Buttons and Pain

by Penelope Sky

  “What happened to never getting married?”

  I rubbed my nose against hers. “I could ask you the same thing.”

  “I said I wouldn’t get married because I would never trust a man. But I trust you, Crow.”

  I never got tired of seeing that love and devotion in her eyes. The more she adored me, the harder I fell.

  “I just hope you understand what you’re getting into it.”

  I stared at her and waited for an elaboration.

  She massaged my shoulders with her small fingertips. “I’m gonna cook mac and cheese pretty often, so you better develop a palate for it.”

  The corner of my lip rose in a smile.

  “I like to sleep in so you’re going to have to go get used to not being up at the crack of dawn on the weekends.”

  My smile only grew.

  “I want to see the world. And you’re going to take me.” She ran her fingers up the back of my neck and into my hair. “Can you handle that?”

  I pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “I can handle anything—even you.”

  “Good. Looks like I said yes to the right man.”

  “I never asked, Button. You didn’t have a choice.” Even if she said no I’d make her marry me anyway. She was a part of my life. She was a part of my soul.

  “We both know you always give me the choice.” She wrapped her legs around my waist and pulled me closer to her, wanting me inside her again. My cock had hardened during our conversation and she could feel it pressed against her. But now she wanted more.

  I always wanted to keep my dominate side because it was the only life I knew. But Button did supernatural things to me. She was right in every assumption she made. I was wrapped tightly around her finger, possessed and owned.

  And she knew it.

  ***

  Lars knocked on the bedroom door. “Your Grace, Cane is here to see you.”

  Button and I lay on a blanket in front of the fireplace. We migrated around the room and made love on every piece of furniture before we took a break in front of the fire. Our naked bodies were wrapped around one another as we stared into each other’s eyes. The button on her ring reflected the bright light of the fire, shining like an ethereal glow.

  The last thing I wanted was to be disturbed. “Tell him I’m busy.”

  Lars didn’t walk away from the door. “You know your bother, sir. He’ll hang around until you find the time.”

  I loved my brother but I also hated him at the same time. He never called to let me know he was stopping by. He just came and went whenever he pleased. “I’ll be right there.”

  “Very well, Your Grace.” Lars finally walked down the hallway.

  Button ran her hand up my naked chest. “Make it quick. Your fiancé is waiting.” The playfulness burned in her eyes as she stroked my chest with her fingertips.

  I kissed her and pulled her bottom lip into my mouth. I gave her a gentle nip before I pulled away. “I won’t keep you waiting long. But you better not start without me.” I pulled on a pair of jeans that were sitting on the floor and a t-shirt.

  She pulled the blanket further over her shoulder and laid back on the pillow. “I can’t promise anything…”

  My cock stirred in my jeans at the thought of her touching herself and waiting for me to return. I’d already fucked her countless times today but I couldn’t get enough. My dick was about to break off but that didn’t stop me.

  I left the bedroom and ventured downstairs to the entryway. Cane was sitting on the couch with a glass of scotch in hand. Appetizers that Lars prepared sat on the table along with a few coasters. I told Lars not to bother when it came to Cane but he did it anyway. “What do you want?”

  Cane downed the rest of his glass before he stood up. “For a guy who just got engaged, you’re awfully cranky.”

  “I said, what do you want?”

  “What do you mean?” he snapped. “How did it go?”

  “How did what go?” I asked.

  “Uh, the proposal? What else could I be talking about?”

  Cane was so nosey he could easily be our mother. “She said yes—obviously. Why else would I be upstairs having sex with her all day, every day?”

  “So she liked the ring?”

  “She loved it.” I sat on the opposite couch and rested my ankle on the opposite knee.

  Cane took a seat across from me. “Want to know something funny?”

  No. I just wanted him to leave.

  “The day we left to go get the ring, she said the two of you would never get married.”

  Both of my eyebrows rose. “Really?”

  “Well, she said you weren’t the marriage type. I had to stop myself from laughing right in her face.”

  “At least I caught her by surprise.”

  “So.” He rubbed his palms together. “When’s the wedding?”

  “Not sure. We haven’t talked about it. It’ll probably be in the vineyard or something. Something small.”

  “I’ll be the best man, right?”

  Hell no. “We won’t be doing that. We’ll just get hitched and sign the paperwork. Then we’ll go on a nice honeymoon.”

  “Uh…aren’t you forgetting something?”

  If he thought he was coming along, he was sadly mistaken.

  “What about Bones? Isn’t taking him out our priority?”

  “Yes. But I’m only going to have a honeymoon once, Cane. You can keep working while I’m gone.”

  “Just don’t make it too long. You don’t want someone to see you abroad and tell Bones about it. You’ll be vulnerable and alone.”

  “We’ll probably be inside all day anyway.” Button and I preferred to explore each other than our surroundings.

  Cane winked. “I feel ya.”

  I rose to my feet again and dismissed the conversation. “If we’re done, I have somewhere to be.”

  “Oh, I bet you do.”

  As I walked around the couch behind him I smacked him across the back of the head with my palm.

  “Ouch.” He leaned forward and rubbed his head. “What the hell was that for?”

  “That was my polite way of asking you to leave.”

  ***

  Her ass hung over the bed and my face was pressed between her legs. I kissed her clitoris and sucked it vigorously into my mouth until she screamed my name. She had the sweetest pussy and the most arousing scent. I could eat her pussy all day—and for the rest of my life.

  When she finished I rose from my knees and leaned over her. With cheeks red and warm, she looked like she’d been thoroughly satisfied for the night. No matter how many times I pleased her she always wanted more. But maybe she finally reached her limit for the night.

  “Want to marry me tomorrow?”

  She froze at the question, her eyes wide with surprise. “What?”

  “You and me outside in the vineyards. I can have a priest come from the next town and marry us.”

  “Really?” She held herself up on her elbows. The satisfaction slowly faded from her chees as she looked at me.

  “Why wait?” We never talked about it, but I assumed we wouldn’t have a traditional wedding with guests and a feast. I figured it would just be the two of us with Lars and Cane. Something simple.

  “But I don’t have a dress.”

  “I’ll take you to Rome.”

  “But you can’t see the dress. Maybe Italians do it differently, but in America it’s bad luck.”

  “Well, you aren’t in America,” I reminded her. “And I won’t go into the shop with you. I’ll just stand guard outside. I feel more comfortable going with you than letting someone else keep an eye on you.”

  “Oh my god…”

  “What?”

  “We’re getting married tomorrow.” She sat up and gripped the crooks of my arms. “I can’t believe it.”

  A part of me couldn’t believe it either. But when I looked at her, everything made sense.

  “We better get going then. I have
a lot of shopping to do.” She hopped off the bed and pulled on her jeans and whatever shirt she could find off the ground. “I’m not even sure what I want. Strapless, not strapless…I don’t know.”

  The corner of my lip rose as I watched her. Seeing her excitement over our nuptials just made me look forward to it even more. “Then let’s get going.”

  ***

  “Nervous?” Cane came beside me in his black suit. He had a grin on his face that wouldn’t fade, and that knowing look was in his eyes.

  “No.” I was never nervous.

  “Can I take a moment to say I’m right?” He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at me.

  “Right about what?”

  “About Pearl. You loved her and I knew it.”

  Wasn’t exactly the ideal conversation to have on my wedding day. “Cane?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Shut up.”

  He smiled and rolled his eyes at the same time. “Since it’s your day, I’ll let that go.”

  I faced the cedar doors and waited for Button to emerge. A harpist was off to the side to play the traditional Italian wedding song, and the priest was on my other side. I was raised Catholic and my mom would flip if an Italian priest didn’t marry me.

  Lars adjusted my tie for the fifth time even though nothing was wrong with it. “Can I say something, Your Grace?”

  “Of course.”

  “I’m very happy for you. Pearl is lovely, and I know your lives together will be beautiful. I’m honored to witness this day.” Lars didn’t engage in personal conversation with me often, and the only way he showed his emotion was by the detailed way he took care of the house. But he knew he was a part of the Barsetti family.

  “Thank you. That means a lot.”

  Lars nodded before he stepped aside.

  Cane continued to stare at the door. “What’s taking her so long?”

  “She’s marrying me so she can take however damn long she wants.” I would wait a lifetime for her.

  “Just a head’s up.” He leaned toward me and lowered his voice. “I got a peek of her in the house. Let’s just say…she looks pretty damn good.”

  “Shocking.” Like Button could look anything but gorgeous at any point in time.

  The harpist began to play, and I knew that was cue to shut up. The wooden door creaked open as Button stepped out in a long ivory gown. A handful of wild flowers were in her hand, picked from my acres of land, and lace strung with buttons had been beautifully placed in her hair.

  The moment she was on the path her eyes locked to mine and that same look of everlasting love was there. She walked slowly to the music, taking her time even though she was anxious to get to me as quickly as possible.

  Her train dragged on the ground and made a gently noise as it was pulled behind her. Her make up was done differently but not overbearing like I thought it may look. Just as perfect as the day I saw her, she looked like a vision.

  And she was all mine.

  She reached me and handed the flowers off to Cane without looking at him. Her eyes were only on me, that gentle smile still on her lips.

  “You look beautiful.” I took her hand and guided her to face the priest. Her hand was scorching in mine, showing her nervousness for the first time. We stood side by side and performed the ceremony of our marriage. When it was time for the rings, I slipped on the ordinary gold ring next to the one she already wore. Her button on the top took focus over the plain band, and the combination was perfect for her.

  Then she took my ring from Cane and slipped it onto my finger. It was the first time I’d seen it, and I was curious what she would pick out for me. The band was solid black and thin, but on closer examination I saw the marked holes that looked identical to the kind seen on buttons. That’s when I realized the band was made of a combination of buttons, melted down and forged into the wedding ring I now wore.

  My eyes immediately moved to hers, and I truly felt moved.

  Tears were bubbling in her eyes but she didn’t wipe them away. Instead, she took a deep breath so her emotions wouldn’t run wild.

  My entire life I couldn’t picture myself wearing a ring, especially a wedding ring. But now that it was on my finger I didn’t want to take it off. It was an integral part of me, something that had been missing until now. It didn’t just represent my marriage and devotion to this woman. It represented more than that. I took an emotional journey the moment she walked into my life, and she showed me I was a much better man than I gave myself credit for.

  Button knew I loved it just by looking at the expression on my face.

  The ceremony was performed in Italian but Button was able to pick on most of it. When it was her turn to complete the exchange she said I do in Italian, and I did as well. The ceremony happened in the blink of an eye and then it was over. Then it was finally time for the best part.

  Kissing the bride.

  Button smiled as she waited for it, for the first kiss we would share as husband and wife. That knowing look was in her eyes, like she knew how much I wanted to kiss her, probably even more than she did.

  I pulled her closer into my arms then cupped her face. Like I had a hundred times, I kissed her. But this one was different. I told this woman I loved her without saying it with words. I told her I would be nothing without her, that she was the single most important thing in the world. I pledged my loyalty and my life eternally—forever.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Pearl

  We arrived in Mykonos and checked into our hotel. It was on the tip of the island, curved inwards so we could see the beautiful white buildings with blue roofs that I’d seen countless times in photos and in film.

  The flight was short but so far the trip hadn’t felt romantic. A detail of five guards followed us everywhere we went, trailing behind us with guns stowed away inside their heavy coats.

  We entered our room and finally shut the door behind us.

  “Is it really necessary to have them follow us around?”

  Crow set our suitcases off to the side then gripped my hips with his strong hands. “Just ignore them, Button.”

  “But don’t you think they’re drawing more attention to us than if we were here alone?”

  He pressed his forehead to mine, his gentle touch scorching me. “If it were just me, I would risk it. But with you, I can’t afford to take risks.” He kissed my temple before he stepped away, his black wedding ring made of buttons still on his finger. “Do you like the room?”

  I snorted because the question was ridiculous.

  He turned back and looked at me, an eyebrow raised.

  “Crow, the room is beautiful. It’s like a damn palace. And this place is beautiful. I just wish it was just us.”

  “I’m sorry, Button.” He opened the back doors and let the sea air blow inside. “Until Bones is dead, this is how it has to be.” He stepped onto the spacious balcony and looked across the water. Sailboats and yachts sprinkled the coast, and the sun hit the roofs of the buildings just right, making the sunlight reflect back into the open sea.

  I came to his side and looked across the beauty of Greece. “It’s beautiful here.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  “Have you been here before?”

  “I’ve been to the mainland, but not this island.”

  “So, it’s a first for both of us.”

  “Yes.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. “A first of many.” His lips brushed against my hairline before he squeezed my waist. “What would you like to do first? The town has a lot of small shops that you’ll like. Or we can go to the beach and dig our feet into the sand.”

  I wanted to go sight-seeing but there was something I wanted to do more. “How about we just stay in for the night?” I ran my hands up his chest and looked into his deep brown eyes. We just got married that afternoon and I was eager to make our marriage official in this beautiful place. “We can go explore tomorrow.”

  He didn�
�t smile but the look in his eyes grew more intense. “Whatever Mrs. Barsetti wants, she gets.”

  ***

  I thought Tuscany was the most beautiful place in the world, but I quickly realized how naïve I was. The culture and beauty of Greece was unlike anything in the known world. It was more than just beautiful—it was breathtaking.

  Downtown wasn’t accessible by cars. Instead, it was lined with cobbled streets for pedestrians as they did their shopping. Antique stores, and small shops with gourmet food was condensed into this small area. I had lots of sweets, and I tried their version of a Frappuccino—and it was the best thing I’ve ever had.

  Crow arranged for a yacht to take us around the island, and we got a more intimate view of the place. Sunsets and sunrises were equally beautiful, and paradise wasn’t just a dream but a reality. We dined on fresh seafood, wine, and Mediterranean food that nearly put Italian cuisine to shame.

  It was a dream honeymoon.

  We had dinner together on our balcony, room service that catered to Crow’s specific tastes. Being in the room was the only time when the guards weren’t hot on our tail. The privacy was nice and appreciated.

  Crow sipped his wine and ate slowly, his eyes on me the entire time. Not once on our honeymoon did I look at him and not see him already staring at me. Like I was steel and his eyes were a magnet, he was stuck to me. He set his glass down then stared at me like he was about to say something.

  I waited for it.

  “I love my ring.”

  We hadn’t talked much despite how often we were alone together. We were either out doing fun activities or we were in the room making love—neither required much talking. “I’m glad you liked it. Lars helped me make it.”

  He examined his left ring finger before he returned his look to me. “It’s perfect, Button. Couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

  In the process of constructing it, I knew it was a perfect fit. The color suited his cold exterior, and the melted buttons were the tokens in our relationship that made us fall in love. Gold and silver weren’t nearly a valuable.