“I’m glad you recognise that you’re stra… Luc!” Mia had started her quick-witted assault, but I didn’t let her finish. In one swift movement, I picked her up and took her to the bed, placing her down and kissing her again. Mia melted into the embrace, a smart alec silenced by affection.
“I’m staying,” I told her firmly when we broke apart. There was no discussion or compromise to be had on this matter.
She nodded her head in agreement and a smile came to my lips as I climbed into the bed beside her, pulling her close once again. There were things that needed to be discussed and lines that needed to be reassessed, but we would have plenty of time to do so after Dom’s wedding.
I let Mia curl up against me, head nestled in the crook of my neck while my fingers trailed through her hair, content, for now at least, to just have her in my arms.
∞∞∞
"You need to go," Mia told me, pushing me gently. I’d woken up to her fingers trailing down my cheek as she called my name softly. I’d almost thought it was a dream to have woken up to such a beauty. Even first thing, Mia knocked the air clean out of my lungs. This was a sight I could get used to. What better way was there to start the day than to a beautiful woman who belonged to me?
“Says who?” I muttered, pulling her in close. My voice was gravelly and heavy with sleep as I sank into the pillow. I was ready to argue that it would be easier to just let me stay here while she went about with preparations. Leaving her was becoming a more difficult task with each passing day.
"Says me," she told him. "So please, Luc. Dante's probably going to come looking for you soon." I groaned and she gave me another push. "Get. Up. Get. Out."
I hadn't moved an inch from the effort she’d made. Mia must have forgotten at times who she was dealing with. "You're cute when you take charge,” I humored her, one eye open to witness the pout on her lips.
"Luc!"
"Fine, fine, I'm getting up." I reluctantly let go of her and she got up and out of bed before I could convince her otherwise. And I had plenty of ways to convince her. I followed her and stretched out the sleep from my system. As my arms dropped to my sides, I caught Mia’s gaze drop to the floor. A smirk came to my face. I hadn’t pushed my luck with Mia last night. This had become about more than chasing after sex.
"I'll see you later," I said as I moved towards her for a kiss, but she pushed me back towards the door.
"Yes, you will. Now go."
I grabbed the handle and opened it to see Dom standing there, poised to knock.
Dom's face broke into a grin, "Alright, boss?"
"Just fine, thanks, Dom." He could make whatever assumption pleased him because I was not about to try and correct him. I wondered if Mia would. "Good luck down there," I said to Dom. "I'll see you later, princess."
∞∞∞
Dante and I had already made our way to Rodrigo's hotel where the ceremony was being held. Out on the grounds, surrounded by tall trees and a massive amount of orange flowers, guests had started to mill around. The pair of us made our way to the front, as members of Dom's family, and engaged in some small talk along the way.
"You look after him," I said as I shook Rodrigo's hand before taking a seat in the front row. It was a blazing hot afternoon and being suited up was not my ideal scenario, but I would support my family the best I could. They were what I lived for. They were why I did what I did.
The music started up and the congregation got to their feet, looking back towards the end of the aisle where Dom and Mia had appeared.
"Holy shit!" Dante whispered. "Mia looks amazing!"
I gave him a swift elbow to the ribs although I was inclined to agree. While everyone else’s attention was focused on the groom by her side, I struggled to see anything but Mia. She was all bronzed skin and champagne satin that skimmed over her curves, leaving nothing to the imagination. Dom had chosen well. The ink in the center of her chest was visible thanks to the dangerously low-plunging neckline and I felt my pants get uncomfortably tight.
"You better stop looking at her," I warned Dante, barely containing the urge to march up to her to cover her up from any other roaming eyes.
"All eyes on Dom," Dante assured me.
As Mia and Dom made their way closer to the top of the aisle, I could clearly see the glittering band across her throat. Seemed she had found a reason to wear my choker after all. Eventually, they had made it to the top and Mia gave Dom's hand over to Rodrigo before she kissed them both on the cheek and took her seat beside me.
They exchanged vows but I only half paid attention, my eyes naturally falling to Mia every so often. A tear rolled down her cheek and I pulled out my pocket square and handed it to her.
"Thank you," Mia said as she dabbed at the corners of her eyes.
Rodrigo and Dom sealed the end of the ceremony with a kiss, and their guests were back on their feet showering them with confetti as they walked back down the aisle. Mia popped her fingers into her mouth and let out a shrill whistle and my mind sank back into the gutter wondering what other tricks it could do.
"I need a drink after all that," Dante said moving past me and Mia, following the guests to the reception.
"You look—" I started, now that it was just the two of us.
