“Of course. Best of luck to you both,” he said before striding out. Carmen and Leticia followed him, closing the door behind them and leaving us in private.
“Stella,” I said, placing one hand on Bianca’s shoulder and the other under her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. “It’s going to be okay.”
Her throat bobbed as she stared into my eyes. “What am I doing? This is insane. I keep thinking I’m going to wake up and this all will be some strange nightmare.”
Breathing a laugh, I tried to lighten the mood. “You still have a severe effect on my ego, Bianca. I never imagined marrying a woman who believed it would be a nightmare.”
Her lips formed a breathtaking smile, causing my heart to slam in my chest. Unable to resist, I ran my thumb over her lower lip. Reveling in her gasp, I slid my arm down her side and drew her body flush with mine.
I cupped her ass, filling my palm as her body instinctively fit itself to mine. Blood surged to my cock, and I grew hard as her breath washed over me in sexy little huffs.
Lowering my lips to hers, I spoke against them, every vibration rumbling through my body as she relaxed in my arms.
“Now,wife,” I murmured, “kiss me like you want me half as much as I want you...”
“Michael...”
My name was heaven upon her lips as I crushed them beneath mine. She moaned in my mouth, the sound raw and urgent as I thrust my tongue into her wet depths. Her hips undulated into mine, pressing against my rock-hard cock, and I deepened the kiss, longing to taste every inch of her.
Her tongue swirled around mine, both innocent and lustful at once, as I reveled in the fact that in a few short hours, I would finally make love to her in all the ways I’d dreamed.
“Are you wet for me, sweet Bianca?” I breathed, loving her low-pitched moan. “God, I can’t wait to fuck you...”
Her fingers plunged into my hair, tugging it as she kissed me back with all the fervor of a woman who desperately needed to be touched; who needed to beloved.
Drawing back, I nibbled her lip before pressing my forehead to hers. “Soon, mia. Soon, I’ll bury myself so far inside you, you won’t know where you begin and I end.”
Her cheeks flushed red, making her look like the young woman I’d held so long ago.
“Don’t be embarrassed, sweetheart. I told you when we first met that this happens sometimes. Don’t fight it. Chemistry like ours is extremely rare and precious.”
“That was ages ago,” she whispered. “So much has happened.”
I tenderly cupped her jaw. “It’s time to write a new story.” Kissing her forehead, I sighed. “There’s much to do before I can take you to bed, and I aim to do it quickly. I need to call the families and put out the word that we’re married and you’ve pledged allegiance to me. I’ll send out the directive that I expect all of Victor’s loyalists to follow. Sal DeLorenzo’s daughter is getting married this weekend, and that will be our first formal appearance together.”
“Okay. Should I do something? Maybe cook dinner?” She wrung her hands as she looked around the office. “I feel...lost.”
“Leticia does most of the cooking, and now with Carmen here I’m sure she’ll help. But if you enjoy cooking, I can have anything delivered here for you. Leticia is also going to give you a full tour of the house.”
“I’d love to cook you some pasta,” she said, lifting a shoulder. “Ravioli in red sauce, maybe? It will give me something to do so I don’t worry about Alexis.”
“Tell Burns what you need and he’ll have it here within the hour.” Hating to separate from her, I walked behind my desk. “Give me a few hours and then I’m all yours.”
The blush returned to her cheeks, causing me to grin. Would she blush like that all over her luscious body when I loved her? God, I couldn’t wait to find out.
“Thanks for getting us the phones so quickly. Cooking will take my mind off everything until I hear from Alexis and know she’s safe.”
“Of course,” I said, sitting at my desk. “You’re my wife, Bianca. You can have whatever you need. Don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Your wife...” she said, her eyebrows drawing together. “It feels foreign and familiar at the same time.”
I remained silent, not yet ready to tell her that she’d always been my wife deep in my soul. It had just taken me too damn long to claim her.
“I’ll be in the kitchen. Thank you...husband.”
Her parting words caused something to well deep within my chest as I reached for my phone. I wasn’t sure what to call the emotion, but for the first time in twenty-three years, it felt somewhat like happiness...
Chapter 14
