Keeping My Bride by Angela Snyder

Chapter 38

Luca

THE NEXT MORNING, I wake up with Verona curled up in my arms. I’ve never slept with a woman in the same bed before, so at first I’m confused and disoriented by her warmth enveloping me. I stare down at the top of her head and study her beautiful face and the way her long, dark lashes are fanned out over her cheeks.

God, she’s beautiful, I think to myself.

Something changed between the two of us last night. To know that I’m her first for everything, that she trusted me enough to give up her virginity makes me feel…I don’t know…protective of her. And it’s more than just a possessive feeling like I don’t want anyone else to play with my toy. No, I want to protect her in a way that makes me want to kill anyone for looking at her the wrong way.

Sure, I still view her father as my enemy. But just like Benito told me the other night, Verona is innocent, just like my mother was. I need to stop taking my anger out on people who don’t deserve it. And Verona definitely doesn’t deserve that.

I pull her closer to me and kiss the top of her head. She doesn’t even stir. No, she’s fucking exhausted. And she has good reason to be. I couldn’t get enough of her last night. I would wake up with my cock aching for her or my tongue watering for a taste of her. I devoured her pussy too many times to count. And the way I was able to just wring orgasm after orgasm out of her made me feel like a powerful sorcerer. She came for me on my command. Only me.

I pull her impossibly closer, my cock longing to be inside of her again even though I had her several times last night. I know I need to give her a break today. I have no doubt that she’ll be sore when she wakes up.

But as soon as she’s ready, I’ll have her again and again and again. Last night wasn’t enough to quench my thirst. I’m practically starving for her.

Reluctantly, I roll her over to the other side of the bed and slowly crawl out. I stare around the bedroom. It’s opulent; there’s no doubt about that. But it’s time for a change. Knowing that she’s in here all alone every night is no longer an option for me. I need her close. Having her in my arms last night and waking up with her in them this morning was an indescribable feeling, and I need to experience it more than once.

I dress quickly and fish my cell phone out of my pocket, texting Benito some instructions. And then, after looking longingly back at Verona one last time, I return to my room for a much-needed shower. Even though I would love to, I can’t stay in bed with her all day long, ravishing her. She needs a break from me even though I know I won’t be able to give her much of one.