I nod, and the effect is immediate. Her smile returns, and I want to kiss her, to taste what pure innocence of the soul is like. Would mine taint hers?
Or could hers possibly cleanse mine?
“Yes,” I rasp, my voice thick with the need overtaking me. And it’s more than sexual.
“Thank you! I’ll just grab my—”
I grip Emilia’s upper arm and swing her to me. Her chest collides with mine, curves molding to muscle. Everything about her is welcoming. From her parted lips, which can graze my tongue, to the wet heat between her legs, which can envelop my cock, her body is a haven.
My mouth is on hers, claiming every inch of it. Her lips are soft and warm, and she fuses herself to me without hesitation. Her yielding to me is not a sign of weakness. I thought so when I first met her, but no longer. Emilia gives in because she knows she’ll be the one left standing through any type of confrontation. Her will is strong, formidable enough to withstand everything she has and still allow her to smile. My joy died before it had a chance, yet when I’m around my wife, I’m able to feed off hers.
And that is more than I ever thought to have.
She moans, a fucking sexy little sound that has my cock harder than before I took her mouth. Even though I want to run my hands all over her, I don’t because once I start, I won’t be able to stop. Emilia has never asked for anything, either good or bad. I’ve given her misery, but now I want to give her a bit of happiness.
However much my selfishness will allow.
I pull back to look down at her flushed face and swollen lips. She breathes heavily, pressing her breasts into me, and I bite back a groan. I really shouldn’t have kissed her. However, now I know what joy tastes like.
It’s found in her, and it shows through her smiles.
And like the fucking asshole I am, I don’t want anyone else to have them.
“Grab your coat,” I say.
It takes a second for the glazed look to leave her eyes, but the shine quickly returns. She throws on her coat and scarf, and then smiles. That one, like all the others, fucking belongs to me.
I hold out my hand, and she takes it, albeit tentatively. Then a short while later, we are walking outside in the cool night air. Dante, Otello, and Leone follow at a distance, and I doubt Emilia knows of their presence. Even if she does, I bet she doesn’t care.
She is too busy living.
Her emerald eyes land on everything, and when I catch her studying something for longer than a handful of seconds, I ask her about it. She’s animated and bubbly when I do. Emilia tells me everything she’s ever learned about the history of the place or any hidden meanings pertaining to it. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and I can’t take my gaze from her.
“I think you know more than the internet,” I say.
Her brows draw together, causing her forehead to crease. She obviously doesn’t realize I’m joking with her, and I have the strongest urge to smooth out her worry lines.
“I’m teasing you, little one.”
Her full lips form a perfect circle. “I thought I was boring you.” When I shake my head, her entire face relaxes. “I’m glad.”
“What about this?” I ask, pointing to a well-known statue. I’ve seen it on numerous occasions, but hearing the details come from Emilia makes it as though the figure is about to come to life. “At the rate we’re going, we’ll never make it to the Eiffel Tower before dawn.” I wink at her to ensure she knows I’m not being serious, and a pretty blush settles on her cheeks.
“Dawn?” She scoffs. “It’d be faster to have Father Aldo go through your list of sins than to have me sightsee.” She glances at me tentatively, but then the green of her eyes sparkles with mischief. “And that would takequitea while.”
A laugh escapes me, surprising us both. She giggles in response to that. And now I’ve found another thing I wish to taste. Can I make her laugh again? I’ve never tried to amuse a woman, and the thought gives me pause. This is because I’ve never cared enough to even consider it let alone try.
“I’ve lost track of the time,” she says, glancing around as though she’s been pulled from a dream and thrust back into reality. In a way, I guess she hasn’t experienced it much, since Caruso kept her under lock and key. I have no regrets that Emilia was innocent and has only known my touch, but her fucking cocksucker of a father did her no favors. He took the world from her.
And I will make it hers to rule over.
My initial instincts were correct: she is a queen.
“We can go now, sir.” Her voice is filled with intense longing and disappointment. “I know you have…things to attend to. And we’ve been out for a long time…”
Again, she averts her gaze. And again, I bring it back to me, anchoring her to me by sliding my arm around her waist. She places her hands on my chest, and I’m not sure whether she thinks to push me away or not. Then a spark of heat flares in her eyes, and the emerald within looks like burning embers, the color turning to peridot. I’ll never get tired of seeing her like this, as though she’s eager for me to take her.
I nod, and she reluctantly does the same, her internal flame dimming. “You’re right,” I say. “I have many important things to do, butthisis one of them.”
