There was a glimmer of hope in my eyes, “I’m not?”
“I have a way to get Gabe to settle his roots in Chicago.”
My body is slightly relaxed. “Thank you,” I whisper.
“You can thank me another way.” The look in his eyes told me what he was referring to, and I smiled in return.
I wanted to thank him, and not just because of getting Gabe to stay in Chicago; I wanted to thank him for always being there to save my ass.
“You’re going to have to rip it off,” I said, tugging on my shirt as I walked toward the bedroom.
Emilio smirked, “That won’t be an issue.” He removes his jacket and tie as he stalks toward me.
Lifting me, my legs naturally wrap around his waist, and he carries me to the bedroom and tosses me onto the bed. We locked eyes. The day was hot, so I wasn’t wearing much, to begin with, but Emilio tore my t-shirt in half with his bare hands and then removed my shorts. Unclasping my bra, he throws it onto the floor; he hooks his finger into my lace thong, and I hear the fabric rip. The aggressiveness was turning me on. As I lay there naked, I watched Emilio undress himself. He was the kind of man that made you weak without even trying. His solid chest, perfect obliques, and v-cut were sculpted in perfection. With a hungry look in his eyes, Emilio was on top of me, sucking on my breasts while sliding two fingers in and out of me until I started to moan.
“Get on top,” he demanded. As we switch positions, he looks at me, “Have fun, go for a ride.”
Pleasantly surprised, I hover my entrance over his cock and slowly sit on it. Feeling him entering me, filling my insides, felt amazing. Fully seated and getting all of him deep inside me, I begin to move my hips forward and back. Starting slow and then picking up my pace, I could feel my body being possessed by him. Being the one in control felt exhilarating, but something was missing. Looking at him lying back with his head resting on the palms of his hands, he was letting me take the lead. Slightly lifting his hip a bit, his cock hit the spot inside of me, which caused me to yell out in pleasure. Picking up my pace, I could feel the orgasm building, but no matter how deep or fast I rocked my hips, I couldn’t finish. On the other hand, Emilio seemed to be doing his best to hold himself together. My juices were running down Emilio’s body and onto the sheets.
“Bethany, I’m struggling over here,” he breathed through his teeth.
Panting, I reply, “I can’t… I can’t finish.”
He lifted his hip again as though that would help, but it only strengthened the desire for release.
“Help me,” I begged. Emilio was confused and looked concerned. “Tell me to cum.”
A smirk crossed his face as he lifted his hip again and said the words I needed to hear. “Cum for me, sweetheart.”
Just like that, my body obeyed his command, and my orgasm came bursting through. Both of us climaxing at the same time groans and screams ripping out of our mouths. I collapse on top of him, trying to catch my breath. My mind went blank as it had reset itself. Still delirious, I didn’t even realize the words that slipped from my mouth.
“I love you.”
Emilio said nothing; he just turned onto his side so that I fell beside him. He placed a kiss on my forehead and then got out of bed. I watched him get dressed. Was he leaving? Did I scare him off?
“I didn’t mean it,” I sat on the bed, holding the sheets over my chest.
“It’s okay,” he replies, putting his pants on. “It doesn’t matter if you love me or not. You know the deal between you and I.”
“Of course.”
“Good.” He throws on his shirt. “You have a big day tomorrow. Get some rest.” Emilio walks out and leaves.
Chapter 23
The church bells rang right as I arrived at the cathedral. The sound was always calming to me, but today, it sounded as though it was my death sentence. Barely able to look at my brother, he walked me down the aisle in my designer fit and flare ivory gown with a modern straight neckline, subtle v-back, and a chapel-length train. The princess seams down the bodice were perfectly sown with inverted godets detailing on the sides of the skirt. I had wanted something simple but still feel bridal, so I softened the look by wrapping a delicate English net cape across my chest and around my shoulders, letting the rest of the fabric fall down my back. My hair was up in an elegant high bun with a crystal headpiece.
My mother in the front row pew was in tears. However, I wasn’t sure if it was because her last child was getting married or if she allowed this to happen without a fight. She was the only one I could look at, even though I was mad with her just as much as I was with Luca. My sisters even tried to change Luca’s mind but to no avail. My threat of taking my own life was a bluff Luca called. He knew I would never do that.
“I promise, B, I’ll make it up to you,” Luca whispered.
“Nothing you can do can compensate for this,” I reply.
Finally reaching the altar, Luca handed me to Gabe. I force my eyes on him, wanting to smack the evil smile off his face. In return, I glance at his bandaged hand and shoot him an equal smile. He slightly twitched his mouth that sent a shiver down my spine. It took me back to the other night.Luca may believe he set Gabe straight, but the look in Gabe’s eyes told me otherwise.
Taking my hand, Gabe held it so tightly that I thought the blood flow would stop. Unable to get out of his hold, I dug my nails into his hand as hard as possible. He will need to know I won’t be going down without a fight. As the priest spoke, we stood facing each other. When we got to our vows, I could see from my side view that his brother and family were smiling in victory.
“Do you, Gabriel, take Bethany as your lawfully wedded wife?”
