She shrugs, her cheeks turning redder.“It’s fine.You have a lot on your mind and I’m sure I’m the last person you want to talk to.”
She looks away during the pause that follows.
“That’s not true,” he says, but there’s a lie in his voice and we can all hear it.
“Do you think you’re good enough to fix some of Matteo’s tattoos?”I ask, keeping my voice happy and loud, though it’s also very strained.“He could do with some pretty images on his skin.Maybe a rose or something?Or my name?”
He smiles at me and I smile at him and at least for now, the darkness is held at bay.
“How about a golden rose, right over my heart,” he says.“Then there’d be no need to add your name at all.Since that’s what you are.My golden rose.”
“Oh, no, I definitely want my name on there,” I say.“To warn off any other woman who happens to see you shirtless.”
“Oh, it’s like that?”he asks, laughing.
“It’s exactly like that.”I might not be able to wear his ring because of my curse, but he’s mine and I want the whole world to know it.
Bella laughs too.“I can definitely do a golden rose.I can even do a whole bouquet of them.And add your name to them.How’s that sound?”
He’s staring so deep into my eyes that I’m sure he can see into all, even the tiniest, darkest corners of it.“That sounds perfect.”
And it will be.But not tonight.Tonight, he’s all mine, no need for branding.And it’s time we head for one of those fires outside, watch those sparks full of life and possibility fly into the night sky.And just be in this perfect moment.Make tonight one of those memories we will never forget.
Chapter31
MATTEO
The weekend wentby in a flash.I knew it would.One minute she’s lying in my arms by a bonfire in the yard of the Rogue Angels MC compound, talking about how each spark that flies into the sky is a wish just like a falling star.Or even better because they’re rising to Heaven instead of falling from it.
I wished the same thing on every one of them—that I will get many more years of holding her in my arms on perfect nights just like that one was.She wouldn’t tell me her wishes, saying they won’t come true if she does, but I hope at least some of them matched mine.
She also talked a lot about making perfect memories of the time we spent together over the weekend, taking mental photographs of all those perfect moments to store forever just like you would real pictures.She’s afraid of what the war will bring.But she didn’t want to talk about it and neither did I.
Now she’s lying in my arms, and the cold light of Monday morning is materializing in the sky outside, the dawn rising much faster than any dawn I’ve ever witnessed before.
I have to get up, get dressed, get ready to take out Moretti.Go to battle and finally avenge my family.Finally fulfil my blood oath to them.Make things right.
But the fire of revenge in my chest is so dull it barely burns.
I turn away from the window and kiss her softly on the forehead.Then her cheeks and finally her full, tasty lips once she stirs and blinks open her eyes.
She closes them again as I deepen the kiss, sighs, and moans as I trail kisses down the side of her neck.Then over her breasts, tasting her perfect, perky nipples, which never fail to harden into the sweetest candy I’ve ever tasted as soon as my lips touch them.
Her pussy is wet and ready for me.I push a finger into her, then another, massaging her clit with my thumb as I caress her velvety warmth.She moans into my kiss now, her hips rising to meet my thrusting fingers.
“More,” she whispers as I kiss her nipples again.“Please.”
And I do have more for her.So much more.Everything.
But maybe all I can give her is this one last orgasm.
I don’t think about that as I slide my cock into her, focusing only on her sigh of pleasure, the way her mouth curls up at the edges as she receives me.
I go slow and deep until she’s smiling full on, her eyes closed, her moans and sighs rivaling the pretty bird song sounding from outside.
I lose myself in her.For hours it feels like.For days.Years even.
But in reality, it’s only minutes.Short minutes before I’m thrusting into her faster, her moans growing louder, her nails digging into my back as I chase my own orgasm.She comes first, whispering, “Oh, Matteo,” into my ear as I come too.
