Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Christ.
I’m rock hard, and when she presses down on me, I just react and shove her from my lap and to the side.
I dart up from the sofa and stalk a few feet away, my hands fisted at my sides.
“Did I do something wrong?” she asks, her voice laced with panic.
“No.” I suck in a desperate breath before I look at her.
Fuck.
With her swollen lips and her dress bunched up, she’s the most erotic sight I’ve ever seen.
“Go,” I growl.
“What?” she gasps.
“Leave, Gabriella, or I’ll fuck you senseless.”
She darts to her feet and wisely rushes away from me.
I rub my palm over my face while taking deep breaths to regain control over the urge to take what I want.
I can’t just fuck Gabriella, and I worry I won’t be able to be gentle with her when the time comes to take her virginity.
I’ve only kissed her twice, and each time, I had to put distance between us so I don’t give in to the need she creates in me.
No woman has ever affected me like this.
Chapter 18
Gabriella
I run straight to my room, and once I shut the door behind me, I suck in desperate breaths of air.
Holy crap, that was intense.
I press a hand to my stomach where it feels like a kaleidoscope of butterflies is out of control and fluttering like crazy.
I can still feel the powerful tingles from when I unintentionally rubbed myself against Damiano’s bulge. My body just reacted to feeling him between my legs, and I pressed down on him.
Worry trickles into my heart.
No, Damiano said I did nothing wrong.
He wanted me to leave before he lost control.
Is that good or bad?
I lift my other hand to my face, my fingers brushing over my swollen lips.
He tasted like whiskey, wild and burning with passion as he claimed me.
Dio. He’s too much man for me.
My thoughts return to the conversation we had before he kissed me, and my eyes lower to the ring on my finger.
It’s a bit big but gorgeous, the design vintage, and the diamond large.
Damiano thinks I’m strong, and that’s why he’s chosen me to be his wife.
I lift my chin, and my gaze falls on the dark view beyond my balcony. I walk to the door, and opening it, I step out of the room. I place my hands on the railing and stare at the backyard that’s lit up with garden lights.
This mansion is now my home.
I’m engaged to Damiano Falco.
No one will be able to touch me ever again.
Only Damiano.
A gust of icy wind slams into me, forcing me back into my bedroom.
Walking to my dressing table, I sit down, and as I touch up my makeup, my eyes lock with my reflection.
No more cowering around Damiano, no matter how much he scares you. He’s going to be your husband. Show him how strong you are and that he made the right decision to keep you.
He has a lot resting on his shoulders, so be the perfect partner and make life easier for him.
When I’m satisfied with my appearance, I leave my bedroom and head downstairs. With my head held high and a smile playing around my mouth, I walk into the sitting room.
Mrs. Accardi’s eyes dart to my face, then drops to my left hand. “She’s wearing the ring!” she exclaims as she shoots to her feet.
“Congratulations, cara.” I’m yanked into a hug and kissed on both cheeks before Mrs. Accardi takes my left hand. “It suits you.”
When Mrs. Falco gets up from her armchair, I pull away from Mrs. Accardi and walk closer to my future mother-in-law.
“Damiano said the ring belonged to you,” I say, respect tightening my voice.
“My mother gave it to me when I got engaged. It’s of great sentimental value to me. She passed away before the wedding day.”
“Thank you for passing it down to me. I feel so honored.”
Her mouth curves with an emotional smile, and she reaches out to me.
I move closer and when our hands touch, she pulls me into a hug.
“Be good to my son,” she whispers against my cheek.
“I’ll do everything in my power to be a wife deserving of such a great man, Mrs. Falco.”
She kisses my cheek, then says, “Call me Aida. After all, we’re family now.”
An overwhelming sense of gratefulness fills my chest, and I have to fight the urge not to cry.
“Can I call you Aunt Aida?” I ask before explaining, “Just using your first name feels a little disrespectful.”
“Aunt Aida is perfectly fine, my sweet child.”
“Oh, you’re here. I’ll go get Carlo,” Mrs. Accardi says. “We need champagne to celebrate this wonderful occasion.”
When I pull away from Aunt Aida, I glance over my shoulder and see Damiano watching us.
He comes closer, his eyes flicking between his mother and me. “Did I interrupt an emotional moment?”
I quickly shake my head.