by Shanna Bell
He tried to rein in the rage. His shirt felt too tight. The whole damn tuxedo felt like it was going to rip off its seams.
“You’re mad.”
He bit the inside of his cheek to keep in a sarcastic retort.
“Not now.” They were still on the dance floor. Surrounded by guests who were dancing, chatting, and having a drink and a laugh. This wasn’t the place for a scene.
That’s why he led her toward the patio. He tried his best to keep a scowl from his face as he passed guests, patting him on the back, trying to make small talk. He gave the appropriate answers, until he had Mary outside on the seemingly abandoned patio.
He let go of her the second the door closed behind them.
“Why the fuck would you invite Kristoff? Explain yourself.”
Her baby blues narrowed, and she folded her arms. “I really don’t like your tone right now.”
What the hell?
“There must be something wrong with my hearing, ’cause I’m damn sure you didn’t just say you don’t like my tone.”
She took a deep breath, as if he was the one trying her patience. Again, what the hell?
“You’re not in the military anymore, Hector. Neither am I. So please don’t bark at me. As for an explanation, I was hoping to start our marriage fresh, since it is a new beginning for both of us. You said there would be no marriage of convenience, and I’m planning to hold you to that. Well, guess what? This means that you are my family now. One of the few family I have left, and I wanted to do something nice for you.
“I was trying to help you bury the hatchet with your brother. Obviously, you don’t want that, and that’s okay. I will listen if you think I’ve crossed a line, but I will not accept being snapped at or being questioned like I’m some child. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get back inside because… oh, who am I kidding? I’m going back in because I’m angry at you.”
With that, she gave him her back and strode back inside, her head held high.
He stared at her retreat, dumbfounded. What the fuck had just happened? He was the one wronged here. She should fucking apologize for sticking her nose in business where she had no business sticking it.
“You’re being an asshole,” a voice sounded behind him.
He turned to find Achilles against a brick wall, arms folded across his chest.
“How am I the asshole here? She meddled in something she had no business poking around in.”
“That’s called having a wife. It’s what they do. Get used to it. And I think she was trying to help. Family is a big thing to Mary. Her own sister and mother didn’t bother to show up to her wedding today. That must have hurt, a lot. In her mind, she was probably sparing you that pain or something.”
Fuck. Voiced like that, it made sense. Still. Didn’t mean he was going to admit it. Achilles would never let him live it down.
“Since when did you become the chick whisperer?”
“I have mad skills with the ladies.”
“Fuck off.”
A laugh followed. “Just think about it, man. You know what they say: happy wife, happy life.”
He padded back inside and found Mary near the buffet, having a talk with Cortez.
“Boss man, I was just asking your bride to hook me up with one of her friends.”
Mary eyed him warily, but he didn’t give a fuck. He put an arm around her waist and pulled her against him.
“What happened to your girl?”
Cortez’ face fell. “We’re on a break.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that,” Mary said, her eyes full of sympathy.
Apparently, the puppy hadn’t worked out so well after all. He was just about to point that out to Diaz Security’s Casanova, when Kristoff showed his face.
He felt Mary tense. She was probably worried about what he’d do. Judging by Kristoff’s non-descript facial expression, he didn’t have that problem.
“Congratulations, bratan.”
Don’t fucking call me that.
He swallowed past the lump in his throat and instead said, “Yeah, thanks.”
Kristoff took an envelope from his pocket and handed it over to his bride.
“Just a little something for the shelter. I figured you already have everything you need.”
“Oh. Thank you, Kristoff. That’s very generous of you.” Mary beamed up at him and gave him a hug.
Hector kept in a growl. Barely.
Kristoff looked surprised by her show of affection as well, and awkwardly patted her on the shoulder. He then excused himself.
Hector took Mary to a more secluded corner in the hallway.
She took a deep breath. “Are you… are you still mad?”
He hated seeing the insecurity in her eyes. Just minutes before, she had been excited, glowing, happy, and then he stomped on it. Like blowing out a candle. This was exactly what he’d been afraid of. Not married for all of five minutes and he’d already fucked up.
“Nah, we’re good.”
“I’m sorry,” she continued. “I shouldn’t have pushed you. I guess, in some way, I imagined this would be a great family reunion. It’s just that... I don’t like discord in my family. All I remember from my father is him away at work or at home fighting with my mother. Fights between family has a way to fester unlike any physical wound, and I suppose I thought I could heal that for you.” She grabbed his arm. “I had no idea that your wound was so deep.”
“Guess that explains why you invited the head of the Russian mob to our wedding,” he said begrudgingly.
Mary’s jaw dropped. “I did what now?”
“Yeah.” He couldn’t keep the smugness out of his voice. Maybe that’d teach her not to meddle in his things again.
“Oh, my God. He’s the head of...” She was speechless for a moment. Her eyes narrowed. “Of course. That’s why Jazzy had that smile on her face after I spoke to him. Not that she bothered to enlighten me.” Then she looked back at him. “Is that why you two had a falling out?”
He shook his head. He didn’t give a fuck about what Kristoff did for a living. Back when he’d seen his brother for the first time, Kristoff hadn’t even been this far up in mobster circles. “That’s not it. And I’m not gonna tell you what is. Not on our wedding night. I’d rather do something else.”
A blush colored her cheeks. She was an enigma. One moment she was defiantly blazing like an angry cat; the next, she was subdued.
“Let’s go.” He was done with the reception, and started pulling her outside.
“We can’t just leave.”
“Says who? It’s our wedding, we can do whatever we want. Also, I’m just following in Gio’s footsteps, keeping up with the tradition.”
That earned him an eyeroll, but she didn’t deny it. Gio had been married for all of an hour when he and his bride suspiciously disappeared.
He swooped her up into his arms and carried her outside, into the limo that was waiting for them. He made a mental note to thank Gio later for providing them with the car. It was something he wouldn’t have thought of himself. Which led to a second mental note; try to think about what his woman needed. Gio liked to micromanage his wife’s life; that is, as much as she let him. He was overprotective to the bone and Hector had never understood that before. But sitting in the back seat of the limo, with Mary draped over his lap, something inside him unlocked. The weight of the responsibility he’d taken on suddenly hit him square in the chest. He had his own woman now. One he had to take care of. He’d never had that before. Hell, he usually didn’t fuck the same woman more than a few times. Maybe he had more of his father in him than he’d believed.
He closed his eyes for a second as his arms tightened around the precious cargo in his lap. He was going to do right by Mary, the way his father had never done for his mother.
They didn’t speak until the car stopped in front of their house. He liked that about her; she wasn’t the type to fill the silence with meaningless chatter.
He did
n’t let her on her feet until he had crossed the threshold for both their front door and the bedroom.
Mary looked nervous and he suddenly was reminded this was going to be her first time. Something primal bloomed in his chest. Women never forgot their first. It wasn’t enough, though. He intended to be her last as well.
CHAPTER 13
MARY
Mary looked around in her new bedroom. It was dominated by a huge king-sized four-poster bed. The charcoal gray comforter and the rose petals sprawled on top of it were a stark contrast to her white dress.
Now she knew why Tommie had asked for her keys. It wasn’t to just help her move in her stuff, but to give the room a honeymoon feel. She should thank him later.
Hector put an arm around her and kissed her neck. “You good? Nervous?”
“Just a little.”
His hands slowly started unbuttoning her gown. She leaned into his big frame as he continued undressing her. Right up until she was left standing in a white bridal corset. Jazzy’s gift.
When she heard his breath hitch, she smiled. Her so-called thong was nothing more than a thin piece of cloth that disappeared between her butt cheeks. She might not have the experience of his usual women, but, by God, she would keep his attention focused on her.
“You’re killing me, mi esposa.”
She liked him calling her his wife. Slowly, she turned around. “You’re still dressed.”
He was naked in less than five seconds. She was glad to see his Marine training hadn’t gone to waste.
It was the first time she got an eyeful of all that was Hector Diaz. Tight abs, an eight pack, and layers on top of layers of gorgeous bronze muscled skin. His body was decorated with several tattoos, all of which she wanted to explore.
Then her eyes finally went lower. This time, it was her whose breath hitched. Even in semi-hard state, he was big.
“Keep looking at me like that and I’ll lose control.”
They weren’t just playful words; it was a fair warning.
“Maybe I want you to lose control.” She wasn’t sure she did, but suddenly had the feeling to challenge him.
“Don’t challenge the beast, hermosa. You might not like his horns.”
“What if I did?”
Gently, he used his body to push her toward the bed. Step by step, they got closer.
“If you did, this night might go differently. If you did, you’d already have me buried deep inside you. I would just keep your legs spread all night. Filling you to the brim, until I had my fill.” A push to her chest and she fell onto the bed. He dropped on top of her. “There would be no more foreplay.”
“No more?” She chuckled. “When was there any at all?”
“First time was in the car when I took you from posing naked. Second time, in this house when I came on your ass.”
She flushed. “I see what you mean.”
He hooked a finger in her thong and ripped it away. He then placed his thumb on her bottom lip. “Open up.”
She did as he asked and sucked his finger in. Lubricating him, seeing his eyes go dark.
He took out his finger and after a slight brush over her clit, he went to her other hole.
She jumped when he touched her dark place. Maybe challenging him hadn’t been such a good idea.
“Then, when I was done with your pussy, I would take your ass.” He slowly nudged his finger tip inside her tight star.
Oh, God. What had she unleashed?
“You would like it,” he whispered.
She had slightly mixed feelings about that.
“But, I have more control than that.”
This time, she was keeping her lips zipped, like a good girl. Though, she wouldn’t mind opening them up to taste him. His body was big and heavy on top of her, enfolding her, making her feel trapped and cherished at the same time. This was what had been missing with the guys she’d dated. Never once had she felt this overwhelming passion, this sense of wanting to be owned by any of them.
“Scoot up to the headboard and place your legs apart as far as you can.”
The second she complied, he buried his face between her thighs. Sitting half up, a stack of pillows underneath her back, she had a great view of what was happening between her legs.
He suckled on her little bud, lapping up her cream. He didn’t let go until her back arched from the bed and she uttered a cry. Spent, feeling a little light in the head, she floated down. Her back relaxed and she reopened her eyes, not remembering closing them.
“Remember that,” he said. “It’s how I want to wake up in the mornings.”
She couldn’t hold in a laugh. “I’ll try.”
His eyes went over her bodice and he frowned. With one move he ripped it open until her breasts spilled out of the cups.
“Much better. I like seeing them.”
He got onto his knees, fisting himself, drawing her attention there.
Oh, God. He was huge.
He’s going to tear me apart.
Gee, you think? Look at that monster cock. Think about your tiny hole and do the math.
“Wait. Stop.” He froze. “That’s never going to fit.”
She felt him tremble, and it took her a sec to discover he was chuckling. At her expense!
“Don’t worry. I’m gonna stretch your pussy so good you’ll be fine.” Putting his words into action, his fingers slid inside her and started pumping. “I’m gonna make you feel so good, Mary. So good.”
His voice should be classified as a sin. Just hearing it made her want to do naughty things. Stuff she only fantasized about; steamy scenes she had read about in her novels. Dreams that had featured Hector Diaz since the moment she met him.
That didn’t take away her fear from the steel rod pressing against her leg, though.
“Maybe we should talk first?” Yes, that was a great idea. The more she thought about it, the better it sounded.
He started nibbling her earlobe and her body turned into him on his own accord.
“What do you wanna talk about?”
She bowed so he could reach the right spot. Her hips moved to get his fingers deeper inside her. She tried to ignore the incredibly hard and thick dick pressed against her stomach.
“Maybe um, you could tell me about your first time?”
Really, Mary? Really?
Sorry, I panicked!
Another chuckle. Wonderful. The man with the eternal scowl was all cheery, now they were in bed. She supposed she should feel glad that she’d brought a smile to his face, except she felt nervous and a bit panicky, and her wedding night wasn’t exactly going the way she had planned. Then again, no romance novel she’d ever read had had a wimpy heroine ready to jump out of the bed because she was afraid her first time was going to be painful.
“I’m sorry I’m such a wimp.”
His answer was biting a nipple.
“Ouch!”
“Don’t ever call my wife a wimp. And don’t ever apologize for telling me or showing me how you feel. Especially in bed. I won’t.” His fingers sped up, spiking up her heat, making her groan. “See how I don’t have any trouble pushing into your cunt? I can’t wait until I breach your hot hole. But first, I’m gonna eat you out until your pussy is drenched. I dreamed about it for so fucking long.”
“You have?”
“First time I saw you, I wanted to bend you over the nearest flat surface.”
“The first time you saw me, you scowled and then ignored me the rest of the night.”
“And why do you think that was?”
“I figured because of your grumpy personality.”
He pulled his fingers out and jammed them back in.
Oh. Sweet, sweet pain.
“True. But also, because I couldn’t have you. Not even to honor the age-old tradition of the groomsmen fuck, which was my due.”
He pulled out of her and his hands went to her breasts. A reverent look crossed his face when her breasts spilled over his hands.
&n
bsp; “Mercy. I love how big they are. Probably can’t get it all in my mouth but I’m gonna die trying.”
He winked, and all the pent-up tension left her body. She pulled him closer. “I’m ready.”
His forehead pressed to hers. “Thank fuck.”
With one swift thrust, he entered her body.
She screamed.
Her romance novels had lied to her! There was no “small discomfort, immediately followed by waves of ecstasy.” Losing her virginity hurt. A lot.
Hector didn’t move an inch. He lay still, frozen on top of her.
“You okay?” This time, when he asked the question, it came out as a growl.
Sweat had formed on his forehead and she realized he was holding himself back for her.
“I’m fine.”
“Don’t lie to me. I hurt you. Wish it could have been different, but there was no other way. We’re gonna take this slow.”
Apparently ‘slow’ in his vocabulary meant no movement at all.
It took her a full minute—with his heat pulsing inside her—to realize he was giving her time to recuperate. To catch her breath. For the pain to dull. She didn’t think it was possible to love him more.
It took a while for her muscles to relax. Then she started moving. First, she started kissing him. Their tongues met in a heated duel. Kissing, sucking, bringing them closer. Her legs, which had tensed up, fell apart. She thrusted up against him, slowly moving, seeking for friction.
“Don’t make me beg. I want you to take me. I want everything you can give me. I want… you.”
That was all it took.
Hector rolled her knees up to her chest, pinning her folded legs against her breasts. With her practically bent in half, he started drilling into her. She moaned with each brutal slam of his hips. And just like he’d promised, he didn’t let go until they were both completely satisfied.
CHAPTER 14
MARY
Mary woke up and blinked slowly as the sun poured through the blinds. She looked down to see Hector’s arm thrown across her stomach. Last night had been amazing. Yes, she was sore in weird places, but in a good way.
