Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 102566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
"It's only an at home test, so I can't be sure," I remind her. "But we'll see a doctor back in Palermo to confirm it."
"I'm going to have a baby," she whispers, her voice breaking over the words as her hand gently rubs her belly over the shirt she's wearing. "Your baby."
"You're going to make me the happiest man in the world," I tell her firmly. "Just don't ever run again."
42
Marzia
Arriving back at the Bernardi Estate feels different than it did before.
When I got here that first time, it was clear to all those around me I was a mafia captive, a prisoner of the Bernardi famiglia.
But not this time.
This time, I feel like a queen as Adrian helps me out of the car, holding my hand gallantly as he leads me up the stairs and into the house.
In the hall inside, there are maids, guards and some of the family already waiting. Julian is there, along with Santino, and Bruno has made an appearance, too.
When Bruno sees me, there's a smile tugging at the corners of his lips even though he won't let it spread across his face. "You worried us, running away like that," he grumbles. "Didn't you think how worried Adrian would be?"
I take a step closer to him.
"Don't pester her, Father," Adrian says. "She's been through a lot."
"Very well." Bruno's eyes rest on me for a second longer than necessary, then he finally allows himself to smile lightly. "It's good to have you back, signora Da Costa Bernardi."
I bow slightly in front of him.
Everyone lets us pass.
This time, I don't get my own quarters. Adrian has already told everyone we've married, and we're shown directly to his rooms where the bed is sprinkled with rose petals. A large parcel awaits in front of the bed, tied up with glittery ribbon.
"What's this?" I tug on the bow, meeting Adrian's eyes curiously. "A gift?"
"Open it," he suggests.
I do as I'm told, pulling the ribbon off. Underneath, there is a multitude of treasures. My framed paintings, a huge empty canvas and expensive paints make me smile wider than ever before.
I know this is the man for me. He's gone out of his way yet again, to ensure I'll feel safe and good in the Estate. He's gone above and beyond for me to prove his true feelings, and I don't doubt him anymore. Everything that happened had to happen the way it did. Otherwise, we wouldn't be staring right here, right now.
"Thank you." I kiss Adrian's cheek.
When I try to pull away, his arms proprietorially wrap around my waist, pulling me against him. "Where do you think you're going?" he murmurs against my cheek. "I've been without you for weeks... Don't you think you should show me what I've been missing this whole time?"
"Of course," I purr. I take his hand and gently place it on my belly. We share a smile between the two of us. Besides Bruno, no one knows we're going to have a baby just yet, although I'm eager to reveal it closer to the delivery date. We have to see a doctor first, but it seems we're getting a little distracted.
Slowly, I pull Adrian's hand over my breasts.
He caresses me cheek, cupping my face and leaving a soft, gentle kiss against my lips.
I know he wants this as badly as I do, and I know his heart beats only for me. All my doubts are gone now. We belong together, and we've proved again and again, we deserve our happily ever after.
As Adrian lowers his lips to mine, I allow the lust descending over us to take over. I want nothing more than to spend eternity in this bedroom with my husband, showing him how much I love him every second of the day.
But he seems to have other plans in mind. "We're going to create something together," he tells me. He places a canvas on the floor and spurts thick globs of paint all over it.
They're all pastels, gorgeous colors that look beautiful together, though I still don't understand what Adrian's trying to do until he turns to face me with a devious smile. "I want us to paint together."
"I didn't know you knew how to paint—Oh!" A smile tugs on the corner of my lips as I realize what he wants. "You mean..."
"Yes." He takes a step forward and gently begins peeling the shirt off my body. I unbutton his shirt. At first, we go slow but soon enough, our desires take over and we're ripping at each other's clothes. More eager than ever to press our bodies together and explore this new bond, the one we've sworn to obey until death do us part.
"I can't live without you," Adrian whispers in my ear.
"Good thing you don't have to." I strip the shirt off his body, admiring his inked, muscular torso one more time. "I'll never get enough of looking at you."