your leader. Not the other way around. Don’t ever forget that.”
“You’re going to regret doing this when you have to look Emilia in the eye and you see that you’ve broken her heart.”
“I’ve already told Emilia I was getting high tonight.” I leave off the part about the fight that ensued afterward.
“Maybe you did, but you sure as hell didn’t tell her you were getting high with the woman you were fucking before you married her.”
Waiting for my Queen: A Dark Mafia Romance Page 17