Luca Vitiello by Cora Reilly

CHAPTER 14

Matteo leaned against the hood of my car, taking a fucking sunbath from the look of it. “And?” he asked, face still tilted up to the sky.

“Get into the car,” I said.

The moment he was in the passenger seat, he cocked an eyebrow. “I hope you didn’t make a mess.”

“She’s our cousin.”

“That didn’t stop you with Junior.”

“She’s a woman.”

“That didn’t stop you with the Bratva whores.”

I sent him a scowl. “She didn’t try to kill me, happy?”

“Maybe next time Grace will try to poison your wife,” Matteo joked, but I almost steered us into oncoming traffic because I jerked.

“I was joking,” Matteo said, surprised.

I swallowed, trying to mask the turmoil his words had cause. “Let’s head to the Sphere now. We still have to meet our bookkeeper.”

Several hours later, I was on my way back home while Matteo headed out to party with Romero.

My phone rang, and Father’s name flashed on my dashboard.

I took the call and Father’s voice boomed in the car. “How did it go? Did you convince Ferris of the perks of working with us?”

“Matteo and I made our point very clear to him, yes,” I said.

I wasn’t in the mood to talk to my father now. I just wanted to return home to my beautiful wife and discover her body with my hands and lips. It was what had kept me going throughout the day.

“Very well,” he drawled. “I think we should attack a few more of the Bratva establishments in retaliation. What’s their most popular club?”

“The Pergola. Most of the high ranking Bratva members frequent it. Unfortunately the half of New York society that doesn’t come to the Sphere is there as well. An attack might draw lots of unnecessary media attention to us.” Attacks on labs or whorehouses were the safer option, since both were out of the public eye.

“Figure something out. I want them to bleed,” Father clipped. I wondered if he’d talked to Fiore…or why did he suddenly give a fuck about the Bratva?

“They will,” I promised as I steered my car into the underground garage. “Is there anything else you want?”

“On your way to your wife, or why are you eager to shake me off?”

Because I hate your goddamn guts. “It’s been a long, fucked up day.”

“I want you, Matteo and Aria to come over to dinner as soon as possible. Talk to Nina to arrange a date and time.”

He hung up, not waiting for a reply because it was an order, not a request. I really didn’t want to be around my father more often than absolutely necessary, but, most importantly, I didn’t like him anywhere near Aria.

My muscles brimmed with tension when I stepped into the elevator. Another fucking mess of a day. Despite all the shit thrown our way today, I made good to my promise to Aria and was home earlier than usual. When I entered our apartment, Romero was perched on a barstool, working on his tablet. I’d sent him photos of a surveillance camera from the restaurant because he was the best when it came to detecting suspicious behavior. Maybe he’d be able to figure out who’d left the fucking message, so I could kill them personally. Carrying pigs’ head through Brooklyn couldn’t have gone unnoticed.

He stood, grabbed the tablet, and stepped into the elevator. “I’ll work on this tonight.”

“Aria’s still your top priority, so don’t pull an all-nighter.”

Romero smiled. “You know me. I’ll be as vigilant as always for work tomorrow.”

I nodded. He was one of my best men.

“Aria’s on the roof terrace,” he said before the doors closed.

I put my phone down on the kitchen counter. Matteo would be able to deal with shit if something came up tonight. I wanted to enjoy this evening with Aria without interruption.

Outside, Aria had set up the table with candles, white cloth and fresh flowers. She was dressed in an elegant flowing yellow dress. With the last rays of the setting sun, she was like a golden apparition. The most beautiful woman the Outfit had to offer. My father’s words. He’d been wrong, so fucking wrong.

Aria was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. There couldn’t possibly be a woman more beautiful than her on this planet.

Aria noticed me and gave me a small smile.

“I thought we could eat here?” She gestured at the table.

I wasn’t all that hungry for food, but Aria had already put an array of dips, breads and samosas as well as a steaming curry on the table. I wrapped my arm around her and kissed her lightly. Her lashes fluttered and her smile became less tense. “I ordered Indian.”

“I’m hungry for only one thing,” I said in a low voice, feeling my groin tighten at the idea of getting Aria out of this dress.

Aria looked away. “Let’s eat.” She drew away from my embrace and sank down. Maybe food would help her calm her nerves. I really didn’t understand what she was so nervous about. I’d told her I’d touch and kiss, not fuck her. My lack of practice handling female emotions was definitely a problem when it came to treating Aria right. I sat down across from her. A few strands of hair whirled around her head and the setting sun made Aria’s cheekbones glow.

“You look fucking sexy.” My brain and body were on a one-way street. I just couldn’t think straight today. I wanted to lose myself in Aria, in her gorgeous body, in lust, and forget the Bratva.

Aria ripped off a piece of naan bread and ate it with a bit of dip. “Romero took me to the Metropolitan today. It was amazing.”

I ate a bite myself, stifling a laugh at Aria’s feeble attempt to distract me. “Good.”

“What about the restaurant owner? Did you convince him that the Famiglia will protect him from the Russians?”

It wasn’t really a topic I wanted to discuss, especially with Aria. Business was something I wanted to shield her from. “Of course. He’s been under our protection for more than a decade. There’s no reason to change that now.”

“Sure.” Aria picked up her wine glass and nipped at it, not meeting my eyes. She seemed far away, but it didn’t take a genius to guess what was bothering her.

“Aria?”

“Hmm?” She still didn’t look up.

“Aria,” I said, putting more force into my tone and, as expected, her head jerked up. Her blue eyes swam with anxiety. It was a new experience to have a woman scared of being with me. I leaned back in the chair, wondering how I should handle the situation. “You’re scared.”

“I’m not,” she said quickly, but her cheeks reddened at her lie. She was such a bad liar. I fixed her with a stare, wanting her to tell me the truth. Lying wasn’t something I’d tolerate. “Maybe a bit, but mostly I’m nervous.”

Nervous. I could work with nervous. It was so much better than fear. I stood and walked toward her, holding out my hand. “Come on.”

Aria raised her eyes to mine, searching like so often and whatever it was she seemed to find it because she took my hand and I pulled her up. She was still looking up at me. “Let’s get into the Jacuzzi, okay? That’ll relax you,” I said quietly, softening my voice to set her at ease. “Why don’t you grab your bikini and I’ll set it up?” I would have preferred to soak in the tub with a naked Aria, but I doubted that would help her relax.

Aria gave a quick nod before she disappeared inside. Sighing, I took a sip of wine. Patience had never been my strength, and I was surprised at how much of it I actually possessed, at least around Aria.

After I’d turned on the Jacuzzi, I followed my wife. When I arrived in the bedroom, I could hear her in the bathroom. I got out of my clothes and slipped on my black swim shorts. For a moment, I wondered if Aria was hiding from me inside the bathroom, but then the door swung open and she stepped out in a white bikini with dots. I almost groaned because she somehow managed to look sexy and innocent at once, bringing out my protective as well as my predatory side. Fuck it.

I touched Aria’s hip. “You are perfect.” I was rewarded with a small smile and led her out of our bedroom and back out onto our roof terrace.

Goose bumps covered Aria’s skin and her nipples strained against her thin bikini top. I lifted her into my arms and she pressed against me, seeking protection from the wind that had picked up. Her palm rested lightly against my chest, right over my heart, as if she needed to reassure herself that I did, indeed, have one. Sometimes even I wasn’t sure that was the case.

I stepped into the hot water with her and lowered us so we were both covered up to our shoulder blades. Aria clung to my neck, her lips against my skin. I stroked her back, feeling the tension rippling in her body. “There’s no reason for you to be scared.”

“Says the man who crushed a man’s throat with his bare hands.”

“That’s got nothing to do with us, Aria. That’s business.” I wasn’t a good man, and I wasn’t kidding myself into thinking I could be, nor did I want to. I was the man I needed to be to become who I wanted to be: Capo.

Aria sighed. “I know. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

I peered down at my wife but only saw Aria’s hair. She was hiding her face from me. “What’s really the problem?”

“I’m nervous because I feel vulnerable, like I’m at your mercy because of the deal.”

I managed to swallow the first reply that shot through my head: that Aria had been at my mercy from the moment she’d become my fiancée. If I’d insisted, her father would have given me his fifteen-year-old daughter, and, since she’d become my wife, everyone in our world considered her my property. “Aria, forget about the deal. Why don’t you try to relax and enjoy this?” I lifted her face so she had to look at me.

Aria licked her lips nervously. “Promise you won’t force me to do something I don’t want to do,” she whispered, then continued in an even softer voice, her gaze cast down once more. “Promise me that you won’t hurt me.”

For a second, I wasn’t sure what to say. I’d thought these last few days had showed Aria that I was trying to be good to her—as good as a man like me could be. Maybe that was the problem. Aria knew what kind of man I was, and she was waiting for me to reveal my true nature to her. Maybe she had reason to be wary. Maybe this side of me was bound to fail. Maybe I was a monster trying to be more. Was the gentle side something I had in me, or only something I forced on myself?

“Why would I hurt you?” I said quietly, keeping my thoughts to myself. “I told you I won’t sleep with you unless you want me to.”

Aria’s eyes widened in alarm. “So you will hurt me when we sleep together?”

Her innocent shock almost made me laugh. “Not on purpose, no, but I don’t think there’s a way around it,” I murmured, kissing the soft skin below her ear. “But tonight I want to make you writhe in pleasure. Trust me.”

I wanted her trust not because she gave it freely, but because I deserved it. I wanted to earn it.

Shoving those thoughts aside, I ran my tongue along her pulse point and inhaled Aria’s sweet scent. My grip on her tightened as I suckled her skin. She felt and tasted so good, and my body reacted to her closeness. I trailed my kisses back up until I reached Aria’s sweet mouth, which I claimed for a hard kiss as I pressed my erection against her butt. Fuck, I wished we were naked.

Aria drew back and I let out a groan in frustration. I wanted to lose myself in her taste. “Can we talk for a bit?” she asked softly.

Trying to hide my impatience, I sat back. “What do you want to talk about?”

My hands had a mind of their own, stroking along Aria’s naked back and waist, then lower to her bikini bottoms. Her breath caught when my fingers slid along her ass.

“What happened to your mother?” she asked, completely catching me by surprise.

My hands froze and my chest squeezed into a tight ball. “She died,” I clipped. I turned away from Aria’s compassionate face, annoyed that she’d bring something like that up. “That’s not the kind of thing I want to talk about tonight.”

I didn’t want to talk about her at all. She was the fucking past. Her death had messed up enough of my past; it wouldn’t mess up my future as well.

Aria gave a nod. I slid my hand along her thigh, wanting to distract myself and her. I pushed my fingers beneath her bikini bottoms, brushing over her pussy lips. So velvety. Fuck. I used my other hand to free her breasts from her top. Her nipples puckered deliciously in the cold. Good Lord. I lowered my head and drew a hard pebble into my mouth, sucking it softly at first, then harder. I flicked my thumb over her clit, making her arch and gasp. She pressed herself into me as I swirled my tongue around her nipple. I couldn’t take my eyes off Aria’s face as she surrendered to pleasure. Her cheeks heated under my unwavering attention, and she looked away.

“No. Look at me,” I commanded, and her eyes darted back down to me. I wanted her to see what I was doing, wanted her to remember that she was mine, that every beautiful inch of her was mine.

Fixing her with my eyes, I sucked her nipple into my mouth while my fingers worked her pussy, teasing her nub and folds. I grazed Aria’s nipple with my teeth, testing if she’d enjoy a bit of pain. Aria bucked her hips with a cry, her body becoming tight as she came. The sight was marvelous, but I didn’t allow myself to bask in it. I quickly hoisted Aria onto the edge of the Jacuzzi, spreading her legs.

Aria’s eyes widened in shock. “Luca, what—”

I ripped her bikini bottoms away, shoving my way between her legs. My eyes dipped down to her pink pussy lips and my cock jerked. I bowed down my head, needing to get a taste. I dragged my tongue along her glistening folds. Fuck, I’d waited way too long for the first taste of my wife. Aria let out an astonished cry. Her legs were starting to soften against my biceps as she surrendered to the new sensations.

I licked Aria long and deep, my tip sliding along her slit, tasting that torturous sweetness.

“Fuck, yes.” I could feel myself leaking at the first taste of her. A new wave of possessiveness hit me as I regarded her pink pussy. Only for me to savor. I sucked one soft fold into my mouth, teasing it with my lips and tongue. Aria gasped, half-lidded eyes checking our surroundings.

“Look at me,” I demanded, pulling back a bit from her. After a moment of hesitation, she met my gaze despite her obvious embarrassment. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips parted. I wanted Aria to watch when I ate her out, wanted to see her beautiful face when she came in my mouth for the first time.

Slowly, I leaned forward and raked my tongue along her crease, lightly nudging her lovely nub.

“You are mine,” I rasped, as her taste swirled on my tongue, fueling my own arousal. I took another lick. “Say it.”

Aria’s eyes flashed with need. “I’m yours.”

Mine. I stroked those puffy lips apart, baring her clit, knowing she’d come if I sucked that little button. Fixing my eyes on her needy face, I fluttered my tongue over her clit. Aria’s eyes opened wide, lips falling apart in a moan as she yanked at my hair, pressing her pussy against my face. She clenched against me, those lovely folds twitching under the force of her orgasm. So unbelievably responsive. Aria threw her head back as she writhed against my mouth, and I took everything she offered, licking up her arousal, getting so turned on by her obvious pleasure that I could hardly hold back. I plunged my tongue into her, groaning against her at how tight those walls clamped around the digit.

I suckled her, making sure she could hear how much I enjoyed this, and it didn’t take long for her body to respond to my loud appreciation. Aria was turned on by the sounds, and fuck if that didn’t turn me on even more. I lapped at her with more fervor, and then my lovely wife arched again and rewarded me with another beautiful orgasm.

I drew back, my breathing ragged, my dick throbbing so furiously I was sure I’d lose my goddamn mind any second. I needed to be inside her, needed to claim every little part of her. I burnt up with the need to do it. Bringing a finger up to her pussy, I entered her in a swift move.

Aria cried out, her walls clamping down on my finger. For a moment, I considered shoving down my pants and finally taking what I wanted, but the impulse lasted less than a second.

“Fuck, you’re so fucking tight, Aria,” I rasped. Her channel gripped me tightly, and I could feel more resistance against my fingertip. Fuck. Soon I’d be claiming that part of her, making her mine once and for all.

Aria didn’t say anything, didn’t move. I glanced up, snapping out of my lust haze. She lay flat on her back, arms pressed against her sides, and was staring up at the sky with furrowed brows. That wasn’t what I’d expected. Slowly, I shifted up and leaned over her.

“Hey,” I murmured, trying to get her attention. The distant look needed to go. Aria finally dragged her eyes down to mine. Her mouth was set tight, her brows still puckered, and I felt like an asshole, realizing I’d hurt her.

“I should have entered more slowly, but you were so wet,” I said, getting as close to an apology as I ever allowed myself.

Aria tilted her head, then nothing. A strange sensation squeezed my chest. Maybe it was guilt. I had trouble putting my finger on it. I kissed her, but I still hadn’t pulled my finger out of her. She felt too damn good. I wanted all of her. I’d never had to wait for something I wanted.

“Does it still hurt?” I asked. Aria moved, making my finger shift in her pussy, and I stifled a groan.

“It’s uncomfortable, and it burns a bit,” she admitted.

I traced my tongue over the seam of her lips. “I know I’m an asshole for saying it, but the thought of my cock inside your tight pussy makes me so hard.”

Aria stiffened, the douse of cold water for my overeager cock. “Don’t look so terrified. I told you I wouldn’t try it tonight,” I said, even as I wished she’d let me.

“You also told me you wouldn’t hurt me,” Aria said, voice small and vulnerable.

Fuck. It was definitely guilt squeezing my chest into a bloody pulp.

“I didn’t think it would, Aria,” I murmured. It hadn’t even crossed my mind that my finger would cause her the slightest bit of discomfort. I’d never been with a virgin, never considered how different it would make things. “You were so wet and willing. I thought my finger would go in without trouble. I wanted to finger you for your fourth orgasm.”

A shudder went through her. I lightly stroked her inner thigh, my silent apology.

“Did it hurt because you took my, you know…” Aria squirmed, her cheeks turning red.

Holy shit. “Your virginity?” I said roughly. “No, principessa. I’m not that deep in, and I want to claim that part of you with my cock, not my finger.”

Had I just called her principessa? I wasn’t even sure why. I’d never heard anyone call a woman that. Hope flared in Aria’s eyes, hope that shouldn’t be there because what she was hoping for wasn’t going to happen.

I withdrew my finger and brought it up to her parted lips, tracing it over them before I dipped it inside. I wanted her to taste herself, and Aria caught me by surprise when she licked the digit as if it were a lollipop, or better yet, my cock.

My dick jerked in my pants. I’d definitely die of blue balls. I kissed her harshly, tasting her but still needing more. Always more with Aria. I wasn’t sure what was wrong with me. Maybe it was the thrill of having to wait, first three years until she was of age and now for her to be ready. Maybe that was why I was so fucking obsessed with my wife. I’d never felt like this before, and it was starting worry me. Maybe once I claimed her, that burning need would finally subside and I could return to being my normal self. No tight chest or strange sensations anymore.

I straightened. “Let’s go inside. I want to lick you again.” Aria blinked up at me. “Will you let me put my finger in you again? This time I’ll go really slow.”

The second she said yes, I got out of the pool and lifted her into my arms. Aria slung her legs around my middle, pressing that wet pussy against my abs.

I hurried inside, my fingers digging into her ass cheeks. After I’d set her down in our bedroom, I went into the bathroom to grab a towel. I took my time rubbing her dry. Her lashes fluttered shut as I massaged her shoulders and arms, then moved onto her back and stomach. Goose bumps pimpled Aria’s skin when I slid the towel over her breasts.

“Are you cold?”

Aria opened her eyes, peering up at me in a way no one ever had. I wasn’t sure what it meant. I released the towel and caressed her bare arms.

“A bit,” she said.

“Lie down. I’ll warm you up.” Aria climbed on the bed, giving me a prime view of her ass before she stretched out on her back. I reached for my wet shorts and shoved them down, not wanting to get the bed wet, but even more than that: wanting to feel Aria as close as possible. My erection bounced and Aria’s eyes were drawn to it.

Her expression shifted, turned anxious then wary. She pushed back against the headboard and tugged her legs against her chest protectively. What the hell?

“Aria?” I said carefully, unsure how to react to her obvious fear. I reached for her leg but she jerked and pressed it even tighter against herself.

Seeing Aria like this brought up emotions I wasn’t familiar with, emotions I didn’t want to deal with. Emotions were weakness, and a Capo couldn’t be weak. “What now?” I muttered, annoyed at myself and at Aria because she evoked those sensations in me.

I sank down beside her, trying to be patient and keep my frustration at bay. “Say something.”

Aria shook her head. “This is too fast.”

Too fast? I hadn’t fucked her in our wedding night like everyone expected, still hadn’t fucked her or gotten more than a hand job. That wasn’t fast in my world. The frustration of the day, the confusion over my emotions began to catch up with me, and I knew I couldn’t let it. “Because I got naked?” I asked in a moderately calm voice. “You’ve seen my cock before. You even jerked me off.”

Aria flushed. “I think you’re trying to manipulate me. If I gave you the chance, you’d go all the way today.”

“You bet I would, but I can’t see what manipulation has to do with it,” I gritted out. Didn’t she understand what kind of man I was and what men like me usually did when they had a beautiful woman, their wife, at their disposal? “I want you. I never lied to you about that. I’m going to take whatever you’re willing to give, and you were willing in the Jacuzzi.”

Aria’s eyes flashed with anger. “Not about the finger. Maybe you’ll try the same with sex.”

I laughed at her cluelessness. “That won’t work. My cock won’t slide in that easily, believe me, and it will hurt a lot more.”

Aria blanched. I could have kicked myself for my words. It was the truth, but she didn’t need to know it. Gathering what remained of my patience, I continued in a softer voice, “I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

But I had. It was plain as day on Aria’s face. I caressed her side, showing her that I still had every intention of being gentle with her. “Tell me that you enjoyed what I did to you on the roof.”

“Yes.”

Thank god. I leaned down to her. “What did you enjoy the most? My tongue fucking you? Or when I ran my tongue all the way over your pussy? Or when I sucked your clit?”

Desire replaced the apprehension on Aria’s face. “I don’t know.”

“Maybe I need to show you again?” I said, then slid my hand between her legs and covered her pussy with my palm. Aria moved to lie down, but I shook my head. This position was perfect. “No. Stay like that.” I began to stroke her as I held her in my arms. The way her legs were still pressed against her chest, additional pressure was added to her pussy and she loosened up in no time.

“Relax,” I encouraged her before I dipped one finger against her opening. I took my time entering her this time, allowing her to grow used to the intrusion. The sight of my finger sliding into her pussy was the best.

I dragged my eyes up, catching Aria watching my hand. “Look at me.”

Aria cast her eyes up.

“You are so wet and soft and tight. You can’t imagine how fucking good this feels,” I told her. The tip of my cock dug into her thigh, leaking pre-cum all over her smooth skin. I kissed her, tangling my tongue with hers as I kept finger-fucking her gently. This time, when I pulled my finger out, Aria let out a huff.

Chuckling, I knelt between her legs and entered her with my middle finger. It slid in as easily as my little finger had done. I watched Aria’s face as her walls encased it. When I began swirling my tongue around her clit, Aria threw her legs open, giving me better access. Smiling against her pussy, I licked and sucked her as I slid in and out of her. Aria’s thighs began quivering and then she jerked under me, rewarding me with her release. Would the sight of her coming apart ever not lodge my breath in my throat?

Fuck me.

Wiping my mouth, I climbed back up, kissed her cute belly button and stretched out beside her. Aria ran her fingertips over my slick tip.

I thrust up with a groan. “I want your mouth on me.”

Aria gave me a look as if I’d asked her to chew on broken glass. I almost laughed again, but I could tell that her mind was already going a hundred miles an hour worrying about my request.

“Is this because you don’t want to, or because you don’t know how?” I asked. “You can jerk me off like last time.” I stroked her hair, searching her eyes for a clue about her feelings. I really wanted to come in her mouth, but not if she gave me this panicked look. I’d feel as if I were molesting her.

“No, I mean, I think I want to do it.”

“You think? But?”

Aria tilted her head to the side in contemplation. “What if I don’t like it?”

I really hoped that wouldn’t be the case. “Then you don’t. I won’t force you.”

Aria leaned down, bringing her mouth closer to my cock. My fingers in her hair tightened, and it took me all my willpower not to guide her head down. Aria paused with a small laugh, casting those baby blues up in embarrassment. “I don’t know what to do.”

Fuck. My cock twitched. Aria laughed again, this time without restraint, and I couldn’t help but grin. “You like to torture me with your innocence, don’t you?”

Aria blew against my cock, causing me to twitch again. I felt like a goddamn teenager. “I don’t think that’s why it’s called blow job, right?” Aria asked, biting her lower lip playfully, her eyes full of mischief.

A laugh burst out of me. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d felt this…at peace. “You’re going to be the death of me, principessa.”

Again, principessa. Fuck if I cared that sweet talking to Aria made me look weak. Anyone who thought I wasn’t still the same brutal asshole than before would get a taste of my monstrous side.

“Don’t laugh. I don’t want to do something wrong.”

“Do you want me to tell you what to do?” I asked.

Aria nodded.

“Okay,” I said, trying to relax against the pillows. “Close your lips around the tip and be careful with your teeth. I don’t mind it a bit rougher, but don’t chew on it.”

Aria snorted in the most undignified way ever, but then she became very quiet. I could tell that she was nervous, which she really didn’t have to be. I knew she didn’t have any experience and didn’t expect her to blow my mind with her skills. The way my balls were already throbbing, I’d probably shoot my load the second her lips touched my fucking dick.

When Aria didn’t budge, I stroked her scalp until I cupped the back of her head. Again I had to fight the urge to push her down like I would have done with my past fuck buddies. Finally, Aria closed her lips around my tip. The sight of my cock in her mouth was the best thing I’d ever seen. All I wanted was to thrust upwards and bury myself in her.

“Now swirl your tongue around it.” Aria’s brows furrowed as she tried to move around my thick head. “Yes, just like that.” She slowly got the hang of it, and I gave her the time she needed, wanting her to learn enjoying this. “Take a bit more of me into your mouth and move your head up and down. Now suck as you move. Yes, fuck.” This felt amazing, because seeing Aria turned me on like nothing ever had. I thrust up without thinking about it. Aria flinched away when I hit the back of her throat. She coughed, eyes watering.

“Fuck, sorry,” I rasped. I stroked Aria’s lips before I settled back once more. “I’ll try to stay still.”

Aria surprised me by licking my entire length, base to tip. She paused. “Is that okay?”

“Fuck yes.”

She began licking my dick as if it were a popsicle, and fuck it felt good. My balls tightened. “This feels really fucking good, but I really want to come.”

Aria peered up at me. “What do you need me to do?”

“Suck me harder, and keep looking at me with your fucking beautiful eyes.”

Aria began working my cock in earnest now, her cheeks hollowing as she sucked me harder while her fingers tightened around my base. Pleasure built in my balls. Fuck, so good. I wouldn’t last much longer. “If you don’t want to swallow, you need to get away,” I got out.

Aria pulled away, and I came all over my stomach and thighs. My eyes fell shut as I drew in a ragged breath, my cock still twitching. I rubbed my fingertips along Aria’s scalp then began to pull away to reach for a tissue. Aria grabbed my hand and leaned into the touch.

I opened my eyes in surprise. Having her cheek pressed against my palm felt good. Her eyes searched my face nervously, as if she worried that I would refuse her. I stroked her cheekbone and, slowly, her lips pulled into a grateful smile. My stomach filled with warmth. I tore my gaze away from my lovely wife and took in the sticky mess I’d made. “I need a fucking shower.” I wiped away the worst of it with a tissue before I slid out of bed before I could get my cum all over the sheets.

Aria rolled over to her side, positioning her arms and legs so she was covered.

Did she think I’d leave her lying there? “Come on. I don’t want to shower alone.” Aria quickly took my hand and I pulled her with me into the bathroom.

I turned on the water, then stepped under the hot stream. I tugged Aria against my body and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. She beamed up at me like I’d given her an expensive gift. I began washing her, enjoying the feel of her skin under my hands. Aria relaxed, her eyes closing. I’d never washed another person, never felt the urge to do it. I embraced her from behind, then bent low until my mouth was close to her ear.

“So was it okay for you?”

Aria nodded with a sheepish smile. “Yeah.”

I pressed a kiss to her throat, my arms tightening around her middle. “I’m glad, because I really enjoy being in your mouth.”

Aria turned red but I could tell that she was pleased. Had she been worried I wouldn’t enjoy it?

She tilted her head to glance up at me. “Are you angry that I didn’t, you know, swallow? I bet the women you’ve been with so far always did.”

She was right, but I’d never warned a woman before. They’d been able to tell the signs of my orgasm and could have pulled back if they’d wanted. They never did though. “No, I’m not angry,” I said honestly. “I won’t lie, I’d love to come in your mouth, but if you don’t want that, it’s okay.”

I really hoped Aria would give it a try and enjoy it.

Ten minutes later, we returned to bed. It was close to midnight and I had an early day ahead of me, but sleep deprivation was definitely worth it. Aria snuggled up to me and put her cheek against my chest. I turned off the light then wrapped my arm around her. How could this feel so right? As if it had never been different?

I wasn’t even sure where exactly I’d dropped my gun. I always knew where I had my weapons when I was around other people, but with Aria…I just didn’t feel the need.

“When your father told you to marry me, what was your reaction?” Aria’s voice drew me out of my thoughts.

I wondered what she expected me to say. “I’d expected it. I knew I’d have to marry for tactical reasons. As future Capo, you can’t let emotions or desires rule any part of your life.”

Aria didn’t say anything. I was glad for the dark, because I knew she would have looked for something in my eyes again, something that would never be there. “And what about you?”

Aria exhaled. “I was terrified.”

“You were only fifteen. Of course you were terrified.” She’d been so young and innocent. She was still too innocent for me.

“I was still terrified on the day of our marriage. I’m still not entirely sure you don’t terrify me.”

This side of me, the side Aria got to see, it was one no one got to see. It was as gentle as I could ever be and she was still scared of me? “I told you, you have no reason to fear me. I’ll protect and take care of you. I’ll give you anything you want and need.”

She only had to ask. Father didn’t give a fuck how much money I spent. We had more than enough, and soon everything would be mine anyway.

“But the Famiglia always comes first. If you had to kill me to protect the business, you would.”

My fingers on her waist clamped up in shock.

Born in Blood. Sworn in Blood.

I could practically feel the sting of the tattoo needle when the motto of the Famiglia had been inked into my chest.

I’d sworn my life to the Famiglia. Becoming their Capo, leading my men, was the future I’d been raised for, the future I lived for. Every breath I’d taken so far, every life I’d ended, every wound I’d suffered had brought me closer to my goal. There had been nothing else in my life. Before Aria, my first thought when I got up in the morning had been about business, and so had been my last before I’d fallen asleep.

I’d never considered that something or someone could ever share the spotlight with the Famiglia, that anything could ever matter at all in comparison to my life as a Made Man.

Love is a weakness a Capo can’t afford. My father’s words rang loud and clear in my head. I’d always rolled my eyes when he’d uttered them, convinced that they were a waste of time and effort considering that I was incapable of giving the slightest shit about a woman.

Yet, the woman in my arms had wormed her way into my thoughts—and worse, my heart. More than once I’d caught myself thinking of her while being away for business.

This wasn’t love. I wasn’t capable of love. This was…I wasn’t sure. I cared about Aria. I wanted to protect her, wanted to keep one woman in my life safe.

It wasn’t love, but it was more than my father would ever tolerate. If he found out my wife wasn’t just a fuck thing for me, a beautiful trophy I paraded around, then he’d make sure to erase what he considered a risk from my life.

Aria’s body had softened in my hold, and her breathing evened out. I buried my nose in her hair, breathing in her vanilla scent. She’d be safer if I treated her with cold detachment, if I made her hate me. It would be so easy to get her hate. Nothing was easier. I’d only have to take what was mine without consideration, without care. But the idea of doing so, of having Aria watch me the way my mother and Nina watched my father, it turned my stomach to ice.

Fuck.