The Marriage Clause

by Alexx Andria

  And we were both naked.

  Because we were in the tub.

  Together.

  If I could get through this without succumbing to my baser desires, I was golden. I could get through the week, no problem.

  Oh, Mother Mary. My fingers itched to curl around his cock. If he wasn’t hard already, I knew it wouldn’t take long. I sank lower into the bubbles so he didn’t see my nipples pearling, ready.

  I might have overestimated my own strength. My own hubris might’ve just screwed me harder than Luca ever could.

  “Admit it...you hated the hostel,” Luca challenged with a teasing grin. I laughed, relieved to draw my focus away from the pornographic thoughts populating my brain. “C’mon, just admit it. I know you well enough to know that, for you, sharing a bathroom with strangers was the worst thing ever.”

  “I didn’t love it... Sort of like dorm life, ” I hedged, not quite willing to concede that my booking had been a terrible idea, insisting that the run-down roach motel had a “certain charm.” But I couldn’t sell the outright lie with any conviction and we both knew it. I relented with a resigned bite into another strawberry. “Okay, yes, I hated the hostel. It was awful, but to be fair, the pictures on the website were far more quaint and boho chic.”

  “You thought it was going to be like ‘glamping,’” he correctly assumed with amusement, and I both hated and enjoyed that he knew me so well.

  “Nico told me about that time you and your brothers got the bright idea to try camping behind your house. None of you had ever pitched a tent before, but you refused to ask for help. Nico said you nearly suffocated when the whole thing collapsed in the middle of the night.”

  “That was Dante’s fault. He was in charge of the poles, but he took shortcuts and I was practically brained when the top pole came down on my face. I had a black eye for a week.”

  “What’d you say you got the black eye from?”

  “Sailboat accident,” he answered with a grin. “Sounded much better than how it actually happened. Did Nico also happen to share that he was the first to run back to the house like a giant baby, leaving us in the dust? He’d thought a bear attacked the tent.”

  “He did not share that part,” I admitted, laughing. I could believe Nico booking it back to the house, shrieking. “To be fair, he’s the youngest. He was probably pretty freaked out.”

  “We all were,” Luca said, sharing my laughter. “You try being woken out of a sound sleep by the sound of tearing nylon and poles clattering all around you. I think Dante pissed his pants.”

  I giggled at the vision of Dante, the smug prick, wetting himself. “I might enjoy that vision a little too much.”

  “You and Dante were never close,” Luca said, shaking his head.

  “He was always so mean.”

  “Probably had a crush on you. Lord knows, half the guys in your class did—Nico told me. Can’t say I blame them... I felt the same way.”

  Luca’s quiet compliment caused a strawberry to lodge in my throat for a brief second. I swallowed, meeting his gaze, shocked, not so much by his admission but because it was the first time Luca had ever shared something so private and real with me.

  Luca broke the spell, saying with a crooked grin, “Not a bad first day in San Francisco. Bet your feet are killing you, though.”

  I jerked a short nod, tangled momentarily in the complicated threads that wound around us.

  Luca surprised me by finding my foot beneath the water and gently rubbing the insole. I groaned without thought.

  He shifted, murmuring, “Keep making sounds like that and I’ll start rubbing more than your feet.”

  I bit my lip before challenging him to go for it. I was playing with fire, but I’d forgotten how addictive the heat between Luca and me had always been.

  When we’d been together, the sexual tension had been off the charts. It was no different now, except everything was different.

  We weren’t young lovers anymore. There were only expectations and family drama between us now. Something Luca had mentioned earlier rose up in my memory, and it occurred to me that I’d never considered how the pressure to live up to Giovanni’s expectations might weigh on Luca.

  Neither of us had been given a choice in the way we were raised and how we were expected to fulfill our obligations.

  “Do you love your father?” I asked.

  My question took him aback. “That’s an odd question,” he said slowly, trying to figure out where my head was. “Do you love your father?”

  “No.” My answer was simple. “How can I? He’s a stranger. My mother died when I was two. Instead of raising me with love within a real father-daughter relationship, he tossed me into the arms of a nanny. I was expected to be polished and pretty so that I reflected well on his image, but I was nothing but a bartering chip to him. When he and your father arranged this marriage, I’d served my only purpose. Why would I love a man like that?”

  Luca nodded, a hint of shame coloring his cheeks. Did it embarrass him how I’d come into his life? I knew Luca didn’t approve of his father’s actions, but he’d been young, too—what choice had he had?

  Both of us had been powerless to affect the situation we were put into.

  But I wanted to know, did he love his father?

  “Pretty deep question for a soak that’s meant to be relaxing,” he finally answered, his brow lifting in question. When I didn’t let him off the hook, he sighed, saying, “I don’t know. My relationship with my father is...what you’d call strained. But I suppose somewhere, deep down, I love him. He is my father, after all. He afforded me many opportunities, and he’s taught me how to succeed in a cutthroat world. I owe him my respect, if nothing else.”

  “That sounds like something you’d say about an asshole mentor, not your father.”

  “He’s a difficult man.”

  I suppose that was a fair answer to an unfair question.

  “Let me wash your back,” he suggested, changing the subject. I hesitated, but we were already in the bathtub naked together, and it’d been my idea—not sure how I could possibly try to maintain some sort of distance now. I turned around and scooted toward Luca, sliding between his legs.

  The soft washcloth on my back felt good. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the simple pleasure.

  Then I felt Luca’s lips brush against the top of my shoulder and I shuddered with a tiny sharp inhale, the only sound between us.

  “Every inch of you is perfection,” he murmured, pressing another kiss to the column of my neck. I arched slightly, giving him better access, which he took without reservation. “Your taste, your smell, the way you cry out when you come. You’re all I ever think about.”

  His hands reached around to cup my breasts possessively. There was such hunger in his touch I practically vibrated with the need to feel him inside me. There was something so arousing about the way he held me tight, his palms filled with my tits, the hardened nipples poking out between splayed fingers. He knew how responsive my nipples were. All it would take for me to lose all sense of reason would be for him to latch onto my breasts with that greedy mouth.

  “We should get ready,” he said against my skin, pressing one last kiss against my bare shoulder as he released me.

  I fought to control the rush of disappointment. “Good idea,” I agreed with false calm as I scooted away so he could climb out of the tub. This time I didn’t avert my eyes. A smile curved my lips as his cock sprang out, hard and ready, from the nest of dark hair.

  At least I wasn’t the only one suffering.

  But this was good, I told myself. Sex would only complicate an already messed-up situation, and it might contaminate my judgment. I didn’t want anything to veer me off course.

  Eventually, I’d forget how good we were together between the sheets.

  Eventually.

  CH
APTER TWELVE

  Luca

  DRESSED IN A sharp black suit, my shoes gleaming in the soft light, I’d just finished straightening my cuff links when the door opened and Katherine emerged. I’d been waiting for her to finish her hair and makeup, which had given me time to assemble her wardrobe choices for the night.

  Fluffy white towel wrapped around her, Katherine stared, her mouth dropping at the glittering diamond accessories that accompanied each outfit choice. I wanted to ensure she had the pick of whatever style she wanted, so I’d had my assistant send samples from every designer in the city and had those matched with appropriately decadent jewelry choices.

  Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls, sapphires...it was an assortment of breathtaking jewels fit for a queen. The Donato name carried enough clout that I was able to get the gems on loan for the evening, likely because the jeweler hoped I would purchase at least one of the offered beauties by morning.

  Katherine stood at the edge of the bed, staring down at the selections. “Are you insane? Where are we going to dinner, the Taj Mahal?”

  “You’d be surprised how difficult it is to get reservations,” I quipped with a small smile. She glanced up in question, her brow furrowed. “I wanted to ensure that wherever we went, you were the brightest diamond in the room.”

  She flushed and bit her lip, reluctantly flattered. “But, Luca... I...I don’t know what to say except I can’t wear any of this...” she said, even as her eyes were drawn to the brilliant sapphire drop pendant that was my personal favorite. She would look stunning in the blue dress with that pendant around her neck.

  “Why not?” I asked.

  “This is all too much.”

  “They’re loaners for now, and I promise you don’t have to accept any gifts you don’t want. You like the sapphire?”

  Her gaze returned to the gem, blinking as she swallowed. “Yes, but...”

  “Then you shall wear it,” I said, moving to clasp the pendant for her. It hung like a blue teardrop just above her cleavage, a promise of pleasure to come. I hardened instantly at the thought of Katherine wearing the sapphire and nothing else. My fingers itched to relieve her of the towel, but I refrained. Instead, I said, “And the dress? What do you think?”

  She dragged her gaze away from the pendant, looking toward the dress. All she could do was nod, finally admitting, “It’s gorgeous, too.”

  “Excellent.” I felt the tension lift from my shoulders. “Do you need help slipping it on?” Please say yes, I practically begged with my eyes, but she carefully scooped up the dress and disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. I chuckled and rubbed the sudden damp from my forehead. If she liked the blue dress, wait until she saw what I had planned for dessert...

  When Katherine emerged from the bathroom moments later, the deep blue of the dress clinging to her curves like a second skin, the sapphire pendant winking from her throat, I nearly buckled in an embarrassing display of total weakness.

  I’d never met another woman who made me feel the way Katherine did. I was old enough to realize I never would.

  With her hair swept up into a messy bun and a little makeup on, she was perfect. Katherine had a natural beauty that most women would kill for.

  Frankly, I thought she was gorgeous from the moment she opened her eyes in the morning, bedhead and all, but now was not the time to share that sentiment. She was too skittish yet to hear anything so raw. When she’d been ready to hear it, I hadn’t been ready to share, and now we were playing on opposite sides of the field. I suppose I was to blame, but a Donato didn’t look backward. Push forward to victory.

  Unsticking my tongue from the roof of my mouth, I offered a sincere compliment, saying, “Stunning. I’m glad you chose the blue.”

  She blushed, and her fingers found the pendant. “As long as I don’t get robbed at gunpoint later,” she joked. “It’s like wearing a giant target on my chest.”

  “You’ll be perfectly safe,” I assured her, crooking my arm for her to slip her hand into. We left the room and got into the elevator. In truth, I would tear apart with my bare hands anyone who dared to hurt Katherine. Did that threat extend to my own family? My father was a stubborn bully, but would he actually go through with ruining Katherine if I intervened? I couldn’t let him do that. Defying my father wasn’t high on my list of desirables, so I’d just have to make sure I didn’t lose.

  “Are you okay?” Katherine asked, noting the sudden tension in my body. “You have a pensive expression.”

  “I’m fine,” I lied with an engaging smile. “Just wondering how I’m going to keep my hands to myself during dinner when I want to do unspeakably dirty things to you in that gorgeous dress.”

  She gasped and blushed, but this time she didn’t hit me with a disapproving glare. Could it be Katherine was softening? I wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I wasn’t going to celebrate prematurely, either. We got off at the ground floor and exited the hotel.

  “So where are we going for dinner?” she asked as I helped her into the waiting town car. “Although I think I’m too nervous to eat. What if I spill on this incredible dress? I’m such a klutz. What if I end up with a buttered roll between my boobs?”

  “Then I would be a gentleman and fish it out.” With my mouth. At her shy smile, I added, “You’re the only woman I know who can find some way to wear her food at some point during the meal.” When she started to frown, I hurried to add, “And I find it one of your more endearing qualities, believe it or not.”

  “I don’t believe it,” Katherine responded, smoothing the lines from her dress as she settled in her seat. “But you always were a smooth talker. I won’t hold it against you.”

  “That’s a plus,” I said with a rueful chuckle, returning to the subject of dinner. “Tonight, we have dinner reservations in the private section at Cafe Zoetrope. I think you’ll love the ambience.”

  At the mention of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola’s San Francisco restaurant, Katherine stilled the anxious fidgeting of her fingers on her matching clutch. I pretended not to notice how her breath had become shallow and her eyes had widened. “The actual Cafe Zoetrope?” she asked breathily.

  I pretended ignorance. “You’ve heard of it?”

  “I think I read something about it online,” Katherine hedged, not willing to divulge her true pleasure at my choice. This woman would concede no easy victories. Under normal circumstances, I would enjoy the challenge, but I needed a win.

  “Thank you for tonight,” she said, her gaze dipping with a bashfulness that I found incredibly alluring. “You didn’t have to do all this, but I appreciate the thoughtfulness.”

  My pride swelled. Being able to coax a smile from Katherine’s supple lips was the best feeling in the world, but it made me greedy for more. I wanted to throw diamonds and whatever else she might want at her feet if it meant earning genuine happiness from her. “It suits you. The blue compliments your skin tone perfectly. You should trust me to always know what will make you shine.”

  The budding warmth fled from her eyes as she looked away. “I like to figure out for myself what works and what doesn’t.”

  Damn it. My damn arrogance would be my downfall when it came to Katherine. Swallowing my pride, I said, “Of course. I’m humbled that you agreed with my choice.”

  She shot me a quick, rueful glance as if to say, You? Humble? And I wanted to admit, Yeah, hard pill to swallow, but I’m truly trying. However, I said nothing. I didn’t trust my mouth not to fuck it up.

  We arrived at Zoetrope, entering through a private door reserved for VIPs and members of the Coppola family, and were seated at a cozy table surrounded by memorabilia from Coppola’s films throughout the years.

  In spite of my gaffe only moments prior, Katherine was entranced with my restaurant choice.

  “This is incredible,” she breathed, her eyes sparklin
g with wonder. “I love his films and his spirit. This is a man who never gave up on his dreams and goals, no matter that to others he seemed to fail several times. I’m in awe of that kind of grit and talent. And entrepreneurship! I mean restaurant, winery, filmmaker, father...the man is an inspiration.”

  And I’m in awe of you.

  She caught me watching her, her smile faltering before she asked, “How’d you know I would love a place like this? I’ve never told you about my fascination with Francis Ford Coppola.”

  “I pay attention to the things that matter to you,” I answered. “You own every one of his movies on DVD, and you once mentioned that you wanted to take a trip to California to see his winery.” Not to mention, I knew she’d recently sent her résumé to the winery’s marketing department.

  Her cheeks flushed a becoming shade of pink. “You remember that?”

  “Of course.”

  It’d been a casual comment, but when she’d talked about Coppola, my jealousy had flared. I’d wanted to be the sole reason her face lit up like a Christmas tree. I’d been too young to appreciate that learning what made my woman tick was a gift, but then, I’d fully taken for granted that Katherine was mine and always would be, so I hadn’t spent much effort in ensuring she was happy.

  The waitstaff, impeccably trained, took our orders and left us to ourselves. The wine helped ease the tension, but I was suddenly agitated. Too many thoughts racing through my head. Too many pitfalls to stumble onto and break my neck.

  Confidence had always been my strength, my armor. My fear that none of my usual tricks would work left me flailing with a flimsy strategy, and with the stakes as high as they were, I couldn’t afford to make stupid mistakes.

  I needed Katherine in my bed, but it had to be timed perfectly. Each time I pushed and pulled away, I drove her frustration higher so that when I finally got between her legs, she’d remember why we were so good together.

  Bone-melting orgasms were going to be my secret weapon to cracking open that locked heart.