He’s watching her—my bride.
“So, what do you think of her?” he asks.
I laugh. “Does it matter now? I am already married to her. What I think is moot.”
He turns to me, his expression somber. “I know you think that a man is strong alone and that kind of arrogance is what makes you the most suited of my sons to become the don but it's that same arrogance that will lead to your downfall if you're not grounded." His eyes turn to the girl waltzing with her father. "Sofia reminds me of your mother when we first married. Antonia came from a powerful family in Naples—as influential as mine.. She was petite and seemed delicate, but she had such quiet strength beneath it all. My lovely Antonia made me earn her love and trust.”
His tone grows wistful as he speaks. “It’s because I had a beautiful wife and kids at home that I was able to wade through these streets and come out unscathed.” He turns to me, clapping my shoulder as my brother had earlier. “A wife is a gift from the heavens, Matteo, even to men like us. Especially for men like us. Do not neglect your marriage simply because you made it a business arrangement, son. You chose her—now choose to make it work. One day you will thank me for pushing you to marry.”
“We’ll see.”
“You are a stubborn man, Matteo,” he laughs, a booming voice that comes from his chest. “You made a smart deal with Giovanni Marino—his wealth and connections combined with our power and influence. But you chose a bride, not just a business partner. Don't forget that. Now I need to find your sister for our father-daughter dance." He turns to look around, smiling when he spots the baby of the family, Gabriella, chatting with her friends. “Ah, there she is!” With another pat on my shoulder, he leaves.
I stand alone on the dance floor, watching Sofia interact with those around her. I watch as the expression on her face changes with every dance partner. The polite smile on her face that doesn’t touch her eyes seems reserved for her father butchanges when her sisters join in. I watch as my bride's features soften and those green eyes light up like a beacon, the air around her shifting to ease…
And I want her.
Fucking hell, but I want to touch her. Kiss that stubborn mouth again and feel it yield under mine. Those eyes, I want them dazed, her cries echoing as I take her.
Claim her as mine.
Mine!
I’m walking toward them before my brain can register what I’m doing. Sofia is the first to notice me approaching, and she must see something in my eyes because hers widen with surprise. I stop next to the group and offer the sisters a polite smile before turning to my new wife.
“You’ve had a long day, Sofia,” I say, taking her hand in mine and bringing it to my lips, watching with pleasure as she blushes. “You must be tired.”
“M-Matteo–”
“We should make our exit now,” I tell her, tugging her to my side in a move so possessive I notice one of the sisters raising an eyebrow and the others exchanging knowing smiles. But they don’t know half of it.
A violent need burns in me to take my wife and mark her as mine. Fuck, and I thought getting a wife was supposed to ground me, but every moment I’m with Sofia, it feels like the ground is shifting right out from under me.
I want her.
Desperately.
Now.
“What about the party?” she asks, looking around at the reception. It might be impolite to leave so early but since when do I give a fuck about being polite. Besides, there’s nothing left to do here. The vows and rings have already been exchanged. The cake cut and the speeches made. The families can spend the the evening getting to know each other, and the rest of the guests can do whatever the fuck they want.
“They’ll understand.”
She blushes fiercely when I take her hand and start pulling her toward the exit. Loud applause and cheers follow us as we leave, but I don’t turn around. I need to get my bride alone. Now.
***
Sofia is quiet as we cross the hotel lobby, one hand clasped in mine and the other on the hem of her wedding gown so she doesn’t trip. No words are exchanged as we take the private elevator to our suite.
I let her walk in first and follow behind. I know I should do something… offer to pour us a drink, play some music, or whatever people do to help them relax, but I find myself stalking toward her. I grab her by the waist and spin her around, backing her against the wall. Her hand slaps against my chest, those eyes blinking up at me with surprise and… something else. Desire? Fear? Excitement? It’s hard to tell with my own need blinding me.
“Matteo, w-what are you doing?”
“This marriage was meant to be on paper only,” I rasp, running the back of my hand over her rosy cheek, reveling in its smoothness. “Whether or not it stays that way depends on you.”
Her chest rises and falls as she stares up at me, “What do you mean?”
“I want you.” I skim my hand over her bare shoulder and down her arm, feeling her shiver under me. Her cleavage rises and falls with each labored breath she takes, those sexy breasts tempting me into tearing off her dress and taking her where we stand. “I want to tear off this dress and touch this soft skin, lick those nipples until they’re stiff under my tongue.”
