He shakes his head. “You wound me, sister-in-law.”
The termsister-in-lawrolls off his tongue so casually, yet it sends a shiver down my spine. The reminder of our newfound bond only serves to heighten the tension between Carmela and me.
I make my way over to them, unable to resist the pull any longer. Federico notices my approach and raises an eyebrow, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the elusive groom,” he teases. “Don’t mind me, I was entertaining your lovely wife with some of my finest material.”
Carmela shoots him a playful glare. “More like torturing me with your terrible jokes.”
I chuckle at their playful banter, feeling a strange sense of contentment wash over me. “Now, now, you two. Play nice.”
Fed shoots me a wolfish grin. “I’m always nice, brother. Can’t say the same for you, though.” He winks exaggeratedly at Carmela. “This one’s got her hands full with you.”
Heat rushes to my face at his insinuation. I open my mouth to retort, but Carmela beats me to it.
“Don’t I know it,” she says dryly, rolling her eyes. Despite her nonchalant tone, I catch the way her gaze flicks over me, a hint of that same smoldering desire from earlier.
My brother barks out a laugh. “That’s my girl! Give as good as you get.” He claps her on the shoulder affectionately.
An unexpected flare of jealousy twists in my gut at their easy camaraderie. I want—no, I need that connection with her. More than anything.
Sensing the shift in my mood, Federico’s grin widens infuriatingly. “Well, I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it.” He winks again before strolling into the house.
I turn my full attention to Carmela, my voice low. “Alone at last.”
She meets my intense stare head-on, refusing to be cowed. “So it would seem.”
We stand there in silence, the air crackling with unspoken tension. I take a step closer, unable to resist.
Carmela’s breath hitches almost imperceptibly, but I catch it. My lips quirk up in a satisfied smirk.
“Something on your mind, wife?” I ask silkily, purposely using the term to get a rise out of her.
Her eyes narrow at the bait, but she doesn’t take it. Instead, she closes the remaining distance between us in one fluid motion.
The scent of her perfume—rich and intoxicating—envelops me as she leans in close.
“You tell me, husband,” she purrs. “Seems you can’t take your eyes off me.”
A delicious shiver runs through me at her bold words. This woman is fire personified, and I’m utterly entranced by her flames.
“Can you blame me?” I murmur, allowing my gaze to roam shamelessly over her curves. “You’re a vision.”
She arches an eyebrow, unimpressed by my attempt at flattery. “Is that the best you’ve got? Sweet talk won’t work on me.”
I step even closer, crowding into her personal space until our bodies are a hairsbreadth apart.
“Who said anything about sweet talk?” I growl, letting my eyes blaze with undisguised want.
Carmela’s confident facade slips for just a moment. Good. Let her see that I’m not playing games anymore.
I reach out and trail a finger along the delicate line of her jaw, relishing the way she trembles at my touch.
“You think you’ve got me all figured out, don’t you?” I murmur, leaning in until my lips graze the shell of her ear. “Butthe truth is you’ve got no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into,piccina.”
I pull back enough to meet her wide, captivated eyes.
“The question is...” I continue. “Are you brave enough to find out?”
