“The only woman I want to fuck sits in front of me.” She flinches at my sharp tone. “Francesca… Despite my behavior while I was engaged to your cousin, we are married now, and I swear I will be faithful to you.”
“Yeah, right,” she says, rolling her eyes.
Okay, not frightening her is one thing, but she rolls her eyes at me? I can’t even remember the last time someone other than my younger siblings dared to roll their eyes at me. I enjoy Francesca’s spark but, after the fucked-up day I’ve had, it irks me.
“What’s that?” I ask, grasping for another topic and nodding at the keyboard.
“I bought it when Faro took me on our shopping date earlier.” I despise the way she phrased that. “You don’t have a piano, and I don’t know if Uncle Enzo will send the old keyboard I practiced on in Reno to me after the whole thing with… you know,” she trails off, glancing away.
“I don’t have a piano,” I repeat, remembering the Baby Grand at her parents’ home in Boston, the one she was playing when she sang for Beppe. Her notebook is one for writing music, I realize. Her musical talent goes beyond simply being a songbird.
“Anyway, I found this one for two hundred dollars on sale. It’s top of the line for its size,” she says, setting it on the floor beside the chair. “We’ll call it your wedding gift to me after you tricked me last night.”
“A two-hundred-dollar gift?” Her eyes narrow at my incredulous tone as if I’ve personally insulted her and the instrument somehow. "Speaking of your spending today…"
"I spent a lot, didn't I? I'll bet you're angry about that."
Her triumphant tone almost makes me regret laughing in her face. "You can have anything you want."
"How about my freedom?"
Anything but that.My jaw clenches, and I take a deep breath. She's going to require more patience than I'm accustomed to giving.
“In all the chaos that followed, I never asked if you got into Juilliard after your audition.”
“I don’t know. As you said, a lot of chaos followed. My daydreams didn’t seem to matter anymore when I was threatened with torture, rape and murder for helping Sofia.”
The mere thought of her being hurt incites my rage. I should be angry over her helping Sofia escape and trying to protect her brother, but I wound up getting the bride I actually wanted out of that disaster. I don’t express any of that because I know I shouldn’t fully trust Francesca. I’ll have to be careful with how I handle her.
“I’ll make a call tomorrow.” Her brows draw together in confusion. “A formal wedding reception is still necessary. Ours will be happening a month from now. My mother is taking care of the arrangements… unless you’d like to be involved.”
She huffs. “I didn’t want to be married to you in the first place, remember?”
My temper starts to boil again. “This will be the most important social event in our circle this year. I like your spirit, but I expect you to behave and show me the proper respect in public as my wife. Understood?”
The little minx smirks. “Are you going to spank me if I don’t?”
“Yes, I will, and I’ll fuck you so hard after that you won’t be able to sit or walk comfortably for a week. Is that what you want?” She gulps again, and I sigh, angry at myself for losing my temper. “Will you behave at our reception or not?”
“I behaved during our wedding after you threatened my cousin and dragged my mom and the priest here, didn’t I? I know when it’s in my best interest to comply,” she sniffs.
“Good. Faro will take you shopping tomorrow to choose a suitable dress for the reception.”
“I’ll look forward to spending another day with Faro. Anything else, my prince?” she asks, tartly.
Goddammit, how can I still want her so much even when she’s being an infuriating brat? “I’d like a kiss if you won't bite my tongue in two,” I mutter, shrugging off my suit jacket and gun holster.
I expect another glare, but she’s avidly watching me remove my things. I take my time undoing my tie and unbuttoning my shirt. I remove my knife holster next, and she bites down on her bottom lip. Try as she might to deny it, she reacts to my body at least.
I stroll toward the chair, leaning down to brace my hands on either side of her. She sucks in a quick breath. She smells fucking delicious as her eyes map my throat and chest. “Just one little kiss?” she asks, curiously.
“One kiss. I’m dying for another taste of that pert mouth of yours.”
I half expect a shove, but Francesca delights me by tilting her chin up and hurriedly licking her lips. “One kiss and nothing more tonight?”
Blood rushes to my cock in protest, but I nod. “One very special kiss,” I amend before capturing her wrists. I drag her out of the chair and then take her place in it before pulling her into my lap.
“Carlo!” she fumes, trying to push me away until my mouth crashes down on hers, hungrily claiming her lips and tongue as I did last night. As hoped, she quickly gives up her feeble resistance, kissing me backwith enthusiasm. My hands roam her curves, holding her closely as I take my time tasting her. She explores me in return, learning with my guidance. Inexperienced, yes. But so fucking sweet.
