Fragile Longing

by Cora Reilly

  For so long I’d felt inadequate, but looking at Danilo now as he drank in my body, I didn’t doubt his desire for me.

  Danilo shook his head. “I wish you could see yourself through my eyes only once, then you’d never doubt my desire for you again.”

  I stifled a smile as he voiced part of my thoughts.

  Danilo bowed low over me and kissed me. I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, glad to have his body shielding me. He stroked my side, the touch careful and loving. His lips met mine again, and soon his kiss became hungrier, more demanding, and my body sprang to life at the feel of him on top of me, from his kiss and his warm palm against my side. He pulled out of our kiss and locked gazes with me. “I want you, Sofia.”

  My heart lurched because his eyes proved his words right. He desired me physically, and beyond that, also emotionally. I could feel it, and this realization settled like a balm over all the wounds from the past. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I’m ready. Just be careful.”

  Danilo’s eyes flashed with guilt and softened. He stroked along my throat until his fingers tangled in my hair. The gentle touch made me shudder and goosebumps covered my skin. “Trust me, I’ll take all the time you need.”

  I nodded. I trusted him. His kisses were gentle. His hands trailed down my body, discovering every inch of my arms and sides almost reverently, calming me with every stroke. His innocent touch didn’t leave me unaffected. Despite the innocent nature of his strokes, my core soon heated with a deeper need, a need for more.

  Danilo’s mouth slid over mine leisurely before moving lower. He trailed soft kisses on my chin and throat before his lips graced the swell of my breasts. My nipples hardened immediately, straining against the thin material of my bra. Danilo released a low hum then traced the edge of my neckline with the tip of his tongue. My nipples ached for attention, almost painfully erect, and a pulsating feeling took hold of my center. I needed more. I’d waited so long for Danilo’s touch, for his desire and attention, and now that I had it, it was like an aphrodisiac, a drug I couldn’t get enough of.

  “So beautiful,” Danilo murmured as he placed a light kiss on my nipple through the fabric. I sucked in my breath, my hand flying to the back of his head.

  “Danilo.” The needy note in my voice didn’t leave any doubt as to what I needed. Danilo stroked his palms down my sides and slipped them under my back, opening my bra. I helped him by briefly sitting up so he could remove my bra, but then I reclined back on the plush carpet to allow Danilo a view of me. His hungry eyes took in my naked breasts and my insides somersaulted at the obvious desire he felt for me. It wasn’t the first time he was seeing my breasts but every time he did, he looked as if it were the very first time. The bulge in his pants was unmistakable now.

  Danilo shook his head as if he needed to get out of a trance. He hovered over me and brushed his thumb across my nipple. I bit my lip at the tingling sensation spreading from my chest all the way to the sweet spot between my legs. My panties stuck to me. He rubbed my nipple slowly, all the while watching me. Despite the heat in my cheeks, I kept my gaze on him. His eyes locked on mine, and with a dangerous smile curling his gorgeous mouth, he bent over my breast and darted his tongue out, the tip nudging my nipple. My lips parted. Finally, his mouth closed around my nipple and he sucked it into his mouth. Pleasure radiated through every inch of my body as he sucked and kneaded at the same time with his other hand. His teeth closed around my nipples, startling me. He tugged lightly, then harder. I dug my nails into the rug at the hot need pulsating between my legs with every tug of his teeth. He released my tender nipple and circled it soothingly with his tongue before drawing it into his mouth to suckle gently on it. I mewled. My panties were completely drenched, so when Danilo’s hand slipped down my body, I tensed in embarrassment.

  “Relax,” he rasped against my nipple. Then his words turned into a low growl as his fingers stroked over my soaked panties. “Are you wet for me?”

  “Nobody else around,” I said. I wasn’t even sure why. Usually my brain-to-mouth filter was intact, but Danilo’s mouth on my chest and between my legs had caused a major leak, in more than one sense. I let out an embarrassed laugh. I was absolute shit at sexy talk, obviously.

  For a moment, Danilo stared at me as if I’d grown a second head, then he chuckled and brushed his lips across mine with a daring smile. His fingers slid across my temple. “But I don’t know who’s in there.”

  Of course, my brain jumped straight to wondering who was in Danilo’s head while we made out, but his next words dispersed my worries at once. His gaze captured mine, his brown eyes so intense and all-consuming that my breath got stuck inside my chest. “You haunt my nights and days, and no matter what I do, I can’t get you out of my head.”

  “I do?”

  “Yeah,” he murmured. “I can’t stop thinking about your sexy body and all the things I want to do with it. You’re driving me completely insane with desire, Sofia.”

  I gripped his neck and pulled him in for another kiss. “You are the only one in my head. I want you.”

  Danilo kissed me harder before his mouth traveled down my body to latch onto my nipple again.

  He slid his finger under my panties, brushing over my heated flesh. I squeezed my eyes shut to focus on the sensations of the touch. When the pad of his finger graced my clit, it was as if parts of my body I hadn’t been aware of came alive. I panted, one hand clutching the back of his neck to hold him in place against my breasts and the other fisting the sheepskin almost desperately.

  “I need to taste you,” Danilo growled and pulled away from my chest despite my attempts to keep him there. “Last night wasn’t nearly enough.” The knowing smile he gave me made me giggle but I fell silent when he slid down my panties and tossed them aside. The cool air hit my heated skin, stirring up my need even more. Danilo’s eyes trailed down my body with what looked like reverence.

  Danilo gently parted my legs.

  “I want to see you as well,” I breathed out.

  He dragged his sweater over his head. He was so unbelievably sexy. Every inch of his chest was defined and the fine trail of dark hairs disappearing in his pants almost drove me to the brink.

  “Your pants,” I reminded him.

  He shook his head, focused on my pussy. “First I’m going to get what I want.”

  My core clenched in anticipation. All the fear, worry, and doubt flew out of my mind as my body took over, and I let it, delirious with the freedom it brought.

  Sofia lay before me like a goddess, her legs parted, allowing me a beautiful view at her pretty pussy. Her clit was swollen and red, desperate for attention. Her pussy lips and ass cheeks glistened with her lust for me. Fuck. My body screamed to really make her mine, to sink myself into this gorgeous woman.

  Instead, I traced her inner thigh with my index finger, slowly inching to the outside of her pussy lips. I’d longed to do this for weeks now. Every time I’d pleasured her with the vibrator, my body had screamed to taste, to feel, to sink into her.

  Last night had been a start, a brief taste of my sexy wife. I needed more.

  She clenched and her little nub seemed to swell even more. I groaned, my eyes seeking Sofia’s. She flushed but didn’t look away. “I can’t wait to eat your beautiful pussy again.”

  She bit her lip, eyes flashing with a hunger that went straight to my dick. I climbed between her legs and settled in. I braced myself on my elbows and parted her thighs even further to give me better access and a splendid view. Last night, I hadn’t been able to make out every beautiful detail of her pussy like I could now. Knowing Sofia was watching, I slowly licked a wet trail from her perky ass cheek to the little valley between her labia and inner thigh. Her need for me trickled out and I darted my tongue out and licked it off her crack. She gasped, her pussy clenching with need.

  “Danilo,” she whispered. “Please.”

  Fuck, she sounded as if my mouth was her salvation. She’d soon realize my to
ngue was better than any device. I’d eat her every day. Our eyes met again, and a sense of stark possession filled me at the sight of her gorgeous, needy face. Her lips were parted, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes begging me for more. “Do you want the vibrator?”

  A quick shake of her head.

  “Or do you want me to lick your pussy, gorgeous? To lick it deep and hard until you come on my tongue?”

  “Yes,” she said breathlessly.

  How could I deny her? How could I deny myself this fucking delicious treat? She smelled divine. I pressed the barest kiss to her engorged clit. Again, a clench and a sharp intake of breath. Her fingers tangled in my hair, almost painfully. I decided to stop the teasing. Sofia was already wet and ready for more.

  Casting my eyes up to watch her face, I licked her little pearl with slow, deliberate licks, circling it with the tip of my tongue, applying only a whisper of pressure. I was rewarded with a shaky moan. I nuzzled her with my lips, exploring her soft folds with my tongue, tasting her. I dived between her lips and took a long lick up to her clit, taking my time so she could feel every nerve-ending in her beautiful pussy. But I needed more. Fuck, I wasn’t sure who of us needed this more. My mouth closed around her clit and I sucked, making her arch off the plush sheepskin with a moan. I reached up, catching her nipple between my fingers and tugging hard. It pebbled, and Sofia shoved her pussy against my face almost desperately, crying out. I pulled away to bring her down again, not wanting to make her come too quickly.

  “You like it better when I suck you?” I asked, resting my cheek on her soft thigh. I wanted to give her everything she desired. Last night had been fueled by primal hunger and I hadn’t paid nearly enough attention to her body’s reaction, even though her orgasm had been a good indicator of her enjoying it.

  “No,” she said.

  I raised my brows. A few months of celibacy didn’t make me such a bad judge of a woman’s body, did it?

  “Both,” she panted. “I like both.”

  I chuckled. “Let’s find out what else you like.”

  She gave an eager nod, making me laugh again. But then I became serious as my lips found her clit again. I circled her with the tip of my tongue. Her approving nod told me her verdict. I dipped lower and pushed my tongue into her, enjoying the tight hold of her walls around me as I fucked her with my tongue.

  “Oh God,” she whispered, beginning to shake. I pulled away and kissed her thigh, taking my time to discover her before I focused on her pussy once more. Long licks with the flat of my tongue brought her close again, but much slower than before. She was so aroused the barest touch of her clit would set her off like a firecracker. I alternated between thrusts and flicks of my tongue until her entire body was racked with tremors and her fingers tugged sharply at my scalp. With a throaty cry, Sofia’s back bowed and she came. I watched her lust-filled face, my mouth still buried in her pussy, feasting on her as she shuddered through her release.

  She twitched and tried to push me away. Chuckling, I kissed her swollen pussy and crawled up her body, savoring the look of satisfaction on her face. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open and the look in them was stab and balm at once. Trust and love. I wasn’t sure how a girl like her, so full of goodness, could love me. Not even because of all that I was—a murderer and criminal. It was one thing to sin against strangers or enemies, but I’d sinned against my own wife, someone I was supposed to protect from the day of our engagement. Instead, I’d run with my pride and bathed in self-loathing, hurting her in the process. That she was still willing to allow tenderness for me showed how kind-hearted she was. I’d long thought that I’d been bested, that Sofia had made a steal by marrying me in her sister’s stead, but now I realized it was the other way around.

  Where I was prideful, Sofia was humble.

  Where I was vengeful, she was forgiving.

  Where I was short-tempered, she was patient.

  Sofia was too good for me, and that only made me want her only more—like a magpie drawn in by her shiny light.

  I wasn’t sure how long I’d been staring at her, but slowly her expression morphed to confusion and uncertainty, probably already looking for faults in her own actions or even herself, when it was me she should turn to when looking for flaws.

  There were so many things I should have said, so many things I wanted to say, but again my pride held me back. Instead, I kissed her with all the passion still simmering under my skin and growled, “I want you, Sofia. I want nothing more.”

  I smiled despite my nerves. I’d been dreaming about this day, about this moment for years.

  Danilo kissed me again before he got up and slid down his pants and boxers. I’d seen him naked before and, as always, a wave appreciation overwhelmed me, drowning out most of my anxiety. That didn’t last long, though. The moment Danilo settled between my legs, it returned with full force.

  Danilo cradled my face, holding my gaze. “Relax for me, beautiful.” Our eyes locked and slowly my body relaxed. His hand slid between my thighs and his touch quickly reminded me of the pleasure I’d felt before.

  My body sprang to life when Danilo touched me. Soon, I was slick and ready. Danilo’s face hovered close to mine and he didn’t look away from my eyes once.

  I smiled, his warmth and care surrounding me. For the first time, I felt truly seen by Danilo, as if he saw beyond what I wasn’t and really noticed me for who I was. And even better than that, he seemed to like the real me.

  His lips found mine and then he shifted. He eased into me. None of the expected pain came as he slowly slid into me, taking his time to give my body the chance to grow used to the intrusion. I exhaled at the feeling of utter fullness. Danilo didn’t move, only kissed me gently, brows drawn together in concern. I tightened my hold on him and finally he moved. With every thrust, he seemed to bring us closer, not just physically but also emotionally, as if one barrier after the other was lowered until nothing was left between us. I didn’t allow fear of the emotional closeness to take root. I lived in the moment, in the feel of our united bodies. It was better than all my fantasies because it was real and perfect even with its small imperfections.

  My eyes were locked on Sofia’s gorgeous face, on the way her pouty lips parted for another moan. I stroked away the strands of hair sticking to her forehead. Her breathing hitched again. Her walls fisted me tightly, giving me pleasure beyond measure. I thrust harder and lifted one of her legs over my back to change the angle. I needed to feel more of her.

  Sofia gasped, a mix of pain and pleasure.

  My movements became uncontrolled and I thrust into her harder. Her nails scraped along my back, her breath hitching. I knew she wouldn’t come, and so I allowed myself to let loose, to lose myself in Sofia. My balls tightened and I pounded into her, until finally I exploded.

  Sofia’s eyes widened.

  I kissed her cheek then her mouth, trying to catch my breath. “Are you okay?” I met her gaze and was rewarded with an exhausted smile.

  “Yeah.”

  Pushing off Sofia, I carefully slid out of her and stretched out beside her. She snuggled close to me.

  This felt perfect, feeling her body against mine. I wrapped my arms around her, wanting her even closer.

  I kissed her temple, my fingers stroking the soft skin of her arm. The fire crackled in the fireplace and Sofia released a soft sigh.

  “This was perfect.”

  “I’m glad you think so. I had a lot to make up for.”

  She looked up. “It was my fault, too. You couldn’t have known it was me.”

  It was the first time she’d said it. It eased some of my guilt. Not all of it, though. “It’s not just that. I was an idiot for a long time.”

  She didn’t contradict me, and I chuckled.

  “That’s the past, I prefer to focus on the present.”

  “I wish I had your ability to let the past rest.”

  She peered up. “What do you mean?”

  The hint of uncertainty in her voice told m
e she thought I was referring to Serafina. “My desire to get revenge on Remo Falcone. I can’t let it drop. Whenever I hear his name or think about him, this insatiable need to destroy him arises. It’s all about my pride.”

  “Hmm. Maybe you feel that you never got the chance for closure because Remo and my sister managed to escape.”

  I nodded. “Still, I should be able to let it pass. Things are going amazing for me. I have a wonderful wife and business is thriving. I long for nothing, and yet . . .”

  “You want revenge,” Sofia mused, stroking my arm.

  “Yeah,” I murmured, then my lips twisted. “Not the most romantic topic right now.”

  Sofia shook her head with a smile. “I always appreciate you sharing personal details with me. After being so close to you physically, it feels good to get closer to you emotionally as well.”

  “Aren’t we close emotionally?” I asked. I’d tried to open up to her a bit more every day. I had always been a man who dealt with things on his own and didn’t talk about emotions, so sharing this part of me with others didn’t come easily.

  “We are, but like you said, it takes time to really get to know each other.”

  “We have time.”

  She rolled over until we were both facing the fireplace and my cock was nestled against her firm butt. She arched into me with a soft laugh.

  “I should warn you now that I’ve had you, I’ll want you every day, Mrs. Mancini.”

  “I love it when you call me that,” she admitted.

  I smiled against her hair. “I love that you have my name, that you’re mine.”

  She nodded and covered my hand with hers.

  At the feel of Sofia’s ass against me, blood gathered in my cock.

  Sofia snuggled even closer, making me groan. She laughed. “We still have a few days and plenty of places to test out.”