Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
My brother pets the cat hesitantly at first, then draws it to his chest and snuggles it under his chin. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m cracking up right now. Dad’s dead. You’re unbothered. And now there’s a pink-haired fairy in our foyer offering me kittens.” He scratches the orange furball under its chin, and it starts purring.
I watch Maddie. She’s a natural with people and animals. Somehow, she’s managed to charm me and the kittens, and now she’s calmed Claudio down into a more manageable state.
He looks up at me. “Why do you think Dad put that in his will? The marriage thing–I don’t get it.”
I’ve been wondering that myself. Plenty of ideas come to mind–maybe he wanted to ensure that his family line would continue, maybe he thought having a wife would help temper my ambitions. I can’t say for certain. All I can do is shrug. As well as I knew my father, this part of him remains a mystery.
“I’m glad he didn’t say I had to get married. Sheesh. Dodged a bullet, isn’t that right little Gingero?” He kisses the kitten on top of its head.
“Gingero?” Maddie strokes a fluffy gray kitten. “That name is absolutely perfect for our little ginger boy.”
“Isn’t it?” Claudio looks into the box. “How about the rest of them?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to think more on it. For now, I’m just so happy to have them.”
He hands Gingero back, and Maddie places him in the box. Rising, he looks at me. “We need to talk. This marriage may not be enough to keep the Ferrars at bay. You know that, right?”
He’s right. “I’m aware. But fulfilling Dad’s will is going to be the first step in demonstrating how committed I am to continuing his legacy. Maddie has agreed to be my wife for that purpose.”
Claudio glances down at her. “Too bad you met the wrong brother first.”
I fist my hands. In all our years together, I’ve never wanted to hurt Claudio. He’s a womanizing fool with a big mouth and an even bigger heart. Even so, right this second, I imagine pummeling the smile off his face.
I gently pull Maddie to her feet. “She’s my wife.”
“Not yet,” she chimes in again.
I turn her toward me and, in the view of Claudio and every one of my men stationed in the house, I kiss her. Hard. Holding nothing back, I mark her in front of everyone as mine. Only mine. This kiss is as good as a sign that says ‘fuck with her and answer to me.’ My men are smart enough to heed the warning.
She parts her lips, and I delve my tongue inside, stroking against hers as I reach down and hike her leg up onto my hip. When my cock comes into contact with the supernova between her thighs, I let out a guttural groan. She twines her fingers behind my neck, pressing against me as we kiss. I have the primal urge to put her on all fours and fuck her right here, show every man that she belongs to me. But I don’t. I won’t give anyone the satisfaction of hearing what she sounds like when she comes. That’s for my ears only.
“Wow, that’s … Unexpected.” Claudio sounds impressed.
I finally release her and press my forehead to hers. “Mine.” It’s all I say and all I need to say.
She looks up at me, her pupils blown with lust and her breath coming in a pant. She says only one word. A word that makes everything click into place. “Yours.”
10
Maddie
“What do you all think?” I do a small spin for the kittens, showing them my dress. Only Gingero is paying attention.
The other four are snoozing away on the giant bed I placed them on earlier. They ran around for a bit before they got all tuckered out and passed out in the center. I can’t blame them. The giant bed looks rather inviting with the soft comforter and fluffy pillows. I’ll be sleeping in this bed tonight with my husband.
A pool of heat blooms deep in my stomach. I’m getting married. I know we’re supposed to pretend in front of other people that we’re this real couple, but Renato keeps saying we’ll act like a married couple in our everyday lives. Does he mean that behind closed doors too? Will we be having sex?
I’m not opposed to the idea. Who wants to be a virgin forever? Besides, from the kisses Renato keeps laying on me, I bet he’ll be a marvelous lover. Though it could make all of this more complicated. I know I’ll end up falling in love with him and then getting my heart broken when it’s over.
I could end up pregnant! That thought hits me hard. I reach out and grab one of the four posters of the bed. I should probably let him know I’m not on anything, but maybe he put that together when I’d blurted out that I was a virgin. I really need to get my mouth under control and remember that Renato and I aren’t often alone.