by Cora Reilly
My cock brushed Aria’s thigh and a groan lodged itself in my throat.
“Do you want me to touch you?” Aria asked quietly.
I wanted more than that, and that was the problem.
“No,” I got out, even if it cost me a lot. Aria raised her head, looking hurt.
She didn’t understand my reasoning. She couldn’t understand. “I’m not quite myself yet, Aria. There’s too much darkness on the surface, too much blood and anger. Today was bad. When I came home today and found you lying on the sofa, so innocent and vulnerable and mine…” My desire flared once more, the need to claim what was mine. “I’m glad you don’t know the thoughts that ran through my head then. You are my wife, and I swore to protect you, if necessary even from myself.”
“You think you’d lose control?”
“I know it.”
“Maybe you underestimate yourself.” She stroked my shoulders, that careful touch I was starting to crave like a drug. I wasn’t sure what Aria was doing to me, what was happening to me, but it was dangerous for both of us.
“Maybe you trust me too much,” I murmured, trailing my finger along her spine, feeling her shiver—not with fear. “When I laid you down on the bed like a sacrificial lamb, you should have run.”
Aria’s mouth pulled into that smile. “Someone once told me not to run from monsters because they give chase.”
“Next time, you run. Or if you can’t, you ram your knee into my balls.” I had a feeling that if I ever hurt Aria the way I was capable of, it would mess with me in ways I never thought possible.
Aria shook her head. “If I’d done that today, you would have lost control. The only reason you didn’t was because I treated you like my husband, not a monster.”
I caressed her lips and cheek, my heart seemingly clenching and unclenching at the same time. “You are far too beautiful and innocent to be married to someone like me, but I’m too much of a selfish bastard to ever let you go. You are mine. Forever.”
“I know,” Aria said, for once not sounding resigned. Fuck, Aria, you were meant to be our guarantee for truce, not more.
She put her head down on my chest. For some reason, it felt as if it were meant to be like this, as if Aria had always and would always belong right there—close to my cold, cruel heart.
I turned off the lights, staring into the dark, listening to Aria’s rhythmic breathing as she fell asleep on top of me. The dark had always called to me because it was something I was familiar with, a place I’d grown up in. I didn’t think there would ever be light in my life, that it could pierce the blackness that was my life. My eyes dipped to the golden crown of Aria’s head—a beacon of light even in the dark of the room.
CHAPTER 13
I was blanketed in heat, but my limbs were still too heavy and sore to move. It took me a moment to realize the nature of the heat source: Aria. She was lying on top of me. The low buzz of my phone burst through my sleepy bubble. I jerked upright, my pulse rate spiking and my arm coming around my wife. I fucking hoped that Matteo didn’t have more bad news for me. Yesterday had been enough of a train wreck.
I grabbed my phone from the nightstand but, before I could press it to my ear and take the call, I released a harsh breath. My cock was wedged between Aria’s thighs, its length enticingly lined up against her pussy. Her heat seeped through her thin panties, giving me all the ideas I didn’t need. I took the call, staring at my wife who clung to me with surprise-widened eyes.
Aria moved and my tip nudged her ass cheeks. Pleasure shot through me. I groaned, my body tightening.
“You looked like shit last night. An update would have been appreciated,” Matteo muttered. “How bad is it?”
“I’m fine, Matteo,” I said. My wounds were the least of my problems now. Blue balls was the only thing that would kill me.
“You don’t sound it.”
Because Aria is pressing her fucking pussy against my dick. “I’m fucking fine.”
“I could send the Doc to check on you.”
“No. I can handle this. I don’t need to see the Doc. Now let me sleep.”
I ended the call before Matteo could say another word and set the phone back down. Aria peered up at me, tension radiating off her body in waves. Her fingers dug into my shoulders. The nerves in her expression calmed some of my desire, and I laid back down to bring some distance between us and get a grip on my overeager cock.
Aria still straddled me but quickly covered her beautiful tits with her arm, her cheeks starting to fill with pink. She shifted, trying to get off me, and her thigh brushed my cock, sending another shockwave of need through me.
“Fuck,” I hissed. Then I saw Aria’s expression. She was looking down at my dick with wide, curious eyes. It was so fucking obvious that she had never seen a cock. It took all of my self-control not to tangle my fingers in her hair and guide her head down to sink myself into her enticing mouth.
“You’re going to be the death of me, Aria,” I murmured.
Aria quickly looked up, practically squirming from embarrassment. Her blue eyes met mine and I just wanted to kiss her senseless, press her into the mattress and show her how good I could make her feel. I’d desired women before, but it had been a brief burst of interest, a flicker that had been snuffed out as quickly as it had come, but my need for Aria burnt deeper, fiercer. Aria’s gaze dipped down to my chest then slid lower once more.
“If you keep looking at my cock with that stunned expression, I’m going to combust.”
“I’m sorry if my expression bothers you, but this is new for me. I’ve never seen a naked man. Every first I’ll experience will be with you, so…” Aria said defensively.
I wanted to laugh at how oblivious she was to the reality of the situation. She didn’t realize how much I burnt up for her, how fucking hard the thought of being her first made me.
I straightened, bringing our faces close. “It doesn’t bother me. It’s fucking hot, and I’ll enjoy every first you’ll share with me,” I said, dragging my thumb over Aria’s heated cheek. Her eyes flitted up to me and that irresistible mouth tipped up into the small smile that always got me. “You don’t even realize how much you turn me on.”
I kissed her, needing to taste her sweetness. Aria stroked my chest, fueling the desire already burning in my body. I pulled back. “Last night, you asked me if I wanted you to touch me.”
Aria’s lips parted. “Yeah.” She licked her lips, making my insides tight with even more need. “Do you want me to touch you now?”
I wanted everything she was willing to give and more. “Fuck yes. More than anything.” Aria was still covering herself. I grasped her wrist but didn’t pull, wanting her to do this on her own terms. Another first. “Let me see you.”
Insecurity flashed across her face. I didn’t understand how a girl as beautiful as her could be shy about presenting herself. Her body was destined to bring men to their knees, even when she was only mine to see. She finally lowered her hand to her lap. My eyes took her in and my desire burned even hotter.
“I know they’re not big,” Aria said, bringing my attention back to her insecure face.
“You’re fucking beautiful, Aria,” I said, but my mind kept straying to her previous question. “Do you want to touch me now?”
Aria gave a quick nod, licking those irresistible lips, before she brushed her fingertips along my cock. The touch was barely existent, but fuck, it zipped through every muscle in my body, and my chest constricted in a sharp exhale. My gaze lifted to Aria’s face, the way her lips were parted and her eyes shone with fascination. Fuck. No one had ever looked at my dick like that. She was so goddamn innocent, so beautifully mine. Her fingertips touched my tip and I jerked, barely holding back an upwards thrust. Fucking Aria’s hand would have only disturbed her. Her innocence was torture and pleasure combined.
I allowed her to explore me for as long as I could stand it before gritting out, “Take me in your hand.”
Aria’s grip on my dick
was as non-existent as her touch had been. She pumped her hand up and down, too gently, too slowly. I reclined on the pillow. Her cheek turned pink under my unwavering attention. Maybe it would have been easier for her if I’d looked away, but I simply couldn’t.
“You can grip harder.”
Aria’s fingers became firmer around my dick but still nowhere as hard as I wanted or needed it. This was sweet torture.
“Harder. It won’t fall off.”
Shame flashed across Aria’s face and she wrenched her hand away, averting her eyes. “I didn’t want to hurt you,” she whispered, sounding ashamed and on the verge of crying. Fuck. I was torn between laughter because she actually thought she could hurt me, and frustration because of my blue balls, but I pushed both down.
Grabbing Aria’s arms, I pulled her on top of me, forcing her to meet my gaze. “Hey,” I murmured, surprised by the calm note of my voice when inside I was close to combusting. “I was teasing you. It’s okay.” I kissed her, my lips stroking hers open, tasting her, forcing her to relax into the kiss, and soon she did. I stroked her body, my hand slowly making its way over the enticing swell of her ass. My fingers dove between her thighs. Aria halted when I traced my fingertips over her crotch. I kept my touch light, reminding myself over and over again that this was new for her. When she relaxed and the fabric of her panties was soaked, I ventured under the material. A growl lodged itself in my throat at the silky feel of Aria. Her blue eyes locked on mine with need and curiosity as I brushed my fingers along her tender flesh up to her clit. Aria released the most torturous moan before she leaned in for another kiss, surprising me when she deepened it on her own while she rocked lightly against my fingers as I stroked her.
I pulled back, my breathing ragged. “Want to try again?”
I kept teasing her nub, knowing it would lower her inhibitions, and I was right. As I brought Aria closer to release, her own hand slid down my body until she finally arrived at my dick. She gripped it harder than before but still too gently. While my fingers kept working Aria’s pussy, I wrapped my other hand around those clutching my dick and squeezed hard. Surprise flickered across Aria’s face at the force of my grip. Then I showed her how to stroke me. I watched her as she watched our hands work my cock. I was already leaking pre-cum like a pubescent boy.
Aria panted, pressing her pussy against my fingers almost desperately, chasing her orgasm as our hands pumped me hard and fast.
Aria’s eyes widened. “Luca.” The exclamation went straight to my dick, which swelled even more. I flicked her clit and she exploded, jutting her butt back, shoving against my hand. The sight sent me over the edge and cum shot out of my dick like a goddamn New Year’s Eve firework. I jerked and groaned as if I’d just had the fuck of my life, when it had only been a hand job. Damn. Aria slumped against my side, staring at the mess I’d made on my stomach. I reluctantly withdrew my fingers from her swollen pussy and stroked her ass.
Aria looked happy as she closed her eyes and rested her cheek against my chest. I pressed a soft kiss to the crown of her head. Why? I’d never done this before, never felt the urge to do it. The idea of having someone’s hair all over my face and lips had definitely never called to me.
Annoyed by my own confusion, I reached for a few tissues and cleaned my cum off. I didn’t even remember the last time I hadn’t come in or on a woman. I gave Aria a bunch of tissues and she wiped her hand clean without meeting my gaze. I searched her face as her brows furrowed. She looked as confused as I felt, but I wasn’t sure why.
I stroked her arm, trying to distract her, another goddamn new thing. Why the fuck was I feeling the urge to do all this shit?
Aria jerked into a sitting position. “You’re bleeding.” Her fingers hovered over a cut on my ribs. “Does it hurt?”
I glanced down. I’d completely forgotten about it. My body throbbed with a dull ache, but it was nothing I couldn’t deal with, and this cut served me right for letting the fucker get too close to me. “Not much. It’s nothing. I’m used to it.”
Aria’s brows tugged together as she caressed the skin below the wound. “It needs stitches. What if it gets infected?” Her lashes fluttered as she looked at me. Was she concerned for me?
“Maybe you’ll get lucky and become a young widow.” It was the dream of many wives, and I didn’t kid myself into thinking that Aria had been happy about our union. Being shackled to a man like me was a fate many women would do anything to escape.
She narrowed her eyes at me. “That’s not funny.”
I regarded her, trying to detect deceit in her expression or tone, but I couldn’t find any. She seemed serious. Her reasoning was difficult to grasp. Maybe she feared she’d be married off to the next monster if I died, though she could hardly think there were worse monsters out there than me. But there were monsters who didn’t hide their monstrous side.
I could have taken her worry by telling her that she wouldn’t remarry even if I died. If Matteo was Capo then, he wouldn’t force her, that much was clear. But my father? I wouldn’t put it past him to dispose of Nina and marry Aria himself.
“If it bothers you so much, why don’t you grab the first-aid kit from the bathroom and bring it to me,” I said, breaking my disturbing strand of thoughts.
Aria didn’t hesitate to jump out of bed. “Where is it?”
“In the drawer below the sink.” My gaze followed her beautiful ass and slender waist as she strode into the bathroom. Fuck. I didn’t fear death, but I really loathed the idea of dying before I got the chance to have Aria at least once. And even one time seemed entirely inadequate to sate my desire for my young wife.
Aria returned with the first-aid kid. To my disappointment, she put on her nightgown before she climbed on the bed. She avoided looking anywhere near my half-erect cock.
I ran my thumb over her heated cheek. “Still too shy to look at me after what happened.” I touched her satin nightgown. “I liked you better without it.”
Aria ignored my comment. “What do you want me to do?”
The way the pursed her lips, one thing immediately came to my mind. “Many things.”
She rolled her eyes, but I caught the pleased shiver that passed through her body. Aria was getting more comfortable around me. “With your cut.”
“There are disinfectant wipes. Clean my wound, and I’ll prepare the needle.”
Aria wiped my wound clean while I unpacked the needle. The sharp stench of the disinfectant tingled in my nose and the familiar sting of it numbed my wound. “Does it burn?”
“I’m fine. Wipe harder.” Usually Matteo or Cesare took care of my wounds, if I didn’t handle them myself, and they definitely weren’t as careful as Aria.
I stitched myself up under her watchful gaze, wondering what she was thinking. I threw the needle away when I was done.
“We need to cover it,” Aria said, searching the kit for bandages.
I stopped her. “It’ll heal faster if it’s allowed to breathe.”
“Really? Are you sure? What if dirt gets in?”
If I told her often I’d been wounded in the last decade, she would trust my word. “You don’t need to worry. This won’t be the last time I’ll come home injured.”
I opened my arms, not in the mood to get up yet. “Come.”
“Don’t you have to leave?” Aria’s eyes darted to the clock. We hadn’t spent many mornings in bed together so far, but I really wanted to change that.
“Not today. The Bratva is dealt with for the moment. I’ll have to be in one of the Famiglia’s clubs in the afternoon.”
Aria’s answering smile was dazzling and knocked the breath right out of my lungs. She pressed close to me, one arm slung over my stomach, and I held her tightly, stunned by the burst of emotion I felt.
“I didn’t expect you to look so happy,” I admitted, even if I regretted it right after. I needed to be more careful what I let slip. Emotions could be used as a weapon, and even if I didn’t think Aria would do something lik
e that, I should be careful.
“I’m lonely,” Aria whispered. Life at my side would always be a golden cage, and making friends as the future Capo’s wife was as good as impossible. The majority of people would only seek Aria’s closeness because they hoped to gain something from it. Her sisters would probably always remain her only true friends. Maybe Matteo’s obsession with Gianna would be good for something, after all. Aria would have one of her sisters in New York. That would make her happy, even if the annoying redhead would probably bring me nothing but trouble. Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell her about Gianna yet, not until things were ready to be announced.
“I have a few cousins you could hang out with. I’m sure they’d enjoy going shopping with you,” I said instead.
“Why does everyone think I want to go shopping?”
“Then do something else. Have a coffee, or go to a spa, or I don’t know.”
“I still have a spa certificate that I got at my bridal shower.”
“See? If you want, I can ask a few of my cousins.”
She shook her head quickly. “I’m not too keen on meeting another one of your cousins after what Cosima did.”
Cosima was one of my least favorite cousins. She was good friends with Grace and both lived for bitching. “What did she do?”
Aria lifted her head, eyes widened in what looked like realization. A fucking bad feeling overcame me.
“She gave me the letter that led me to you and Grace,” Aria whispered, her voice catching. She withdrew from me and hugged her legs to her body, looking small and hurt. The sight, the fucking sight felt like a sucker punch. I pushed upright, bringing us closer, wanting to console her and assure her but, as so often. at a loss at how to do it, especially now when my concern for my wife battled with fury with my cousin in my mind. Following my instinct, I kissed her shoulder. “Cosima gave you a letter that told you to go the apartment?” She wouldn’t have done it by herself. Grace and her had come up with the plan.
