Then again, he didn’t seem like the type of man who worried about the fancy aspects of a business deal. Just the end result—and that was all that I was to him—the final outcome of a deal between him and my father—brokered when I was a child. And one who lost a lifetime of happiness with a mother who couldn’t be here today. To do what? Save me, perhaps.
When I finally made it to the platform and Salvatore turned to take my hand from my father, I barely managed to hold back my gasp. In a dark gray tux, his hair styled to perfection, clean-shaven face all hard angles and chiseled perfection, the man was a sight to behold. As if he sensed my admiration, his eyes met mine and one dark brow rose. I shifted my gaze to the priest, utterly convinced that many women would kill to be in my place right now. Why then, was I given an honor I couldn’t do justice to.
“Vincenzo Salvatore, do you, take Gianna Mancini...”
Vincenzo?I hadn’t heard his first name before and admittedly it suited him. Coupled with Salvatore, it sounded powerful, important, and I didn’t doubt the significance.
“I do,” the automated response slipped past my lips when it was my turn, and while the urge to close my eyes and shy away from the devil himself, I locked gazes with him. Where mine held uncertainty, his once again, were blank slates of gray.Take my soul, maybe you need it.
“You may kiss the bride.”
The part I was dreading. I closed my eyes, forcing myself not to give in to that urge to run. Zayne was the only man I’d kissed before, and I wasn’t sure if I was prepared for another. My heart thumped, and my insides resembled roiling winds at its wildest. This was an act of intimacy between two people who cared for each other.
Yet, as I felt the veil being lifted and the soft touch of a finger on my chin, I opened my eyes and for just a moment, I wasn’t sure if I imagined the warmth reflected in those beautiful grays. His lashes swept downward, hiding the emotion from me before his lips brushed mine in the softest of kisses. If that caught be my surprise, then I wasn’t prepared for the delicate sweep of his tongue along the seam of my lips or its sizzling dance against mine when I allowed him entrance. Wisps of his musky scent, curled around me, drawing me deeper into his web of deception. Because that’s what it was. All this time I believed he was a cold heartless monster, the touch of those gentle lips, however, belonged to the saint of seduction himself.
I wasn’t sure when he’d slipped his other hand around my waist but if it hadn’t been there, I would’ve crumbled to the floor. In one heart-stopping moment, Salvatoreil diavolohad not only taken me through the fiery gates of an unlikely hell, but he’d also unleashed carnal sin with just his mouth alone. When he finally pulled back, I feared opening my eyes not wanting to believe the man I’d just kissed was the same man I was learning to hate.
32
Gianna (18 years)
“Thank you, Julian.” I stepped out of Julian’s embrace to find Salvatore watching me from across the room. The distinct tightness to his shoulders and clenched jaw spoke to his annoyance. What had I done to rile him up now? Those silver eyes flicked from face to where Julian’s had still lay draped around my waist, the gesture innocent. When his gaze came back to my face, I understood. Vincenzo wasn’t jealous, he was possessive and that scared me more for some reason.
“Go on,” Julian nudged my lower back as though he sensed Vincenzo’s displeasure.
Avoiding him, I made my way upstairs. The last time I was in Salvatore’s bedroom was purely by chance and I wasn’t his wife. I had no idea how I’d ended up on his bed either and I hadn’t bothered to ask because when he stepped out of the bathroom with bleeding hands, I’d forgotten that he was the stranger I was sold to. All I was interested in, was helping with dressing those wounds. My kindness was wasted on a man like him. Either he just didn’t care about hurting the people around him or it was just me that he didn’t like.
Regardless, I was now his wife. Yet, that four-letter word did very little to calm my agitated heart. truth be told, I was scared shitless and wedding nights were supposed to be romantic. Not one party fearing that other.
I opened his door to find Rosana laying out an emerald satin lingerie set on the bed. “SignoraSalvatore,” she greeted her smile warm. “I’ve moved all your clothes into his closet.” She pointed to open double doors that were a room on its own.
Her words sparked a finality I hated. “Thank you. Who shopped for all my clothes and accessories?”
“SignorSalvatore.”
Her reply surprised me. “Everything?” She nodded.
