I kissed him slowly. Taking my time. Making this about more than just physical desire. This was celebration. Commitment. Claiming my husband in every way possible.
Stefan kissed back with equal intensity. His hands slid into my hair. Gripped tight.
When we broke apart, I said: "I want to worship you tonight. Want to take my time. Want to make sure you feel exactly how much you mean to me."
"Then do it." His voice was rough. "Show me."
I unbuttoned his shirt slowly. One button at a time. Revealing skin inch by inch. Kissing each new section as it was exposed.
Stefan's breath quickened. His hands gripped my shoulders.
"You're so beautiful," I murmured against his collarbone. "So perfect. And mine."
"Yours," he agreed. "Always yours."
I pushed the shirt off his shoulders. Let it fall to the floor. Ran my hands over his chest, his stomach, his sides. Memorizing every detail of my husband's body.
Stefan's hands went to my shirt. Started unbuttoning with less patience than I'd shown. "Your turn."
I let him undress me. Let him take control for a moment. Let him push my shirt off and run his hands over my chest with the same reverence I'd shown him.
"I can't believe this is real," he whispered. "That we're married. That I get to keep you."
"It's real. Very real." I kissed him hard. "And you're stuck with me now. For life."
"Good. That's exactly how long I want."
We shed the rest of our clothes quickly. Both suddenly desperate. Both needing the connection.
I guided Stefan to the bed. Laid him down gently. Covered his body with mine.
"Tonight's about you," I said. "About celebrating you. About making sure you feel exactly how much I value you. How much you mean to me."
"Matteo—"
"Let me do this." I kissed down his throat. "Let me worship my husband."
I took my time. Kissed every inch of skin I could reach. Learned all over again what made Stefan gasp—biting the juncture of his neck and shoulder. What made him moan—my tongue tracing his ribs. What made him arch—my teeth scraping over his hip bone.
"God, Matteo—" His hands fisted in my hair.
"I've got you." I moved lower. "Just feel this. Feel how much I love you."
I used my mouth on him until he was trembling. Until he was begging. Until he was so close he could barely form words.
Then I pulled back.
"Not yet," I said. "I want this to last."
"You're killing me."
"Good." I kissed back up his body. "That's the point."
I prepared him thoroughly. Three fingers stretching him open while I kissed his neck and murmured praise against his skin.
"So perfect. So responsive. So mine."
"Please—" Stefan was shaking. "Matteo, please, I need—"
