Page 36 of The Mobster’s Present

“I’m sorry I didn’t meet you sooner.” Even though it’s not mine to bear, guilt hits me in the chest. If I had come across her soon, could I have saved her from some of the agony Romeo put her through? “But I’ll never let you go now.”

Her smile is victorious, her voice teasing, “Who said I wanted you to?”

When I kiss her, it’s all sweetness. I’m still hungry for her, the feral need I have to possess her riding me hard, but I want to make love to the woman who holds my heart.

My hands slide over her body slowly, every inch of skin a memory I’ve already mapped and can’t wait to explore again.

I lay her out on the bed and then stand to strip my clothes. When I cover her body with mine, her limbs wrap around me. One of her hands glides down my back while the other dives into my hair.

Words aren’t needed as I slide balls deep into her tight, wet heat. I fuck her slow and deep, every movement precise and pushing her closer to the edge.

The look on her face is pure bliss, and I can’t take my eyes away from her.

“Say it again,” I demand, the need coming from some primal place in me that only exists for her.

“I love you, Salvatore,” she keens the words her back arching and her head pressing down against the pillow.

“Fuck,” I growl in the throat. “You feel so fucking good wrapped around me.” My jaw clenches with the need to move faster and fuck her harder.

But I don’t.

Our bodies move together, keeping the rhythm and finding one that builds our pleasure with every movement. I’ve never felt a connection like this, but I know it’s because she’s the one I was waiting for without realizing I was even doing it.

I watch as her eyes roll back when I’m filling her completely, the glide of my length along that spot inside of her making stars dance in front of her eyes. She tilts her hips and gasps, “Just like that.”

My pace stays and my jaw clenches so hard that I swear I hear my teeth protest.

When she comes, I feel it roll through her body in a wave of pleasure. She clings to me while my name falls from her lips.

My balls draw up and I bury my cock inside of her as deeply as I can. As I fill her with my cum, I groan, “Ashleigh.”

Her grip tightens on my shoulders when I roll us, and she burrows into my chest. My hand slides up and down her back as our breathing and heart rate slows down.

“I will always take care of you,” I promise.

“I know.”

She’s a present that arrived in my hands without any warning. I’ll always cherish her and our daughter. They are my life and anyone who tries to take them from me will pay with their blood.

EPILOGUE

ONE AND A HALF YEARS LATER

ASHLEIGH

Salvatore takes my hands in his and smiles at me with a gentle eyes that are reserved for me and our daughter. I glance over toward my daughter who is wearing a dress that matches my own. She looks adorable and overjoyed as she watches me get married.

Over the last year and a half, Oriana has thrived. It’s not just because of the lifestyle that we’re now afforded. She glows under Salvatore’s focus and attention.

She’s feeling so much better now. We’re still in the maintenance phase of her treatment, but things are looking good and I’m confident that it’s only a matter of time before she’s out of that phase and only looking forward.

The day she was transitioned, officially, to the maintenance phase was the same day Salvatore asked me to marry him. It was perfect.

When we stepped out of the doctor’s appointment, I looked up at the blue sky and let out a long, slow breath.

Oriana’s giggle had me looking back down to find Salvatore on one knee in front of me. My hands flew up to my mouth as I let out a sound that was completely undignified and totally embarrassing; one that I try not to think about.

“La mia piccola leonessa,” his voice was deep and smooth, “will you please let me take care of you, love you, and stand beside you for the rest of our lives? Marry me.”